NILE BLOG 09
Saturday 13 October, 2012
The ‘Midlife Madness’ label is responsible for lots of laughs on the part of our ship’s crew and tour guides – and more than a little confusion. In the past we’ve been mistaken for the ‘Midnight Madness’ group … the ‘Midlife Crazies’ … and (by the Hungarian Cruise Director we had a couple of years ago on the Rhine and Danube) the ‘Midlife Crisis’ group. But yesterday, our lovely Greek guide misread the sign on our coach as ‘MIDWIFE Madness’, and assumed (I kid you not) that she was about to take a group of childbirth-experts sightseeing!
Imagine her relief when we fun-loving Kiwis turned up instead, responding to her question: “Is everybody happy?” with a thunderous “You bet your life we are!”
- Greek dancers
- Achillies
- Achillion Palace
- Corfu Island
- After-downpour wine-tasting
- and they’re running now …
- Olympia
- Pokarekare Ana
- Greek sunrise
You’ll recall we started this grand adventure in Greece – right? Well, we’ve been back in Greece these past two days, catching up on stuff we missed the first time around. Yesterday, for example, while the rising sun turned the sky orange-red, they parked the Prinsendam in the small Greek fishing village of Katakolon (pronounced ‘kaTAKolon’) … and drove us 40km to mystical Olympia, ancient site of the very first Olympic Games. We wandered the vast ruins, picturing the temples, porticoes and statues as they were 2700 years ago … the area crowded with athletes, orators, merchants and philosophers surrounding the Temple of Zeus (with its 12-metre-high statue of the god). We could almost hear the roar of 40,000 spectators as (naked) athletes took their marks on the marble starting blocks … we stood on the very spot where, every four years, the modern-day Olympic flame is lit … and we even got to do a lap or two (jogging, walking or hobbling!) in the famous excavated stadium!
Somewhat exhausted after such strenuous exercise, we dropped in on the magnificent Mercouri Estate Vineyard (owned and operated by the same family for five generations)to taste its famous, locally-produced wines. Sounds good? Yep, it sure was … and a short-but-drenching downpour only added to the fun.
Then overnight, while we snored in our beds, the Prinsendam sailed north into the Adriatic Sea and the beautiful Ionian Islands. Corfu was where we docked, and dramatic seascapes surrounded us on our scenic drive through the Old Town, past a fortress, a palace, and lots of elegant arcade buildings. We then drove out of town to the 100-year-old Achillion Palace, built by Empress Elizabeth (Sisi) of Austria, and adorned with fabulous statues and mementos.
Later, to quieten our rumbling tummies, we rendezvoused at a beautifully renovated private villa – where warm hospitality and a traditional Greek luncheon (with ouzo, wine, and more food than you could shake a stick at) awaited us. Oh, plus some live Greek music and costumed-dancing … followed up by a stand-out rendition of Pokarekare Ana by our Mad Midlife Kiwi Choir.
PEOPLE NEWS:
Another quacky yellow duck has been hung around another Mad Midlife neck:
- On quite a number of shore excursions, we’ve all been kitted out with ‘whisper’ headsets to make it easier to hear the guides. But, after visiting the loo during sightseeing the other day, Brian ‘lost’ his ear-piece, eventually discovering it tucked down into his undies along with his shirt … and earning himself our ‘Down-Under Hard-Of-Hearing Award’.
TOMORROW:
Leaving Greece in our wake we cruise further north through the blue-green Adriatic to Croatia and the sun-drenched island of Korcula (one-time home of Marco Polo). The show’s not over yet, not by a long shot, so don’t go away …
Yours bloggedly – JOHN
P.S. If you want to leave a message for someone in our group, just click on the little speech bubble at the top of this page, and add your ‘COMMENTS’! Make sure you say who it’s for and who it’s from – and keep it brief.
Keep up the stories and the pictures, John – it almost makes it seem as if we’re there too.
Brian & Jenice
For leila Gilchrist from chris Gary Connor and Emma- dear bag features, what a trip of a lifetime. We are surprised in the people news we have not read that you have run away with a swarthy Greek, Turk Israelite. Arab. Or Egyptian. Despite this disappointment We are sure u r having a ball. The kids are lovely still and buster Sophie and Gary have also been behaving. My back is really good. Keep enjoying yourself as its windy and a bit cold here. Lots of love. The wiltons xxxxxx
To Pete & Edna T.
Hello from TAC. Loved reading the blogs about what you’re up to so far away from home. Loved the quacky duck award Pete. I hope you’re going to wear Edna’s lippy to work so I can see just how much/or little you look like your wife.I won’t tell anyone, well maybe Gary. (lol) Our first day back at school today. The weather here couldn’t be more different to what you’re having, high winds, rain and some fine breaks, but that’s spring aye. Anyway I’ll keep up with your travels via this blog. It must be your turn for a duck this time Edna.
Enjoy the rest of your trip. Keep safe and well.
Kind regards
Janet
Malcolm and Carol Frith, Looks like great fun! I was in Corfu in 1996 (took the Ferry to Albania for a week working with Orphaned Children). Joseph and Emma both got Credits in the ICAS National Maths Test this year – they wanted you to know.
Weather is awful here – good timing to be away. Wet, cold and windy. Kevin is thinking of doing a Felix Baumgartner some day (nah, just kidding…well I hope so anyway) Love from us all
Hi Martin & Jenny,man you guys are sooo busy sight seeing you will certainly need a holiday when you get back to good ole N.Z.We are exhausted following the travel posts of your trip.We have just said good-bye to our 2nd lot of Grandies AND THE PARENTS who stayed for 5 nites (6days) Our brains & bodies are in recession at the moment but they say this too will pass–Ohh the fraility of our human bodies,it will be an early trip to bed tonight. Good-night frien ZZZ d zzzz s.sooo tired
zzzzzz zzzzz
Gordon & Elaine xxx
TO Annette Hattie.
Great to follow the blog. We were in Katakolon & Olympia in July. Would like to have tasted the pomegranate juice in Side. Looking forward to having you home,
Enjoy every minute and keep safe and well. AAA
Edgar abd Judy
Hi again Pete T,
A message for you from Gary, He’s having trouble keeping up with the grass and looking forward to you coming back.
Also……….we need a new volley ball post. Just a slight accident. Counting the days.
Malcolm and Carol Frith – Praying for you as you continue on your trip; that God will sustain you and keep you in good health so that you get the most out of this wonderful experience.
He goes before you, he is with you and he is your rear guard.
Love from us all xxx