A new Dawn around Europe Then the UK.

[drron]

The best thing about the farewell is that you get to say thanks to representatives of all the crew Some that you basically don't see.





And the Captain.

 

[drron]

Our final dinner.


Mrsdrron had the tuna tartare and a veal chop.



I had the mushroom soup and the fillet steak again.




We both had the dessert special.

 

[drron]

So we arrived in Venice. unfortunately larger ships are no longer allowed into Venice and at 600 person capacity ours is a large ship. However the authorities outdid themselves providing us with the best car,truck and bus park in Italy.




Magnificent. unfortunately our flight to LHR wasn't until after 2000. SS did offer a late arrival at the airport with a prosecco tasting and lunch but advertised at $US 250 each. So we got a private transfer to the Courtyard by Marriott for E50 and a room there for E100. Able to have a little snooze,a small lunch and a shower before we went to the airport. The room


.

But a really poor carpark view.


Shared a nice pizza for lunch.

 

[drron]

We arrived at the airport just over 3 hours before advertised departure and could check in but they would only accept checked baggage 2 hours before departure. so an hour sitting in the airport. Finally through security and went to the Marco polo lounge for our BA flight.


Good spot for watching planes.



Views of Venice a bit hazy though.




This plane arrived but unfortunately not ours.

 

[drron]

Then the bad news our plane was going to be late. Started off at 30 minutes late but eventually nearly 2 hours. So some more plane spotting then checking out the food offerings. We were already drinking the wine!









Immigration is after the lounge went a little early and of course the delay got longer when we reached the gate. A real scrum bparding But I pushed my way through as it was announced group 1 first which was business class. About 20 boarded before of of whom 1 was in J. A few of the overheads already full.
So Row 2 of J. yes just the normal Y seat with the middle seat empty.


And the meal. much better than a gourmet collection of green leaves.


The crew was very good. An absolutely full flight and many were not very happy people but the crew handled them well and the J service was good.
But a quite late arrival into LHR which meant straight through Immigration. but only got to our room at the Sofitel after midnight.

So that is all folks. We did enjoy taking the risk and going cruising. We already had 3 more cruises booked before boarding but booked another on board as an extra 5% off.

 

[bPeteb]

Phew. Just caught up. Terrific trip. Too many churches for us. We just wouldn't step inside them. Way too much ostentatious excess. What that money could do. So much to see in Malta. Glad you are going back. Now to the next segment of your holiday

 

[drron]

Though it does bring back to you how much power the churches had particularly around the 156the Century.
As for the money I found the present day luxury yachts combined with the mansions which unlike the churches are not open to the public to be just as excessive. The money tied up there is also obscene.

 

[bPeteb]

Though it does bring back to you how much power the churches had particularly around the 156the Century.
As for the money I found the present day luxury yachts combined with the mansions which unlike the churches are not open to the public to be just as excessive. The money tied up there is also obscene.

Yep, the Med is literally grotesque from that perspective. The private yachts/ships and ocean front villas hide so much fleecing of the general populace, plus ill gotten gains.