54 Days on the Moon

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People were touching the tomb but they were watched.

 

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The last of the Basilica.







Back out into the rain.




This stream runs into the Grand Canal.

 

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The last of Padua.





And back to the ship.




You know when you are getting close.


As you can see the rain got a lot heavier as we got close to the Moon. However we now had to go through the charade of Italian security. There was just a small tent. The officers were all under cover but we had to queue in the rain. We were told we had to take our passports. those that did had them inspected thoroughly leaving us in the rain. those that had no ID had to stand aside but those of us who took our driver's licence got a quick glance and straight through. As long as your DL is a photo ID it is better to take that than your passport in Italy.

But the security charade had more to come. Had to take our jackets,belts and watches off. I did tell them I had a metal knee and would set off the alarm anyway but they still insisted on taking it off. So through the X ray machine and set the alarm off and you are sent to pick up your stuff and leave.

One other farcical moment when the secret cigar smoker went through. He had already started to smoke his cigar before entering the tent. several officers shouted at him Ni Fumare but he just giggled and kept walking. As soon as he was out the other side the shouting stopped as it is legal to smoke outdoors.

A small shuttle bus to the gangway but a bus of new passengers arrived just before we got to the gangplank so once again we had to queue in the rain as they were slowly processed.
Finally 2 soggy people whose clothes were thoroughly soaked got to their suite.

 

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Atlantide for dinner but this time didn't record the day's menu. But had a very nice red wine courtesy of our OBC.



Mrsdrron wasn't very hungry so had a crab trilogy and then the Mushroom and cheese turnover.


I had the crab plus watermelon and the modern Nicoise salad. Main was a lovely chicken korma with just a little bit of extra chilli.





For sweets Mrsdrron had the mano trilogy whilst I went with the bitter orange frozen yoghurt.

 

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The night lights of Fusina.

The next morning another ferry had arrived. The trucks do a U turn and look like the will drive forward but then do another U turn and back into place. And all done quickly.

We had booked another excursion to the Prosecco hills but Mrsdrron decided not to risk getting wet.

So off I went and for most of the 1.5 hour bus ride the rain was heavy. Nearing the end of the trip we crossed the Piave river where in 1918 the Italian Army defeated the Austro - Hungarian Army which led to the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire soon after.



Into the Prosecco Hills where most grapes will be used to make Prosecco.


We arrive at the winery.

 

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There were 2 busses for this excursion but we went to different wineries. The set up for our tasting.



Some of the bottles on display including their Rose Prosecco.








There is an association open to All the local winemakers but there is a catch and this is it.


You have to drink the prosecco in this glass in one go. The problem is that it contains a bottle of prosecco.
The members at one of the 3 meetings a year that they have.


At their September meeting the each bring along a bottle of their own product without a label. In a blind tasting they choose the 3 best wines that year Since 1969 a bottle of the 3 best proseccos each year has been kept

 

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On the roof of the cellar paintings from 1946 depictng prosecco and the vigneron's Association.

 

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Now to the tasting. Tasted 3 of the current vintage Brut, dry and extra dry. Extra dry is actually the sweetest. Accompanied by some snacks.





As a bonus we got to taste a 1992 prosecco. Didn't have the depth of colour I suspected but quite a different taste and very good.




If it had been dry the tasting would have been here.


You could also see the vines.


And the local church before we had to get back on the bus.

 

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Some scenes on the way back.

 

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Once again it started to rain heavily as we got to the ship. However I had expertly positioned myself to be firs off the bus so only a short dash to cover before going through the security charade and then the shuttle to the ship. No new passengers today so quickly into shelter on the ship.

So a few scenes from our balcony as the rain slowly cleared.


We were under the flight path for the airport.




Now a ship leaving.


Better views of Venice including a cruise ship at the old terminal.

 

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Then realised I could actually seethe aiport.









As well as trains on the Causeway.

 

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We went for a pre dinner drink in the Panorama lounge. Here I am with Franco now the Bar Manager and Sri - real name Putu - from Indonesia. My favourite wine waiter.



Then down to Atlantide.


We were one of the first in that night.


Mrsdrron again had just 2 entrees. The foie gras and mushroom and cheese turnover.




Whilst I had the beef Tataki, tomato soup and the lobster.

 

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Friday and in Piran Slovenia. Another new country for us.









I was off on the Panoramic Slovenian Coast and Farmer's Market tour. Our tender was at least 30 minutes late as their was a medical incident boarding the first tender. An elderly gentleman collapsed
It is believed from dehydration. A broken leg so evacuated to hospital.


Then just as the bus was about to depart a woman said she had left her bag on the tender which was already on the way back to the ship. After awhile she said she didn't need her bag. Was a bit of rain at first. Basically every bus I have been allocated to has been last to go. This one was meant to be first of 4.

 

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In the distance Italy and Trieste.


Isola where we are headed first.

 

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The old fish factory.




And now we are off for a walk around town.

 

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Renovating the old port.

 

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