Hello, It’s actually October 16th today and I’m working to get my entries onto my blog, as drafts, so that way when I get back, you’ll have loads to read....Hope you enjoy reading about some of the details of my trip to Europe and Mediterranean Cruise. Thank You to those who made it possible this year!!
Yours,
Todd
October 11, 2006 435AM
Well, I was wondering when this would kick in....for some reason woke up around a half an hour ago and couldn’t sleep...tried and could tell that my stomach was empty...so went for a late night, early morning snack. Had a cheese piece of pizza and about 5 spoons of vanilla frozen yogurt. This ship is like having everything at your front door.
The ship is beautiful!! I still am noticing details that I’m happily surprised by. Inside, the ship has many touches with European flair....like I have a Murano Glass light fixture in my room...there are rod iron touches throughout that even decorate the stem part of the bar stools, wherever there is a bar. Also, for glass sliding doors, there are built in rod iron facades to make it look more Euro.
I am happy to have lucked out with my room....looks like my sofa lounge area becomes a bed to sleep two people, so that, with my queen bed, it could sleep 4 comfortably.
I went out on the top deck and could see what looked like Positano at night. I am particularly fond of seeing that, so hopefully I can get over that way somehow today.
I really do need to try to get more rest....I am excited and overwhelmed I guess still about my baggage episode, the trip, etc. Still in survival mode and am hoping by Thursday that I will "settle in" more.
I worked on some photos ~ taking them of myself in my room, so they would have that Euro hotel room look....changed some to black and white. This is how I spent the majority of my evening last night. Skipped the formal dinner, well it wasn’t formal, tonight’s is "formal"....what I mean is that every night you have a dinner that is planned where you sit down with other people ~ virtual strangers ~ and by the end of the cruise you could get to know more people through this, plus you’d have companionship,etc. I don’t know how much I will go to this dinner, it’s not a favorite thing for me to do while cruising...I guess I am not much into "formalities".
Well, I suppose it would be a great time to try to get more rest....Arriverderci per ora!! (Ciao for now)
October 11, 540AM
Well, I guess that I decided that I can’t sleep....maybe there’s just too much going on, or maybe I have had enough sleep....a few people have told me that I need very little...
I have noticed that we are almost at a stand still....which means we’re very close to Naples....maybe it’s the thought of missing out on all of Naples that I can take??? I really can’t stop thinking about Positano and how in "Talented Mr. Ripley", the setting was so beautiful. I can still imagine Gwyneth Paltrow walking along the streets and stuff and I just really can’t get the beauty of it out of my head....so I’m up, headed to the gym here shortly...it opens at 6AM.
Was going to go to the internet cafe today, but after thinking that tomorrow we’re at sea all day, I’m thinking now to maybe wait a bit and go sometime tomorrow.
I keep hearing interesting noises, I’m sure it’s because I’m awake. If I were asleep, I doubt that I would hear them.
I still can’t get over the size of my room....maybe it’s because there are so many built-ins? It’s like a mini suite, without the kitchen.....
I wonder how many people will be at the gym this morning? Those will be the fitness fanatics and die hards....I’m thinking that once I’ve had my fill of Naples, that I can come back, shower and rest? Doesn’t that sound good. Maybe I’ll be back on here in no time?
October 11th, 6PM
I am still up and going and am really starting to feel a bit tired.
I did manage to keep myself very busy today.....PERFECT WEATHER TOO!!!OMG!!! I DID end up in Positano, which was where they filmed "The
Talented Mr. Ripley" and also a movie that was filmed in the 60’s starring Alain DeLeon (sp?)...can’t remember the name of that movie right now, so you’ll have to excuse me. Wow!! Was Positano amazingly beautiful.....It’s part of the Amalfi Coast and also didn’t get the chance to really see Santa Lucia, but we’re parked right next to it right now....so maybe after I’m done writing, I’ll head up "one last time" before I collapse from exhaustion.
I found a gorgeous hotel (seaside and all the rooms have magnificent views of the water!!!) in Positano on my way down the hill. Because of the length time it took me to even get there (uh um, 3.5 hours) and that I had to be back onboard by 6pm (got onboard around 5pm), I didn’t go all the way down to the water the way I would have liked to. It did seem very friendly and reminded me of Laguna Beach, only it did seem more beautiful. This is one of the Mediterranean’s treasures I think. For some reason (see previous entry) this morning I was possessed to get there....I just imagined it to be such and such a way...and SURE ENOUGH, it exceeded my expectations if you can believe that?!!!
Back to the hotel....the hotel that I found is stunning and breathtaking and like I said, has incredible views...it’s called Hotel Marincanto.....the address is Via Cristoforo Colombo, 50, Positano (SA) 84017. Their telephone number is +39 089.875130 and I would even look them up on the internet if you get the time or are looking for a "special" getaway!
I had my lunch there, although it wasn’t really that type of place to go for lunch....they were very accommodating and I’m happy to tell you that my lunch was very fresh, tasty and prompt....oh, and reasonable....for three mini rolls with mortadella, tomato and (OH I CAN’T REMEMBER THAT WHITE KIND OF CHEESE THAT THEY SOMETIMES SERVE WITH TOMATOES????), as well as fresh chips (fungyun
I’m getting overwhelmed by things right now....so will have to write more later.....there’s all kinda of activities going on (think they’re ready to leave and a couple is missing) outside, plus on tv, there’s a special on Venice Shopping Tips.....plus I’m kinda fading, bye for now....OK, I’m back and went out to take some sunset pics of Saint Lucia.....the Italian part of it....not to be mistaken with the Caribbean one. A fellow passenger took a pic of me although it came out blurry, I am glad to have the help and pic.....for the memory of it. Especially, because I’ve heard and sang the Italian Song, Saint Lucia with Nonna many times in the past.
Battery is going dead....ciao!
Pics: Me in Positano.....I was so excited to be there!!
Taken in my hotel room, yup, I took it with my self timer....looking outwards to the terrazo just outside my room that I stayed in the first night in Roma, at Hotel Ara Pacis.....I was looking forward to getting to pick up my luggage at the airport and then get to the dock in Civitavecchia, to board the "Carnival Liberty".
