Ancient Salona: Where Gargoyles Go to Die

Member of our tour tries out a grave at ancient Salona

If there was ever a place that gargoyles would prefer to die, it would be the ancient city of Salona. I went there on a tour that included ancient Salona and medieval Trogir while cruising on the Norwegian Jade. Founded by the Romans and very close to Diocletian's Palace at Split, Croatia, the ancient city is amazingly well preserved. It had all the requisite Roman city items: walls, a forum, a theater and an amphitheater. But what makes this site so wonderful is the amount of preservation. After having been to Olympus, Greece where all the good stuff is in the museum, I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the ruins in their natural state.

Map of the ancient Salona site

Well preserved Ancient Salona near Split, Croatia

Ancient Salona became the capital of the Roman Province of Dalmatia, according to Wikipedia. More information on this gargoyle-inspired and spiritual place can be found here. We spent about an hour walking around. 

Detail of the ruins at Ancient Salona

I could have taken a few more hours without the other tourists. We had a unique crowd on our tour bus, a large group of retired military and their wives. They fought over seats on the bus like we were going to war. It was embarrassing the way they hogged the front seats.

Our group including retired military men and their wives

But the place was awesome and I just did what I always do, made the most of it. 

Sorrento Staircase to Heaven

Sorrento staircase

On a tour of the Amalfi coast on the Norwegian Jade, I literally passed through a restaurant. It wasn't open for lunch. There was the most amazing staircase railing, and I just had to photograph it. Looking for new material for my blogs, I decided to sort by date and I found these photos from 2013. They are gems.

Detail of the staircase

I love how a chair is stored under the rustic staircase. It is just awesome work, and I would think made from a local tree. This staircase to Heaven is definitely gargoyle-inspired.

Sorrento Restaurant

According to their website, shown here, this is where canneloni was invented. The place is just full of history. Wow.

I even found a photo of me I liked. Now that is a miracle!

Photo of me May 2013 on excursion of the Amalfi Coast

Graycliff: Still One of My Favorites

Fish at Graycliff Hotel, Nassau, Bahamas

I am not sure why it took me so long to report on the Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant at Nassau, Bahamas. The Graycliff was a fond memory of a time long ago when I used to visit the Bahamas frequently, around 1988 to 1989. I was dating a guy at the time who worked on both the British Colonial Hotel renovation and also the original buildings of Atlantis at Paradise Island. Our highlight each year, either a birthday or significant holiday like Christmas, always included a visit to our favorite restaurant, Graycliff. The food is divine, the atmosphere gorgeous and it always required getting dressed up and taking a taxi up the hill from where we stayed. Who wouldn't love the only 5 star restaurant in the Caribbean?

TruBahamianFoodTour map

my husband Moises at Graycliff

So when I saw a locals tour that included a tasting at Graycliff, I couldn't resist. We had an awesome day off our cruise with Lexi, our guide, from Tru Bahamian Food Tours. When we got to Graycliff, it was raining and before the tour was over, at the Greek restaurant, it rained so hard that the streets were flooded to our knees. Some things about Nassau never change. But it was wonderful to visit my old friend Graycliff. They still had the wonderful fish pond and the elegant swimming pool. 

Graycliff swimming pool

They also had some new additions like the Graycliff Cigar Room and a chocolate tasting area, which is where we headed on our tour. 

Graycliff Cigar Room

No cigars were being smoked when we were in the cigar room, just a room to choose cigars and maybe buy a little jewelry. And the end of the day, before all the rain, we got to sample exquisite chocolates!

If you are ever interested in having a wonderful meal or staying at their luxury, boutique hotel, more info on Graycliff can be found here.

Cruise Blues: Single Supplements

Taken at Volendam

I want to discuss one of my pet peeves of the Cruise Industry, the dreaded single supplement. As I have stated in the past, I love nothing more than cruising solo. I have done it now a few times on Holland America and also once on NCL. I am taking the plunge and trying solo on NCL again in April. The first time around I went to Hawaii with NCL, which I feel was not a good fit for traveling solo. Romantic destinations like the Caribbean or Hawaii are better done with a significant other, my opinion.

St. Catherine's Palace at St. Petersburg

Europe is a good place to experiment with solo cruising. There are so many historic areas and museums to visit, traveling alone is just not a problem. I do have to admit on HAL (Holland America), I am extra spoiled by all the attention I get from the crew. Being alone at dinner or lunch usually prompts an officer to pass by and have a quick chat. The front desk staff always greets me by name and the cabin stewards are awesome. I am hoping for the same reception on NCL. 

Barcelona, Spain

I just couldn't pass up the great prices, and even though I am paying double, the price for a 7 day cruise in Italy and on the Adriatic Sea is an incredible bargain. I had booked HAL's Ryndam for the cruise from Barcelona to Dover, but the prices were not going down and I am not sure I would love such an old ship. I also like the medium size of the Norwegian Jade. Around 2,400 passengers is a great size. 

Back to the single supplement ... I have decided to look at it like when you stay in a hotel. Whether you are one person or two, you usually pay the same price for the room. Still stings, but lessens the hurt!

A Day at St. Maarten

Moises and me

When Moises and I decided to go on a Caribbean cruise on the Norwegian Getaway, we didn't choose it for the itinerary. After three or four Caribbean cruises and living in the Caribbean as well, it just isn't about the destinations. It is more about sea days and relaxing and spending some time together away from the office.

our guide Francia

So at our stop in St. Maarten, we decided to just get off the ship and wing it, see what was out there to do. Moises is not fond of ship tours. There was a boat off the ship that took us in to the town and from there we navigated to an internet cafe with wifi. Beware that in the Caribbean Islands, there are some of the most expensive roaming charges out there. My phone tried to connect via roaming for both the day in St. Maarten and St. Thomas and left me with a horrendous bill. Turn off roaming! Worst part was I never even had service, just my phone attempting to connect over and over again.

We approaced a few taxi drivers until we came upon a really nice young woman named Francia. She hails from Haiti and spoke many languages. She was a bit new to the taxi game and one of the older gentlmen encouraged her to take our fare even though we only had a $100 US bill and wanted just a taxi ride to the French side. She honestly told us she didn't have change, but the older guy said we could get in on the French side, which is totally incorrect as the French side is in Euros. Long story short, when we got over to the French side, I wasn't thriled to get out, so we opted instead for a full island tour for the $100 dollars we had with Francia. She was a lot of fun and we had a great time!

my husband Moises

We did see some minimal hurricane damage, mostly downed trees and debris. The island is a lot bigger than I realized, and there was a lot of traffic. But we had a great day and learned some interesting things that I don't think we would have found out about on a group tour. 

Praetorian Palace of Koper, Slovenia

Praetorian Palace courtyard at Koper, Slovenia

I found the architecture and design of Koper, Slovenia to be amazing and unique. Above is a well that is in an inner court yard of the Praetorian Palace. More info on the Palace can be found on Wikipedia, follow the link above.

Another architectural detail of the Praetorian Palace

And another architectural detail 

The style is considered Venetian Gothic. It was once part of the Venetican Republic.

Sun motif prevalent thoughout Palace

The sun motif was something I saw throughout the Praetorian Palace at Koper, Slovenia. I took the inside tour, which was not really all that impressive, as only a few rooms were open to the general public. Getting out and about and seeing the town was way more exciting!

Koper, Slovenia: A Delight

Graffiti of Koper

The graffiti of Koper, Slovenia is really at a minimum. I took this shot as I loved the guy in the cap and what it says, "Graffiti is Forever." Actually that is true and graffiti has been around a lot longer than we realize. Roman times had graffiti. I couldn't imagine Italy without it. It is just the way Italians express themselves.

Mostly Koper is filled with narrow cobblestone streets, small wonderful shops, including great bakeries and a market with luscious fruit.

Bakery where I ate a cream puff of some sort

Fruit stands are Koper market

I took a very long walk through Koper. It felt safe and relaxed. I walked from the Praetorian Palace to the waterfront, where I saw the fruit stands and stopped to have a very good cappuccino. Not expensive at all, as well. The people mostly did not speak English, but I was able to get by just fine ... holding out coins like I normally do to pay for my purchase. 

Streets of Koper

Koper was a place that calls my name, and I would love to go back. I felt there was much more to see there. I actually took a tour later on that day to see the Lipica horses. The show was good and the horses were beautiful, but i preferred the town over the horse excursion. I could have lingered there all day, walking along and stopping in shops and just gazing at a way of life so different from my own.

me on the streets of Koper

St. Lawrence Cathedral of Trogir

Portal of St. Lawrence

Closeup of the Lion from the Portal of St. Lawrence

 The Portal of the St. Lawrence Cathedral at medieval Trogir in Croatia has to be one of the most impressive portals I have ever seen. The only one that comes close is the Portal left in Lisbon. I say left as the rest of the Church was destroyed by an earthquake, and the Portal is all that remains. The St. Lawrence Cathedral has a pleasant interior, although quite small. But what remains with me almost a year after I saw it, is the amazing entrance.

More detail of the Portal of St. Lawrence Cathedral

More information can be found on the St. Lawrence Cathedral by clicking this link ... Trogir Cathedral. This information is from Wikipedia. Remember to donate to Wikipedia, if possible, as it is operated solely on donations and I like that. No advertising!

Wonderful gargoyle-inspired creatures

Trogir is an amazing place. It is easy to feel as if you have entered a medieval world while here, and I liked it so much better than Split. 

Little girl from our cruise

One of my favorite shots is of a little girl I photographed throughout the day on our tour of Salona and Trogir. What a beauty! 

I highly recommend Trogir for a truly gargoyle-inspired day!

Norwegian Jade Review Part III

Shops opened at night on Norwegian Jade

Norwegian Cruise Line advertises that they are a Freestyle cruise line. I do have to agree with them, but that is not necessarily a good thing. This is the attire people were wearing for dinner on the Norwegian Jade.

Front desk at night on Norwegian Jade

I saw everything just like I saw on the Norwegian ship in Hawaii in 2006. Bedroom slippers, short shorts at night, lots of clothes that looked like they may have been new in the 1950s. I like HAL as people tend to dress up more. 

me and Sarah in 2008 on HAL Noordam

Dinner on Eurodam 2011

To each his own, some people really hate to dress up and probably NCL is perfect for them. On NCL, you don't need to go out and buy a new wardrobe, but what's the fun in that?

Norwegian Jade Review Part II

Cabin steward Manolo

The best part of my Norwegian Jade cruise was my cabin steward, Manolo. He was the nicest, most accomodating and hard-working cabin steward that I have ever encountered on my cruises. Almost every time I left my cabin, there he would be either in a stateroom working or in the hall preparing to go in to a room. He always greeted me by name, asked about the excursions I went on or was leaving for and left me the most beautiful towel animals at night. (I sure missed the chocolates I get on HAL, but that wasn't Manolo's fault.)

Towel animal duck

Towel animal frog

Towel animal elephant

My favorite towel animal of all was the one I labeled "sexy bunny." Really cute!

Towel animal sexy bunny

Norwegian Jade Review Part I

me at Alizar Restaurant

Those of you who read my blog already know I had a lot of misgivings about going on the Norwegian Jade. I was on the Norwegian Pride of America back in 2006 to Hawaii, and I didn't love it. Being that the Jade was originally built as the Pride of Hawaii, a sister ship to the Pride of America, I thought there was a good chance I wouldn't be thrilled. Honestly, I wasn't. Norwegian Cruise Line just is not for me. I love Holland America. I love the dressing up (not every night, but at least a few nights.) I love the older, more sophisticated crowd. I love the attention to detail with all the lovely architectural details of the ships and beautiful china and wonderful uniforms of the staff. I love how well-trained everyone is on Holland America. I love all the fresh flowers. 

Norwegian Jade hull design

But not all was bad on the Jade. The food was surprisingly good. I only had one meal I didn't love at the Alizar, and I told the waiter and he brought me something else. I did eat four nights in the specialty restaurants and really loved Le Bistro and Jade Garden. Cagney's was okay. The steak tasted kind of strange, almost like liver. I did not love Moderno, but it is just too much meat for me. I did eat dinner every night at 6pm. I was traveling alone and brought my Kindle. Some nights I chatted with other singles or groups sitting near me. Often, I read a book. The service is top-notch when they first open the restaurant. I ordered a sparkling water and tipped the waiter each night.

Jade Garden waiter

I had rack of lamb at Le Bistro and escargot that was divine. The green tea ice cream at Jade Garden was to die for, and the dish I had was excellent too. The wait staff in Jade Garden were a lot of fun as well. The Maitre'D asked if I wanted dessert and I asked him if I didn't like it, would they make me eat it like my father always did? The Wine Steward, Maitre'D and waiter all thought that was hugely funny and we joked about it.

Le Bistro Restaurant on Norwegian Jade

The worst part of the ship was the stateroom. To me, it was totally claustrophobic. There was way too much closet space and the bathroom was super cramped and laid out weird. There are two partitions in the tiny bathroom, which separates the toilet from the sink area and then the shower. I did not have a tub. The shower was large, but I missed not having a tub. I am a small person, 5'1" and 118 lbs, and I was knocking my elbow constantly in the toilet area. I cannot imagine how larger and taller people survive in this bathroom. The stateroom itself was also very small. The other really bad layout is the halls. I guess NCL doesn't want to have wide halls so they can have more area for public rooms. But the hallways are very narrow, making it difficult to navigate when people are coming from the other direction.

Also the walls are paper-thin between staterooms, so I got to listen to conversations from my drunken neighbors each night before they went to sleep. My stateroom was quite distant from the reception area, but I could often hear the piano player in my room. 

7th Floor Deck on Norwegian Jade

The other thing I really disliked was the amount of smokers on the 7th floor deck. That is the walking deck and each night when I tried to take my walk after dinner (I usually walked two miles), I was choked by cigarette smoke. In the end, I started walking the jogging track, which was not ideal but better than inhaling second hand smoke.

More to follow in Part II.