Our first stop was Dubrovnik, Croatia. Dubrovnik's most famous feature are the 500 year-old walls that surround the old town. "Walking the walls" is a popular tourist activity.
After a day of touring, we got dressed up for "formal night" on the ship. Vanessa's mom brought us some good clothes so we didn't have to go to formal night wearing our shorts, sandals and a t-shirt.
Our next cruise stop was the Greek island of Corfu.
We made two stops on the Greek mainland. First was Olympia - site of the first Olympic Games almost 3,000 years ago. We weren't able to tour the site because museum staff were on strike. We had to settle for a quick view from outside the fence of the area where the games were held.
The other mainland stop was Athens. The Athens skyline is dominated by the Acropolis with its temples built over 2,000 years ago to worship Athena and other gods.
There are ancient ruins all over Athens and the surrounding areas.
Greece's financial struggles have been well covered in the media. We didn't get caught up in any riots but we did see a few impacts.
On a positive note, we loved hearing the Greek approach to stray dogs. There is a government program to spay or neuter the dogs and provide them with food and care. They become the community's pets and are an important part of each neighbourhood.
More cruise stops to come.
Vanessa and Blake
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| View of Dubrovnik - old town and walls are on the left |
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| Part of the walls |
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| Us on the wall overlooking the old town |
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| Vanessa and her mom on the walls |
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| Beautiful ocean view |
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| The old town's main street viewed from the walls |
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| Ground level view of the gleaming street |
After a day of touring, we got dressed up for "formal night" on the ship. Vanessa's mom brought us some good clothes so we didn't have to go to formal night wearing our shorts, sandals and a t-shirt.
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| View from our balcony of another cruise ship sailing at night |
Our next cruise stop was the Greek island of Corfu.
We made two stops on the Greek mainland. First was Olympia - site of the first Olympic Games almost 3,000 years ago. We weren't able to tour the site because museum staff were on strike. We had to settle for a quick view from outside the fence of the area where the games were held.
The other mainland stop was Athens. The Athens skyline is dominated by the Acropolis with its temples built over 2,000 years ago to worship Athena and other gods.
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| The Acropolis |
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| Long, crowded climb to the top |
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| Front of the Parthenon - temple dedicated to the goddess Athena |
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| Vanessa in front of the Parthenon |
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| Lots of renovation work is being done on the Parthenon |
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| Blake in front of the Erechtheion - temple for the gods Athena and Poseidon |
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| View of Athens from the Acropolis |
There are ancient ruins all over Athens and the surrounding areas.
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| Theatre of Dionysus - 2,500 years old and held 25,000 people |
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| Odeon of Herodes Atticus - a "newer" theatre at 2,100 years old |
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| Temple of Poseidon outside of Athens |
Greece's financial struggles have been well covered in the media. We didn't get caught up in any riots but we did see a few impacts.
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| Greek Parliament and Tomb of Unknown Soldier - riots were here after we left |
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| Garbage collectors were on strike |
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| Taxi drivers were on strike so it was relatively quiet on the streets |
On a positive note, we loved hearing the Greek approach to stray dogs. There is a government program to spay or neuter the dogs and provide them with food and care. They become the community's pets and are an important part of each neighbourhood.
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| Makes you smile seeing a happy dog enjoying a nap in the sun |
More cruise stops to come.
Vanessa and Blake
