Happy New Year

Well, quite some time has passed since I have last put something on this blog, mainly due to the fact that I have been at home for the last few weeks, nothing much has happened and I have been resting (also away from my computer). This one is just a quick post to wish all my friends a happy and successfull New Year 2008.

Happy Birthday

This post is a BIG Happy Birthday for my little brother. Where I am at the moment midnight has just passed and with the end of Halloween now it is time to celebrate the 1st of November:

Happy 16th Birthday domi. I am sorry I won't be there as I am in Syria enjoying the sunshine but I send you the best wishes and a big hug.

Love Alex

Leptis Magna - Libya

Well it has been over a month since my last post, it has been busy busy busy here and many of my friends from on board have been departing in the last few weeks. The day before yesterday there was something new though and I thought I ought to take at least the opportunity for a picture and a mini post before something bigger sometime next week or so.
The new thing was actually our call in Libya, where I had not been before. A group of us went of to explore Leptis Magna (the picture is of the Theatre there which is being prepared for a concert that evening). This was one of the very important Centres of commerce at about 200 BC. Probably the best preserved ruins of that time (similar to Pompeii, only without all the hastle of excavating it as there was no volcano to cover it up). The best thing is that there are not many tourists there and no limits, so you can properly explore the whole site. So here you go, enjoy the view.

Big Waves

Why is it that the really bad seas usually come at night????? I am sitting in my cabin and it is nearly midnight. Today we were at sea all day and it was not exactly calm, but now I can see the "White Horses" galloping next to my port hole and I am on deck 3, usual waterline is deck 2. Anyway, I had a good diner and therefore I am not feeling seasick, just a like in a roller coaster. I am sure the waves would make for a spectacular picture, however it is pitch black outside except for the ships outside lighting. I do nonetheless have a picture to share with you - Sunset yesterday evening...... regards to everyone, thinking of you.

Close one

Well, thank you to my family who managed to visit one of the ports where we docked. Unfortunately we missed each other by 1 hour (us arriving their flight leaving) but they did manage to bring me my camera zoom lens that I had stupidly forgotten at home....... Yesterday we were back to Athens and Piraeus and for the first time I had the opportunity to go out as it was not an arrival/departure day. Here is at least one picture so that you can share the Acropolis with me.

As time goes by

Well I have to remark again, time absolutely flies when you have to work absolutely every day of the week. Not only do you loose a sense of time but also there is no weekend and it takes you many attempts to actually remember what day of the week it is. Always feeling tiered (which you get used to after a while) is also quite a strain, but the traveling is still fun.

Working on some more pictures for everyone as I have now passed the 2100 mark with the new digital camera that I had bought in May before I joined the ship.

Big hug for everyone... Thinking of you

At Sea

Just passing through underneath Italy on our way to the 12 Islands of Greece. Then going on to Athens and finally off to Istanbul in Turkey. We are out at sea so thought it was time for a quick sign of life, no pictures this time - hopefully I will have some of my visit to Capri ready for the next post. Thinking of all my friends and family. x

Sunset Extravaganza

Well, I just simply have to put up some more of those sunset pictures for all of you.

Again and again and again, nearly every evening...... Absolutely breathtaking

3 days in Venice

Well, those spectacular sunsets seem to be a fairly frequent appearance around here. So because they were so nice, here are two more (from the last two days.
today we arrived in Venice - as I was so exhausted and only finished work at half past midnight this morning I did not get up at 6 am to watch the ship sailing into port but I am told it was fantastic - so next time.....
I am really quite tied down with work so finding time to write all the mails is difficult, but I am getting there one by one. Drop me a line with your address and you may even get a postcard from me. Also if you are trying to contact me by phone (thank you Fi, i am sorry you did not manage would have been fantastic to talk to you) you may find it difficult to get through to me as the calls get to my mobile via a satellite when we are not in port ad the connection in some places is not so good. I also turn my phone of when I am at work but sms should get there or even better a little post on my blog which I am checking relatively frequently (meaning about once a week). So, time for me to go. Love and regards to all of you. Alex

Sunset paradise....

(with enough work to quickly bring you smashing back to reality - but nevertheless absolutely fantastic)

Well, today was strenuous but the finish of the day reminded me why being at sea is so absolutely fantastic. There are so many absolutely fantastic sunsets and tonight we were just south of Bulgaria when the sun set in the most spectacular of ways once again. The pictures only give a little indication of the beauty that we can experience nearly daily.

....... absolutely breathtaking