It is legendary island on the Egean Sea. More then 50 years ago I saw it for the first time, coming from Piraeus aboard junk “Apollon” ship. No pier at that time – we were landing from the barges. Pelicans were wandering on the coastal square asking for the food. And today?…

There is new port opposite the old one whete cruise ship’s dock. From there motored sea buses for 2,50 euro are taking thousands of tourist to the stylish old port where not only souvenirs but also product of world-famous companies are offered.

Flowers in the windows of traditionally white houses. Little orthodox churches with blue and red copulas. In the past the windmills were the icons of the island but very few remained. It is woorth to escape the crowd and dive into the labyrinth of narrow streets…

I came to the old port from the ship by foot, taking on tye way the pictures of dry hills doted by white houses. There were also few little beaches, but the water is still too cold to swim:

Tomorrow we will visit Santorini…

In the sunny morning we were still sailing along the Bay of Izmir. I decided to take one-hour sunbath on the deck. We docked at 12.30 and 40 min later I disembarked to the little passenger terminal. The info desk was empty…But you can get the map in the “i” signed office building on the little square left side of coastal boulevard.

I have been to Izmir before, so after passing the gate I turned right to the coastal promenade. There are many hotels and cafes so it is easy to ask for the password to internet.

After passing Konak Pier – converted now to commercial center I continued along the cost. On the left, on the other side of tram line I found big Ataturk Square – the place which could be called the heart of Izmir’s old town. In the middle of the square there is precious Clock Tower with little mosque in the back. Gracious palm trees and pigeons are around…

Nice pedestrian alley goes from here to nearby bazaar area with many mosques, rows of colorful shops and nostalgic tea-houses. Tourists are rare in the crowd and this creates the atmosphere of the aithentic Orient. I had a nice walk in the labyrinth…

From.the cruise terminal to the bazaar it is like an hour walk – good exercise if you liki tho see and enjoy street life. I returned for the late lunch on time. Great day – tomorrow we plan to reach Greek Mykonos island. Ahoy!

I have been in Istanbul many times but this oriental city always excites me and I am ready to stroll the streets of the old city again.

We were docking in Galata Port – at 9.30 I passed new underground terminal with the special Turkey landing card delivered by crew to the cabin. Then I was walking whole day on my old footprints. It was not necessary to change any money.

Aya Sophia (picture above) is still under restoration and doesn’t look so nice but the Blue Mosque (here they call it Sultam Ahmet) is bright, especially if the image is combined with the big fountain:

When I have been here last year it was Sunday and the famous bazaar Kapali Carsi was closed. Today it was open and I had a chance to see how beautifully it is restored:

Actually it is city in the city, offering thousand or even more elegant shops in the labyrinth of covered alleys

It wal lovely, sunny day. I walked with pleasure about 9 kms – quite an excercise! Tomorrow in the afternoon we should be in Izmir!

This is the interior of the Blue Mosque – you can visit it for free after prayer hours!

Heading to Istanbul today on the afternoon we passed the Strait of Dardanele. The weather was lovely so our artists prepared on the deck Dervishes Dance event with the local music.

I saw in the past such a muslim dances in Turkey, UAE and Egypt but the dancer’s team from our ship surprised me by their skills:

Let you know that terere were even two lady-dervishes. I am convinced that it is not easy to turn around and around during the 20- minutes period. Bravo!

In the evening in the theater we enjoyed quite different dances. Three ladies from Spain were dancing traditional flamenco. Their performance was very professional:

It wa great day at sea. Tomorrow we will dock in Istanbul!

I am in Volos today. It is prowincial capital located in the deep bay. Volos is the only port in our itinerary I haven’t been yet.

We are docking in the commercial port. From the ship it is 5 min walk to little barrack of terminal (city maps are distributed here, but declared internet does not!) From this place you will have some 10 min walk through rather ugly port streets to the main road -turn right, it will take you to the yacht marina and coastal promenade.

Just a year ago the monument of Jason – the chief of legendary Argonauts was erected on the boulevard andany trurists is taking selfies in front of the warrior.

Walking further along the coast you will pass nice park and few orthodox churches. St Constantine was open and worth a visit, bu little Trinity Church has beautiful flowers around:

Further on there is little city beach. And on the outskirts of the city on the coast I found little Panagia Goritsa church when they had baptism ceremony – I had a chance to see how they celebrate:

It was nice, sunny day after foggy morning. I was walking in total around 8 kms. Good exercise! Tomorrow we will be passing Dardanele on tje way to Istanbul…

It was warm, but cloudy and foggy morning when we docked in the port of Piraeus. The people from the ship will not tell you that, but you can reach the Athens from here on a cheap. City bus 040 goes from here to Syntagma Sq. And costs 1,20 euro. If you want to see the port on the way take a walk to Piraeusetro station and go also for 1,20 to Monasteiros station at the bottom of Acropolis. That’ what I did!

.The saason started an there are crowds of the tourists staing in the long lines to buy the expensive ticket to the top of the hill. For me it was enough to take a picture from the rocky view point (picture above). I visited Partenon in 1973 without crowd. You can take a picture near odeon – ancient theatre instead.

I went down to the famous Plaka quarter, with the restairants, art galleries and shops in the narrow, cobbled streets.

Refreshing memories I was walking to well-known Syntagma Square with nice fountain and parliament building on the top. In front of the parliament is the Tomb of the Inknown Soldier with the guards in the funny national uniforms. It is worth to wait for the change of the guards – they perform the spectacle like in the operetta:

I took the bus to the ship to see more on the way.

Welcome to Crete in Greece! We docked in the large commercial port of Heraklion and complimentary bus is taking us from the ship to the port gate – near ferry terminal. It is walking distance from this place to the old Venetian Port and the main street of the old part of the city. The fort in the Venetian Port is one of the main attraction of the city (be ready to pay 10 euro entry fee, but EU seniors pay only half). 🙂

There are many pedestrian streets filled by tourists. Do you remember Greek alphabet? They still use it and the names and directions not always are translated.

Going up of 25th September St it is worth to stop at the nice orthodox church…

Further up and to the right there is nice cathedral (but still restored – see picture above). Labyrinth of the small and narrow commercial alleys has a charm – since my last visit many houses were restored. Greek sirtaki music is played in many cafes and restaurants….

On the horizon high mountains with the remains of snow are visible:

In the evening we will be sailing to Athens to leave the passengers and embark new ones. Ahoy from Greece!

Every evening we have a new show in the ship’s theater live music in the clubs and bars and many other activities, so it is hard to be bored:

We have a team of professional dancers and singers. I lide most Italian-Paraguayan duo playing world standards

The only thing I can complain about is the lach of professional pianist. There is a guy playing on the keyboard and singing, but it is not the same 🙂

Sunny day on Malta. At 9 am we were entering the narrow port of La Valetta. It is worth to be on the deck after the ship passed wav breaker for the views of the old city on the right. The cramp terminal if down, under the high city walls and most of the passengers go to the lift, waiting there long time. I didn’t! You can climb up enjoying the flowers and views by zig-zag street.

.0nce you disembark the lift you will find yourself in the small beautiful garden with a view of the port and the signal battery (I was waiting for the salute at 12!

Then I took the walk thruugh the steep streets of the picturesque old city, full of churchas, stairs, cafes. At the terminal they distribute free maps so you will easy find your way.

Horse carts are popular but be prepaded to pay 35 euro for first 30 minutes ride.I was walking as far as Fort St Elmo (there os museum, buy your ticket in the powder house) and then turned back to the port.

It was a great day. I have new friends – a couple from Almaty in Kazakhstan. Tomorrow we have day at sea on the way to Crete.

Lovely, sunny morning. Around 10 am we passed Eolian (or Lipari) Islands with few nice volcanic cones. Do you remember – I visited few of them climbing the mountains for the views. At 11 am captain Gianbaptista (my 53rd captain) invited me for the cocktail. Some people from the ship remember me from the previous cruises. I introduced myself to the captain. He congratulated me an we had informal picture:

Around 1.30 pm we entered the port of Messina. In the lovely sun the landscape was lovely. Messina has a nice location in the strait:

I had few hours to refresh memories, walk to cathedral square, to enjoy flowers and palms

On the ship there are many passengers from the former soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan. They rarely speak English and are happy to talk with me in Russian. Nice people!

Late in the afternoon I climbed to the view point near the Sanctuary of Monte Alto. Our shop was visible from my there. Can you see on the picture below how narrow is the Messina Strait?