We’ve docked in Limassol, Cyprus. First shore excursion coming up - Greco-Roman ruins. Pretty sure we can expect a lot of Greco-Roman ruins on this one.

Ahhhhh. Now yer talkin’.

 

Anyway, we’re finally aboard, and sailing toward Cyprus. Our two critters (Butch and Sundance) sent along a bottle of Veuve Clicquot (our house champagne), which cried out for accompaniment. Hello, old friend. Have missed you.

We scored a great table right along the promenade. It’s a promenade for the local feline population too. Turns out, cats like calamari too.

Stayed two nights in Athens (largely to get over sleepless plane rides), but the second night we Uber-ed over to to Zorbas Mikrolimano, a restaurant on a very charming bay, south of Athens. Calamari to die for.

Next flight, from London to Athens - not so much fun. The front dozen or so rows were shown as 2-2, as opposed to the 3-3 configuration further back. One might think “more comfortable”. Wrong. ALL rows were 3-3, in the front area they just put people in the aisle and window seats, leaving the middle seat open. Virtually no legroom, at least for the likes of me.

On to British Airways at LAX. I can’t sleep on planes (ever) but at least I was very comfortable this time, not doing so.

Barbara’s daughter has befriended a four-legged local. “Alberta” likes chopped walnuts. Imagine that. I told her the next time I’m in town, I’ll bring some Hawaiian macadamia nuts, to broaden her sophisticated nut-palate.

Pretty cool to stand on the 50 yard line, the only (non-employee) people in the house.

Ram locker room and one of the $$$$ suites.

Next day, we scored a tour of SoFi stadium, where the Rams and Chargers play. Quite an amazing place. The giant video board can be seen from any seat in the house, either on its exterior or interior surface.

The game ended on my first-ever in-person triple play. Which was…..weird.

But first, some hijinks from L.A., our old stomping grounds. Stayed a couple of nights, visiting Barbara’s daughter and breaking up the long slog to Europe. Went to a Dodger game, unfortunately they lost. But a good time was had by all, other than homes and workplaces, Dodger Stadium is actually the building in which I’ve spent the most time in my life. Caught 7 foul balls (including two in one game). Dodger-Dogs (with homemade grilled peppers and onions brought along. Mmmmm. (Not bad seats, eh?)

So. We boarded our ship yesterday and are sailing toward Cyprus, the first port in our 3-week odyssey. Cyprus is followed by two stops in Turkey, a bunch of Greek islands, Croatia, Montenegro, also with a day in Venice.