SARDINIA

 After the big HOLIDAY a weekend in Sicily, we set sail for the 2nd largest Island in the Mediterranean…SARDINIA.  We docked in the historic capital of CAGLIARI.  We got off the ship and joined a local guide for a walking tour on a very hilly and picturesque town. After the information and getting our bearings, Steve and I did our own things and walked all over exploring… we ended up in an area of the town that was definitely an immigrant relocation area, and many many N. African immigrants were there.

We met Simone for a typical Sardinian lunch, and as all the food in Italy…we were not disappointed. It doesn’t hurt that they always bring wonderful wine with the meals. It was a warm afternoon and we sat outside and people watched.  We could see our ship easily, but because of the heavy marine patrols and rules, it was not easy to get back to the ship. We had to pass thru customs and regulations each time we went ashore….it got old. 

Bruce had been feeling like he had a bad cold coming on, so he was staying aboard the ship. I was also feeling a little scratching throat…. But we had been so careful on this trip…Covid was not on my mind. The ship had strict rules and basically we were masked everywhere except our own staterooms….still, there were always some who didn’t quite mask up or were loosie goosie with the whole protocol….

Hmm…stay tuned.

EASTER PROCESSIONS

 Before I go skipping along to the next days adventure, I need to back track to Trapani Sicily. We happened to land here on Easter weekend. It’s a VERY big deal here.  Because of Covid, the big Easter celebrations had been put on hold for 3 years and Sat eve was the first time the town hosted the big religious parade.  Our hosts at the family dinner explained the importance of this celebration and after hearing about it, Steve and I wanted to experience it.

Churches from all over Sicily make these elaborate religious floats, bring bands…yes bands….but even tho they are marching bands, it’s NOT like we think in USA. These are like funeral processions with slow “heavy” music.  This procession goes on for over 24 hours non stop! People walk slow. There are many priests walking along the processions. People are dressed in suits and modest clothing. After hours and hours of parading down the main STREETS..(yes it crawls along different avenues)..the floats and processions end up at a MAIN church and are judged…but I am not sure what the parameters were.  The townspeople take it very seriously because it’s all about Jesus and the resurrection, but I got lost in the pageantry and swept up with so many people walking for so long. Steve and I went together , but got separated in the crowds….it was a teeming mob….and finally after taking enough pictures….I found my way back to the ship.  I saw Steve a few hours later!

MOTHYA ISLAND

 Off we go this am to explore  Mothya Island. Over 3000 years ago the Phoenicians la died on this place and built a community. They had fresh water and could see forever if enemies approached. We walked all over and saw the remains of the old Phoenician settlements. We had a very nice outdoor picnic under the trees, and then drove to the salt flats of the Stagnone Lagoon and had a tour and demo of how important these last flats have been for centuries. 

Tonight after dinner, we had an interesting talk from the hospitality manager about what goes on behind the scenes on a ship. 
We pulled up anchor and set sail for the island of Sardinia, which we will reach in the early am. It was a very calm sail.

TRAPANI

 Well, I guess the good weather just couldn’t last.  our capt explained we would have to completely bypass our next stop, because of a coming storm and the wave action was getting a bit dicey for landing. So after dinner this evening we headed for Trapani. We were rocking and rolling most of the night, but I had a seasick patch and others took advantage of the free Dramamine to get them thru.

We woke up to a really nice port and an easy walk onto a very lovely city of Trapani…also one of the Mafia Capitals of the world.
After breakfast we gathered to hear two men talk about what it is like growing up with fathers who were involved with the old time Mafia. It was really Interesting and we also learned how the Mafia has morphed into modern day operation . Still the Island of Sicily is heavily involved with all things Mafia…it just runs underground and affects the government and all lives….. just not overtly.
Steve and I did a couple long walks in town and stopped for lunch to eat a real Sicilian pizza…which we enjoyed a lot! We walked all over the sea wall and also went to to a huge Catholic church, where preparations were under hand for the giant religious processions the next day. Good Friday. Or as it is called here, Settimana Santa.  Tomorrow we will go to the parade.
We were invited to have a traditional Sicilian dinner with a host family tonight. Francesco met us at the dock and took us to his mother’s house , where I am sure she had been cooking all day!we had such a fun time and since there were just 6 of us we enjoyed great conversations, and wine! And fabulous food. We left stuffed,  but happy!

VALETTA-MALTA

 We woke up looking at a huge rock country surrounded by stone walls, turrets, and castles….and incredibly medieval dwellings. Again we were docked at a city dock and it was easy to get off the ship and walk

into town . We actually took a very fast and high elevator to town square Valetta. They block off the public car access so most of the day the main drag is car free. The shops are very high end and prices are expensive after Italy. We just wandered all over and saw different sites and learned how many countries have invaded this huge Stoney island in the middle of the Mediterranean .
Malta is about 99% Roman Catholic, and it shows in so many religious relics and grand churches. We are here the week before Easter and of course, that is a HUGE holiday and they have pulled out all the stops.plus it is spring break and Malta is also winding down from 2 years of Covid restrictions, so it was crowded!  We even rented a few gondolas, and they took us across the bay to a. Ugh stalled and more sedate town, called Birgu.  So many twisty tiny avenues, and lots of religious items. Our gondola driver was a local and on the way back….. he told us about how Covid affected most of the inhabitants, including himself. 
We returned to the ship early to hear a presentation from a woman who’s sister was killed by the Malta Mafia because she was digging dirt on many of the local officials. The sister has taken up the fight as have many many students and others concerned with the amount of corruption in this country.
After a very informative session, we found out it  was the Captains Birthday and the dining room was fixing a gala dinner including lobster tails. Of course, that what we all ordered at dinner and yum! They were not skimpy tails.  After dinner there was a ladies night…which we had no idea what that was, but as we climbed the stairs from the dining room …. We heard the rock music and the staff was waiting for us to DANCE!  And dance we did, although  most of the songs were pretty old style and we even did the Macarena! OMG! hahahah. As they say: A fun time was had by all!

SIRACUSA

 After a long night at sea, we docked right in a town called Siracusa…or Syracuse.  It was fun because we could just walk off the dock and we were right on the middle of this beautiful town. We got a local guide for a morning walk about. Then we explored on our own. In fact the whole city is surrounded by a big stone sidewalk so it’s easy to walk around and see this city. Steve and I found a couple of local beaches and the next morning we visited them.   While Steve dipped his toe in the water, I sat in one place and picked up a big sandwich bag of sand washed glass.  We wandered thru the farmers market and bought fresh squeezed pomegranate juice before heading back to the Clio for another gourmet dinner. The staff is super attentive and even will bring us half orders when we ask. Good wines are served with each meal, and there is always a different “cocktail” night in the bar.

Tomorrow evening after dinner we sent sail for Malta.

CLIO at SEA

We are at sea all day today, so not many adventures. The ship is rocking and rolling in the swells, and Steve, who NEVER gets seasick, is feeling kind of crappy…. But I’m not! What a reversal!
We left Greece and are on our way to Sicily and will dock in the am.  Because we are still in Covid times, there is a bunch of rig-a-morole to get thru customs in each country. It’s a pain because it’s all on line and time consuming AND confusing as hell. Our guide, Simone, is a whiz. He is a phd in Marine biology, but that all goes out the window when it comes to these stupid regulations. He has spent countless hours helping us all fill out our Covid forms for Italy and Malta.  
The food on this ship is wonderful…but it’s oh so much for us lighter eaters.we get wine and beer when ever , and basically we are never hungry! We are almost 1 to 1 for crew members and guests, so we are getting spoiled. It’s been a long long time since this ship was mothballed because of Covid, and it seems like everyone is happy to be back at work making us all feel like special guests!
So tomorrow am we are scheduled to dock in Siracusa, Sicily and I am looking forward to earth beneath my feet.