ROGER'S WEB SITE | EUROPE | SUMMER 2017 | PAGE 2

Sept 3rd
Today we are crossing the lonely Ionian Sea, en route from Malta to Corfu, aboard the good ship Sirena. This is Day 5 of our 12 day cruise. Below are a few photos of our two nights in Rome and the first days of the cruise, with a minimum of words. Just wanted to get something out there.
R O M E
Kolbe Hotel
Hotel Kolbe at Night
We stayed for 2 nights 'free' (BA miles) in this
very Roman hotel in an old part of town.
Kolbe Hotel
                  Bedroom
Our Room in the Kolbe

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In Roma
In Roma Cafe. Spinach Salad and Pasta.
Just around the corner from the Kolbe, we
liked it so much that we ate here both nights.
Busker
Busker at In Roma Cafe
He claimed to be an international session
guitarist, slumming it near his home.
Night Streets
Roman Night Scene
Ruins
Floodlit Magnificence
The whole area round our hotel abounded
with antiquities.
Tiber
The Tiber River Winds through Town
Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps
Overrun with hordes of tourists.



A M A L F I  a n d  P O S I T A N O
Amalfi
              Panorama
AMALFI
Tenders to
                    Amalfi
Tenders Shuttle us Ashore in Amalfi

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Positano
Positano
We took a half hour ferry ride to this little
port perched above the Mediterranean
Shops
Positano Shopping
Positano is full of little shops and art galleries
Shops
                    2
Narrow Streets
Cat
Cat Oblivion
(Surrounded by tourists but fast asleep)

Harbour
Positano Harbour from the Town
Art
Art Exhibit in Positano
Fruity
Refreshments back in Amalfi
Church
Amalfi Church and Square

Sirena
Sirena Waits at Anchor


Last Look
Departing Amalfi


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C A T A N I A / M O U N T  E T N A,  S I C I L Y

Catania
Docked in Catania
Mount Etna Looms above the Town
Etna is feminine, according to our guide.
Etna
Lady Etna and Recent Offspring (Lava Flow)
Etna
                        & I
Caldera
Two Caldera (above and left) below the Summit
Caldera2
Summit
Mount Etna Summit

V A L L E T T A  M A L T A
Harbour
Waterfront
View from our Balcony - Valletta Waterfront

Sirena
Sirena Docked in Valletta

CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE
Harbour
Valletta Harbour (above) & Street (below)
Street
(Spot the Spouse?)
Bus
We Bused Across Malta to the
Dingli Cliffs (below)
Dingli
                  Cliffs
Budgie
Budgie?
We befriended him on the way back to the ship.
He was so tame we think he escaped from
someone's house.
Last night, leaving Malta, we saw a flotilla of small ships about a mile to the south. The crew told us that they were rescue ships and Coast Guard cutters looking for African refugees. In Sicily our guide to Mount Etna, Lara, told us that Sicily has taken in 180,000 refugees in 2017 so far - an enormous number that I have not been able to verify.

Sept 7th
On through the Ionian sea overnight to Corfu, Greece, then to Durres in Albania. Some photos below:

C O R F U
We had been to Corfu before and did not think much of it - riddled with package tourists, overcrowded beaches and a fish n' chips cuisine. There's a place for all that stuff but it's not on a beautiful Greek island.

However,  we were pleasantly surprised this time as we got a free shuttle to the Old Town area of Corfu which was very quaint and not terribly busy. We explored the Venetian Citadel which served as a fort for numerous invaders over the centuries. The British ruled here for a short time and built an incongruous barracks out of brick, presumably imported.
Fosse
The Contrafossa, a man-made sea channel
(fosse). A moat for the Citadel, now a Marina
Corfu
                    Sailing Club
The Corfu Sailing Club Moorings

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Mortar
Old Mortars
Built in 1684 by Thomas Western in Brede,
Sussex for the Serenissima Republic of Venice
Gun &
                    Clock
Cannon and Clock Tower in the Citadel
Ancients
A Couple of Ancient Greek Philosophers
Barb
Ancient American
Old Town
Street in Old Town Corfu
 
D U R R E S,  A L B A N I A

Durres
Docked in Durres (unusual commercial dock - not a cruise-ship dock)
Durres is Albania's second largest city. The Capital, Tirano, is the largest. In 1981 we tried to drive through Albania on our way to Greece but we were turned away from the border by soldiers who said it was too dangerous. We took a ferry from Dubrovnik to Igoumenitsa instead. The Balkan war is long over and Albania is safe again but the vestiges of conflict are still evident. Durres is much quieter and much cheaper than its neighbouring Adriatic ports and rebuilding is going on at a snail's pace. Albania is not in the EU and the Lek is the currency. The shops all accept Euros, though. Amphitheatre
Remains of 2nd Century Amphitheatre
which had 20,000 seats.
Houses
Brightly Colored Houses
Grocer
Old Fashioned Greengrocers
Mural
Mural on the Side of a House.
The 'door' is not real, just paint.
Promenade
Promenade and Pier
Durres
                    Street
Main Street
Windjammer
Windjammer leaving Durres Harbour,
having been towed out by the Tug in the
foreground.

CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE
(except Dock photo, top)
Full Moon
Full Moon Rising as we left Durres at 7 p.m.


Although Albania is noticeably poorer than other countries in the region, the climate is the same and the people all seemed happy. No doubt, in due course, it will join the pantheon of rich Mediterranean vacation destinations. Meanwhile it offers astounding value for money.


Now we are in Split, Croatia after visiting Montenegro yesterday. I'm having trouble keeping up...
Sept 9th
K O T O R,  M O N T E N E G R O
Kotor Panorama
Sirena
Kotor is a magical place. Approached by a long narrow channel, somewhat like a fjord, the views along the way are spectacular (above). Sirena anchored just off the town (right) and we were tendered the short distance to shore. We explored the Old Town, encircled by the old fortified walls. Then we took a small boat trip to Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks island, in the middle of the channel. Back in Kotor, we ate a late lunch in Old Town.


Channel
View Down the Channel

Church
Church in Kotor

Waterfront
Kotor Waterfront Church
Kotor
                        Cat
We were able to get a cat fix in Kotor. Hundreds
roam the streets. They are mostly friendly and
unafraid of tourists. We were pleased to learn
that they are fed and neutered.
Sign
Kotor Street
Old Town Street

Dekaderon
The Dekaderon, where we ate lunch

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Perast
View of Perast
Perast
Perast Waterfront
Lady
                        Island
Our Lady of the Rocks Island
Lady of the Rocks
Church on the Island
Bar
Bars Abound in any Available Space
Perast
Perast
Windjammer
Sea Cloud - Last Seen Leaving Durres
View
View from our Small Boat

S P L I T,  C R O A T I A
St. Dominus
The Church of St. Dominus within the old
Palace of Diocletian, a Roman Emperor who
built this Palace as his summer retreat in 295-
305AD. He was a commoner in a minor out-
post of the Empire who rose through the ranks
to become Emperor.
Barb climbed to the top of the Bell Tower but
I turned back at the first level.
Palace
Entry to Diocletian's Palace

Lunch Spot
Sampling the Local Wine in a Wine Bar
Street with Boy
Diocletian's Palace is still a thriving community
today, bustling with shops and houses. It was
built to last! Diocletian reformed the Roman
Empire, which was languishing in his youth.
He spent his last years pottering around in his
garden here.
Roman Relic
Roman Relic

Gregorius
Huge Statue of Saint Gregorius
Tunnel
Roman Alley
Split Square
Waiting in the Main Square to Greet the
Emperor (modern version), who appears
daily flanked by Centurions.

Palace Street
Typical Street inside the Palace

CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE

R A V E N N A

In Ravenna, Italy, we did our usual thing of jumping ship and exploring the town on foot. We started in the Piazza Del Popolo (right) and continued through the ancient cobbled streets, snapping these photos as we went. Another day, another medieval city - I'm beginning to feel like a real American tourist.

We did happen upon one gem - TAM - a museum dedicated to the art of mosaics, old and new. Ravenna has some of the oldest and best Roman mosaics in Europe and the tradition is continued by modern artists.
Piazza Popolo
Food!
We have never seen so many shops for foodies
Italians should all be obese, but they are not.
Duomo
The Duomo, or Cathedral
I
                            Violenti
I Violenti by Sergio Cicognani

Net
Anyone know what fish this rig catches?
There were many like this in Ravenna.
Lucifer
Lucifer by Aligi Sassu
Beach
Popular Beach, taken from Sirena

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Mosaic
Detail of an Old Roman Floor Mosaic
depicting a lion hunt.
Bike
A Young Girl Entertained Us with her Bike Hooter

Cafe
Typical Cafe Scene

R I J EKA

Waterfront
Rijeka Waterfront

Market
The Market on the Waterfront
Waterfront2
Schooner in the Harbour

Market
Fresh Produce in the Market
Street
The Korzo

Market
Gleaming Raspberries
Clock Tower
The City Clock Tower
We moored very close to the town in the ancient harbour. 16th Century maps show it much as it is today, minus all the concrete. We visited the market and were greeted with the colors and scent of gleaming fresh produce and flowers - real and artificial. Produce is so much tastier in Mediterranean countries, especially tomatoes, olives and funghi.

We climbed the steep hill to the Maritime Museum, housed in the splendid old Governor's Palace.
Museum
The Governor's Palace which houses
Maritime and Governor's Lifestyle Exhibits.
Museum
Interior of the Governor's Palace
Relics
Old Relics in the Maritime Section

Sept 10th
I am gradually catching up this journal with our current position, but it will take me awhile. We are now in Venice at the end of our cruise and we awoke to rain beating on our verandah. I braved the elements to go on a circular Vaporetto (boat bus) tour up the Grand Canal and back to Sirena. Barb has a cold and didn't feel up to going. There was an unusually high tide today and the Vaporettos could not go right round so I went to St Mark's (San Marco) and back. The water was very rough and the streets were flooded by the tide and waves. An old lady carrying a little dog slipped and fell face first while getting on our boat. Everyone rushed to help her and she was unhurt but her little dog was freaked out. Judging by today, the inundation of Venice is a sure thing, and it won't be long.

Sept 17th
Today is our 40th Anniversary. We celebrated by not trudging around another old town or stumbling (in my case) into street markets or fusty old museums. Been there, done that for over two weeks now. Instead we have been taking it easy in the aptly named 'Mon Refuge' which we rented for the last week. Mon Refuge is deep in the country, 28 miles from Venice, in the region of Correzzola. My bro Nigel and his wife Sandra joined us for 3 nights here and we had fun exploring Venice with them. Mon Refuge is run by a very sweet couple, Alano and Rossella, who could not do enough to make our stay comfy. Rossella cooked lunch for us the first day when she found out we had not eaten. Alano insisted on leading us to the railway station in his car and made sure we knew where to park safely and that we got the train OK. From the Venezia Santa Lucia Station we took the Vaporetto to Burano...
High Tide
Day 1 - High Tide in Venice

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Cona Veneta
Local Whistle Stop - Cona Veneta
Rail
                            Concourse
Venice Santa Lucia Station Concourse
(Venice must be only place where you can get a
boat into town from the station or the airport)
Grand
                            Canal
Cruising the Grand Canal on a Vaporetto
On our way to Burano Island
Burano Ahoy
Burano Ahoy
Burano Canal
Canal in Burano *
Tourist
Tourist at Work
Burano Houses
Burano - Painted Houses
Window
Window in Burano
Houses
Matching Laundry
Tower
The Leaning Tower of Burano *
Bridge
Bridge in Burano *


* Photos by Nigel
Mon Refuge - Guest Half
Mon Refuge - Guest Half
Mon Refuge Kitchen
Mon Refuge - Kitchen/Diner/Lounge
Alano & Rossella
Alano & Rossella with Barb
Sandra & Nigel
Sandra & Nigel on the Train to Venice
Next day, we took the train again and explored Venice on foot and by vaporetto.
Bridge
Rialto Bridge
Bridge 2
Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge (Nigel)
St.
                            Marks
San Marco (St. Marks)
Hands
Unstable House?
Grand Canal
The Grand Canal
Gondola Jam
Gondola Jam
After Sandra and Nigel left we spent the next day in Verona. We traveled there on the Frecciarossa (high-speed train) which took an hour from Venezia Mestre station.
Frecciarossas
The Frecciarossa (above & below)
Frecciarossa
Interior
Arena
The Arena in Verona
(Closed for a concert while we were there, so we
could not enter)
Capulet
Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore Art Thou?
Castelvecchio Bridge
Castelvecchio, 14th Century Castle
Yard
Castelvecchio Courtyard
Castelvecchio
Cafes

Cafe
There were several nice Cafes on the Via
Sottoriva (left), where few tourists dine, and
we ate lunch in one (above).
Adige
The  Adige, Italy's 2nd Longest River after the
Po, winds charmingly through town.
Sottomarina
Today (Sept 17th) we did go to Sottomarina, (left) which is a major beach resort on the Adriatic Coast 10 miles from Mon Refuge. It's a Sunday and there were many families enjoying themselves swimming, tanning and eating gelato, etc. The beach is so huge that it did not seem overcrowded or noisy. We drove back through Chioggia, which a surprisingly large town on a series of islands with canals and waterways all round. Sort of a mini Venice but much less crowded. Jan Morris wrote scathingly of the people here but I could not possibly comment. I did get help from some obligingly friendly youngsters  who helped me interpret the parking lot signs. Tonight we are going to La Famiglia which we hope is a posh restaurant suitable for such an auspicious occasion. (It was - see right)
Famiglia
Anniversary Dinner in La Famiglia

Sept 23
Lodge
                      CatAlas, our summer is over and we are flying back to Phoenix in 3 days so this will be my last entry. We are back in the marina lodge, packing and clearing up. Barb has done 3 tons of washing and I am still dinking with Basil, reluctant to leave him in the cold, dank, Midlands winter. The boat next door to us appears to be sinking, so I reported that to the office. We had an unexpected visitor - a cat (right) who wandered in to investigate Oak Lodge and to say goodbye.

After Venice, we had 3 days in London. We stayed at the Premier Inn, County Hall, right behind the London Eye. A better location could not be found. London is hopping day and night, as usual. The city seems to sparkle more every time we visit. We had a nice evening out in East London with Josh, my nephew, and Amber. We also went out to Teddington for a reunion with my old BBC buddy, Colin, and his wife Sue. They are both struggling with serious illness, so that was very sad. We had lunch with them in their excellent local pub, the Adelaide, and went back to their house for a while afterwards. Later, we went to The Old Vic to see "Girl from the North Country", a rather bleak musical set in Duluth, Minnesota during the Great Depression. It was set to Bob Dylan's music and used his whimsical words to great poetic effect. A great theatrical event. I would not be surprised if it becomes a minor classic, popping up all over the place. Barb was not quite as impressed but thought it was good.
Thames in Autumn
There was an Autumnal Nip in the Air by the
Thames. St. Pauls dome is towards the left.

CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE
London
                            Eye
Our Hotel (on the left) and the London Eye
Rog
On the Embankment. Silent Big Ben behind.
Amber & Josh
Josh and Amber
in the Albion, Clerkenwell
St. Pancras
Eurostar Train loading in St. Pancras Station
Thames by Night
The Thames by Night

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