Great day again today. Nice sunshine and perfect temperature. We were in Argostoli, Greece and were on the tour with Mitch and Bert. Very clean and lovely island. Big earthquake in 1953 and almost all buildings were destroyed and the island rebuilt. So the homes and building had a more modern look than the normal Greek Island. Stunning drive in the hills with beautiful trees and landscapes.

We first had a stop at a nice cafe and the tables on the foreshore of the sea. they served Ouzo or wine and traditional Meze, local appetizers. Then we went in search of Sorbet and Ice Cream. We all chose different flavors and really enjoyed the quality of the sorbet and ice cream.

Then we went to a Melissani Lake where we were able to go into a subterranean cave area in small boats. The water was super clear and the stalagmites and stalactites were lit up with lights. Really enjoyable.

Pictures will follow.

Sounds like a GREAT day for you !!

Wild goats on the road.

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Today we are in Chania, Crete. Right next to us was the Silver Wind.

The highlight here is the Venetian Old Port. Rather than do a tour we opted for the ship shuttle. It was a short walk from the drop off point to the Venetian Harbor. This attraction did not disappoint. A perfect port with super clear water in a half oval shaped bay. Lots of delightful alleys with flowers, trees, restaurants, ice cream and coffee shops, souvenirs and coffee shops. One picturesque scene after another. We ran into Bert who was on a tour and of course did the taste test of the sorbet as required.

Regent Explorer and Silver Wind at the dock

Santorini we actually stayed on board. There were 4 big ships and we are coming back early June and hope there will not be so many ships in port. Tendering then the cable car down we decided to make it a sea day. However as we were leaving Ken took this lovely picture of OIA on our sail out.

Athens today. We did a lazy tour today, a panoramic drive for two hours. As we anticipated there were mostly people with walking difficulties. They really should offer a tour like this in most ports. So many people onboard cannot do the walking that is required. You could tell they all enjoyed getting off on a tour they could handle. We had a great guide who talked the appropriate of time. We have been to Athens so many times but saw a lot of things we have not seen before. Pictures below.

Not great pictures but all from a bus. I guess better than nothing.

Yesterday we were in Kusadasi and visited the Terrace Houses in Ephesus. Again perfect weather. Had a fantastic guide. Not crowded like it usually is and we were the only group in the terrace houses for our full visit.

We then when shopping for bags and many bags were purchased. Overall a great day. Pictures below.

Where did you buy the bags? I'll be there in August & would
love to go there.

Sue Henry

I am traveling now but have his card and will send it to you by email when I get home.

Yesterday we were in Istanbul. We visited the Dolmabahce Palace and it did not disappoint. Just as amazing as other palaces we have seen and in some ways even more interesting. Really enjoyed the experience.

Then we went to the Ciragan Palace Hotel for afternoon tea. Stunning hotel right on the water. So much was served it just kept on coming.

Problem was the traffic a 3 1/2 tour turned into a 5 1/2 hour tour due to traffic. Every single tour was around two hours late and then some guests turned right around and changed buses to go on a Istanbul at night. No way I would go back into that traffic.

Some pictures will follow unfortunately we could not take pictures inside the palace.


Side entry gate taken from the bus


Afternoon tea


Foyer flowers




Bag shopping.

So today we had to wait a long time for our gate to open. Judy and Alan were on the same plane to Dubai so Judy and I played scrabble while we waited. Helped pass the time. We were flying first class to Dubai and Judy and Alan were business class. One lounge for all classes and also used for the Priority Pass lounge. Pretty disappointing lounge. Cold vegetables and weird looking food none of us ate much. Only edible thing for us was a pizza type dish with just melted cheese.

We were able to get only one first class seat from Dubai to Dallas and then took a business seat as well hoping another first class seat would come available with miles. We have been checking but have been unable to upgrade the business seat.

When we got to Dubai we were met and whisked off to the first class lounge by a golf type cart. We found that there was one seat left in first class but we are on a waitlist and they will not confirm this until one hour before the flight. We put the required mileage in our account yesterday so that part was handled. So we will know about two hours from now. So we are hoping this will happen.

The first class seat was amazing so spacious with a super comfortable seat and a basket of high quality snacks like yummy dried fruits. Huge screen, storage space. Great meal a medium rare tenderloin with roasted pumpkin, carrots and green beans. Really top quality restaurant food I was surprised.

The bathroom was huge. You can take a shower if you wish. Ken took a couple of pictures I will post here.

The lounge is huge a long corridor type configuration with large seats spaced for privacy. A buffet that includes sea bass and a crab salad. Pretty nice. I just took a picture of the corridor.







UPDATE I GOT THE LAST SEAT IN EMIRATES FIRST CLASS SO I WAS VERY HAPPY. PROBABLY BE THE ONLY TIME WE WILL GET TO DO THIS JUST A FLUKE WE GOT IT WITH MILES SELDOM OFFERED.