ex HARALD JARL ::: ex ANDREA ::: SERENISSIMA :::

[Seagull]

The fortress itself is a delight. It is not at all an organised or regimented-visit kind of place, and I felt I could enjoy days up there exploring every stony path and bastion, and having special places entirely to myself in the less well-preserved, ruinous parts. But the fortress finds a place in this thread for that other classic type of 'ship photo in its surroundings' that I love to take - the view from on high.







A final photo as I return to sea level!

[Azimut]

Wonderful pictures from places that you have visited so far on your cruise, Cecilia

The pictures from # 1086 - # 1088 makes you feel like you are on a private yacht and enjoying the surroundings while relaxing in a deck chairs with a cold beer.
Stunning views towards the top of Fira taken from the bridge deck.

Great picture taken from the fortress that shows the port area and the surrounding areas and the ship.

You've always been good at taking pictures of the right things and areas you move around in.
So it's fantastic to see such pictures from your trips and almost have a feeling to be on the trip in a way.
Just continue to post photos when you have time for it.


Personally, I think it's great to see the photos you've taken on board that shows that the crew takes maintenance of the ship seriously
The ship looks like a jewel.

Thank you for sharing these great pictures with us.

[Ralf__]

Wonderful. The continuation of the serenissima-adventures. And this during my first i-phone steps. Such a nice opportunity for practising!

[Seagull]

Thank you both for such nice comments on my mammoth cruise catch-up!

(Better not get distracted by the more topical Ralf' i-phone! - but will keep an eye on the Apple thread! )

[Seagull]

Day 6 - 12^th September 2015 – via the Corinth Canal to Itea, Greece.

Serenissima was scheduled to begin the transit of the Corinth Canal at 6am and although this was about an hour before sunrise, it was by no means a bad thing. In fact rather the opposite, for the canal is illuminated and at such an hour looks particularly spectacular at the eastern end where the cliff-like sides are highest.



Of course I was up and out on deck much earlier, watching as the distant lights along the shore got closer and closer, and only working out where the canal entrance actually is when our tug boat arrived!



This is my favourite memory of that morning as Serenissima entered the canal.

[Seagull]

Wonderful views in the gradually increasing daylight as the ship continues through the canal.

[ombugge]

Stad Ships Tunnel, minus the roof!!!

[Clipper]

Trollfjord on steroids.

[Seagull]

Flasks of hot chocolate had been provided for those standing on the forward deck observation platform, and other guests took the usual early risers' beverages out on the aft deck.



View looking aft from deck 3

[Seagull]

Now I'm back on the observation platform, from where the view looking aft gives a very good impression of the width of the canal compared with our ship.



A good view of the geology! The canal is cut through sediments, a sequence of marl, sandstones, conglomerates and calcareous silts which are considerably faulted. Bear in mind this is in the context of a seismically active region. The instability of the rock was a problem right at the start, when landslides delayed the use of the canal straight after its offical opening in July 1893. Moreover it soon became apparent that the wake of the ships was undermining the walls at the waters edge, requiring retaining walls along some sections.

[Seagull]

Emerging into the Gulf of Corinth.
Of course as the canal is excavated down to sea level there are no locks, but at both ends there are interesting submersible road bridges which lower 8m below the water to allow ships to pass.

[Seagull]

After leaving the canal, Serenissima continued to the port of Itea, arriving at around 10:30. Thus before lunch there was time to go ashore, which was when I took the following pictures of the ship which need no further explanations. .In the afternoon there was a splendid excursion to Delphi.


Approaching Itea

[Seagull]

[Seagull]

[Azimut]

Totally awesome
For some amazing pictures that show the passage through the Corinth Canal.
Incredibly nice frame around the ship, while sailing through the canal in the beautiful morning light.

[Ralf__]

Very impressive. I would have done the same as you: Strolling around the shup to catch each ever possible perspective. So nice pictures. Great!!

[nari]

Very impressive photos of an increasingly attractive ship, to me, anyway.

[Seagull]

Thanks Bengt, Ralf and Nari …and not forgetting ombugge'’s earlier (#1099.1) description of the Corinth Canal which so made me smile!
Your cruise continues!

[Seagull]

Day 7 - 13^th September 2015 - Sarande, Albania.

So far in this voyage the only places I had visited previously were Mycene and Delphi, both way back in 1981 on a coach excursion from Athens following a conference. The coach had also paused at the Corinth Canal - and I can still remember how delicious the outdoor barbequed lamb lunch was that followed!

On leaving Greece aboard Serenissima, everything - ports and excursion goals alike - would now be totally new to me until the ship concluded her cruise in Venice. Turkey had already been a new country for me, and there would be more to come. Of these, the one that most people were curious about on my return was Albania. But for now, here is Serenissima’s glimpse of the port of Sarande in the south of country.


My customary early morning stroll on deck



Serenissima docked right in the centre of the town, which has however suffered from uncontrolled property development in the transition from communism to free-market economy.

[Seagull]

I too took my second, or was it third, cup of breakfast coffee through into the lounge for what was a rather special experience. This is Auron Tare, who has done so much for the heritage of Albania, and it is largely as a result of his efforts that the major archaeological site of Butrint has been preserved. Known to our guest lecturer Paul Harris (who had given a presentation "Albania: Repression, Anarchy & Hope" the previous evening), Auron Tare was invited aboard to speak to us. It was exactly the kind of impromptu happening I appreciate and value in cultural and specialist tourism including small-ship cruising, and which I hope will survive changing commercial pressures and the demographics of customer expectations.




I returned to my cabin (314) to collect my things for our full day excursion, which included lunch ashore, pausing only to record the view from my porthole at the side and almost beneath the gangway.