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That would be an interesting taste for sure, how was it Larry?
Well, we mostly ate around it. But I tried it since I wouldn't want to miss the "experience". It was just OK. I would never order it that way on purpose!
Ahhhh! Our second day in Venice was certainly better than the first. We lucked out with a foggy morning turning into a nice, partly cloudy day today.
At 6:00 am a “Ghost” ship passes our room:
We headed out early to do some exploring and to see the city awaken. This time we are staying down away from the tourist area, so most of the people were just locals going about their business and kids going to school.
Here are a few photos from today:
Sunrise lights the city of Venice:
St. Mark’s Square, the Campanile (tower) and the Doge’s Palace:
The entrance to the Grande Canal:
This afternoon we boarded a ship to take us on a 4 day cruise down the boot of Italy (between Italy and Bosnia, Herzegovina, Greece, etc.) traveling the length of the Adriatic Sea.
We wait for the mini-bus to take us to the ferry:
The ship, the Visemar One, is new and nice and we are lucky enough to have a stateroom with a window:
We depart and head into the sunset through a maze of channels that lead out to the sea from the container port from where we embarked.
…
Not as many photos as usual. When traveling by sea there just isn’t that much to photograph. We have passed ships and have seen land (Italy) on the horizon, but the rest is just water. Lots and lots of water.
We can’t imagine the ancient sailors taking off from Rome to cross the Mediterranean to attack other countries. It had to have been very intimidating for the soldiers.
Our room:
What’s it like on a large, international ocean-going ferry?
Onboard “entertainment” pretty much consists of meal times.
The rest of the day the passengers hang out in the lounge by the wireless router, connecting to the internet at ridiculous prices.
The bar:
And the colorful Internet Lounge:
Although the ship is Italian, the ISP is German, so whenever you do a search (even a Google search) the results are returned in German. There are a few flat-panel TVs playing but the stations are either in Italian or Arabic.
Meal service is actually a cafeteria-type line. On a positive note, the food IS Italian and is also outstanding. Now you would think you could get real tiramisu or gelato or a rich chocolate dessert, but no. It is either pre-packaged dessert or Magnum ice cream bars (not to be frowned at, though!).
As far as the passengers, there is a group of German Harley owners who are on their way to Syria for a Syria-Jordan “run” (and you thought the drives I planned on were extensive!). There is also a couple of guys from Germany who are on their way to Egypt with Honda motorcycles. They are fully loaded (including lots of spare tires) and plan to explore Egypt on their bikes.
Julia, a woman from Germany is travelling alone to meet up with a friend in Egypt and will travel to Beirut. Rachel, a woman from Switzerland is a solo world-traveler, planning to spend 2 months in Egypt.
There is a contingent of people on an African Adventure. They have the typical Land Rovers and safari-garb. Once in Alexandria they plan to drive to Tripoli, and then to Khartoum before heading to the southern tip of Africa. Talk about a long drive! That must be 4,000 miles – one way! The balance of the passengers are Middle-Eastern, travelling to Syria or Egypt.
Our first day and night took us down the length of the Adriatic Sea – with the “boot” of Italy on the right and Bosnia-Herzegovina and Greece on the left.
Once we left the Adriatic and entered the Mediterranean, the seas got heavier. By Debbie’s account the seas are in the neighborhood of 5 feet. So the ship was rolling and pitching a bit. Not enough to make you sick, but definitely enough to get your attention when trying to walk. And, it does rock you to sleep nicely.
On the second night aboard we passed by the southern Greek islands and then just north of Crete. We woke up to glassy-smooth seas and Crete right outside of our window. The further we have traveled east the smoother the water is – probably because of the lack of “weather” in the arid Middle East and because we are further away from the tidal action of the Atlantic.
Calm seas:
The Heli-pad (apparently to make it easier for the commandos or Somali pirates to board):
The third day took us by Cyprus at the east end of the Mediterranean Sea. Saturday we arrived at Tartous, Syria. We spent most of the day in port but were not allowed to disembark. In fact you can’t even take photos while in the Syrian port. I guess they are upset about something!
Entering the port of Tartous, Syria:
What they don't want you to photograph:
It is pretty obvious why the US has an interest here – all you can see are refineries and hundreds of oil tankers.
We left Syria Saturday afternoon and headed southwest through the Mediterranean Sea. Tomorrow we arrive in Alexandria, Egypt!
Nice pics! Time to go make heat up a pizza and crack an egg on top! 
That would be an interesting taste for sure, how was it Larry?
have a safe and fun vacation. 
have a great vacation Larry!!! and thanks for sharing
