Postcard from Minerva in the Aegean & Mediterranean, Sept-Oct 2012

After a rather early start to get to Gatwick by 6.30, I eventually took off for Izmir in Turkey at 10am [instead of 9am] and arrived at 3.30pm local time.  Everything worked very easily on arrival and I embarked on Minerva around 5pm and installed myself in my wonderful suite on Bridge Deck.  I had been given a complimentary upgrade to this suite – not quite sure why, but it was a real treat!  After unpacking I met up with Captain Giovanni for a chat on the Bridge and then joined a very lively table for dinner.  After a nightcap in the Wheeler Bar with friends I had an earlyish night!

On Thursday morning I went on a city tour of Izmir, which was interesting and pleasant in glorious sunshine and in the afternoon we sailed for Thessaloniki.  That evening was the Captain’s Welcome Party – I was not on his table this time, but I did meet up with some old friends and we linked up with two Swan staff and had a lovely chatty table.  We finished up in the new Orpheus Bar dancing the night away!  Friday was another glorious day, so as I had been there before I cried off my excursions and spent the day relaxing on the top deck.  In the evening I found myself at a table with, amongst others, two other ladies who have cruised on Swan as much as me, so a fascinating dinner!  Watched a bit of musical show afterwards and after a nightcap had a reasonably early night!

On Saturday, after a morning on the top deck in glorious sunshine, we arrived in Kavalla in Greece, and I went on an excursion to Xanthi, which was a very interesting little town, and we stopped en route to see the wonderful countryside around the Nestos River.  In the evening I met up with Captain Giovanni for a drink in the new Orpheus Bar, and then we had a fun dinner together in the Veranda restaurant before he had to take the ship out of Kavalla and on to Rhodes, which sadly meant I was the only one drinking!! Sunday we cruised the Aegean Sea all day so, except for going to a party for Single travellers at lunchtime, I was soaking up the sunshine on the top deck, and met up with some old friends for dinner.

 

At 8am on Monday 1^st October we arrived in beautiful Rhodes on another sunny day.  The morning was spent on a tour around the East Coast of the island, passing Lindos and spending half an hour on a beach at Haraki.  Then back to the ship for a few hours on the top deck before visiting The Bridge to watch us sail for Antalya.  That evening two friends joined me in my suite for drinks and then we dined together.  Early on Tuesday we arrived in Antalya and by 8.30 I was on my way to Termessos, otherwise known as the Eagle’s Nest.  We drove up a mountain for 40 minutes and then walked up for over an hour to find this amazing place on top of a mountain.  Then of course there was the long walk back down again!  The afternoon was spent recovering on the top deck!  In the evening once again, some old friends came to drinks in my suite and we dined together afterwards.

On Wednesday we arrived very early in Alanya, a stunning Turkish port with a beautiful castle on the skyline. As there were two other large ships in port our excursions were delayed until the afternoon, when I visited the old citadel and the Red Tower.  On Thursday morning we arrived at the scruffy port of Tasucu in Turkey, from where I visited Silifke Castle – a long climb up to this old castle where some amazing archaeological work has been done on the site and there were some stunning views from up high.  That evening I gave a party in my suite for the Captain, officers and Swan staff and then the Staff Captain and I had dinner together.

 

On Friday 5^th October we arrived outside Beirut at 6am but then the UN, who patrol the seas, decided they needed to check us out, so the military boarded the ship, checked us out, and only after that, one hour later, were we allowed to sail into the harbour. I eventually left on a trip which took us through Beirut up into the mountains to the Beit Eddine Palace – although I had seen it before it was well worth a second visit.  This is the President’s summer residence.  We stopped at a little town, Deir El Kamar, for a wander around on our way back to Beirut and I spent the afternoon on board having been to Beirut before! 

Early on Saturday we arrived at yet another scruffy port – Limassol! [Tasucu and Beirut were pretty unimpressive!]  At 10.30 I met up with my De La Rue friends, Lorna and Jeremy Shearman, and we went off for a wonderful lunch in Pissouri.  I had such a good lunch that I declined dinner that evening!  Then we had a day at sea during which we were asked to partake in a Crew Emergency Drill, which was quite an experience, and in the evening it was the Farewell Dinner.  The following morning we arrived at Syros at 8am and I went for a walk around Ermoupoli, the capital of this lovely little Greek Island.  It was wonderful to be able to walk from the ship into Town.  We left there at 4.30 and headed for Athens, where we arrived at 11pm, having watched a wonderful sunset en route.  As I have been to Athens many times before, I stayed on the ship all day Tuesday, last minute sunbathing, having a long chat with my friend Captain Giovanni, and doing my packing.  In the evening I met up with some friends for dinner.  On departure day, Wednesday, it was pouring with rain, but I had a very smooth flight home, the only delay being with the luggage on arrival at Heathrow.  I was home by 6.30pm after a wonderful holiday.