One Tick off Signore Honey's Bucket List

Day 7 - Thursday, September 14, 2017 this morning we docked in the Port of Naples, Italy.  After our breakfast we disembarked the ship and purchased our tickets for the hydrofoil boat to take us to the Isle of Capri along with thousands of other tourists and locals. So busy! 

This was something Signore Honey has always wanted to do.

We should have grabbed this snazzy taxi to tour the island but we decided to get some exercise and we followed the signs that directed us to the centre, not knowing how far we would have to go! And it was all up hill! 

Finally we reached the top after climbing many steps ... first some rehydration and then we wandered the many boutique lined streets, doing lots of window shopping today. 

My Monsieur Honey finally had his Rendez Vous with the Isle of Capri! 

What goes up, must come down ... more steps! 

We enjoyed a delicious pizza and glass of wine once back down at the waterfront before catching the boat back to Naples. 

Today was our shortest day at port ... we needed to be "All Aboard" by 3:30PM. 

We will have to return to Naples to visit more of the sites of the city and the ruins of Pompeii. Another trip! 

Tomorrow after cruising 287 nautical miles we will be docking in Livorno, Italy. 

Pat's Postcards from Palermo, Sicily

Day 6  Wednesday, September 13, 2017  approaching Palermo, Sicily, Italy ... 

We aren't exactly certain how our day in Palermo evolved. 

Did we walk to the centre, was there a shuttle bus service? I know it matters not to you but I'm trying to reconstruct our day. 

For me it is my diary of our travels. 

This is what happens when you don't post / write as the adventure is happening ... my memory fails me at times ... might be time to keep a written journal! 

Although the photos do trigger some memories. 

I do remember that my first impressions were not favourable as we wandered towards the centre, but I can't put my finger on what it was ... and then I really opened my eyes and saw the uniqueness and beauty in all that surrounded me! 

Views from our balcony as we were approaching the dock. 

Palermo located on the northwestern coast of Sicily is "considered a jewel in the crown of Sicily". It is the largest city on the island. 

The post office ... 

Beautiful architecture ...

No this is not a stained glass window in a church, it was in an entrance door to an apartment building. 

What a beauty! I think this would be a lovely feature in my front door side lights. 

Chuesa di S. Domenici e Chiostro



Santa Caterina / Saint Catherine Church in the Plaza Bellini. (Baroque)



Plaza Bellini is home to three churches Saint Catherine's (pictured above) and below Santa Maria dell' Ammiraglio and San Cataldo with its three domes ... both of these are Unesco World Heritage Sites.

 

My "Signore Honey" in the square ... 

they say "when in Rome do as the Romans do"  what a whirlwind of title changes for my man! 

Monsieur in France, Señor in Spain, Signore in Italy! 

 

Praetorian Fountain - the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria was built by Francesco Camilliani in 1554 in the city of Florence, Italy and then moved to Palermo in 1574. 

Quattro Canti 

The Palermo Cathedral ... Saint Mary of the Assumption was built in 1185.

A little time to just relax and people watch! 

Ok Signore Honey, let's see what else we can find on our self guided walking tour! 

Teatro Massimo (Opera House) 

Another busy day and lesson learned don't always judge a book by it's cover, first impressions may not always be accurate ... lots of beautiful history in Palermo. 

Departing from Palermo, Sicily we will travel 167 nautical miles and wake up in Naples, Italy tomorrow morning. 

Malta (Malta Teasers) Maltesers ...

Day 5 - Tuesday, September 12th, 2017 today we were teased by all that Malta has to offer.

And here I will tell you that in my opinion you only get "a taste, a tease" of the many ports of call while you are cruising.

It's impossible to get a real feel of the life and culture of your destination within a few hours. 

Originally we were just going to use our own "trotters" and wander the streets to explore Valletta but as we disembarked the ship there were many offerings for the tourist hop on / hop off  bus. 

Tickets bought, top deck seats and we were off ... 

We toured the island via the red line for two hours on this very hot, hot day! 

From our roof top seats we viewed the good, the bad and the ugly. 

How sad that this "solarium" has been neglected, it such a beautiful piece of architecture. 

I can just see it full of tropical plants and many pottery pots full of colourful plants! 

After our tour we wandered along the waterfront harbour lined with honey coloured limestone buildings housing tiny shops, boutiques and many cafes and restaurants. Perfect since we were ready for some refreshments. 

Now back to the luxury of the ship for some pool deck r & r after a light lunch. 

Señor Honey found a great read in the library ... doesn't he look relaxed? 

The view from the ship ...

Tonight we had reservations for one of the specialty restaurants "Red Ginger" serving contemporary Asian cuisine. 

It was a fun experience, exotic decor and great service from choosing your own chopsticks to the individual tea service. 

We were sharing at a table of six this evening with a couple from Hawaii and another from British Columbia. 

Remember the "Caramelized Tiger Prawns" that we learned to make yesterday during the cooking demonstration, they were on the menu and I chose them as my starter. 

Sweet and spicy ... scrumptious shrimp! 

The charger plates ...

My choice of chopsticks ...

As the pilot leaves we say goodbye Malta ... 265 nautical miles of cruising and we will say hello to another country, Palermo (Sicily) Italy.