On Board

After drinking, eating, drinking, walking, drinking, sleeping, drinking - well you get the idea, our way around Rome for 5 nights and 6 days, we have said a very, very reluctant arrivaderchi.

We are now on board Oceania's 2nd newest ship the Marina en route across the Atlantic to Brazil. Should be fun. We stop in Cartagena Spain, Gibraltar, sail through the Pillars of Hercules into the Atlantic and on to the Canary Islands (Lanzarote and Tenerife), Cape Verde, then 4 days across the Atlantic (out of site of land) to three stops in Brazil ( Salvadore, Buizos, and Rio de Janeiro) where we get punted off the boat. We hang out in Rio for 4 days then its back to the Peg for winter fun. Whole thing approx a month.

Right now M and I are sitting on the veranda of our stateroom sipping champagne as we sink the coast of Italy en route to Spain. Now I know why I endured all those vegetarian meals on the canoe trip last spring - it was penance for this!

A few final words about the beautiful country and city we just left.  Once you get a few things straight, like understanding that Italian drivers view pedestrians as moving slalom poles, and that you need a good map and an open mind, you are set. Not sure if we would rent a vehicle or use public transportation but it wouldn't intimidate us. Secondly, Rome is called The Eternal City for very good reasons. The sense of the history and the depth of western civilization here is very real and obvious to all who wish to see it. Our kind of place.

Oh yes, regarding our audience with the Pope. He blew us off! Something to do with the band of paparazzi we had in tow. Personally I think it had more to do with Dwight's great idea of us Skyping the audience with all you guys. They said we could come back and maybe get a ride in the Popemobile then pointed vaguely off in the direction of what looked to me suspiciously like sit on top lawn mowers. Ah well, we will put it down to a language problem.

HWhen we got on board the ship I went up to introduce myself to the captain and to check to see if he had his power boat licence. Turns out he is Greek and not Italian, and he claims to know where all the rocks are between Italy and Brazil. He assured me he won't hit them and politely declined my offer to lend him my hand held GPS.

By the way - first day on the Mediterranean - it's mill pond flat.