Agios Nikolaos, Crete

Our first port of call was the Greek Island of Crete. Very exciting to be on the dock side of the ship to be able to watch our ship moor when we arrived early in the morning. Unfortunately it was raining but since we wouldn’t be departing until late this evening we didn’t feel pressed to get on shore. 
We decided to try the main dining room for our first breakfast. It was a treat for us but not something we’d probably do every morning. We’d never be able to fit in our little tiny shower by the end of the cruise! 
By lunchtime the sun had started to peek out from behind the clouds and so we enjoyed what would become our regular habit for breakfast and lunch of eating at the aft self-service buffet. 

We went ashore for a long walk around the little port village. The sun came out and Joe was able to get some wonderful photos of the Agios Nikolaos. The village reminded us very much of Cartagena, Columbia and Barcelona, Spain. 

We returned to the ship, for showers and cocktails on the upper deck while departing from the pretty little village of Agios Nikolaos. It was quite windy so we had a tug escort along side until we cleared the harbor. 

If you think all we’re going to photograph is scenery and meals on our trip around the world… You’re right! Dinner in the main dining room started with Cauliflower panna cotta (excellent), escargots, and fennel and orange salad. Followed by prime rib and Tandori Lamb with lentils and aubergines (incredible!). Dessert was New York Cheesecake with raspberry coulis for Joe and banana foster with vanilla ice cream for me. 

Next stop Port Said for our Suez canal transit starting at 3am Tuesday morning. The thing we love so much about cruises like this is that neither of us have to stand watch and we can get a good nights sleep in a comfortable bed. 

Good night enroute to the Suez canal with the verandah door open and the sounds of the sea…