Awoke to blue skies and the wonderful view of Bari in South Eastern Italy. After a visit to the gym we headed ashore. On googling prior to trip it didn't seem to have much to offer, but I found a bike company called Velo who offered old city tours in a rickshaw. The photos on the web were of happy smiling handsome young Italians hosting the tours and it certainly was accurate advertising. I had booked it online, no payment required, and we were met as we stepped off the ship by a lovely young man from Velo who then introduced us to our driver/rider for the morning - Ivan. Well it was the best value trip we have done. He was a local born and bred, loved the city with a passion and the history even more so. He cycled us through narrow lanes, past amazing historic forts and churches, stopping to explain each one's 'story'. We heard stories about the Italians stealing the bones of St nicholas from the Turks, of a polish queen, Mussolini, Putins recent visit and lots of other tales. He really could have told us anything and we would have believed him as he was just so engaging. We got complimentary gelato, visited Italian ladies who were sitting outside their homes making this amazing pasta and the best part was- they were locals - not set up for the tourists. Back to the ship for a swim, spa, Mojito and lunch. We had arranged to meet Lu and Tony for a drink as the ship left the port at 3. John and I left the sanctuary of the Yacht club, to head to a back bar on the ship which we thought would nice for a quiet catch up with them. Oh dear my friends, I cannot begin to give you a visual picture of the contrast between 'our private area' and the rest of the ship. For Seinfeld fans, remember Jerry in the plane in first class and Elaine in economy - that was what we saw. Thousands of people around the pool, screaming children and not a spare seat in sight. John and I were very unnerved by the whole experience:) and we so much wanted to run back to our sanctuary and obliterate the memory with a MaiTai, but we were committed to meeting our friends. Finally, after fighting our way through the crowds and a few bruised toes later, we spotted them perched on a garden bed ledge as that was the only space on the entire deck. Now I imagine this is not 'selling' the thought of cruising to those reading this, but honestly, when we have been on the NCL lines, we never felt like this. Unfortunately for L and T, they have a set time allotted to them for dinner, 6.30 and have to share a table with others. The entertainment is, to put it politely 'glib' and what is it about Europeans, but none of the 'exciting' activities, like trivia, bingo or dance lessons - start till 11pm! Thank goodness for the casino I say - they have happy hours where each chip is only 25 cents and John and I look like millionaires with only $25 of chips.
Anyway, I digress. We had a drink with L and T who really don't seem to be enjoying themselves (understandably) and bid our farewells as we had a date with a body scrub and massage in the spa area. I felt a pang of guilt about us having such a different experience to them, but the firmness of the massage helped me to let it go:)
Another magnificent dinner, a win in the casino then to our private piano bar for a Baileys (Ruthy this was for you) then back to our cabin where the fruit had been topped up, pillows fluffed and a good night chocolate.
Tomorrow Katakolon in Greece. Xx