Cirucco Village Messina

... me ready to go. I started the day by visiting the library. There I leave my paperbacks, and forage for new ones. The swap library here is small, with many of the books in german, but I've found some good sci-fi to get me through.
About the Germans: this cruise has about 400 on board.
On our first sea day, we booked our shore tours. We went to the big theater on board and watched a slide show and heard a speaker tout the various tours. They ...

... I want my home, I like my home, and I don’t think I could leave it for any…extended period of time, say indefinitely .

But then I am reminded, by my brain, the thought I would wake on my 16th birthday, a different person, with a new mind, with some different crazy wild perspectives (teenagers, what do they know!), the same on my 19th, maybe I’ll even admit to my 20th … and unfortunately I was ...

Cruel in some cases but true...
Athens
Piraeus, the port for Athens doesn't have anything to recommend it other than there are a lot of ways to get out of it, with the quick metro to Athens and extensive cruise, ferry and freight docks. After all Greeks are Shipping. If you walk anywhere watch out for doggy doo! The big set piece, the Acropolis, in Athens is fabulous but the shopping in the Plakka is very ...

... images section on their homepage. I'm stoked!

But here's the thing I think is coolest. (See photo to the left.) I assumed most of these countries were highlighted because I've been meeting fellow travelers, but then I realized there are some countries here where I haven't met people from. Which means random people in random parts of the ...

... making myself quite at home. My laundry is hanging in the hallway, I have completely taken over the 4-person bedroom and bathroom. And in the morning I was able to wave and say ciao to my friendly bakery neighbors. La vita dolce?

Today I had plans to go see Mt. Etna (the most active volcano in Europe). But planner-Josie took over and when that happens usually cheapskate-Josie gets involved which leaves real-Josie planless with money in her pocket. In other words I had intended to ...

... thought it was a far distance from Jacinda's Saturday morning cycle class at the Floreat gym in Perth, he had a great cardio workout. You see, if Rick leaves a pool of sweat underneath his bike, then it should be perceived as a compliment to the instructor.

Since we had no port to disembark, we decided to eat lunch in the dining room. Up till now, it's been the buffet at the Horizon Cafe ...

... went on the wine country tour said it was pretty but nothing too special! so after the city round about, i went back on board, finished exploring the rest of the floors (7-15). theres more bars, shops, art gallery, pools, kids club, dance club. WOW! this is an amazing cruise! Did i mention rene and dwights deck has a hot tub!?

... We only did one formal night and had to ask the Maitre D if he would let Matt get in without a coat...thankfully he said it would be fine! So, here are the pics. P.S. It wasn´t technically Sicily, we passed there as the sunset, but the website requires that you add a city and not just put in the middle of the sea :)

... opened it was revealed to contain a Madonna and child carved from a black wood. The locals took it as a sign from God that the Madonna wanted to be part of their island. So, they took it to the spot on the top of the mountain and built a church around it. The church was later burned by raiding infidels (unfriendly folks from another part of the world), yet the only part to survive was the area where the Madonna resided. A new church was built ...

Hi again, We spent yesterday morning touring Pompeii. (Again, Celebrity is efficient, well organized, and prompt, a very well-run tour). It is an amazing archeological site, and beautiful in a ghostly sort of way. It was hot as could be, about 95 F, and we went through water like Niagara Falls. (To future cruisers -- bring plenty). Then it was back to ship for an afternoon at the pool. Mike ...