GEMS OF THE AEGEAN SEPTEMBER 2009 Part 8

GEMS OF THE AEGEAN SEPTEMBER 2009
Part 8

Wednesday 16th September 2009
We arrived at the island of Rhodes at 7. a.m. under wide blue skies, in ever-increasing heat. Most of us remember that its great landmark was one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the Colossus of Rhodes, which collapsed after an earthquake about 225 B.C. After breakfast, we were treated to the sight of our esteemed Ocean Liner Society Chairman standing on the quayside outside our several port side cabins – he was kindly taking photographs of several of us at our individual portholes, using our individual cameras, so he was rather festooned with them.

Then it was off to the Old City, enjoying the sight of the other cruise ships and local vessels as we walked around the harbour path.







In one view we could see CRISTAL, AQUAMARINE, GRAND MISTRAL and AIDA DIVA, and in the next we could see AIDA DIVA, EASYCRUISE LIFE, MARMARIS EXPRESS and AQUAMARINE.

We could also see our little gem (AEGEAN PEARL) berthed between a BLUE STAR vessel and GEMINI.

The route wended its way under the shade of trees and amongst brilliantly coloured flowers, and led us to the Tourist Information Bureau. Outside this and unexpectedly set into the path were seven attractive stone mosaic pictures, all of particular sports.







They were of weightlifting, running, handball, rowing, swimming, wrestling and basketball.

The coffee stop was in the harbour on board a floating restaurant ‘Kontiki’, with far-reaching views from the top deck.







A small Ice Lounge vessel turned nearby, allowing us to see that it was a glass-bottomed boat offering half hour cruises. She turned in front of Symi II.







A Salamis Lines vessel could be seen far away between Rhodes and the distant Turkish mountains, and a grey hulled naval vessel suddenly rushed past the harbour with a flurry of foam and testosterone.


A streamlined private yacht sailed out of the harbour accompanied by yearning noises from several watchers; we noticed ‘Aquaholic’ moored nearby, and a Love Boat - no, not the famous one, but No. 36. We approached AIDA DIVA and I was persuaded to purse my lips so that the obligatory photo could be taken of me appearing to kiss the red lips on her bow.

Back on board AGEAN PEARL, we all enjoyed lunch and then settled on our favourite aft deck to watch the harbour events. BLUE STAR 1 came in and soon left with her new passengers;
a small freighter GEPA at a nearby quay appeared to be loading bags of fertiliser; AQUAMARINE had us reeling back from her black smoke as she started engines and prepared to leave; Anek Line’s IERAPETRA L came in and soon left; meanwhile our tug appeared to be losing the battle to get us off the quay because of the strength of the prevailing wind, so other cruise ships left instead, whilst we had to wait.

With more space for manoeuvres we were finally underway and able to leave Rhodes harbour, and watch SYMI 2 sail past.










The light was still beautiful so we enjoyed the sea views until it was time to prepare our Elegant Attire for the Captain’s Cocktail Party in the Clipper Lounge before dinner.

We paid our respects to Captain Stathis Goumas with the usual handshakes and thanks and enjoyed another happy meal in the Restaurant before an evening on the aft deck. This time we were sailing 171 nautical miles to our next port: Heraklion, in Crete.

Ships seen: Marmaris Express, Blue Star 1, Ierapetra L, Gemini, Flying Dolphin 1 and 2, Aida Diva, Cristal, Aquamarine, Grand Mistral, easyCruise Life, Ice House, Simi 2, Love Boat No. 36, Gepa

To be concluded...

GEMS OF THE AEGEAN SEPTEMBER 2009 Part 7

GEMS OF THE AEGEAN SEPTEMBER 2009
Part 7 - on board The AEGEAN PEARL

Tuesday 15th September 2009
I enjoyed 8 hours of sleep, disturbed momentarily by the anchor going down well before dawn, and then breakfast, whilst we all enjoyed knowing we were back in Kusadasi, Turkey.


How lovely, another chance to go ashore under clear blue skies in the comfortable heat of this bustling port. Nearby was the huge bulk of SPLENDOUR OF THE SEAS, and OCEAN VILLAGE 2, and walking past EASYCRUISE LIFE we could clearly see the wording on the dark hull: “Reunite the Parthenon Marbles”. Hmmm, that’s telling us!










On that ship it was also possible to see one of her previous names – JASMINE –still visible on the hull. We remembered she was built in Poland in 1981 as LEV TOLSTOY for Black Sea Shipping, with six sister ships. In fact we could also just see that original name on another part of the hull when we looked from a different angle.

Walking round the harbour gave us the chance to see local fishing boats, some with lines of washing on board drying in the breeze, as well as the cruise ships.









I noticed a small white van with “Ladies Beach” written on the sides, and discovered that years ago there had indeed been a Ladies Beach nearby; now it was open to all, and the white vans ran as a taxi service around the area. What an eye-catching title.

This was to be a short visit to Kusadasi so we were all back on board by 11.30 a.m. ready to sail the 47 nautical miles to Patmos, Greece. As usual I think we all felt very proud and proprietary about our little AEGEAN PEARL as she sat amongst the huge cruise ships, before sailing gracefully away from the Turkish port.

After lunch on board, we arrived back at the little port town of Skala on the island of Patmos at 4 p.m. in the most wonderful clear light. Many passengers went on excursions to visit the Monastery of St. John the Theologian, high above us in the village of Chora, with its 900 years old fortifications. With AQUAMARINE also anchored out in the bay, this was the ideal opportunity for photos of the two ships, looking fabulous in the blue sea.



After a walk along the coastal path under shady trees, an ice-cream in the little port was enjoyed. I noticed the usual dogs asleep in various wayside shops or shady areas.














Back on board AEGEAN PEARL, the light, air, clear water, scenery and environment were just wonderful and reminded us all of why we like to be at sea in congenial company: it’s that sense of exhilaration at being alive on such days. Tea and scones gave us a moment of humour. Jam was provided in very small packets, and my portion fell out of the packet as one rather congealed piece, onto my plate. Having recently seen several Viking Line ships, it was immediately recognised as being the shape and red colour of a Viking Line funnel.








We left Patmos just before 9 p.m. and enjoyed Greek Night dinner on board, as well as the evening’s entertainment, sailing the 105 nautical miles to our next port of call in Rhodes.

Ships seen: easyCruise Life, Splendour of the Seas, Ocean Village Two, Aquamarine, Gemini, Izmir (tug)

To be continued...

GEMS OF THE AEGEAN - SEPTEMBER 2009 Part 1

GEMS OF THE AEGEAN - AQUAMARINE & AEGEAN PEARL September 2009
Part 1

Why fly when one can go by ship? That question hardly needs answering, so I shall just say that the Haynes rucksack was re-packed ready to go to Greece for the Ocean Liner Society cruises from Piraeus. We were to sail with Louis Cruise Lines on AQUAMARINE and The AEGEAN PEARL.

Tuesday 8th September 2009
A flight had been booked from London Stansted Airport to Bari in Italy for part of the journey, and I was particularly bemused during my Underground journey across London, getting to Stansted. At one station an older man, his pink long shirt-sleeves rolled up and his white hair looking rather wild, got into the full carriage at one end and proceeded to make the sign of the cross in front of each and every one of us as he walked along the whole length of the carriage. It all happened very quickly and most of us just nodded our polite thanks. A rather stunned silence followed him.

Wednesday 9th September 2009
The next day I felt blessed as a 7.00 a.m. Ryanair flight took us safely to Bari, ready for the ferry journey from there to Patras. I loved looking out at the Italian coast as we flew south, and had a lovely view of one of my favourite ports - Ancona. The Ryanair fanfare was sounded as we landed on time (I know, little things please little minds), a bus took us into the city and we could enjoy the hot walk to the Agoudimos Line terminal to collect our tickets. Aha, our sailing on IONIAN KING has been cancelled, as the ship has ‘technical problems’. We would be re-booked on SUPERFAST 1 but had to return later for the new tickets. We had time to see GUGLIELMO MAZZOLA still laid up at another quay; we had time to see SVETI STEFAN II, RIGEL, RIVIERA ADRIATICA and IONIS near each other, as well as GRECIA and FLAMINIA.



We never did see IONIAN KING during our subsequent travels, so it will be interesting to find out what has happened to her. She was the ex M/S FERRY LAVENDER, so I had a mild interest in seeing another Japanese sister to IONIAN QUEEN. As Union-Castle ships had lavender-coloured hulls, the name was appealing.

After a fish lunch in a local restaurant, and a stroll around the old town, we returned to collect the new ferry tickets for the overnight trip on SUPERFAST 1 from Bari to Patras, via Igoumenitsa. En route we came across one of the inevitable sleeping dogs, which I photographed thinking "This is a 'case' of letting sleeping dogs lie".


SUPERFAST 1 was built in 2008 in Italy at 24,950 gt, and originally named M/S FORZA for Grand Navi Veloci, to carry 500 passengers. She became SUPERFAST 1 later that year, on being sold to Attica Holdings, with a passenger capacity of 950, and vehicle capacity of 900, so we were to travel on a very new vessel. She seemed a very basic ferry, with only the top Solar Deck open for fresh air and views, and no chance to get aft. We could watch with some dismay a couple of livestock lorries (full of sheep) being loaded as well as other vehicles.

POLARIS was nearby and sailed before us. Old familiar vessels were sighted, including MARKO POLO, so the beautiful evening light for departure gave great pleasure.

The first meal in the self-service buffet, including meatballs and tomato sauce, made us realise we were on a ship destined for Greek waters – well cooked and predictable.

Even so, this clearly was not a proper Superfast of the type built by the company’s founder, Mr Panagopoulos. These had a la carte restaurants, double-deck lounges, outdoor lidos and all kinds of other trimmings. They were also very expensively built – the best of German shipbuilding technology. This Italian imposter looked decidedly insubstantial in comparison and it also appeared that the top coat of paint had been applied in places to bare steel as, after only a few months in service, she was surprisingly rusty. However, she was quite fast and left punctually.







My last waking thought was of heading feet first to Greece, at 24 knots.

Ships seen: Grecia, Ionis (European Seaways), Sveti Stefan II, Rigel, Riviera Adriatica, Flaminia, Marko Polo, Polaris, Guglielmo Mazzola

To be continued...