Yes, that was the real Mark Conroy. We all had a perfect vantage point to see the separation.

Last night was a total WOW. At a private villa, Palazzo Gangi that is not open to the public. No tours only rare special events. A stunning villa rivaling in many ways any of the villas we have seen before. Each room was ornate, beautifully decorated in the style of the 1800’s.
Ken took pictures but no way he could capture what we saw. The main ballroom had a multi level ceiling. Ken tried but the picture could not show the effect. The frescos were stunning.

It is the villa that was used for a movie called THE LEOPARD starring Burt Lancaster. The movie, made in the 1963 was set in the 1860 time period in Sicily. The villa is owned by a Prince and Princess. Trying to find Prince of “what” looking on the internet it might be the Prince of Salina. The Prince of Salina was part of the story line in the movie and this Prince is probably the descendant entitled to the title. What was brilliant was Silversea gave us all a copy of the movie, we cannot wait to watch it.

The Princess was there and hosted the event. She was beautiful, warm and friendly and so natural and approachable. Very simply dressed. Coral silk top with black pants and shoes. No jewelry. Page length blond hair. Probably in her fifties, so elegant. She welcomed everyone, introduced all the musicians, singer and orator. Every bit the host. She went around to each table during dinner to talk to every guest. She said it took 23 years to restore the villa to its original state. I realized we did not take a picture of her but it did not feel right to do that.

The dining room was spectacular. The ceiling you could not stop looking up as it was so intricate. Fresh flowers everywhere the florist bill must have been high. Every table had a large arrangement in the middle of the table but low so it did not interfere with communication. Perfectly set table. Shades of Downton Abbey. A four person quartet that played softly while cocktails were taking place. We could talk.

An opera singer started the dinner with three songs. I am not fond of opera but what she did with her voice was amazing. Also songs I recognized. After she finished singing dinner started and the quartet move into the ballroom. We could hear them but definitely light background music. Every detail was perfect. Low flowers, quiet live music = heaven for me. Two of my pet peeves are high flowers on a table and music so loud you cannot talk. This was all due to the Princess paying attention to the details. She oozed class and intelligence. During the dinner she had an orator give readings from parts of the book that inspired the movie. The story was fiction but incorporated real events during that time frame. There were leopards on the floors and references to the story. Hard to grasp all this in one evening. Need to research so some of my facts may not be accurate.

THE FOOD
Appetizers kept coming - all kinds. I think I tried everything. All excellent. White gloved waiters.

DINNER was as fantastic as was everything else. Different wine with each course. First course was a pretty molded spinach mousse set on a cream sauce. Followed by a lobster soup wth edible flowers on the rim of the bowl. Followed by a fish dish with purple fancy potatoes. Desserts were served on a flower covered table about four different choices. Ken and I had a little of all of them. Every single dish was outstanding. Followed with after dinner drinks, dessert wines and expresso.

Unbelievable night doubt I will ever experience anything like that again. I was treated like a princess by a princess cannot get better than that.

This afternoon we go to lunch then back to the shipyard to see the insertion of the new section.

I forgot to mention there is an old ship parked next to the tent area. This is where all the crew are staying as there is no power or water on the Silver Spirit during this process.