2007 WORLD ADVENTURES

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    AUSTRALIA
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    PANAMA CANAL
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    SOUTH AMERICA

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    ALASKA

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    AFRICA

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    AFRICA

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    AFRICA

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    SEYCHELLES ISLANDS

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    BILBAO, SPAIN

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    SPAIN

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    FINLAND

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    RUSSIA

There is a phrase that is often repeated by people who have overcome challenges to their health: “the greatest wealth is health”.  Len and I fully appreciated that sentiment this year as he overcame some serious health challenges; and, we mourned the passing of a dear friend who lost his battle with cancer.  (Ed, we miss you, and you are forever in our hearts!)  In July we set off on a cruise up the Baltic Sea that would lead us to Stockholm,Visby, and Hudiksvall Sweden; then further north to the medieval cities of Vaasa and Ramue, Finland before docking in the delightful capital of  the Aland Archipelago; Mareihamn, where Sharon fell in love with the island’s very special culinary concoction:  the Alan Pannkakas!    We then cruised on to Turku and Helsinki, Finland  then finally, into the long awaited beautiful port of St. Petersbury, Russia for a five-day stay filled with wonderful sights and experiences!  Presently, Sharon has plans for rejoining the ship  with her sister, Betty,  from Tucson, for the express purpose of spending time on the magical island of Malta.

POLAND AND GERMANY

We joined the ship in northern Poland and enjoyed the Old Town of Gdansk before flying to the ancient capital, Krakow,  one of Eastern Europe’s great survivors. A highlight was the Wieliczka salt Mines: filled with amazing altarpieces, religious figures, and relief’s carved from salt, by miners over generations. We spent a morning in the largest Nazi concentration camp,  Auschwitz-Birkenau:  a life-altering experience that is indelibly etched into our psyches.  Our overland exploration continued with a flight into Berlin.  There our hotel on Pariser Platz overlooked the world-renowned Berlin landmark, the Brandenbury Gate; and, we were just steps away from Frank Gehry’s floating boardroom and the beautiful glass-domed Reichstag.  Thanks to our knowledgeable guide, Alex, an educator at the Jewish Museum, we maximized our two-day stay: we checked out Check Point Charley;  The Jewish Museum;  The Monument to the Murdered Jews;  The Topography of Terror; and, the parking lot that now covers the bunker where Hitler took his life - a very fitting non-monument for the monster!  We had a lovely excursion to Potsdam where we toured Frederic the Great’s pastoral retreat ‘Sans Souci’.  Back in Berlin, Sharon visited the Pergamon Museum inhaling the grandeur of the famous Blue Ishtar Gate.
Embarked:  July 25th 2007
Debarked:  August 3rd 2007

  • Gdansk (Poland)
  • Krakow (Poland)
  • Auschwitz (Poland)
  • Birkenau (Poland)
  • Berlin (Germany)
  • Potsdam (Germany)
  • Szczecin (Poland)
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SWEDEN

The Stockholm Archipelago, just try to imagine, has over 24,000 islands, islets, and skerries (that’s a rocky islet or reef just so you’ll Know!).  So, naturally some of our time had to be spent on a local ferry: just because we’re cruising on a ship doesn’t mean we ever get over the wonder of water travel!  And, of course we had to stop at the local ice bar, don proper garb, and enjoy a cocktail from a freshly frozen glass...thankfully we’d been treated to a lovely traditional tea at The Grand Hotel so we didn’t get too out of hand (thanks MIke!).  Our stop in Visby, on Gotland (in the middle of the Baltic Sea) was planned to coincide with the annual Medieval Faire, which takes place inside the 3 km long wall that surrounds the city:  medieval dress and jousting matches were the order of the day.  Their fantastic little museum houses the most extensive collection of Rune Stones likely to be found in one spot, Sharon was thrilled, as was Len who took advantage of the opportunity to golf!  At Hudiksvall, the oldest town in north Sweden, located in the province of Halsingland, Sharon traipsed off with a group, led by our on-board archeologist, to explore an ancient Saami Site while Len explored the ancient art of golf.  The Church Village of Gammelstad at Lulea, (424 tiny wood-built houses still in use today), dates from the 15th century when worshipping was not optional - you either prayed or you paid!  If a local farmer lived too far from a church to attend service every Sunday, he was obliged to make it up by traveling to the nearest “church town” a minimum of one weekend a month, or pay harsh fines.  Ouch!
Embarked:  August 4th 2007
Debarked:  August 19th 2007

  • Stockholm (Sweden)
  • Visby (Sweden)
  • Hudiksvall (Sweden)
  • Lulea (Sweden)
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FINLAND

Unlike all other states on the European continent that were involved in the Second World War,  Finland was never occupied by foreign forces: they fought with Germany against the Soviet Union who had long attempted to conquer them.  This fierce streak of independence (which the Fins hold dear) is partially a result of its long struggle to overcome domination by Sweden dating back to the 12th century.  Our first ports of call in this tiny Nordic country were the small tranquil towns of Turku, home to Finland’s oldest medieval castle dating from the 13th century; Vaasa, located at the narrowest point of the Gulf of Bothnia; and, Rauma, the largest preserved medieval wooden town in the Nordic region.  The Aland archipelago is an autonomous, demilitarized, part of Finland; they have their own national flag and their own postage stamps, but use the Finnish zip code system; and, they are Swedish-speaking!  Their smallest postal code is for the capital, Mariehamn, where we spent seveal leisurely days.  While Len golfed, it quickly became Sharon’s mission to consume as many Aland’s Pannkakas (a unique square pancake smothered with whipped cream and raspberry sauce as possible.  Heavenly.  We finalized our Finnish excursion in Helsinke, a surprisingly beautiful and cosmopolitan city, filled with sidewalk cafes; unique boutiques: a lovely Esplanade Park; a thriving Market Square; and, friendly Fins who love to tell you a good joke about their neighbors, the Swedes.
Embarked:  August 20th 2007
Debarked:  August 27th 2007

  • Vaasa (Finland)
  • Ramue (Finland)
  • Mariehamn, Aland Island (Finland)
  • Turku (Finland)
  • Helsinki (Finland)
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MOSCOW

We are bamboozled by our day in Moscow. . . here we are in the heart of Russia, homeland of our longtime arch-rival: a city that we expected would be mostly drab, dulled by oppression, yet here it is in Technicolor!  Our witty guide for the day is full of optimism and is obviously very proud to be a “Muscovite”. She has a keen sense of the enormity of Russian history and she knows the city landscape like the back of her hand.  We are astonished to hear that the unemployment rate is at 1%, and rather startled to learn that there are jobs the Muscovites won’t do: and that they, like the U.S., depend on migrant workers.  This year Moscow celebrates its 860th birthday: colorful flags line the boulevards, banners are unfurled on skyscrapers, and a profusion of well-groomed flower gardens dot the landscape.  The streets and sidewalks are swept clean for company, and we are thrilled to be the guests!  The Kremlin; the nine-domed Annunciation Cathedral; Red Square (Red Square!); St. Basil’s Cathedral; Lenin's Mausoleum; GUM Department Store; Czars and Czarinas, serfs, communism, the siege of Leningrad, the KGB, the circus, the ballet,  --  no fiction can equal the reality that is Russia. Ahh, Russia.
Embarked:  August 29th 2007
Debarked:  August 29th 2007

  • Moscow (Russia)
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SAINT PETERSBURG

The network of canals and rivers surrounding St. Petersbury create the illusion of a romantic fairy-tale setting that is unlike any other city we’ve visited.  Peter the Great dreamed it up, had it designed and built by the most famous Russian and European architects of the day; made it the capital of Russia - and the rest is history, lots of it!  Every moment of our five-day visit to Russia was crammed with activity.  Day one took us to Catherine’s Palace and its famous Amber Room, later that evening we enjoyed an enchanting musical evening at The Hermitage Museum -- with our small group, we were able to see many of the highlights of its collection. (Sharon practically swooned upon seeing Rembrandt’s extraordinary painting “Descent From The Cross” and hasn’t fully recovered yet!)  The next day we flew to Moscow for a power tour that exposed a complex and stunning city celebrating its 860th year!  Back in St. Petersburg, we cruised the rivers and canals to Yusupov Palace and saw the infamous Rasputin Cellar.  That evening we were treated to our first ballet performance: Swan Lake... when in Russia! (Thank you Imelda!!)  The following day  we drove to Streina, and toured Constatine Palace -- the state residence of President Putin.  After a scrumptious Russian lunch that included (to-die-for) caviar and blinis, we arrived at Peterhof, Peter’s summer palace. Astonishingly beautiful!
Embarked: August 28th, 2007
Debarked: September 1st, 2007

  • St Petersburg (Russia)
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