After three flight changes due to the US, Iran War, we finally made it to Scotland via London and Singapore. We would have cancelled the trip had we not already paid for our Mediterranean cruise. All this led to less time in Scotland and I couldn’t do many of the things I had planned to do, still it was great meeting up with most of the family and some of our closest friends. As usual I have had to limit myself to a fraction of the photos I took on this trip.
Linda and Ann at Paisley Cross Park. The little Italian restaurant on Glasgow Road was lovely. Great catching up with Alan and David at the Largs front. The makeup of the new Scottish parliament and the Welsh, Plaid Cymru, government will raise the debate on the future of Westminster. After leaving Scotland and have caught up with most of the family there and some of our best lifelong friends. It is time to fly to Spain. Sorry to those we did not have time to catch up with.
Preparing to start out cruise from Barcelona. We did not take many photos here this trip as we have spent longer stays over the years and have recorded them on earlier posts. Just added two photos from our short stopover before joining the Cruise.
The sculpture cast iron is Escultura Carmela, is a 3D head of a young girl by Jaume Plensa.
Barcelona Cathedral. Statue of Christopher Columbus next to Barcelona’s old Customs Buildind Just arrived onboard the Sun Princess, wait for our room to be ready
Boarded the Sun Princess for two weeks on the Med.
Inside the Dome on level First cocktail, level 18 looking over the pool area waiting for the sail away party to start.Piazza preparing for the nights entertainment.
Arriving at the Port of Palma Majorca.
Below is a number of photos from Palma Majorca This is recorded as day two, not sure that Barcelona should be referred to as day one, anyway that’s how they record the days.View of the new style ship the “Sun Princess” aft
Day three was Marseille. We decided to stay onboard as we had walked all over Marseille before.
Day four. Ajaccio Corsica where Napoleon Bonaparte was born 1811
Next stop Santa Margherita, Italy. Needed to take a tender ashore.
Walking around the hilltop gardens of Villa Durazzo.
The walk up a winding archway to the villa was pretty steep and many people had to stop for rest breaks.
A monument to Christopher Columbus
Back onbord for a refreshing cocktail
White night at the Piazza
Got off the ship at Genoa and had a leisurely walk around the Port town
Linda got captured but I managed to set her free😂Back onboard for our next port of callAt the Port town of La Spezia, the Port here for Florence and Pisa. Again places we have visited so opted to stay localAfter walking around the town, visiting the markets we went looking for some shade. The park near the Port was worth the visitA statue to General Garibaldi. He is famous for leading a volunteer guerilla army “Red shirts”. He is considered one of the founding fathers of modern ItalyCivitavecchia, the Port for Rome. Again we stayed in the Port town as we have visited Rome a few times and did not want a rush visit thereAt the port of Naples on day nine of the Cruise. It was midday Sunday and the streets were mobbed Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace)Guard post at the Plazzo Reale. The Prova d’ orchestra (Orchestra Rehersal) by artist Mimmo Paladino. The sculptures are in the Romantic Gardens at the Plazzo Reale The Castle Nuono ( often called the Maschio Angiono, built 1279)A clear view of Mount Vesuvius from the Plazzo Reale ( the Royal Palace) The view also showed part of the harbor and the front of the Sun Princess in port.Fountain of NeptuneMount Vesuvius from the ship leaving NaplesLoannis Vlachos, better known as Daskalogiannis, fought against the Ottoman rule in 1770-1771. In Chania, CretePhotos from Chania shore front.Ephesus, Kusadasi, TurkeyVirginia Mary statue near where she apparently stayed, close to Ephesus18 is a vessel for saving tears. Met a lovely couple and made friends with, Mick and Pam, from the USAWe enjoyed our day on Mykanos. Here’s a sample of photos from thereWalking around the lanes was great and the colours were beautifulThe five Windmills.Relaxing with a drink at the Little Venice sector on MykonosNow in Athens heading towards the Acropolis. And while it was crowded you still were able to move freely and see everythingThis day was very hot and Linda improvised with her scarf and hatThis photo was taken from the rooftop of our hotelThis is Emperor Hadrian’s Arch (Gate)The Temple of Olympian Zeus, undergoing partial restorationZappeion Hall, conference and exhibition centre in the National GardensThe Panathenaic Stadium, built entirely of marble. It hosted the first modern Olympics in 1896We stood hoping to see a changing of the Evzones Guard at Hellenic Parliament, near the National Gardens, but unfortunately we missed the ceremony.Talking a slow walk through the Plaka district.Last night in AthensEnjoying a few Ouzos before leaving Athens
Les McLaughlan 