Mediterranean Cruise

We took a twelve day cruise of the Mediterranean. Our stops included – Ravenna Italy, Split Croatia, Kotor Montenegro, Corfu Greece, Valletta Malta, Messina Sicily, Ajaccio Corsica, Sorrento Italy, Monte Carlo Monaco and Portofino Italy. It was a very port intensive cruise to say the least. We took a small ship and found it to be quaint and unique – I really liked the small ship atmosphere. The weather was some of the hottest I have ever been in during my entire life. I would have to say that Malta was by far the hottest place I have ever been to.

I won't go on with stories, just photos with small captions. enjoy the photos -

Ciao and until we see you again ... Peace & Happiness ~ Nora & David

Portofino Italy - our first impression

The only yacht I was allowed into - Portofino Italy

Portofino - part way up our hike

Ta-Da - the view from almost the top - Portofino Italy

Portofino Italy - the main harbor area

Portofino Italy - loved these boats

Portofino Italy, so gorgeous - you want to take a photo of everything
Portofino Italy - someones home
Portofino Italy - view from a hike we took
Portofino Italy - a home Portofino Italy - a fisherman untangles his nets

Monte Carlo, Monaco
Monte Carlo, Monaco - the rich playground

Sorrento Italy
Sorrento Italy - real shell cameos - a true artist jewelery shop
Sorrento Italy - inlaid wood boxes
Sorrento Italy - more lovely boxes
Sorrento Italy - the family I bought my boxes from - the woman in white took me to her showroom up the hill so I could have a choice of what I wanted to buy. Very sweet and caring woman. The father did not smile because he has been sick she said.

Ajaccio Corsica - Snails on an iron window covering at the nougat candy factory -
Ajaccio Corsica countryside
Ajaccio Corsica - just about the colest scooter ever

Messina Sicily
Messina Sicily - we had a slight mis-communication and wound up with spaghetti pizza
Messina Sicily - clock tower that we ate lunch under
Sailing out of Messina

The beer of Malta
A look down to the sea - Malta
Maltese crosses - for sale everywhere

The interior of the walled city (Mdina) the buildings were all the same color as above

and the walkways / streets were narrow

a very old door knob - Malta
inside of music shop - inside of a guitar - Malta

Above to the left is the entrance to the old walled city in Valetta Malta
There are horse drawn carriages everywhere - very cool way to get around.
Entrance to Mdina, the old walled city.

Going to Malta in August was like a mini trip to the heat of hell.

I could not even act like myself because Ii was so hot. I brought a wet washcloth to wrap around my neck and I drenched it in water wherever I could -

it was just about the hottest I have ever been.

There are these ornate window boxes everywhere - Malta

some are new and others I would not want to step out onto.

Another window box - maybe they are air conditioned - I don't know

Corfu Greece - music shop
Corfu Greece - a Fortress
Corfu Greece - a van outside of the Fortress
Corfu Greece - the maker of my veggie crepe
Corfu Greece - outdoor cafe`



Montenegro
Hello Montenegro - do you remember my father? He walked on your soil many years ago – a trail he took for the freedom he wanted. His heart would have been heavy and I believe his eyes were filled with tears. Do you remember him now? He was a young man, a husband and a father – he fled his country of Albania leaving behind his wife and daughter. Do you remember him now? He was tall with dark hair, he combed it back – his eyes were the color of the sky – he looked at you – do you remember him now? He climbed your mountains on his way to freedom – he thought of his wife and daughter at home and wondered when he would see them again - he must have been worried – do you remember him now? Did my feet walk on the same ground as my fathers? Did my eyes see the same mountains as he saw? Did my skin feel the same sun as the sun that warmed him? I felt him here – I looked from your mountain top and I saw the countryside – I’m sure he looked out from your mountain top too –

Do you remember him now? I do.

The square box in the center was a case to hold bullets.

Montenegro

A vendor was selling many items from WWII

including nazi pins.

some local grafitti
This is the mountian we hiked up. To the left of the green patch is where the church is that we made it to. At the very top there is a castle, that you can see if you double click on the photo.

You can also see the rock wall we walked up.

The castle was used as a safe fortress and a lookout point.

The entrance and box office to an outdoor theatre.
Handmade shoes - on the left you can see tiny ones

an artist paints - Montenegro
a completed painting - one of my favorite photos -

I hope it posts well on the blog -

try double clicking it.
The sweet young artist is named Cassandra. She hand painted rocks and small bottles to sell.

The uphill hike - it dosen't look steep, but it took it's toll on us for sure.
slow up up up the mountian.

The view form half way up the mountian -
even in the shade it was humid and hot, we did not bring near enough water.

we hiked to this church - the 1/2 way point.

It was closed so I put my camera lens through the steel gate and took a snap.

Local olive oil for sale in Montenegro
Town square Monetnegro - early morning
The clock tower - Montenegro

A local artist makes a mosaic in Ravenna Italy.
Money from Split Croatia
Inside the walled city of Split
A lovely balcony - in Split
I bought lavender from this women outisde of a church in Split.

Could me visor be any bigger?