On to Rome

Civitevecchia tomorrow


And the end of this wonderful cruise and life experience. I probably should take a photo of what this cabin looks like while packing is going on, but I don’t think I ever took one of it on an every day basis so for all you know, this is the way it looks all the time. Getting peeks into some of these “staterooms” I’m convinced some folks never unpack and just leave everything lying around. Not everyone of course, but my heart goes out to the poor cabin stewards who must do their best in these situations.
Sorrento
What a gorgeous place. And while rain was forecasted, we had absolutely breathtakingly beautiful weather. It was cool enough that I needed a jacket sometimes and while I could have used a hat, I certainly didn’t have to have one. I had a nibble in the Panorama Buffet and then waited for Ed which took much longer than my comfort level. Eventually we headed out to the tender and the Commendatore was on board dressed in a suit and tie. He was going to give a talk in Sorrento. There are a few other cruise ships in the bay of equal size. We finally landed at the base of this huge Cliffside. Princess provided a shuttle up the hillside and we decided because of time to take it. Last time we walked up and down it. Must be at least a 100 steps each way and requires dodging crazed Italian drivers hell bent to make it around those hair pin curves at a new speed record. We were dropped off near a store we had visited last time. We walked around a little and in one of the stores asked a lady for a recommendation on a restaurant. She gave us a few ideas including one that had caught Ed’s eye on the corner of the intersection with a minipiazza. Along the way, there was a cathedral somewhat hidden in a shopping area where a marriage had just finished. With body language, I asked the priest if it was OK to go in to see the church which was, not surprisingly, absolutely breathtaking. On the way out, we ran into Tom and JoAnn having cappuccino. Many folks wanted to have it in Italy to see how authentic it is. Since I don’t drink coffee I can’t give you a report.
So we found our way to the Aurora Pizzareia where that is only one of the dishes. I wanted Insalata Caprese (of course) which the waiter was trying to discourage us from ordering. He was pushing a veggie plate. We ordered both and each was fantastic. Not sure why he wasn’t very encouraging of the Instalata Caprese; Perhaps they were low on the gorgeous (looked like heirloom) tomatoes. Then we had decided on a pizza that had cheese, ham, mushrooms, and other goodies on it. This was big enough for 3 people though it was advertised as being for one person. We ordered a small bottle of white wine, enough for two servings, which was Ok by me and Ed said was really good. We both ate way too much but boy was it good! Before we went back to the tender, we got gelato: hazelnut for me, double chocolate for Ed. Mine was terrific; his was way too sweet even for him. But if we had not done that, we wouldn’t have forgotten the fact.
Many other folks from the ship wound up here as well. In fact, as usual, we saw folks from the ship everywhere. We even ran into Max, our dining room waiter who looked like a teenager though he must be over 50. We teased him about looking for a Chinese restaurant since that’s usually what his entourage eats when on shore. Ed also picked up a USA Today and an International Herald Tribune along the way. (as an aside: this morning I dropped off the IHT we picked up in Athens at the library on board and it was scooped up and devoured right away.
We went another direction but not before Ed went in search of the olive oil they served us at lunch to sop up with bread. It really was good but I would have been satisfied to look for it in LA. Not Ed. He wanted a bottle right away. So a waiter told him to try the supermarket down the block. Turns out they didn’t have it so he finagled the head waiter into selling him a bottle from the restaurant. I better not break in the luggage when that 400 pound gorilla in baggage at the airport slings our bags around.
We walked past churches which were (disappointingly) closed—a sign of the times I’m afraid. I recall when the church building was never closed. Lots of shops with lots of lemoncello themed goodies to get as mementos. We dropped a few Euros here but the economy will never rest on our shoulders. The strategies vendors use to manipulate you are fascinating though. When Ed presented his Amex card to pay at one place, the guy said he needed Euros since his “machine is broken.” He did speak THAT much English. I laughed to myself and we acted dumb about that strategy.
We took the tender back and soaked up more astonishing views of the shoreside in this bay that goes from Capri to Naples. And when we hit our cabin, it was back to the reality of packing.
Athens vs. Sorrento
I keep hoping I’ll like Athens more than I have so far. I haven’t been anywhere else in Greece except Rhodes which hardly counts in a way. But as Ed and I were walking around Sorrento, I remarked on how both countries have a long history with old everything but Athens is depressing and not at all a draw and Italy is gorgeous and happy and a wonderful draw. Go figure. I haven’t written Greece off, but I’ll need to keep looking for things that would draw me there.
As I write this, Ed is finishing up bags while I’ve been doing the tip envelopes, “you made a difference” cards, and the evaluation of the cruise and delivered everything (almost) where they’re supposed to be. So I’m going to close off and upload all this so that I can also pack the electronic gadgetry as well.
I’ll try to post a closing reflection sometime after we get back.