Another big update

Monday – 7th September – Rome

Ah, the centre of the Catholics religion. I shall try and keep this serious.

A loooong day, up a 6am back at 6pm. Religion aside Rome is quite simply stunning to look at. The architecture is amazing; there is no other way to put it really. We did a slightly different tour compared to last year and got to see inside the coliseum and, most importantly, inside the Vatican Museum. It was a long slog around the city, the escort was utterly mental and the guide was giving us waaaay to much information for one day which made for a great tour. The food at dinner was average, which was a shame. I personally was disappointed with the Vatican museum, especially the Sistine Chapel (what about the other 15? Arf). It was just a big hall with some paintings on the wall, I don’t get it. Religious types probably will. Highlight for me was yet again St Peters Basilica, it’s just ridiculously huge, you can’t compare it to anything else, completely mental and amazing to be inside. Then it was back to the ship for drinks and sleep.

Tuesday – 8th September – Naples

The tour  today was another long one, but not in Naples. It was Sorrento and Pompei. Drove through Naples and to be honest it looked a bit of mess, not very inviting. Drove past Mount Vesuvius, really want to go up to the top, next time maybe.

Sorrento is very nice, lots of small streets and shops and that’s about it really. Lunch here was really nice. Pompei, with the right imagination is fantastic. The guide was great and really gave a good impression of how life was like there 2000 years ago. I found it quite mad that they put small pieces of limestone in between the road slabs as they reflected the moon light so people could see better. 2000 year old catseyes. Just seeing the ruins and imaging how they lived was a treat. Sewage systems, drainage systems, spas, saunas, jacuzzis, all 2000 years ago. Makes Oldham look old fashioned.

At this stage I would like to pass a judgement on the ship. It could be the time of year but it doesn’t seem to handle the sea very well. I am typing this as we cruise through the med to Dubrovnik and there is no swell or wind yet we still feel a rumble now and then like a big wave has hit the ship. We never had this last year on the Sea Princess. Also the promenade deck is quite narrow so you have to squeeze past people, which on a ship this size just doesn’t sit right. It has it’s good points too, wifi in all public areas, loads of bars and food choice. Interactive TV in the rooms so you can see each restaurant’s menu for the night, check the weather conditions, see videos of tours etc. At the moment the ships are on equal footing, we will pass final judgement at the end.

Oh and ‘lame claim to fame’. Claire Sweeny is onboard and we were sat next to her as we sailed out of Naples. Apparently she has been on TV? But then, who hasn’t? She is doing a show tonight, not sure I could stomach a scouser singing :p

Wednesday – 9th September – at sea

Sailing to Dubrovnik and boy is it depressing. No bloody sun. Just cloud as far as the eye can see, hence why I posted this update. Still, the time will fly by as we wander the ship and slowly get drunk.