At Sea Heading to Corfu, Greece

Today we can climb to the crow's nest
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As we were to be spending the day at sea today, I slept in for a while and didn't go to breakfast until around nine. Our favorite waiters are Zoran (Croatia) and Manny (Philipines). This morning as we were hanging out visiting after breakfast, Zoran whispered to us that it was Manny's birthday today.We passed the word and all left sang Happy Birthday to him. He seemed a bit embarrassed. Gary told him to take the rest of the day off :-)

After visiting for a while, we went back to our cabin for a minute and found a bottle of wine for us from National Geographic wishing us a happy 30th anniversary. Nice surprise!

to the crow's nest!

Looking down from the crow's nest. See anyone you know? That's Bonnie on the dark bench on the right center of the photo.
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The next adventure was for Gary as I remained on deck, he climbed up the second mast of this beautiful sailing ship by rope rigging to the crow's nest. He said that the view was great and he seemed to really enjoy the experience ..... think I'll pass on this one :-). Several other people joined him while he was there. Erla and her sister were already up there when he joined them. I guess I'm not as adventurous though sometime during the cruise, I plan to climb out on to the net at the bow of the ship (he's already done that also....).

The prow of the ship has a net all around the bow, and we can climb out into the net. This is a view of the ship from the bow net.
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Since we are spending the day at sea, I'm really appreciating the beauty of this ship and am feeling so blessed to enjoy spending some time here. I already know that I want to return. It was cute yesterday when one of our guides said how beautiful our ship was as it sailed into the Sicilian port and how she proudly said to herself, "That's MY ship and those are MY clients" :-)

After being on two cruises with Barbara and Lynn on a big Carnival ship, I can really appreciate the difference! EVERYONE on the cruise here makes you feel so a part of the sailing ship and a sailing experience. We are allowed everywhere even the bridge at all times except the docking or departing when we can't stand in front of the captain's window. (and that is a good thing :-)

A likeness of the owner's daughter is said to be on the bow of the ship. Many of us wondered if the likeness is just the face...
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Also after all the wild colored carpets & art and the glitziness of those ships, the sedate and classy decor of this ship gives a very calming effect and makes me feel right at home. We are sailing to Corfu, Greece under full sail today.

After a very interesting talk at four this afternoon by the captain about the history of and different types of sailing ships, it was time for an afternoon snack of ice cream ( as if I needed it! ;-). I had to try the rum raisin ice cream because on of our tablemates raved about it a couple of nights ago. She was right....

Besides sending off an email at the internet cafe, we puchased a beautiful print of this ship which will be sent in about a month.

Tonight our talk was by Grace Fielder, our other National Geographic expert, on "The Myth of Maps: Drawing the Line" It was a very informative talk that followed the many changes to the Dalmation/Balkan area over hundreds of years and the maps were a result.

At dinner tonight we sat with Kat Zwingle (Erla's twin sister). Gary and she were both surprised to discover that the three of them were all born in the same hospital in Kansas City.

Tomorrow, Corfu, Greece!