Cruising like Princesses

It's almost embarrassing to win so much out of all the prizes given, in so short of time. Almost, but not enough to give back the prizes. The tone was set the first day with Cee winning the raffle grand prize worth $200 of daily entrance into a select area of the spa for private sunbathing and whirlpool and me winning a 25 minute massage. Next we won on scratch off lottery – over $50 which we rolled into play on the slot machines and Roulette. Yes, we won and lost. Next we won $1250 grand prize on Bingo. And finally, Cee walked away with $70 dollar win on blackjack on the last evening of the cruise.

So what else did we do besides gamble? Well....

Patmos, Kusadasi, Port Said, Alexandria, Haifa, Ashdod, Dubrovnik, Ravenna, Venice: ports of call in our 12 day cruise.

Patmos is a new black dress and a dip in the Mediterranean.

Kusadasi is a guided tour to Ephesus and the Terrace Houses, followed by shopping in the bazaar for new shoes to go with the new black dress.

Haifa and Ashdod were on tour with Mickey of Israel Guided Tours, baklava in Jerusalem, fresh dates, the Wailing Wall, security into Bethlehem, the Jerusalem Cross, special blessings at a special church, “The” Manger, a fight between our bus driver and the driver of a large truck. Fists, rubber pipes. Job loss. Apology. Wine.

Port Said & Alexandria are remembered as an overnight stay at Le Meridien with its wonderful view of the pyramids from the pool, internet charges of $25/day so spending time at the Mercure with free internet, our visit to the pyramids, climbing inside the pyramid, Cheops (builder of the Great Pyramid) & Kefran (builder of the 2^nd pyramid), Sakkara and the step pyramid, the Sphinx, eating rice stuffed pigeons in the felucca on the Nile prepared specially for us by Waleed's mother, Cee practicing her Arabic (spoken & written) with our guide Waleed, and the Egyptian Museum.

Dubrovnik we spent on board and at an internet cafe, that evening time for Cee & I in the whirlpool with Class V waves.

Ravenna was a walk through the old town & viewing many churches and basilicas noted for their beautiful mosaics.

Venice...disembark the ship and another chapter begins. But first a shout out to Matt & Chris ("Kids, Grandma, Kids") who were not afraid to play.