Random thoughts from the sea
Days 95-96, 2025 European Odyssey Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 1-2, 2025; Istanbul, Turkey. I had no idea what to expect of Istanbul. I knew its name used to be Constantinople (thanks to They Might Be Giants). But not a lot more. My brief foray over the past two days was
Continue reading
Days 91-93, 2025 European Odyssey Saturday to Monday, Sept. 27-29, 2025; Limassol, Cypress; Rhodes, Greece; and Bodrum, Turkey. Limassol, Cypress, taught me that even when I haven’t planned ahead, wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a sketchpad can add up to an enjoyable day in port. By the time I turned
Continue reading
Days 86-90, 2025 European Odyssey Monday to Friday, Sept. 22-26, 2025; Valletta, Malta, and Alexandria, Egypt. I’m not sure I can say I went to Egypt on this cruise. Yes, we had an overnight call in Alexandria, where more than 1,700 passengers lined up before sunrise for Holland America excursions.
Continue reading
Days 82-84, 2025 European Odyssey Thursday to Saturday, Sept. 18-20, 2025; Alicante, Valencia and Barcelona, Spain. I may be spending about 10 months a year cruising, but in between I go back to the United States, to visit family, catch up on doctors’ appointments, enjoy real Tex-Mex food and repack.
Continue reading
Days 78-80, 2025 European Odyssey Sunday to Tuesday, Sept. 14-16, 2025; Lisbon, Portugal, and Màlaga, Spain While the quick pace of ports continues, with the odd sea day here and there, my pace seems to have slowed a bit. Perhaps because the days are hot and sunny, or because I
Continue reading
Days 76-77, 2025 European Odyssey Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12-13, 2025; A Coruña/Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and Leixõs/Porto, Portugal. I stood silently watching as pilgrims passed through the archway, past the lone Galician piper, and into the Plaza del Obraduiro in front of the Cathedral of Santiago. If they were
Continue reading
Days 73-75, 2025 European Odyssey Tuesday to Thursday, Sept. 9-11, 2025; Portland, England, and Bilbao, Spain. My lack of port planning is starting to catch up with me. I spent time in the spring planning the Northern Europe part of this odyssey, but figured I would plan the second half
Continue reading
Days 70-71, 2025 European Odyssey Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6-7, 2025; Dover, England, and Amsterdam, Netherlands. Jo: “This is the best meal I’ve ever had!” Waitress: “In Amsterdam?” Jo: “I think this whole year!” Waitress: “Wow!” Little did she know that this year I have eaten in foodie cities from Lima
Continue reading
Days 65-67, 2025 European Odyssey Tuesday-Thursday, Sept. 2-4, 2025; Glasgow, Scotland; Douglas, Isle of Man; and Cobh, Ireland. Looking back, I wish I had spent a semester or year studying abroad. The University of Glasgow would be on the short list of places I would have enjoyed. I briefly wondered
Continue reading
Day 65, 2025 European Odyssey Monday, Sept. 1, 2025; Liverpool, England. How could I let a light rain shower discourage me from going ashore in Liverpool when sailors aboard the world’s second-tallest tall ship were climbing the rigging to the top of their masts right in front of me. Somewhat
Continue reading
Recent Comments