Category Archives: Cruise

  • A Day in Malta!

    September 1, 2012

    Leave a comment

    Valletta, Malta…today we arrived at the walled city of Valletta on the small island country of Malta! Close to Sicily, the harbor approach into and out of the fortress of a city is magnificent. Yellow hued limestone rises from the Mediterranean setting a striking scene.

    Famous for it’s Maltese cross and a major part if the Crusades, Malta retains it’s historic feel and charm. I am drawn to the building facades with their ornate balconies and porches. These buildings look like utterly unique to this country and the whole place is a mix of Italian and French styles.

    The uniformed guards look very handsome as they patrol the palace. So much of the architecture has a military tone with canons and protective details. The best view is from the Saluting Battery where you can literally have a Birdseye view of the entire harbor enclosed within the fortress walls.

    For now I am just enjoying the view of this gem of a country.
    20120901-163129.jpg

    20120901-165129.jpg

    20120901-165206.jpg

  • Total Recall!

    September 1, 2012

    Leave a comment

    At Sea in the Mediterranean…as we sailed our way under tonight’s Blue Moon, we were treated to a special performance on board the m/v Equinox! Andy Bell was our star performer…

    For those who may not be familiar with him: he is the 80’s iconic gay singer of the British group Erasure. I loved Erasure and it seems like so much of my youth was set to a soundtrack of their songs! Alison Moyet, Culture Club, Dead or Alive, and a whole crop of British imports blasted throughout my teens…but Erasure was a prominent sound besides mainstream music from Madonna and the Go Go’s…

    It all came flooding back to me sitting in the ship amphitheater tonight! My college roommate used to blast Erasure and we would sing and dance all night to it! It seems like yesterday when overnights were spent in the school sewing labs with Erasure tunes blaring up and down the halls of F.I.T. or remixes were danced to in the hottest NYC clubs…

    Andy sang his greatest hits including one of my favorites, “Blue Savannah Song” in his silver sequin leggings, 80’s inspired oversize tee, and red soled high tops. It was great fun and brought me back over 25 years!

    The 80’s came back to me and it seems connecting to my personal memories and my family heritage is a reoccurring theme of this trip! The days full of an unknown future and the never-ending new experiences of my teens are sort of a full circle moment! I feel like that 18 year old again on a quest for the next stage of my life: what lies ahead as I experience things along this journey in a whole new way!

    20120901-113234.jpg

  • Culinary Treats

    August 30, 2012

    2 Comments

    Istanbul, Turkey…this bustling city is a literal assault on the senses…smells, flavors, and colors!

    Food is a major element to any culture, but here food may look unusual, but it’s out of this world! Amazing dips and spreads, kebabs of every kind, sticky nutty baklava type deserts, and wonderful breads and pitas. Of course, aromatic teas accompany everything served in clear hourglass shaped glasses.

    I love street food, even though I am not always brave enough to indulge in it; I think it gives insight into local tastes! A must try are the freshly caught and grilled fish sandwiches sold off elaborate barges on the Bosphorous at the Galata Bridge. Also you can sample here a array of fresh corn, roasted nuts, sweet pistachio topped donuts, and sesame bread rings. So much to savor!

    There is nothing like a Mezze platter of different Turkish salads and dips! On my final afternoon in Istanbul, that’s exactly how I bid farewell to this delicious city…it was to die for! Tomato Couscous made tasty with fresh parsley, zucchini fried and then topped with Tzatziki, Hummus and Babaganoush, stuffed grape leaves, and assorted fresh salads. We grazed and grazed!

    Farewell to Istanbul…a place that really spoils a visitor with it’s many riches!

    20120830-123848.jpg

    20120830-123902.jpg

    20120830-123929.jpg

  • A Study in Contrasts!

    August 29, 2012

    2 Comments

    Istanbul, Turkey…I love this city! So rich and complex…straddling two cultures and two continents!

    It has a mystery and a sense of the unknown but also the sophistication and modernity to make it feel familiar.

    A visit to the Spice Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, and The Blue Mosque made for a day full of riches! I love experiencing the cultural differences that make the world we live in! It’s intriguing to smell different aromas, taste unfamiliar flavors, and see unknown sights…I relish it! It makes you appreciate how diverse our world is and the many different creeds, religions, beliefs, and customs that all work together to form humanity.

    I am still walking around with my eyes wide open and my jaw on the ground as I can never get over the mesmerizing sights of my travels!

    20120829-205913.jpg

    20120829-205920.jpg

    20120829-205928.jpg

    20120829-205935.jpg

  • A Bubble Bath!

    August 29, 2012

    1 Comment

    Istanbul, Turkey…2 days in this amazing city to enjoy its exotic yet cosmopolitan vibe. Besides visiting all the mosques and bazaars, I wanted to experience a traditional Turkish Hamman… Cagaloglu Hamami, named in the best selling book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die”…this 300 year old bath has hosted sultans and kings and retains many of its original details.

    I am stripped down to a tiny scarf sized wrap and wooden clogs, the service starts out with a relaxing 10 minutes in the marble encased steam room. Afterwards, the man performing the service shows up also in a towel…I guess we are going to become very well acquainted!

    A rough massage smack in the middle of the Hamman on the marble has me squealing. We then proceed to the bathing ritual of skin loofah, foam bath, and a series of cold & warm rinses! By the time it’s done, I am exhausted but my skin is glowing!

    It’s a little weird to get fully scrubbed in front of a Hamman of strangers but a cool experience, nevertheless. The interior itself is beautiful and this hour just spent here just adds to the mystique and allure of Istanbul.

    20120829-170634.jpg

    20120829-170746.jpg

    20120829-170700.jpg

    20120829-171246.jpg

  • Totally in Ruins!

    August 28, 2012

    3 Comments

    Kusadasi, Turkey…this port city was our pathway to the ancient ruins of Ephesus as well as the much debated final home of the Virgin Mary. The well preserved ruins of Ephesus rival Pompeii in their size and grandeur and are a must see!

    I have been here before on a previous cruise, but these sights are definitely something you can repeatedly experience…my travel companion has never been here and I wanted him to experience it as well. I am “allergic” to big tour groups, so instead of an organized outing with a large group following a guide, I decided we shall go it independently. I like being able to customize my experience instead of following some pre set program….A few taxi drivers and a lot of haggling later, we were on our way through the beautiful Turkish hillsides towards the House of the Virgin Mary.

    The sights were bustling with an overflow of tourists on buses from allover the globe!

    At the house of the Virgin Mary, this holy shrine is a pilgrimage spot for many Christians and hence women visit with scarves on their heads to show respect and collect water from the natural Spring below. There is a wishing wall where you can write your wish or prayer on paper or fabric and attach it to a wall already full of other’s hopes and dreams. I affix my wish to the wall and I hope time will tell!

    Afterwards, a hike through the marble laden ruins of Ephesus really provides a sense of antiquity and manmade ingenuity…it’s a sprawling feast for the eyes everywhere you look! Instilling complete awe, you are able to see up close how these buildings and artifacts have survived so well for centuries!

    History is so powerful. Exploring ancient marvels such as these makes you realize the enduring power of mankind! Learning about it in a book cannot compare to traveling to feast your eyes on the marvel of it yourself.20120829-020930.jpg20120829-021055.jpg20120829-021137.jpg20120829-023327.jpg20120829-023622.jpg20120829-023954.jpg

    20120829-024159.jpg

  • Surprise Makeover!

    August 28, 2012

    1 Comment

    Kusadasi, Turkey…after arriving at this Turkish port which is the gateway for Ephesus, I needed some personal maintenance! I was desperate for a haircut…

    I found a cool looking local yet random barber and had no idea what I was in for! I guess I shoulda known it’s Turkey and everyone here is like a carpet salesman…always trying to get you to spend more money…I can be brave and stupid at the same time!

    No sooner did I sit down that I ended up with an oxygen head conditioner, a facial mask, nose hair and eyebrow trim, and the frightening ear hair burn!

    My friend Jeff got roped in too…the barber pulls out a mini torch and literally burns the hair off your ear! What!!?!! It was crazy! You can hear the hairs singe under the flame!

    An hour later I have had the full service and a bill to match! At least I got the trim I needed and a whole lot more!

    Experiences in travel…funny stories that create lasting memories!

    20120828-135817.jpg

    20120828-135851.jpg

  • Volcanic Eruptions!

    August 27, 2012

    Leave a comment

    Santorini, Greece…this volcanic island in the Cyclades is today’s day- long stop…our ship is anchored off the coast and the choice of either cable car or mule ride up the hill to the town of Fira awaits us. I think everyone knows the cable car wins… It’s a brutal 90 degrees and can’t imagine what those poor mules smell like!

    The town is wall to wall tourist shopping, which I quickly pass…We head to the main square to find transport to the beach.

    Today is beach day and the choice of black, red, or white sand beaches is today’s big decision. We opt for black sand of Perissa and take the public bus in order to get there! Black volcanic sand is tough on the feet and is very HOT!

    Greek music is blaring from the restaurant and the clear waters are lapping at our feet…oh Greece, you really know how to spoil someone!

    OPA!

    20120827-165604.jpg

    20120827-165726.jpg

    20120827-165711.jpg

    20120827-165653.jpg

    20120827-165739.jpg

  • Nothing like Old Friends!

    August 26, 2012

    Leave a comment

    Mykonos, Greece…the difference a few weeks makes! I am back in Mykonos, this time as a cruise passenger…it’s the end of the summer season and they are ending it with a big bang here! It’s the infamous XLsior party, so the tiny island is crawling with gay men from allover Europe. Add together these hordes of European revelers with almost 3,000 party craving men from a cruise ship and that equals chaos! Elia beach was wall to wall testosterone; the sand was barely visible…what happened to my lovely chill daily hangout that I made my routine just a few weeks ago?

    The parade of muscles is total overkill! But the vibe is definitely energetic and contagious.

    I am traveling with my friend, Jeff…I have known Jeff since our sophomore year of high school in suburban Chicago. We have remained friends and sporadic travel buddies for decades! It’s amazing that after knowing one another for 30 years, being a thousand miles apart, and living totally different lives we still can’t diminish our adolescent fun we recreate when we get together! I feel blessed to have several good friends who are joining me for different segments of this long travel journey…this 10 day cruise will be with Jeff and we will amuse each other with our teenage silliness and desire to just have a great time!

    After a day at the beach, it was time for the sunset tea dance at Hotel Elysium…the setting was perfect perched over all of Chora with Mykonos’ spectacular sunset as the backdrop for an evening of amazing dancing. We danced on chairs, tables, ledges, you name it! Gorgeous people, great music, beautiful setting, and good friends…as the commercial says: “priceless!”

    I enjoy traveling whether it be with friends, family, or alone…but it’s magic to have people in your life with whom you “click” and can meet anywhere in the world to have the time of your lives!

    20120826-225205.jpg

    20120826-225214.jpg

    20120826-225223.jpg

    20120826-225607.jpg

    20120826-225629.jpg