drron29

We have just finished 54 days on the Moon and like you were worried as to wether we could cope with that long. However we loved it and much more enjoyable than a short cruise. By the way thanks to those on the Moon Grand voyage of South America for not drinking all the good South American wine. I enjoyed it on this last cruise. Now feel we could enjoy a World Cruise so I will be buying a few lottery tickets to try and afford one.

We have always paid with Amex for open deposits without problem. Might have changed but I don’t think so.

And debark day as the CD calls it has arrived.Overcast but dry. We have some othersc in port including the MSC Seaside and Scenic Eclipse II. And a last look at our home for the last 8 weeks. The beautiful Moon. Taken from the bus on the way to the airport. Will be back later to sum up.

Now our last Atlantide dinner. We got there a bit late after drinks with some of our trivia team. On the last 2 segments of the cruise Rojaan and I were not popular. Voyage 4 we won 8 of 10 and only slipped a little to 7 out of 10 on the last voyage. So to dinner. We both started with the laced prawns then I once again had the beef tartare but no picture as already shown a few times. For her mains Rojaan had the wild mushroom salad and I had the tiger prawn curry with extra chilli. Rojaan had the fig frozen yoghurt for desert and I had the apple sable. So some of the staff still working when we left. Paula the Maitre'D from Brazil and Herme from the Phillipines and one whose wife is also part of the crew in the Arts Cafe.

Our last lunch at Kaiseki. The wonderful staff. The new chef Wada from Indonesia. On his first contract but performed wonderfully. And us with all the staff. The wonderful Nicola who is very good at her job and has mentored the junior staff wonderfully. With her they have blossomed. I told Paolo it was time to consider her for a promotion. With her the 2 more junior wait staff. Alexander from Brazil and Nataporn from Thailand. Both a bit reserved when they first joined us but now typical happy Silversea crew. Nataporn now wants to experience the Expedition ships next.

We didn't intend to do an excursion in Sorrento but would have liked togo into town and have lunch. But it was overcast, cold, windy with occasional showers around lunch time. So we stayed on board. So views from the balcony.

And what was to be our last breakfast we went to Atlantide. Our only disappointing meal here. My eggs Benedict were bland and the bacon awful. Rojaan had a fried egg with bacon. I had the eggs Benedict with bacon and grilled tomatoes. The tomatoes were fine.

Another Atlantide dinner. We both started with the Salmon Carpaccio and then I had the beef tartare. Then Rojaan had the Chilean sea bass and I the prime rib. Yummy. My red wine. Again selected for me by Karolina. And we finished off with the Eton mess.

Now sailing to Sorrento.

The last from the bus from Taormina. And now from the ship.

Then back to the main street and I went in to what I thought was a church. It probably was one but now contains a model of the town. And the place is certainly a great place for views of the coast.

Back outside and a little detour for a view.

Some more of the cathedral in Taormina.

Back with land based internet. I have forgotten how much better it is compared to that on the seas. We did find out though how good it is to spend a long time onboard. After 54 days we really didn’t want to leave. Really got to know the crew In more ways. Just wonderful. So despite a lot of criticism that I read this cruise turned out to be the best we have ever had.

I found more ruins.

We now had an hour of free time.

And now the reason to come on this tour as it was titled Greek and Roman ruins of Taormina. My Brother in Law was Professor of Geology at Plymouth University and for 20 years until he retired last year he spent 2 months each spring in Taormina supervising excavations of the ruins. Sadly though this tour only took us to the Theatre which was Greek then converted by the Romans to suit their more brutal entertainment.