A gentle bumping noise woke us this morning, a slight quartering wave catching us just so as to create little speed bumps in our motion. We were still cruising  towards Kusadasi, not due to arrive till noon-time.  With such a leisurely start we ambled to the gym for a 30-minute bike ride, then up a … Continue reading Riviera Day 3: Kusadasi, Turkey

We awoke still tethered to the dock - there's still a half day left in Istanbul before the engines start up for the first time. Not feeling pressured to sightsee we slept in a touch but then the memory of the pound of butter I had for dinner last night (Maryland Crab Cake, Dover Sole, … Continue reading Anchor’s Aweigh!

Today was boarding day! We did nothing this morning but wait in giddy anticipation until it was time to leave our hotel for the ship.  Luckily that was at 12:15, so by 1pm we were onboard strolling the decks  exploring our new home for the next 12 days. I've not much too say that photos … Continue reading Oceania’s Riviera

Today was tourist 'lite', a leisurely day out and about. We decided on taking a little sightseeing cruise up the Bosphorus so we squeezed on the local tram with the rest of humanity and toodled over to the ferry docks by the Galata Bridge. We'd just missed the 10am boat so we had a very … Continue reading Istanbul Day 2

There's nothing like being awake for a trans-Atlantic flight and a 10-hour time difference to encourage a good night's sleep!  Both mom and I woke this morning refreshed and in sync with the local time and ready to sightsee!  We've 2.5 days here in Istanbul before starting a 12-day Eastern Mediterranean cruise, which I hope … Continue reading Pre-Cruise Istanbul

Not really my latest adventure but I've fallen off from blogging except for the Big Ones, and this latest trip definitely falls into that category: a 12-day cruise preceded by 3 days in Istanbul and followed by 3 more in Rome. Traveling companion is the usual suspect: Mom.  Photographer/blogger/organizer/schlepper: me.  Let the travels begin.... Posted … Continue reading Next Adventure: The Eastern Med