Amsterdam to Turkey

I haven't blogged the last few days because it's been a busy few days. Mom and I got back to Amsterdam and hit the ground running with a trip to the Anne Frank Huis. The following day, we played tour guide some more and went on a canal cruise, then went for lunch, then Mom went on a tour of some windmills while I Skyped with my sister-in-law and niece and nephew. Then Mom went to the Van Gogh Museum and got back late. The following morning, it was up and Adam to get Mom all packed and to the airport by 9am. I was meeting two of the "Heathers" (aka Michael and Matthew) at the airport at 9:30 who were coming for a day and a night of debauchery in the 'Dam. We met up, got back to town and then hit it. Hard. We went to Barney's and had some local "coffee" and for a second there, weren't sure if we were ever going to be able to get up and leave. Eventually we did, and I led a nice walking tour of the highlights of downtown Amsterdam. We had lunch and then we got the boys all checked into their hotel. They wanted a little time to explore by themselves, and I had packing/cleaning to do, so I headed back to the house and started packing for my upcoming cruise of the Black Sea. I also started cleaning the house for my inspection of my apartment by my landlord. The Heathers called a couple of hours later wanting to meet up for dinner and drinks, so we walked to one of my favorite bars, Prik, for a couple of drinks. Then we headed to Chinatown for dinner at the famous snack shop Thai Bird. After that, we had drinks on the Zeedijk and then headed over to a leather bar because one of the Heathers (I won't say which) is into that. I led them there and had a drink there with them, but then I left them to their own devices and said our goodbyes, because I would not be up showing them to the airport the following morning. It was a ton of fun hanging out with these guys and showing them my stomping ground. I can't wait to visit them in San Francisco in October!

After all my company had departed, I really hit the cleaning hard. I have way too many things that have accumulated over the last two years to take home with me in one trip, so unfortunately some things aren't going to make the cut. I did clean and get the apartment looking nice by the time my landlord came by. I spent the rest of the day taking it easy and watching the rest of season 4 of Brothers and Sisters. The following day, in was up, packed, and to the airport by noon for my 1:45 flight to Athens. The flight was short and on-time. I love how hassle-free travel within Europe has become: no changing currency, no immigration/customs, etc. However, one must look at the political climate of the country you are going to... I had heard that the economic situation in Greece had led to some demonstrations. I had no idea how widespread, systematic, and destructive these demonstrations could be. People are pissed and on strike. No taxis. There was only 1 person at the immigration terminal of the cruise ship (where 700 people were standing in line to board the ship - an absolute nightmare). But eventually I made it to my hotel for the night, and then to the ship the following afternoon. I am cruising with Regent Seven Seas for the first time, and the hotel the night before was included! It made for as stress-free an embarkation as there could be, but the skeleton crew at the docks made the check-in process unbearably long. At any rate, I eventually got on board, checked into my stateroom (which is perfectly located - thanks Churchill & Turen!), and then went to the mandatory lifeboat drill. Then had an excellent massage, drank the bottle of champagne that was chilling in my room upon check-in, had a small bite of dinner and then went to bed!

This morning I was up and we had arrived near Ephasus, Turkey. I decoded not to go on the tour because I will be coming back and touring Ephasus next month with Out Adventures, and wanted to wait to explore the site with a little more active a group. We will be sailing into the Black Sea and to Russia tomorrow (and will arrive Saturday). Can't wait!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Ephasus, Turkey