Heraklion

Heraklion, although not a new country for us (Greece) but a new island (Crete) and a new port! Up in time to see the sun rise, pilot arrive to guide us into the harbour, and our berthing.

A (fairly) healthy breakfast and off shuttle bus to the main cruise terminal - we drew the short straw and got the furthest berth from the main terminal. Crystal Olympia got pole position!

We then set of on the one kilometre walk to the main city of Heraklion past the inter island ferries, (avoiding the tour buses) and the Venetian Harbour, Guarded by Fort Koules.

Heraklion is a walled city and we passed by some of the old walls

 So into the city which early on a Sunday morning was pleasantly cool and deserted!

Town Hall

St Minas Cathedral

So back to the ship for a swim, lunch, afternoon siesta and strolling around the ship in the hot 26c sunshine not forgetting afternoon tea 

Scone for IB  - Rocky Road and Chocolate Orange Cup cake for IG

For the first time this cruise we leave in daylight before dinner so we can watch the sail away! However we left a bit late as 6 passengers had hired a clapped out Opel Zafira and did not know the back on board time. Captain was not amused but waited the 30 minutes they were late. He got all the passengers to cheer and he blew the ships fog horn as they returned!

The late returners!

Hiraklion Airport

Bread and Butter Pudding and custard for dinner - heaven

Off to see the comic in the theatre tonight - hope he is better than the so called comedy string quartet last night. Then off to Rhodes tomorrow.

Piraus

We arrived early in Piraeus so no watching our sail in! Let all the tour folk have a bedlam breakfast before us and so after a leisurely eat we left the ship to explore the city of Piraeus. If we have a second visit to a port we try to do something different. We have done Athens so Piraeus this time. Often we find the less obvious choice is as good if not better than the obvious! We sort of stuck to the recommended walking tour passing the Agious Nicolas Church first.

 with its very ornate interior

Then on past the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus

and then on the the the bay of Pasalimani to see all the yachts moored

The fishing boats looked a bit out of place nrxt to the flash yachts!

Then back though the shopping area including an M and S!

 Municipal Theatre

Then back to the ship - shame the security fence stopped conventional  pictures but gave an unusual framing!

Back in time for a swim an look at the ships moored in Piraeus Harbour

With my super long lens can just make out the Parthenon on the Acropolis

Not to be out done by two Jags Prescott IG is two puds Jack - semisweet chocolate mousse and Eton mess

 but probably IB's treacle sponge had more calories!

After all that exertion a nice restful afternoon including the compulsory afternoon tea!

To Malta, Valletta and Oceana

We had to get up at 3 30 am for our 6 20 am flight to Malta which did not leave until 7 am - something about we were on board but our luggage was not! Good flight with strong tail wind so we caught up our lost time and were eating lunch on board at midday!

We flew over Rottingdean where I grew up and with a bit of imagination could see where we lived! Brighton Marina is at the top of the picture. We also had great views of Valletta as we made our approach to the airport and could clearly see Oceana docked in port!

We had a little walk around the dockside in Valletta and a good explore of Oceana. We are well impressed by Oceana. despite being built in 2000 it has worn very well and not looking tired as expected!

The central Atrium is particularly impressive and the cabin comfortable if a little compact.

At sea today in force 7 winds so a little unstable but still a morning swim

 and lots of walking in between eating! Good siesta at midday to make up for too little sleep on Wednesday night!

Formal  this evening so got to get our glad rags on and tomorrow we are in Piraeus.

Oceana Greek Cruise October 2019

We are off cruising again - just a week on Oceana.  We have travelled up by train to Gatwick and are staying at the Premier Inn - in the 10th floor penthouse!

The train to Garwick is always a bit of a rush from the cat leaving at XX 11 and the cat normally docks at around XX 10. We rushed up the ramp just in time to find the train cancelled. So to Havant to get the train from Southampton but that was cancelled as well! We eventually got to Chichester where the cancelled Southampton train started - something about signal problems.

We fly to Malta to pick up the ship on Thursday, leaving very early at 06 20!

Here is our itinerary: