Random thoughts from the sea
Days 114-115, 2025 European Odyssey Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 20-21, 2025; Valletta, Malta, and Tunis, Tunisia. Of the 146 port calls I’ve made in the last year of cruising (110 if I eliminate duplicate visits), I think my favorite may have been Malta. I can’t quite put my finger on
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Day 108, 2025 European Odyssey Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025; Istanbul, Turkey. There are 3,113 mosques in Istanbul. I’m guessing most tourists visit two: Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Blue (or Sultan Ahmed) Mosque. That’s exactly what I did on my first visit here, a couple of weeks ago. Being close
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Days 105-106, 2025 European Odyssey Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11-12, 2025; Rhodes, Greece, and Kusadasi, Turkey. Rhodes is an easy port to explore on your own. It takes about five minutes to walk from the ship to the Virgin Mary Gate, the closest opening in the massive walls that surround
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Days 101-103, 2025 European Odyssey Tuesday to Thursday, Oct. 7-9, 2025; Taormina, Sicily, and Valletta, Malta. Sometimes I just need to rest. At least, that’s what my body told me during our second stop this fall in Valletta. I wasn’t in pain or sick, but just tired and feeling more-than-the-occasional
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Days 91-93, 2025 European Odyssey Saturday to Monday, Sept. 27-29, 2025; Limassol, Cypress; Rhodes, Greece; and Bodrum, Turkey. Limassol, Cypress, taught me that even when I haven’t planned ahead, wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a sketchpad can add up to an enjoyable day in port. By the time I turned
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Days 86-90, 2025 European Odyssey Monday to Friday, Sept. 22-26, 2025; Valletta, Malta, and Alexandria, Egypt. I’m not sure I can say I went to Egypt on this cruise. Yes, we had an overnight call in Alexandria, where more than 1,700 passengers lined up before sunrise for Holland America excursions.
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Days 82-84, 2025 European Odyssey Thursday to Saturday, Sept. 18-20, 2025; Alicante, Valencia and Barcelona, Spain. I may be spending about 10 months a year cruising, but in between I go back to the United States, to visit family, catch up on doctors’ appointments, enjoy real Tex-Mex food and repack.
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Days 73-75, 2025 European Odyssey Tuesday to Thursday, Sept. 9-11, 2025; Portland, England, and Bilbao, Spain. My lack of port planning is starting to catch up with me. I spent time in the spring planning the Northern Europe part of this odyssey, but figured I would plan the second half
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Days 70-71, 2025 European Odyssey Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6-7, 2025; Dover, England, and Amsterdam, Netherlands. Jo: “This is the best meal I’ve ever had!” Waitress: “In Amsterdam?” Jo: “I think this whole year!” Waitress: “Wow!” Little did she know that this year I have eaten in foodie cities from Lima
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Days 65-67, 2025 European Odyssey Tuesday-Thursday, Sept. 2-4, 2025; Glasgow, Scotland; Douglas, Isle of Man; and Cobh, Ireland. Looking back, I wish I had spent a semester or year studying abroad. The University of Glasgow would be on the short list of places I would have enjoyed. I briefly wondered
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