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Published: December 29th 2009
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Hello again,
Today we're in Izmir and just about to leave here and onto Athens. Today was about an 8 hour stopover and it was great - while not a lot to be seen historically in that time, we saw a few things and went to the Bazaar here - fantastic and excellent prices and good quality too. We found it very civilised after being harassed everywhere else we've been and it was nice not to have it happen here.
We had a taxi driver for 30 Euros for 3 hours and he showed us around the town and also translated for us when necessary - good to have him with us.
I bought a nice black leather coat which has cream trim on pockets, hood, and cuffs and am really happy wiht it - also bought a beaded top -Should go nicely with my black satin pants ready for New Years Eve - going to Cagney's Steak House on board - which is very high brow on here. I noticed a few others out shopping for NYE too. One old place we went to and had to go up a high lift to get to too -
amazing old lift - got on it via a door rather than the usual type on a lift and when we got to the top of the building we heard someone say hello to us - on the other side of the building was a fella and his son whom we had spoken to several times on the ship!!
We were running out of brandy so ended up buying some Bacardi instead - couldn't find any Brandy, anyway to avoid detection when getting back on the ship, we sat in a park decanting the bacardi into a water bottle - got rid of the water first and filled up the bottle - got rid of the evidence of the booze bottle and boarded the ship..... would you believe that for the first time our stuff didn't go through a scanner and they didn't check anything!!! So what did we do - the little booze shop we passed close to the ship had brandy so back we went and bought a bottle!
We found Izmir clean and tidy and very little crime here - very severe penalties for the most minor offences plus the driving here was not erratic
at all - nice place to come back to.
I haven't mentioned before but each night before or after dinner we have been going to the shows onboard which have been great, there is plenty to do on board and shopping as well - quite a lot to choose from but we decided to do most of our shopping in Barcelona when we get back there on Sunday - we're there for 9 days so have plenty of time - getting it all home is another issue....
Just a few of the things they have on board to do include, Movies, learning to dance, Bingo, all sorts of games including Wii, Game shows, Trivia nights, Party Line Dancing Clases, Golf putting challenges, Bridge and other card games, plus heaps more and some change on a daily basis, there is a couple of pools and Jacuzzis, outdoor games, lots of restaurants (13), library, gym, Ying and Yang Spa Centre, Internet Centre, Photo gallery, Jade Club Casino, Jewelry shop - has some gorgeous rings in there..., about 8 bars, Spinnaker Room for disco type stuff at night and heaps more!! Never need to be bored!
We also bought a
wine pack on board - 12 bottles of mixed white wine - we're doing well and have 6 bottles left so should work out just right.
When we got back I sat out on the balcony with a brandy and my book... as you may see in a photo here. Also some bridal gowns - which were amazing - since we know a few people who are probably getting married soon - this is for you!!
Must get back to my book before heading off for yet another 3 course meal and show.... hope all is well in your world.
Love the happy travellers.
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dottipitt
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Turkey
Quite a contrast between Cairo and Izmir, unfortunate to have missed Rhodes but maybe on another trip. Your wardrobe additions sound lovely , you'll sparkle the night away on New Years Eve with that beaded top..wow. Good idea to shop at leisure in Barcelona next week. Meanwhile have a fantastic New Year's Eve , will be thinking of you with much love xxx