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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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May 06, 2025 12:00 AM New lovely port - Siracusa!
In the morning we passed through Messina Straits with nice weather and great views of Sicily. Later the mist covered the sea and in such a weather we entered Siracusa. I have been several times on Sicily but never in historic Siracusa. I was excited! New port!
The port here is so small that it can accomodate only one ship. We docked opposite the Old City which is located on the little island connected with Sicily mainland with few bridges.
I experienced little rain walking to the bridge. After cossing the bridge i found myself in the labyrinth of the narrow streets, little plazas and old churches. They charge 2 euro for the entry to the cathedral and 6 euro (no senior discounts) for the entry to the fort. I took a walk around the island an then started heading to the intriguing church in the new quarter. It reminds Christmas tree. Made of concrete very high is easily visible from the sea. This is Sanctuary of St Mary Crying. Worth to see. From this chuch I walked to the Archeological Park (entry 17 euro but Greek theatre is covered now for restauration and Archimede tomb is closed. Using GPS I recognized that the tomb should be visible through the fence from the street. And it is!
Tomorrow we have day at sea, sailing east -to Greece. So next news will come probably the day after. Sorry...
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May 05, 2025 12:00 AM Civitavecchia - the port of Rome
Windy and cloudy morning. Should I took a train to take the ealk in Rome? I have been there with my family only 3 weeks ago! I took the free shuttle bus from the pier to the city pf Civita... To connect to the internet and to check the updated weather forecast. It is raining on Rome! The weather is risky and at 4 pm I must be back on the ship! I decided to stay in Civita... This old port town with city walls and nice cathedral of St Francis. I was happy to see in front of the cathedral the statue of Polish pope - John Paul II. He is still very popular in Italy... Poles are very proud of him...
Not far from the cathedral there is city market and the main street street converted to pedestrian zone. At the entrance to the port there is well- preserved Michelangelo Fortress walking along the coast you will enjoy nice park of Pirgo. There is enough to do until departure. Tomorrow on Sicily I expect the sun! :)
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May 04, 2025 12:00 AM Transiting in Savona
Cloudy day. I have been in Savonaany times, but always boatding or disembarking the ship. Today I am in transit - I have more time for wondering the streets of this old city... It is Sunday and many people went for shopping.ain streets are full of walkers...
Apart from our ship there is much bigger "Costa Toscana" docking in the port and also embarking/disembarking passengers.
What a shame on Savona city! They opened tourist info office in the port, but do not offer wi-fi! They sent me to nearby cafe to buy something and ask fo wifi password...
It was nice to walk the narrow streets of Savona's old city. I visited interesting cathedral with organ over the main altar. Nearby is local Sistina Chapel with nice paintings, but they charge 3 euro for the entrance. It is raining from time to time. I pray for the good weather for tomorrow - we will be in Civitavecchia/Rome...
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May 03, 2025 12:00 AM Toulon - port away from the city!
Heavy clouds were hanging over Toulon when we approached the bay in the morning. I was already here, having the better weather... But when it cleared up a little bit I decided to go to the shore anyway. The cruise port on Toulon is actually not in Toulon, but in Seyne sur Mer - on the other side pf the bay. From the cruise pier there is water shuttle to the city for 19 euro round trip!! Fortunately the locals offer water tram Mistral who for just 2 euro will take you to the city jetty. But you must walk 20 min to find the jetty which is hidden behind the ruins of the shipyard. OK. We passed French battleships and landed on the coastal promenade. It was nice to refresh the memories walking to the maritime base to take the picture of the former arsenal - now it is the maritime museum (the entry fee is 8 euro, but passengers from the cruise ships pay only 6),
Then sun appeared and I took the walk to St Mary's cathedral - hige church worth a visit. Tomorrow we will pick passengers in Italy...
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May 02, 2025 12:00 AM Rainy start in Barcelona
I woke up before the sunrise. In the Gdansk airport there were a lot of passengers, but I managed to report at the gate on time... Last days there was a rumour about strict baggage control by Ryanair. Bit I am lucky boy - nobody wanted to check the dimensions of my baggage. Soon I boarded the plane and we spent 3 hours on our direct flight to Barcelona.
The city was dark today under the heavy clouds. It was not raining yet when I was boarding bus 46 to Plaza Espanya. When we reached destination it was already raining... Brrrr... I was not on a hurry, I decided to wait for the weather improvement, shopping in the supermarket (do you know what it was necessary to buy? :). At 11.30 am I started a walk to WTC bus stop in the light rain. From WTC there is a special blue bus heading to the port terminals. It costs 3 euro and I usually do not use it, but today - in the rain... At 12 I was already in the terminal B, where my ship was docking. Long line of the people was waiting for checking. No priiviledges! -all passengers on this special cruise are GOLD or PLATINIUM! We will ne departing in the rain in the evening. Sorry Barcelona. But I will publish sunny picture...
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May 01, 2025 12:00 AM With other members of the Club
Costa Shipping Company offered me a chance to participate in a club cruise, organized on an unusual route only once a year. They promised numerous attractions and privileges... And so I sail, and also visit ports I haven't seen before. This voyage will start with a low-cost flight to Barcelona, where I will be boarding the ship. Please keep your fingers crossed dear Friends! :)
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Apr 26, 2025 12:00 AM Tulips on Wojtkówka
I was sleeping long and comfortable. Home, sweet home! Then, enjoying sunny day I went to my Wojtkówka. What a lovely view with many spring flowers! Tulips are in full blossom... A lot of work is waiting. I have only 5 days to the next flight left! Anybody reaady to help?
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Apr 25, 2025 12:00 AM End of the journey...
In the morning our ship docked in Barcelona. Imagine 5 cruise ships staying one by one... Disembarking process os not easy: how many taxis and buses you need to take circa 15000 thousands passengers to the city and airport? Lines were long. I decided to walk through Europa Bridge to the roundabout and call the uber. I confirmed the price to the airport: 25,50 euro for four of us. The car with Pakistani driver arrived only after 30 minutes. There were traffic congestions on the way, but we had enough time till departure. I received from uber by e-mail receipt for 33,80 euro. THE UBER is cheating now! It is necessary to control them... Of course I immediately sent the complain... Our flights to Oslo and Warsaw were on time. I am waiting in Warsaw airport for flight to Gdansk. The great journey from Brazil to Europe is almost over!
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Apr 24, 2025 12:00 AM To Monte Carlo!
Our ship anchored in the morning near Cannes in France. They do not have a dock for such a big ships so we were tendering - they took us ashore in the ship's universal motorboats.
Cannes is elegant resort city with the elegant coastal promemade and a film festival palace but I wanted to take the opportunity to show my family famous Monte Carlo in the Proncipaute of Monaco. I myself was there once only - in 1973.
For the budget travelers the best option is to buy day ticket for train. It cost around 9 euro per person and allows you travel round trip and make an extra stopover in Nice.
Trains go every 30 min and after slightly more then 1 hour ride we were already on the Street of Monte Carlo. Everybody goes here to Prince's Palace. No need to board the bus - it is an easy walk uphill. The view of the bay, city and mountains in the background is unforgetable! Then back on the port we climbed to the historic Casino Monte Carlo. After security control everybody is alloved to enter the big hall of the casino. Playing rooms are open from 2 pm. It was the great, sunny day and what an excursion for just 9 euro!
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Apr 23, 2025 12:00 AM My nameday in Livorno.
I celebrate my day on the ship in Livorno... Sunny day. I kust received a confirmation of one more fascinating cruise! (Fiji to Tahiti in 2026) and I treat this as a gift. What a gift! We decided to stay today on board, enjoying all attractions offered, sunbathing and planning tomorrow's visit in France. While in Livorno every visit to the city will cost you at least 7 eur for shuttle bus, because they do not allow to walk on your own from the ship to the port gate. Shame on you Port of Livorno! I invited my son to sushi restaurant... There will be also a Broadway - style show in the evening. Let's celebrate!
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