My Cruise to Greece and Turkey: Part 4: Kavala, Limnos

Sat., July 15--Kavala

Kavala's idea of public transportation.
At least it was free.

This was a down day, meaning no strenuous activity. It was just too hot as all of Europe became a pizza oven. All the news reports gave the temperature in celsius so it doesn't sound too bad. But when you convert it, the mercury reaches triple digits and to quote Cole Porter, it's too darned hot. We went shopping in the town of Kavala and bought several shirts, then had a snack at a coffee place of which there are hundreds. Jerry went back to the ship and I wandered around the seafront, eventually finding a cute little train for free. There is not narration or tourist information, it just climbs the steep, narrow streets up the mountain. Locals use it for public transportation to get to their home high up. I caught the last one at 1300 or 1 pm in American time. The whole ride was 20 minutes up the hills and back to the town square, with stops at the usual castle, fort, amphitheater, etc. No guide, no context, just up the winding, twisting streets not much wider than alleyways. It was something to do and I saw some great views but too may other people blocked me for a good picture.

Back on the ship in the ghastly, Saharan heat. Dipped in the pool and the hot tub, which BTW was never hot enough and they left it on a mild setting and you couldn't readjust it--my only complaint about the Sirena on Oceania Cruises. Ate too much at high tea--the rum cake was delicious--and played Team Trivia, scoring only 12 out of 15. 

In our room, we watched a documentary of drilling for a subglacial lake in the Antarctic which was interesting and I popped in to briefly hear the entertainment--a woman singer doing a tribute to Celine Dion.

Sun. July 16--Limnos
This was our last full day on the cruise. We only had a few hours in Limnos (7AM-1PM for a 2PM

The pier at Limnos

sailing). This lovely little port was the dictionary definition of a sleepy seaside town. After breakfast, Jerry stayed on board and I took the tender in. It was Sunday so many of the shops were closed and not many people were out. Strolling leisurely down the shady market street with only a few fellow passengers was lazy and lovely. The beach at Maryna was only a few steps away from the pier where the tender dropped us off. After buying the by-now mandatory postcards, refrigerator magnet and T-Shirt, I ambled to the beach and bathed in the warm, shallow waters. At first I was nervous leaving my things on the beach, but I made sure I was near plenty of people and was able to relax after a while.

On the beach at Limnos

A fantastic morning on the beach was followed by lunch at the Grand Dining Room on board. We had plenty of dinners there but this was our first lunch as we were usually on shore for the noontime meal. Duck-chicklen liver patty, fillet of kingklip (it's a fish) with butternut squash and potatoes. Dessert: pears with ice cream and whipped cream. 

Then we had a fascinating lecture on the Corinth Canal and a final round of Team Trivia (Still didn't win!) But I did get the final question, what 1981 movie was remade with Russell Brand in 2011 and the final line was something like "I race cars, I love women, but I'm my own boss." Answer: Arthur.

Our final dinner was the specialty restaurant Tuscan Steak House where you needed a reservation. I had the fillet mignon and lobster--wonderful--plus two glasses of the best Pinot Grigio. 

As we sailed past the Dardandelles Straits and the memorial to soldiers who died at Gallipoli, we smelled smoke and later saw great grey clouds hovering over the shoreline. Our cruise director Julie assured us we were not on fire, but the Turkish forests were.