Katakolon (Olympia), Greece

4/10/2006

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise. This was supposed to be a sea day but the captain decided to surprise us. At about 10:45 AM he came over the loud speakers and announced that we were going to make a stop at the Greek port of Katakolon, the port town for the city of Olympia. Olympia is where the first Olympics were held.

We were to dock at noon and leave a t 6:00 PM. There was also a letter left on our door with a little further information. There was a second letter for Gold and Platinum Seven Seas Society members. Those are people that have sailed over 75 days with Radisson/Regent, not including this world cruise. They were having a special lunch, for just us, at a restaurant on the waterfront, just a few blocks walk from the ship.

This was just a small port village that must get a lot of tourists because there many little tourist stores and open air restaurants. It is a very typical looking little Med village as you might see on postcards.

There were a dozen or so taxis just at the end of the pier but really no where to go. Olympia is 45 minutes away but there is really nothing to see there, so the taxis sat unused all day.

As we walked by these taxis, on the way to lunch, every single driver had to ask us if we wanted a taxi or if we wanted to go to Olympia. You would think they might have figured out that you did not want to go anywhere when they could plainly hear you tell that to the last several drivers who just asked the same question. But no. Each driver would have to ask every person walking by the same question. Some would even get a little nasty if you just waked and paid no attention to them.

It was only about 60 degrees out but the wind was mild and in the sun it was warm enough to be comfortable as we walked along the waterfront to about the third restaurant in a row. The signs out in front of each advertising exactly the same food items. This little town was quaint and very pleasing to walk around.

Once we got to the restaurant, we had been invited to, Moutagio, there were tables set up and three buffet lines. There were also far too many people to have been all gold and platinum members not counting this year’s cruises. No one was taking names or seeing if there were people that didn’t belong there but there were plenty of tables and chairs.

The food was good and there was plenty. The captain was seated just across from us. He was really stuffing his face. The ships officers were acting as waiters and were bringing around wine, beer, soft drinks and water. I guess they didn’t give the restaurant enough time to hire some help.

After lunch Bobbi and I wondered around the stores on the waterfront and a few blocks on the street just inland. After a while my stomach didn’t feel too good and I started back to the ship. Art had already left. I started to feel a little better just before getting to the ship and stopped to wait to see if Bobbi might be coming. Silly me. There were stores of course. Finally Muriel came by and I gave up and walked back to the ship with her.

Something was still bothering me when Bobbi did finally show up at the room. By about 7:00 PM we went to dinner and met the Kapels at the Veranda restaurant. It was an Italian Bistro again. I had gone to the appetizer buffet intending to get just a drop of stuff to taste but as usual it turned out to be a plate full. The onion rings are always the culprits. After sitting down I had a few bites and believe or not, started felling really bad and left without eating dinner. Yep. You heard it here first. I finally missed a meal. This has got to be a first, at least for this last half century. Something I ate at lunch really didn’t like me. Finally by 10:00 PM or so I felt well enough to type this thing. Looks like I might live after all.

The surprise had made for a very nice day, excepting of course their trying to poison me.

Poisoned Sherm Out

PS Bobbi is going along with the therapy. We are slowly weaning her off of purchasing everything in sight. Just to show she could kick the habit, she bought nothing. However she told me it was a battle. She had found this gorgeous, huge sculpture of a fish. She knew we had no place to put it but that would not have stopped her. Not being able to lift it did slow her down some.