Tag: around the world cruise

Pirates of the Suez

You don’t miss a trick, Stew! The Athens port of Piraeus, which was to have been our port of call today, was closed because of high winds. Instead we went to Crete, which of course I liked – because of Nikos.

Tomorrow we have a piracy drill! We enter the Suez Canal after midnight Friday and at that point will be under escort and night-time lockdown. Suddenly I’m happy to have an inside cabin.

I can try video. Just don’t know how long it will take to send. Two photos seems to be pushing. I tried three but gave up ‘cuz the wireless minutes were ticking away.

These Brits are a complete riot. Just returned from a midnight snack with a very funny bunch. it’s 1:42 am, Stew!

Nighty-night. Have to be sharp for the drill!

Kiki
Sent from my iPhone

Stew note: must be the time zone thing. Kiki after midnight? omg. ah, but i see they played the snack card.

Where the boys R

kikigreeceDay 7 Heraklion, Crete – Craig is a singer on the ship, a little bit fabulous, and all about fashion: He loved my fuzzy jacket.

Nikos is boss of the chic taverna where Diarmuid and I landed. You can’t see them but he’s working his worry beads – part of his smoking cessation plan.

Kiki

Stew note to Kiki: i see a hint of Nikos worry beads there now. Speaking of worry. . . Good to see photo evidence of Diarmuid. Should I read anything into the fact that his trousers and the lifeboat covers are very complementary one to the other? Once again, signs of you guys trying to be one with the escape pods? Still snowing off and on in Maine. Your escape is so complete. You are all the way to Crete. Always wanted to see that. Hi to the Minoans?

Off Sicily

Caro, Stew,

We’re off Sicily now en route to Piraeus, the port for Athens. I’ll probably send something from there tomorrow or the following day. I love what you said about being nice to the lifeboat guys. I’ll definitely ask for a window view. I don’t have one in my stateroom. Diarmuid has a balcony and it makes all the difference.

I’ll have to send Midge good b’day wishes. I wore her polka dot dress last night for our third formal dinner (we’ve only been at sea six days) and Diarmuid loved it. I’m actually getting to like the formal thing. It was beautiful to walk into the Britannia dining room last night and see all the sparkle and furs and military medals.

You’re right about living to the hilt, Stew. You and Midge do it so well. Paul and Betty do, too. So do my uncle and his kids. We had the best time in London with my cousin Ann and her young family. They live beautifully. I wanted to stay there forever.

Funny you should mention the Costa Concordia. At the Sunday service Commodore Rynd recalled it was the anniversary of the sinking. Many of the prayers were for people at sea. And of course, the Queen.

Kiki, at sea

Fireworks. Blast off from South Hampton.

kikisouthhamptonThe adventure begins. In Kiki’s own words:

Day One: The Queen Mary 2 casts off at Southhampton. Me, Diarmuid and 2,998 cheerful, chatty Brits.

Kiki


Stew’s note: Diarmuid would be Kiki’s Bostonian uncle. We may get photographic sighting of him in an upcoming post. Stay tuned. Yes, this is a crazed impressionistic snap. But, its clear it was a grand send off.