Day 8: Sea Day

The last full day of the cruise, and it is nice to have a sea day to relax before the end.  I had a light breakfast; the bread and butter are my weakness.

The sea was calm today but the sun stayed hidden!

A liquid lunch with a side of trivia and origami! 

I took some time in the cabin doing a little packing and relaxing.  Then ate all my favorites at Indulge Food Hall one last time; stuffed dates, freshly made naan, and pineapple.

The sunset on the last night was the best!

Day 7: Costa Maya, Mexico

Costa Maya isn't the most exciting cruise port unless you want to shop, swim, or hang out at the bars at the arrival area.  The most popular ruins near Costa Maya are Chacchoben which means the place of the red corn.  Three words:  jungle, ruins, monkeys . . . I was hoping to see all three today.  I picked this excursion and my parents just went along because they are easy going!  We are headed to the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins.  I picked a small group excursion in a van with only 10 people . . . it only cost $10 more per person!  So much better than a big bus of 50 people.  The drive was about an hour so not too bad.  

The first human settlement dates back to around 1000 BC.  Our guide did an excellent job sharing historic facts, how the site used to be, what was eaten by the people and how life in this lush jungle area was for them from day to day.

Beautiful plants growing out of trees.

More remains of a pyramid/temple base.

Steps that we did not climb . . . apparently the view was amazing on the other side.

It is a very well kept area . . . easy walking path that is clearly marked.  The grounds were so full of lush plants and vines.

I found this interesting as it looked like a pinecone but was actually a variety of coconut.  Each one was the size of a large nut.  The individual pods were hard but inside was a smaller pod that was the actual coconut/nut.  I do not remember exactly the name or what they are called but they are pretty cool.

. . . and finally the grand ruins of Temple One.

It was a quick hour drive back to the ship . . . we were pushing it on time which I hate but knew the ship would wait since we were on one of the ship's organized excursion.  We got back onboard with 10 minutes before the all on board time and had a nice lunch at The Local.  We were only in port for 5 hours so everyone was out and about making it crowded on board . . . and we were over an hour late leaving due to some tardy parties that didn't seem to think the all on board time was for them.

Day 6: Roatan, Honduras

We have our first official excursion today.  My choices are a lot more low key due to my limitations with shoulder surgery and my parents need easier these days.  I gave them a list of excursions and let them pick.  We are headed to a Coconut Farm with an Island Lunch.  I had low expectations but knew it would just be nice to be off the ship and seeing how the locals lived.  The drive was far and it seemed as if there was only one way to get to our stop.  We arrived at the Coconut Adventures near the French Harbour.  

We enjoyed a very informative and educational talk on all that coconuts had to offer.  My dad was in heaven!  Each tree will produce 175-200 coconuts a year.  The flower is the long skinny thing you see in the photos above.  A coconut has 3 faces and 3 sides.  The coconut milk is used as a laxative and to help with menopause symptoms.  They passed around samples of fresh coconut milk and people were afraid to try it because they stressed so many times how effective and quickly it would work.  

  

At the end of the presentations we were served a local lunch of chicken cooked in coconut milk, rice & beans, and fried plantains with coconut lemonade.  The meal was amazing!

I am usually a bit picky about eating local food when on tours, but I was hungry.  The food was so good!

As we drove back to the cruise port our guide was telling us about the local culture.  I always find the information about education interesting.  School is not required!  Uniforms are required if you attend school.  She told us most kids that do go to school stop going around 12 so they can work and earn money.  I found this crazy.  Most go work labor jobs and she said the craftmanship is awful.  Of course it is when you have 12 year old uneducated kids doing the job.  Electricity is very expensive and gasoline was $6 a gallon.  Everyone on the island loves Bojangles . . . I've never eaten at one but there is one near me in a gas station.

It was back to the ship for a relaxing afternoon and sail away.

Day 5: Harvest Caye, Belize

Welcome to . . . . 

Today we are at one of Norwegian Cruise Lines private islands,  Harvest Caye.  

There are many things to do around the island but for us it was a nice relaxing day on the beach!

As we were leaving, we walked through the Wildlife Experience.  They had a few animals and a beautiful butterfly house to walk inside!  There were so many big beautiful blue butterflies.

 

I found this Ceiba Tree really interesting.

It was a long walk back to the ship, but they had golf carts available for a small tip . . . my parents appreciated the ride back!

Day 4: Cozumel, Mexico

For the first time ever, I have not planned an excursion in Cozumel.  We are just getting off and walking around.  We docked in Punta Langosta which is the heart of downtown San Miguel de Cozumel.  

There is a waterfront walkway that goes to the Parque Benito Juarez so we started walking.

We walked around and then headed back to the ship.  It was a lot of tourist souvenir shops which we were not interested in visiting.  It was nice to just get outside and enjoy the beautiful sunny day.  So we went back to the ship.  These desserts look so good but no so much!  I do love they are only about 3 bites so not a lot of waste.

We ended the night with the production of Beetlejuice.

Day 3: Sea Day

It was a dreary day with a rough sea!  I had planned to lay outside in a lounge chair most of the day but well it was rainy and cold so spent a lot of time in the cabin relaxing.

Day 2: cruising the VIVA again

Here I go again . . . I loved the NCL VIVA so much that when she came to Texas; I booked another cruise!  I have been to all the port stops but that is okay.  I needed a break and this will be a great week of hanging out, eating, and relaxing.  The ship seems a bit crowded with limited menus, but it was fun being back onboard and showing my parents around.  We have connecting interior cabins . . . think small but the bathroom is really big to me.

 

Good-bye Galveston . . . see you in a week!

If you remember I sailed this same ship from Istanbul to Athens last October and loved the Indulge Food Hall.  I could not wait for my first meal!

And of course there was pineapple for dessert!

Trip Review: Istanbul to Athens

What do I even call this trip?  
EurAsiaAfr?  

I do not know, but I do know that I had a great time!

4 countries:  Türkiye, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece 
3 continents:  Europe, Asia, Africa

With a cruise in the middle.  

WOW, that was a lot of ground to cover!  I loved every minute.  I always get asked what was my favorite trip and honestly every trip is my favorite.  I find I am a better person when I am traveling!

FAVORITES

Turkish Hamam

Pyramids and Sphynx

Delos Island

Greek Food

Santorini sunset was amazing!

I had three British Airways flights and must say all were amazing! I was in business class so I can’t compare how things were in the back of the plane.

NOT SO GOOD

Istanbul.  While it is a beautiful city, I found it crowded and not exactly what I thought it would be.  Of course the taxi scammer will never be forgotten, but as a solo female traveler; it is a one and done for me.  There are other places in Türkiye that I would like to visit so maybe I will be back in the future.

Crowds.  I have read for years about how locals really do not like cruise ships stopping due to the crowds.  I did not understand as it brings in so much money when the people visit.  This trip I got it.  They are correct especially at some of the Greek island stops.  Most days we were the only ship in port but it was nearing the end of the season.  I can not imagine what Santorini would be like with 5 ships!  I do not know the solution but when people stop coming will they complain about the lack of revenue those people brought to their town?

Day 14: good-bye VIVA; hello Athens, Greece

I was in no hurry to get off the ship.  The cruise has come to an end.  It was a great itinerary, and I really did enjoy the NCL VIVA.  Here is a recap of my cruise journey!

I  am spending two full days in Athens.  I finally got off and it was a bit of a mess with rain and people everywhere.  There was no sense of direction . . . I don't know if it was because it was a Sunday morning or if this is normal.  I just sort of walked off and no one checked my passport or anything.  There was a sign saying ride share ahead but ahead where was not given.  I asked; no one knew.  I saw another American couple and asked them.  They had no idea either.  So I took my chances and ordered an Uber and hoped for the best.  My car was here but not where I said I was but he finally found me and had me at my hotel in no time.  Oh, Athens why you raining!  My room was not ready but got access to Club Lounge for some local treats. I don’t know what they are but they are yummy. 

I ordered an Uber to take me to my first stop.  I get in and he tells me that it’s not possible to go where I want to go, but he can drop me off at the next block.  I said no thanks I paid for this ride so how about you take me as close to Temple of Olympian Zeus.  Apparently all streets in the city center were closed for a bike ride so he really could not take me where I wanted to go, but he also wasn’t willing to cancel my ride and refund me so I was going to get something out of my cost.  So I quickly changed my plans and started at Temple of Olympian Zeus.

I really did not have anything else on my list and the weather was awful.  I did a quick google search and saw that on Sunday at 11am they do a changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknow in full-dress ceremonial uniform.  So that is where I started walking towards.  Well, apparently so did every other person in Athens too.  It was packed!  You could not see anything but actually there wasn’t much to see due to the weather.  Since it was raining, a van pulled up to the area and they changed places . . . no band or pomp.  It was kind of funny but once the crowded cleared out I got a closer look at Evzones in their unique uniforms! 

The weather was not getting any better as I walked through the Athens National Garden.  I found a random Roman bathhouse ruins that were discovered when they were building a metro station.

I made the decision to head back to the hotel.  It was about a 40 minute walk so off I went back to the hotel . . . surely my room would be ready?  NOPE!  In fact the hotel was even worse than when I left several hours ago.  The hotel is packed and it’s a mess!  There are people everywhere waiting to get their room.  I went to the lounge and it was packed and only place to sit was on the floor.  My room was finally ready at 330pm.  I grabbed my bag and was calling it a day!  Dinner in bed.

My impressions of Athens are still not great! Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

Day 13: Mykonos, Greece

I can’t believe today is the last stop of this cruise. It went by slow and then bam it’s over.  Originally, I had not planned an excursion but at the last minute booked one and it probably was one of the best of the trip!
Excursion: Delos: The Birthplace of Artemis & Apollo
We took a short boat ride to Delos Island.  Delos is known as the mythological birthplace of the twin gods Artemis and Apollo. According to legend, their mother, Leto, gave birth to them on the island after fleeing the wrath of Hera.  It was pretty cool to arrive by boat and see all the ruins.  It is now a significant UNESCO World Heritage Site with extensive ancient ruins. It is very well-preserved archaeological site and has the famous Terrace of the Lions.

The ferry took us back to Mykonos and dropped us right where I wanted to go!  It was time to wander and enjoy.  I loved the streets.  The dark stone with crisp white just made everything pop.

Little Venice

The famous windmills

I really just enjoying wandering the beautiful streets but it was easy to get turned around. They were decorating this chapel with fresh flowers.

I stopped for lunch at a tourist place but was yummy!

I headed back towards the shuttle bus back to the ship.  It was unsafe and too far to walk, and the ship provided a free shuttle!  The day is done.