May 29, 2010

Venice sail-away, May 5


Si and I spent 32 glorious days on Holland America's Westerdam, sailing from Ft. Lauderdale (April 14) to Funchal, Madeira (April 22) ... then stopping at Cadiz and Almeria, Spain; Ajaccio, Corsica; Rome, Naples and Messina, Italy; Sarande, Albania; Split, Croatia; laying over in Venice (May 3 through 5). I didn't expect the grandeur of our departure from Venice: We sailed our great fat ship right down the Grand Canal! Watching the city's islands go by, from 10 stories up on our top deck, was a stunningly gorgeous half-hour. I'm uploading a photo with this post; more pictures are coming soon.
After leaving Venice, we cruised back to Split and then Athens (May 8, three days after their deadly riot); Istanbul (May 9 and 10); Mykonos; Kusadasi, Turkey; Santorini; Katakalon (Olympia); and back to Venice (May 16). They made us get off the ship, out into the cruel world where no one feeds you eight times a day and cleans your cabin three times a day.
It was a beautiful trip. I hope you enjoy the photos I'll be posting over the next days.

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