Saturday...see ya later Split--or as I like to say "Be careful what you wish for"

Awake at my normal predawn hour of 5:30 to catch up on some writing as usual. For our morning in port, we had nothing specific planned for Split, Croatia and were not rushing first thing, to get off the ship. I decided to have breakfast in the Aqua Spa Cafe, it had dawned on me that I hadn't yet visited one of my favorite places on the ship to get a healthy meal. Oblivious as usual to what is going on beyond the stem and stern of the ship, I was shocked to feel the wind and rain hit my face as I walked across the deck on the way to the cafe. Clearly, I should had chosen a different inside route across the ship.


Aqua Spa Cafe--yogurt parfait--mueseli--saffron muffin

As pleased as I was to find some tasty healthy food in the Aqua Spa cafe, I can honestly say, the weather concerned me. A few moments later, the announcement was made that we would be skipping Split, the weather was just too rough. This was to be the only port on our cruise where we would not be pulling into a dock. Instead, the ship would anchor right outside the port, and we would be ferried to shore on small tender boats. When the weather is rough, there are many passenger safety issues....the ship's Captain together with the port authorities, made the decision to cancel our port day. Interestingly enough, this was the only day in our itinerary that we had not made any plans, nor had we made reservations for a tour. We were sad to miss the city of Split, however, the extra sea day was an added bonus for those of us worn out by the previous 2 days in Venice. You never know when you'll end up with an unexpected sea day.

I continued to enjoy my breakfast and noticed another Celebrity ship beside us and also turning away from the port. I had forgotten that we would be seeing Eclipse during our stop in Split. Well, that would be as close as we would to Eclipse until we left on our cruise in January.


The Eclipse battling the same rough seas outside of Split

The good news of the day-- we would be sailing directly to Dubrovnik with plans to dock at approximately 5pm. There was no telling what type of weather would greet us...we all certainly hoped the sun would greet us as we docked so we could get off the ship for an evening in port.


We could see the shoreline...but that is as close as we would ever get

As the day progressed, quite a few passengers seem to be affected by the rocking and rolling of the ship. It did not affect me.... Rog took a pill and slept in for a good portion of the morning, I found out later, that even some of the crew had motion sickness problems from the bad weather.


Rog finally crawls out of bed, only to find out we are going no where today

The cruise director announced there would be some extra activities added to the schedule for the day...I looked forward to the lecture on whales and dolphins at 1:00.


Shrimp and Avacado--my last healthy food of the day...all down hill from there

Back to the Aqua Spa Cafe for lunch, followed by the cinema in time to hear the speaker. It seems that after a meal, I have a tendency to morph into sleep mode when sitting in a comfy chair and listening to someone speak. No matter the subject, no matter how much I am interested in hearing the information...my eyes start to close, my head starts to sag to one side...and eventually (much to my chagrin) my mouth drops open. Roger thinks this is quite cute...he can tell that I am truly asleep when my lips start to part....believe me, not a pretty sight. I am sad to say that both lectures I attended on the ship, ended up being nap time for me...I am very disappointed in myself...how rude!!!!


Smart boy...a motion sickness pill and a nap

Quick solution for this sleepy girl...not the typical cup of coffee for a shot of caffeine, my poison of choice is chocolate. Up to the buffet to grab an afternoon snack, then back to the cabin to catch up on my writing.

The wind and rain continued--the high seas contributed to the sick feeling many passengers were experiencing. By cocktail hour, we noticed fewer people enjoying a drink before dinner. I suggested a nice tall glass of ginger ale and cranberry juice to settle the stomach of some friends. The heavy rain never really let up as the day turned into night. Some brave passengers opted to take the shuttle bus into town that night and got soaked.


The beginning of my descent into stomach discomfort...I am a glutton for punishment

Around 5pm, I found that I was really hungry...i'd had nothing to eat since 2, and we don't eat dinner until the 8:30 seating. I've fallen in love with the Tapas Bar in the buffet area...unfortunately, my eyes were once again bigger than my stomach.


Two hours later, silly me proceeded to eat a full dinner of escargot and roasted duck...I was in garlic overload! My stomach kept yelling all evening...."What the heck are you trying to do to me??? Enough already!!" It would be the first night I'd say no to dessert....perhaps I was finally coming go my senses. I vowed to eat lightly tomorrow and start the day with fruit and yogurt. We are scheduled for a 6 hour food and wine tour...this may be easier said than done.

Next up....Dubrovnik, and hopefully some blue skies.

Friday--Goodbye Venice

We were invited to a private balcony sail-away cocktail party by some fellow Cruise Critic roll call members.


Hands always moving...mouth always talking....hey, I'm Italian...what can I say? You sure you really want to ask :)

A couple bottles of bubbly, fruit, cheese, and Andrea Bocelli serenading us as we sailed out of Venice through the Grand Canal.....what a great way to end our brief visit to this romantic city. As we said our goodbyes, the clouds gathered overhead and it began to sprinkle...not a good sign of things to come. We all commented on how lucky we were that the weather had held out until we completed our day walking around town. Ciao Venice!!!


Overcast skies as we sail away to our next port in Croatia


Provencal lamb....I can never have enough


Chocolate bombe...that went down very well...yum!


Smile Joanne....I'm trying...I'm really trying...just know that I'm smiling on the inside....is this how people's faces feel after plastic surgery?!?!

In honor of our day spent with the people of Venice, the ship was holding a masquerade dance onboard. We had found some cute inexpensive masks and decided if we were still awake at 10:30, we'd go check it out. Since we are still at the dinner table some nights until that time, it's not very difficult to find our way to whatever happens to be on the agenda for the evening. We put on our masks, enjoyed a few dances then called it a night. Note to self: don't try to pose for a picture with a mask on...your cheeks won't move behind that rigid material...I actually look like I'm angry...I assure you, it was not the case at all.

After another long busy day, we head off to bed with visions of sugarplums dancing in....oops sorry that's another bedtime story. At that moment, I had plenty of sugar bouncing around inside of me, just not in my head :)

We arrive in Split tomorrow at 7am...as I pretty much figured at this point in the cruise, we are exhausted...a couple port days in a row are kicking us in the behind....it would be nice to slip another sea day in there....be careful what you wish for....

Friday--Venice Day 2--Part 4--Wardrobe Malfunction

After a few hours of window shopping and we'd found a couple goodies to bring home with us. One new item was totally unexpected...my foot slipped off the curb when I was coming out of a shop and my flip flop decided it wanted to stay back in the store....rip!


I was now barefoot (walking through the streets of Venice with nothing on my feet was not my idea of fun...ewwwww) and on a hunt for a replacement pair of flip flops. Rog mentioned that I am Italian, and walking barefoot through the city was part of my heritage...sorry, I just wasn't seeing it that way. He is correct, I do have peasant feet and could easily walk for days very comfortably in just these cheapie little shoes with no ill affects. Even though I am more than happy to go barefoot at home...come on.....the streets of Venice???? That's just pushing it for me. Interestingly enough, the exact same thing had happened to me on one other trip...perhaps I should just carry a spare pair in my tote bag at all times.


Not too worry, a shop just up the street had a cute red shiny pair to take the place of my comfy red dollar store pair. Yes....I only pay a dollar for them, so then I'm never concerned when they malfunction...except the timing could have been a bit better that day.



Bu-bye my comfy sandals...you've served me well...hey, isn't that interesting...2 Italian ports...2 new pair of sandals...this trip wasn't supposed to be about shoes...although I do love them...food is so much more fun and tastes so much better!

Time to head back to ship and relax before dinner.

Friday--Venice Day 2--Part 3

You don't have to listen to me ramble on...just enjoy the never ending photos of more incredible food...mangier!


Sweet young lady, Katarina, who not only explained the sign out in front of the shop, but was willing to offer samples inside....be still my heart!


History is history....but after all is said and done, pasta is here to stay


The bakeries always lured me away from the real food


I turned away while shopping, and Rog grabbed the camera and took a few shots...good job honey!



Never easy to get a shot through the glass, but I'm guessing you get the idea here


Cookies anyone?



That's one way to eat a nut!

Have you had enough yet???

Friday--Venice Day 2--Part 2

So many windows of incredible looking food....a foodies paradise for sure :). Too bad my eyes are always bigger than my stomach!


Melt in your mouth goodness


Hard crusty Italian bread....it does not get better than that


I want to take it all home with me


Just about anything in the window to draw you inside for a meal


I don't know this man...hot dogs and French fries on PIZZA???


Red, white and green...now that's Italian!


We both had pizza, then I had a quadruple scoop serving of gelato....piggy, piggy...but it was so good.


My eyes are always bigger then my stomach :)



How else am I expected to test all the flavors in such short period of time??? I'm trying to be efficient here...but my small capacity tummy is just not cooperating. I later learned from talking to several of my fellow cruise passengers, that it is a common goal while visiting Italy, to test every flavor of gelato in sight. All I can say is.....great minds think alike!

Have you had enough yet? Still more to come....let the eating continue...hey, it's calorie-free when you are just looking at pictures....step away from the fridge!

Friday--Venice Day 2--Part 1

It had been our intention to get an early start to the day....surprise-surprise...that didn't quite happen. Both of us were exhausted when we finally got back to the ship at midnight, and didn't even wake up until 7am. We originally had planned to enjoy a breakfast buffet at the Hotel Danieli, which runs from 7-10 in the morning. Unfortunately, we didn't make it off the ship until 10:30..... I imagine our breakfast buffet on the ship was just a bit different than the incredible offerings I had heard about at the hotel.


Running behind schedule...quick bites....let's get off the ship NOW!


Holland America pulled up along side of us

Although we were little behind schedule this morning, it didn't stop us from once again finding our way to the People Mover...and heading into the city. Not by choice, (Rog left our 24-hour passes in his jacket pocket from the night before....perhaps in hindsight it was a blessing in disguise) we skipped the vaporetto ride that morning.



No riding for us this morning (oops Rog)


We enjoyed seeing another part of the city


Another incredible day of weather


They use water transportation to move just about everything


I found a sundress to be very comfortable for our day trips....except when the breeze caught a hold of it...yikes!

Our only option was to walk along the canal instead of standing in line for the water bus, we just strolled over the bridge and saw a part of the city we had missed the previous evening. We found out later, St. Mark's Square flooded again in the afternoon, so we avoided that unpleasantness by shopping and eating near the Rialto Bridge.


Enough pics of us...on to the good stuff...hold on to your tummies!!!

Next up...Food, glorious FOOD!!!!

Venice--Gondola Ride & Dinner

Our ride on the gondola, as the sun fully set and the moon popped out...was a great ending to a very special day. As a group, all the gondolas headed down the canal...it's unbelievable how so many boats move at the same time, in the dark...without hitting each other.



The weather was perfect as we were serenaded on our ride down the canal


It was difficult to get photos, this one captured him best


They were in constant motion, it is amazing how well they maneuver through the canals

After the ride, we snaked our way down the streets as a group, to find our dinner venue and enjoy a nice meal before heading back to the ship.


More beer tasting


I ate pasta...who would have thought????


Now here is the good stuff....best fried calamari ever...light and fluffy...just right


The shop windows had these incredible displays of Venetian costumes


Although I tried...it was impossible to capture the magnificence of these costumes

The beauty of this city, lies in it's back street shops and alley ways. You can wander for days and never see the same thing twice. At this point in the evening, we were exhausted and still had to find our way back to the ship. Imagine our surprise when we turned a corner, and ran into the same couples we share dinner with every night on the ship. And then we happened to glance down into a canal as we walked over a bridge, and saw the couple, in a gondola, who we had shared a meal with during open seating lunch that very same day...what are the odds of that happening??? There are thousands of people, in hundreds of gondolas, and walking down thousands of streets in this city...we were amazed by the coincidence.

We were quickly running out of steam and decided to make our way back to the ship. At this time of night, the vaporettos were jam packed, but I managed to find a seat and fall asleep amid the chatter of Italians standing all around me. Back at the transportation center, we just missed the last People Mover ride. Little did we know that it shut down at 11pm...so we had a bit more of a walk back to our bed that night.

Next up....shopping, eating...eating....eating....our 2nd day in Venice

Venice--1st Night

Off the ship we went with our maps, receipt for our excursion, and voucher for our vaporetto pass. We found the People Mover, put our $$ in the machine and jumped on the automated shuttle train.






















Minutes later, we were at the vaporetto stop and on our way up the Grand Canal in our water bus. I'd remembered someone suggesting you should move to the front of the boat if possible, to get a great view of the canal as we rode to St. Marks Square. Luckily, we were close enough to the front of the line and got great seats right up front.


View of St. Marks Square from the vaporetto


The day was perfect for our ride up the Grand Canal


The Hotel Danieli--we hoped to have a nice breakfast here the next morning


It was our goal to locate the gathering point of our excursion for the evening...a gondola ride with dinner included. The streets are certainly tricky, but we kept checking the map and eventually made it to the proper place.



We had time to spare, so of course my gelato testing skills were once again put to good use. Having heard that the restaurant was a bit off the beaten path, I'd printed a map...and we followed that along to do a little pre-dinner scouting. While waiting in line for the gondola ride, we met a nice Australian couple who also happened to be on our ship. As usual, chatting helped to pass the time until 7:30 when the nights entertainment would begin.

Next up......Our moonlit Gondola Ride & Italian Dinner