Thursday, May 15 Corfu The weather could not have been more perfect for our day in Corfu. We tendered in. Alan had said it was a short walk to town, but was told it was about 30 minutes. Anyway, I opted for the shuttle bus. Bus dropped us off across from the Old Fortress, which I meant to come back to, but didn’t. :oops: :cry: Instead, I walked left, toward the old town center. Just strolled along…..had coffee in a lovely square, browsed the shopping streets…..and just wandered and enjoyed. Found myself by the Old Royal Palace, which is now an art museum (Asian Art)…went under some arches and was out on a fabulous sea-wall esplanade. Spotted a marvelous-looking restaurant with a GREAT view. The food was WONDERFUL!!! After lunch, I pretty much threw myself in front of a Cunard shuttle, and came back to the pier Corfu map Slideshow In the Square video. Wonder if the Cathedral survived the school visit :?: :lol: http://travel.webshots.com/video/3026354030056925461dTzbMm Lunch time video....complete with concert by a "don't quit your day job" accordionist :roll: Actually, I guess that WAS his day job :shock: The restaurant manager later suggested to him that he leave :!: :mrgreen: Gosh, that was a pretty spot :lol: :lol: http://travel.webshots.com/video/3022300120056925461dCbsBX Corfu Sail-away video. Finally, got the horn, but you can hardly hear it :?: :?: :? http://travel.webshots.com/video/3088934230056925461pklwye

To hear what the horn REALLY sounds like, try this one :lol: :lol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAQbs2cpcH4&feature=related

Great video's and pictures Liz :)

We also were told it wasn't far into Corfu, so followed the crowd & ended up at the market_ NOT where Adrian wanted to be. We took a tour in the afternoon, to a 'palace ' & saw the birth palce of Prince Phillip ( Mountbatten) Later we were taken to Corfu town, for a 'quick 20 min tour', so i never saw it properly, so was interested in your photos Liz. Must go back one day . :lol:

I think I remember seeing your lunchtime restaurant, didn't have anything there, I had food in the old town in a restaurant where some of the tables were out on the steps of the path passing by :) The fortress is very impressive, I spent quite some time wandering around in there, it was free to get in for some reason when I was there :D I think it took me about 15 minutes walk to get into the old town but it was up a very steep hill :) Liz if you want to PM me your email address I will email you photos of and from the fortress

Thanks, Alan.....Will do it right now :D :D :lol:

Friday, May 16 Up very early to be out and about for the Strait of Messina. Darkish and chilly at the bow, but SUCH fun to see I think that the voice with the “Richard the Lionhearted commentary” was Jimmy Savile. Am also pretty sure that the smoke/ash one can see toward the end of the video, was Mount Etna. The angle is just right…..off our stern as we passed the point of the Strait. I had to pop back to my cabin to drop off “layers” and get ready for my massage :lol: , so got the pilot boat after picking up the pilot, from my porthole Thru the Strait http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHTI70Wufnw From Wikipedia “A new eruption started on the morning of 13 May 2008 immediately to the east of Etna's summit craters, accompanied by a swarm of more than 200 earthquakes and significant ground deformation in the summit area. On the afternoon of the same day, a new eruptive fissure opened at about 2800 m above sea-level, with a number of vents displaying Strombolian activity and emission of lava flows toward the Valle del Bove. During the following 24 hours the lava traveled approximately 6 km to the east, but thereafter its advance slowed and stopped, the most distant lava fronts stagnating about 3 km from the nearest village, Milo. Ash emissions became more frequent between 16 and 18 May and produced small but spectacular clouds, whereas the rate of lava emission showed a gradual diminution. As of 19 May, the eruption is continuing, although at much reduced vigor” Had NO idea that all this was going on, except for the announcement from the Captain that they could see Mt. Etna spewing sparks and fire, during the previous night OK, for the funny Jimmy Savile story The 16th was the night of the Nautical Ball, and I got myself decked out in the Pirate Costume……NOT for dinner :shock: , but afterwards. Went to the Chart Room, where another couple asked me to join them. I HAD met them before and chatted with them there. They left to try their luck at the Casino, and I went into the Queens Room to see what was happening there. Two pirates were wearing MY hat :shock: . Had a brief dance with the “gentleman pirate” Upon returning to my table and my drink in the Chart Room, who should be sitting there, but Jimmy and a lady companion. I said something tentative…..in the way of, “I think that is my drink” He said, “Well of course it is, we came to join you” Must have thought I looked like a "fun" person :?: :mrgreen: It was a pretty hysterical evening. He is a genuine NUT case :lol: So, having lost THE picture at Heathrow (Wonder if anyone found it, and went "WHAT the HECK"), I recreated the costume at home this morning. Yes, background is photo-shopped, to get rid of a "glary" door, but nothing else is

Very nice costume, Liz :D :D Great story about Jimmy :wink: :wink:

Love the picture Liz :) A great story about Sir Jimmy. The pilots in Massina jump onboard at a some speed don't they. :lol:

:D :D Now you see the boat, now you don't :D

What a great pirate costume, Liz!!! :D

but something was missing :D

:D :D :D :lol: :lol: You are RIGHT, Wolfgang :lol: :lol: Should have thought of that :!:

Having been privileged to see the original ship's photographers photo I think you should try a new career on board ship Liz!! Yours is just as good! :lol: :lol:

:D :D :D Thanks. This was try #3...with and without flash. Think this was without. Timer for delayed picture made it fairly easy :D Deciding on a good location, took longer If nothing else, I'll bet I can "photoshop" as well as they can :D Not that I think they probably do much to "improve" photos. "What we take, is what you get :!:"