Odessa - Ukraine

Odessa was a pretty city - it seemed as though there is quite a lot of restoration going on. We were there on a Saturday and I have never seen so many brides! The couples have to marry in the registry office before going to a church (if that is their want). We walked past the registry office and the wedding parties were everywhere! It became a little difficult to get a photo without a bride in it!

We spent the morning doing a walking tour through the city and our first stop was at the top of the Potemkin Steps where these men with birds of prey were touting for us to pay for photos - I didn't pay!

We walked across this bridge where it has become a tradition for couples to swear their love by putting locks in place - not sure if they break up whether they take the locks away or not! The bridge was originally built by some wealthy man so his mother-in-law could walk home after visiting and didn't have to stay the night! It is actually called "Mother-in-laws" bridge.

The same man built this walkway for his wife to walk so she wouldn't get wet in the rain!
A decoration which appealed to me.
And some doors.
This building is being restored and will be magnificent when finished.
A statue of someone important but I didn't catch his name!
Pushkin's statue.
In the afternoon I went to the Ballet at the Opera House which, incidentally, was across the road from the registry office and all those brides.
The ceiling of the opera house with the chandelier and frescoes.
The hand embroidered curtain for the stage which took years to make.
The staircase - you guessed it - there had to be a bridal photo!

Varna - Bulgaria

Varna in Bulgaria was a completely new country for us. It is interesting seeing how these former Soviet countries are developing - or not!!! Now you should know that I didn't have to be up too early to take the photos of the sunrise - it didn't happen until about 7.45 when we were usually sitting out on the back deck having breakfast.We went into this church - I can't remember if it was Russian or Eastern Orthodox but they are very beautiful. They do not have any musical instruments but the priests actually chant. I was a little naughty as I turned my camera on so I could record the chanting/singing. Apparently one of the prerequisites for becoming a priest is to be able to sing - pity if you are tone deaf!
We travelled into the country to a village called Madara where we had lunch at this private home with local food.
These are the left overs after a couple of bus loads had their fill - interestingly there was a plate of lamingtons on the table - I always thought they were Australian! We also had local beer and other drinks - the first time Wayne has had a bad beer - he didn't finish it!
Near the village there are high cliffs on which someone - and no one knows who - carved a figure of a horseman many hundreds of years ago. Also in the walls of the cliffs are little caves where they used to lower the monks down to so they could contemplate life! They lowered food to them regularly - would have been a very bleak existence.

We walked up many steps and through some lovely bushland to see the bas relief.
Someone had set up this shrine in one of the caves on the walk way.
The Horseman of Madara - it is quite large and metres up the wall - no one is really sure how it was done but it would have been quite difficult.
And then we came back down again!

Istanbul

We sailed into Istanbul in the afternoon - this is the Blue Mosque seen from the sea.

The next morning another sunrise over the Asian side of Istanbul
We visited the Spice Markets - would love to have brought some home.
Even more spices.
The people selling pigeon food outside the New Mosque!
Inside the New Mosque - which really isn't that new - only about 500 years old!
This was an old mosque we went to which was undergoing repairs - much simpler than the others we had visited but you see the cracks in the ceiling!
Then a visit to the Fish Market - fish everywhere.

Dardanelles

The next day we sailed through The Dardanelles towards Istanbul.

Yet another beautiful sunrise.

You know you are in Turkey!!

Gallipoli or as the Turks call it Geliboli.

Santorini

The next port of call Santorini one of our favourite places. Lots of doors and gates etc.

Not sure how I managed to get this photo with no tourists in sight because there were plenty there!
Last time I was in Santorini I had lunch with friends at this restaurant - Wayne missed out but that is another story. This time I took Wayne to have lunch here - it requires lots of climbing of stairs but you are rewarded with a lovely view over the Caldera and some lovely food.
We visited a museum displaying some of the pottery etc found on Santorini by the archeologists.
Another colourful house.
And the blue of the Caldera
This was taken from our ship and shows the donkey trail to get to the town - we took the easy route of using the cable car.

Katakolon

Our first port of call was Katakolon in the Peleponese part of Greece. We have been here before but previously we went to Olympia. This time we had a ride in a little train out to another village and then had a lovely lunch.

We saw some spectacular sunrises at see and this was taken from the back of the ship on arrival at Katakolon.

We had lunch at this restaurant - delicious grilled sardines - they were so luscious we had eaten them before I thought of taking a photo!

And this small fishing boat was moored right at our table - we did watch the fisherman catch some fish whilst enjoying a beer. We were having the beer not him.

A Greek Orthodox church on the hillside at Katakolon.

Stromboli & Messina

On our first day at sea we sailed past the volcanic island of Stromboli. To the best of my knowledge there are 2 settlements on the island and access between them is by boat. The volcano is still active.

We next sailed through the straits of Messina which is between Sicily and mainland Italy. The tower in this photo is replicated on the Italian side and used to be the means of telephonic communication.

The town of Messina - or maybe it is a city.