What a beautiful town. The ship navigated through a winding channel between two mountains to land us on the shores of a beautiful lake. Looked all the world like we were in Switzerland and not in the Balkins. Town was fortified like other coastal ones had been, but not as heavily. We were there briefly and on the way back to the Adriatic Sea we saw many charming towns along the shores. The water has been very blue and green in this part of our voyage.

Heavily fortified coastal town on the sea. Built on space that quickly goes uphill. There is a cable car to take people up. You can walk around the city walls and visualize how it must have been when the city was new. Well preserved with interesting little side streets. We did not visit a long time. It was hot and there were about five or six other ships docked there that were quite large. We were still packing like crazy. Squeezing it in between ship events. This was the day for the Azamara Special Evening. We (600+) were taken by bus up to a venue on the top of the hill. It had been raining off and on so we were entertained under a huge tent area. Saw a beautiful sunset and a good show of Croatian dancers in costume.

Back to Croatia! We woke up to find ourselves docked right next to the Sea Organ! Could see it and hear every note. This instrument is experimental. It is built by pipes under steps by the sea. The waves cause the pipes to make beautiful long low notes that are very restful and soothing. Many people were sitting on the steps during the day into the evening. Had a bit of sightseeing including an ancient glass museum. This town had a history of Roman and Venetian influence. Lots of city walls. These coastal cities really had to defend themselves.

Back on the ship with Olivia and Erin ! 645 passengers on board! A shock for those 134 who stayed aboard to go around Africa. Biggest crowd we had so far. Had a hard time finding our world cruise friends

. Lots of hugs. Ship was in a harbor away from Venice. When we got aboard we noticed six other ships anchored. Most of them were huge. No wonder there were so many tourists in Venice! We went back to Slovenia. Colinda and I spent that day unpacking all the stuff we left on the ship and getting ready to repack for her going home and me going on the Cuesta Concord Chorus tour of Florence and Sicily. This between all the fabulous events they have aboard. We did get off the ship for a quick trip downtown. Got home wet! Rain again in the afternoon Also lightening, thunder, and hail. The captain came on the loudspeaker to say”Let’s get out of this three seasons of weather in one day!” Off to Croatia again. New cities this time.

Yea! What a town. Jill got us an apt right in the city! Walking to downtown was easy. Spent time on a city tour that included St. Marks Cathedral, the Dodges Palace and a gondola ride in the grand canal. Next day we were headed out to sightsee when Colinda got a big surprise when another granddaughter, Olivia, arrived with her friend Erin. They joined us first the last leg of the voyage. So off we went to show them what we saw the day before. Venice invites pictures of every single inch!

Italy!!! Verona is Romeo and Juliet land. We stayed at a hotel with her name near the large town square in front of the coliseum still in use for events. We went on a hop on bus tour. Lots of tourists here and very hot. I am getting really tired of walking in uneven paving stones in a gillion countries. Went to Juliet’s home. It has a small courtyard. If Romeo was even whispering the household would have known. Since Shakespeare was never in Verona how could he had know that? Literary liscense. Food was great!

Another plane ride and another continent. Rented a car! Hotel was downtown near the castle. It rained off and on for a while. A novelty for us. Drove to Lake Bled the first full day. This tiny town looks like a Disney attraction. The lake has an island in it with a little church. We were ferried over in a wooden boat with oars. Our oarsman had arms that were very muscular. I climbed 99 steps. One of my choirs stayed at Lake Bled about 20 or so years ago. I have pictures of David and me dancing there at the top of the landing spot. They had music in the loud speaker. We Nice memory. Not much has changed. The next day we wandered around the castle. Good views of the city.

Another quick airplane ride to have a perfectly wonderful adventure. Cappidocia was a seat of early Christianity. Now it is known for its geology and hot air balloon rides. People lived in caves in the large rock formations seen everywhere. They were also used for churches. We stayed in a cave hotel. Rooms were very cool and only had one window. Did not feel like a cave. The high point was the balloon ride. Got up at four to leave at five am. We were going to get in the air to watch the sunrise. We were driven to an area where balloons were being filled on every hill top you could see. First the balloon was taken out of a large duffel bag and spread out on the land. Then large fans attached to generators blew up the balloon to a certain point. The air was heated with blow torches to heat the air. The wicker baskets were then attached. They were rectangle divided into four parts. Some held up more people. Ours had 20. It was amazing to watch hundreds of colorful balloons drifting up and away. We all got into the basket and each stood and had a place on the outside so we could see quite perfectly. Balloon rides are very quiet. We had a pilot and a co-pilot. We drifted through a beautiful valley. When we needed to go higher or to change directions a bit , the pilot used the blow torch to get us where he wanted to go. He had a good sense of humor and always pulled the blow torch on time the rhythm of “ shave and a haircut-five cents. We almost skimmed ground at times. We were up for an hour and then the pilot chose his landing spot and told the ground crew where to meet us. He landed the balloon on the back of the special pick up truck waiting for us! We were treated to champagne and a medallion and a certificate. Next day the balloons drifted right over our hotel. Spectacular! We went to a national park to see the rock formation churches and houses there. We were lucky. The weather and winds have to be perfect or the rides are not permitted by the government.

What a town! Back to the hustle and bustle of a huge city. Our hotel was near the busiest street, but it was very quiet. It was a small hotel that was decorated in furniture from the 1800s style with all the modern updates. Jill and Margo arrived just before we did. Happy reunion for Colinda. Daughter and granddaughter. Jill is our travel agent. Best one in the world! First day was spent at the oldest and finest Turkish Bath for ladies. What an experience! When they get through with pampering you, you feel like a million dollars! Ask for details when I see you. After that we had high tea at a swanky hotel with the most famous tour guide in Istanbul. She was gracious and charming. She has worked with Jill and wanted to meet her. We really had a great day! Second day was spent at the blue mosque, and other local hit spots including the large shopping area. Third day included a boat ride. Istanbul is on two continents. The old city is in Asia, and the newer part in Europe.

Fabulous city with a long history. The downtown is dominated by a castle built by the only Roman emperor who got to retire. Some retirement home! Pretty much just walls now. Lots of narrow streets and small passageways. Many great shops. We got busy learning where everything was around our apt. Lovely neighborhood with a great bakery, restaurants, and a beauty shop very close. Quick walk to downtown. We were able to rest and relax as well as sightsee. Croatia is a beautiful country everywhere you go. It has many islands. We went to Brac Island one day via ferry and rented a car. Bob drove and we enjoyed the view. This island is noted for its marble. They even have a sculpting school there. We saw a sign for an olive oil museum and found our way there. It was a great find! The olive press was owned by the great grandfather of the man who was our host. When commercial olive presses appeared, he locked up his place and let it go to ruins. Several generations later our host reconstructed it and now shows guests the museum as it actually worked. After the tour we were served refreshments in the upstairs of the building. We learned a lot about olive oil and got to taste it too!

Another tour was a day bus trip to Mostar,Bosnia. This neighboring country is not part of the EU. So…another stamp on the passport. We visited Mostar and had a tour of downtown and their area by a river. We saw locals doing cannonballs off a high bridge into the river. Everyone cheered and put something into the hat that was passed around. Bosnia is still recovering from the war they had there in the nineties. You could still see bullet holes in buildings. There are many mosques there as well as Christian churches. This was the last time we saw any mosques We went to Kraviche Falls after lunch. This was huge swimming and boating area with many waterfalls pouring water into it.

Bus trip two was to Mljet, a national park. This park had huge towering falls. We walked on a boardwalk path over the watery area above the falls and had a boat ride blow them.