Cruise: Turkey and Greece, cont. #14

                                             Cruise: Turkey and Greece, cont. # 14

Covid and mask update:

Prior to Haifa (where we boarded), our ship was not allowed to stop at Lisbon or Barcelona due to Covid cases on board. Must have been very disappointing for the healthy passengers. These passengers have left the ship long before we arrived.

The ship regularly tests. Passengers testing positive are quarantined on a separate floor. The ship is able to designate an entire floor of staterooms because there are so few passengers on board.

Most passengers wear masks in public areas. They all wore masks in the large entertainment venue when it was time for mandatory testing. But, the same passengers rarely worse masks during the evening entertainment. Huh?

 "Some" (new) passengers were NOT allowed to board in Athens as they tested positive. They were re-assigned to a hotel. After the quarantine period, it would be possible to fly to another destination where the ship would be visiting....at their own expense.

Friends of ours were on a Tauck (European) River cruise. Only 70 passengers. However, 35 tested "positive" and were confined to a local hotel for five days. They couldn't return to USA. They were retested and came out "positive" again. Quarantined for another five days.

                It's time for more exploration: Cesme, Turkey)

                        Standing on "main street" in a small village

                                  Roman ruins everywhere we looked

                 Roman Amphitheater: Friends, Romans and Countrymen...

Artichoke farming helps the local economy. Unlike Oxnard/Ventura where the fields are solid plants, on this island, the artichoke plant seems to be growing in randomly.

                                          Approaching Patmos (Greek island)

The eyes of this doll is significant. Throughout the islands, T-shirts, ceramics and other items depict eyes which represent "getting rid of evil" and therefore, "good luck."

                                                Local beer. Quite good on a hot day

                        Typical small village situation: Men kibitzing about the day 

                                    "Zorba" agreed to have his picture taken

 We discovered this fun, funky place near the village plaza area. The tables are made from different types of scrap material. Chairs are painted with different colors. It was too early to eat something. However, the smells of great cooking were wafting throughout the alleyway.

Today's menu: "What would you like to eat? All of our Specials of the Day are fantastic. We also have excellent signature dishes."

"Do you have anything that's Gluten free? I'm highly allergic to peanuts. I don't like bell peppers or anything fried. Is your fish, fresh? Hmm. I'll just have a cup of coffee.

                                                         "Marina Time"

In areas where the boat can anchor in calm waters, guests can participate in a variety of fun water sports.

Kayaking in open waters is a different experience than paddling in the Oxnard marina

                                                Happy place - Happy time!