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Europe, England & Greece 2023Europe, England & Greece 2023
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Our winter getaway this year will take us to The Netherlands for a cruise around Norway. Next stop will be a few weeks in France before we cross The Channel to visit friends in England. The final stage of our holiday is to explore Greece. Read more
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  • Europe, England & Greece 2023
    Day 1

    Here we go

    June 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Bon voyage Melbourne. Your winter has driven us away again. Our trip will take us to Europe for the next 7+ weeks.

    Always sad to leave family, friends and a pet behind but our travel itch needs scratching.

    First drama is no Bacardi in the Qantas club! Sharon went back in time and had a Kaluha and soda!

    Off to Doha at 9pm flying Qatar who were recently voted runner up for the world’s best airline.

    Our flight was 14.5 hours and we landed in Doha at 4:45am and it was already 35 degrees. Qatar lived up to their promise. Food and media selection was great, and the seats seemed to have more legroom than normal.

    We both managed to get some decent sleep. The Doha airport is massive and impressive. My life membership with Qantas allowed us to use the executive lounge so we both had a shower and revitalized for the next leg.

    The airport is a Mecca of shops. Our fav was the M&M display. No, you get in the bowl!

    We fly at 8:10am to Amsterdam. This flight will only be 7 hours!    Read more

  • Europe, England & Greece 2023
    Day 2

    Amsterdam culture & snarls

    June 16, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    The flight across went above Iraq and Turkey. It went quickly and on arrival into Amsterdam we were greeted with out-of-order escalators and only four customs officers to process over 500 passengers. Our patience was tested.

    The pre purchased train tickets worked really well and in no time, we had moved from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central station. At this point we had a choice of the underground or a taxi to get to our Airbnb, so I recommended a taxi as we were lumping around 50kg of luggage.

    Being a taxi driver in Amsterdam has recently become a nightmare. Our taxi on the rank asked us if he could take another elderly lady with us and share the fare also so it was worth his while. I knew it should have been about a 10 minute trip but I was politely told no it was an hour and 45 euros. The mayor of Amsterdam is implementing significant changes to the CBD. The latest is all the downtown is car free, so we had to drive all around the lock out zone in the worst traffic imaginable. We weren’t conned, it is just a logistical disaster.

    There has also been controversy over closing coffee shops in the red-light district. The mayor wants to clean up the image here.

    Trains for us now!

    We found our Airbnb and we are right downtown in a basement studio below street level. It was precarious getting in, but we are here now, and it will do for a few nights.

    We have to stay awake now and set our body clocks. Sharon booked tickets at the Moco Museum which has a permanent Banksy exhibition and many other “out there” artists on display. It was a decent 30 minute walk there and back so now we are tired. We grabbed a nice Italian feed on the boardwalk cafe. It was lovely watching the pushbike traffic. Everyone seems to own a bike. So many here but no helmets.    Read more

  • Europe, England & Greece 2023
    Day 3

    Say cheese

    June 17, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Today is our only full day in Amsterdam and Sharon has booked a tour which will take us out to the countryside.

    We woke early and had a decent sleep all things considered. Our studio is noisy with a bar next door and the owners in the next level. We were zonked so it didn’t really matter.

    Our goal first thing was to master the underground system which we will do again Sunday. No problem. We are 200 metres from a station, and it is super-efficient. You don’t even need to buy a ticket. Just tap on and off with your credit card.

    It was so quiet at Central station that we became worried about finding somewhere for breakfast. Sharon went into a cannabis cafe thinking they had food! They didn’t but they did direct us to a cute small cafe that served us a meal. Sharon’s mint tea was hilarious. Hot water in a glass crammed with mint on the stalk. She liked it with honey.

    The meeting place for our tour was easy to find and by 9:30 we were on the road.

    The first stop was a genuine Gouda and Clog making factory. The owner is fourth generation and he put on a great show on how the cheese is made and also a demonstration on clog making.

    Next, we stopped at Edam known for its famous cheese too. We were there to walk through one of the oldest parts of Holland. It was such a beautiful place. Some of the canal homes are just stunning. The real flash ones have tearooms on the canal where the owners take tea in the afternoon.

    Lunch was at Volendam. This is a lakeside village where you start to appreciate how much of this area is protected by dams because almost all of this region is below sea level. I had to use google translate to buy a sandwich.

    Last part of the day was a visit to the last remaining working windmills. They are so much bigger than we imagined. Fascinating how they work and pump water back to sea.

    Back to Amsterdam and stuffed up the train trip home. We had an unscheduled train to the suburbs and back. Misread the station name.

    Back at the studio we decided to eat local. Right next to our front door is a bar with snacks right on the canal. We sat and enjoyed everyone buzzing by on bikes.

    I’ve decided Heineken taste better here just like Guinness did in Ireland.

    Time to pack. Tomorrow, we head to Rotterdam to board our cruise ship.    Read more

  • Europe, England & Greece 2023
    Day 4

    On to Rotterdam

    June 18, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    When we booked our cruise to Norway last year it was supposed to sail from Amsterdam. Celebrity Cruise notified us that all cruises would now depart from Rotterdam. Strangely we saw cruise ships locally, so we assume it all came down to cost.

    We left our studio at 9am and navigated our way to central station via the underground. Now we go by surface train to Rotterdam which will take about 70 minutes.

    The taxi to the ship was easy and we are aboard and ready to sail.

    Celebrity Apex is one of the newest in their fleet and it is beautiful inside.

    We found the martini bar and relaxed.

    Tomorrow we are at sea all day sailing. Off to Norway we go.    Read more

  • Europe, England & Greece 2023
    Day 5

    At sea

    June 19, 2023, North Sea ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    Today we head north towards Norway. We track up the North Sea and you can feel it is getting cooler.

    We can use today to explore the ship. The Celebrity Apex is quite stunning and very modern.

    Last night the Martini Bar was our weakness. The barmen were hilarious. There was lots of ice tossing, bottle juggling and cocktails balanced on their heads. The guests loved it.

    Our room has a veranda which forms part of the room. When you want the window down you just close the inner doors. Clever concept.

    Modern artwork and sculptures are in all the corridors and foyers.

    The food so far has been excellent, and the staff are cheery and make you feel welcome. You wouldn’t really know there are 2600 people aboard.
    From what we can tell the majority of guests are from the USA. We even have a guest who has his companion dog with him.

    At 10:30am we have an invite to the Captains Club. It is a function for frequent cruisers. We will meet senior management and the captain himself.

    Mandatory afternoon activity is lounging around and reading.

    In the evening we went to the cabaret show that plays only twice on the cruise. It was a very good production with singing, acrobatics, laser lighting backing the dancers, an extremely talented violinist and loud music. The cast received a standing ovation.    Read more

  • Europe, England & Greece 2023
    Day 6

    Kristiansand, Norway

    June 20, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    There is no quiet way to berth a ship so at 6am we were woken to sounds of docking, forklifts buzzing about and the crew making ready for us to look around in town.

    We have arrived in Norway. Kristiansand is at the southern end of Norway. If you went to the top of Scotland and turned right that is where we are in the world.

    We leave at 5pm, so today we walked around the town instead of doing an excursion. It was a 6km loop, so the feet are a bit sore.

    A moose greeted us on the dock and then you exit the wharf via the fish market. Norwegians eat heaps of seafood. Most of the displays were still live.

    Kristiansand is small and interesting. Reminds us a bit of Alaska. We have never seen so many flowerpots and baskets and the town is sparkling clean. I spotted a remote-control mower with the operator nowhere to be seen.

    Back on board and having a drink on the bar lounge that sits on the outside of the ship. Best view in town when you dock anywhere.

    We have a captains club function at 5pm as we depart.    Read more

  • Europe, England & Greece 2023
    Day 7

    Haugesund, Norway

    June 21, 2023 in Norway ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    We moved up the west coast overnight and now we are alongside at Haugesund.

    This is where the Viking King Ferking came from and his claim to fame is founding Norway after a bloody sea battle in the 700’s.

    The scenery has now changed to fjords. Our cruise terminal is an island in itself purpose built for the cruise ship and oil rig construction industries. Next to us is a platform under construction that is a wind farm. Norway is one of the leading countries to eliminate fossil fuel cars. They will be all electric by 2025.

    Our excursion took us to a fisherman memorial for those lost at sea. The landscape now is all islands with ferries going back and forwards with people, cars and cargo.

    These parts were established in the early 1800’s because there was an abundance of herrings in the waterways. Villages formed to house the fishermen and the villages dried the fish, pickled them in salt and then in wooden barrels. These were then traded in the Baltics.

    Even after that industry died off Norway remains a dominant world supplier of salmon.

    Our bus took us to Skudeneshavn for a few hours. It was a charming village with heaps of old-time character. The museum was exceptional. They had displays of what the town look like 200 years ago. There were so many beautiful pictures to take here.

    The weather has been drizzly today, but the locals seem happy as rain has been rare of late.

    Sunrise is 4:20am at the moment. Sunset is 11pm. We have been told we are not going to see the northern lights at this time of the year.

    Back to the ship and we sail again up the coast further.    Read more

  • Europe, England & Greece 2023
    Day 8

    Geiranger, Norway

    June 22, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Overnight we kept heading north on the North Sea before taking a right hand turn moving slowing into the fjord system on the west coast.

    It looks a bit like the sounds on the South Island of NZ. Just picturesque views all around. At 9:15am we passed the 7 Sisters waterfall. How they do this I do not understand but the Apex did a 360-degree rotation. No such thing as a bad view.

    On to Geiranger which is right at the end of the fjord arm we are on. As we approached the township, they have a floating dock that unravels and extends to the ship, so we don’t have to use tenders here. Remarkable technology but also clever navigation by the captain. The bridge is beside our veranda hand you can see he does it all on a just few joysticks.

    Geiranger is a village at the head of Geirangerfjord. We went up the waterfall stairs to the Norwegian Fjord Center which presented multimedia on the history of the region and its inhabitants. Part of the steep Trollstigen mountain road weaves through the village, connecting to Flydalsjuvet lookout, which has views over the fjord.

    The pictures don’t do justice to the power and speed of the water as it rushes down into the fjord. This location was granted World Heritage status in 2005.

    Avalanches are also a big issue here and locals have been warned of a breach that could happen from a reservoir nearby. They have discovered a cracked ravine that will eventually breach and cave in. When it happens there will be a 25 metre tsunami that will devastate the village we went to today. The locals even leave their car keys in their car when shopping in case there is a need to escape quickly.

    What a terrific day. So beautiful here.    Read more

  • Europe, England & Greece 2023
    Day 9

    Alesund, Norway

    June 23, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Overnight we moved to Alesund which at first glance is a bigger city than what we have been visiting so far.

    Our last excursion today is the only one we didn’t book with the ship. It was a short walk to the pickup point and off we go.

    We head up to the mountains which only a few weeks ago were covered in snow. Now summer has arrived it is melting, so we saw plenty of waterfalls. The foxglove flowers grow wild everywhere here.

    The countryside is picturesque, and the guide explains how the glaciers formed the U-shaped valleys. Our seats were right at the front, so we got the best view.

    We reached the peak of Trollstigen-Land of the Trolls, for some awesome photos of the valley. The rivers are running fast, the waterfalls were loaded and spectacular. Norwegians have a custom of building small rock piles to signify they were there and will return.

    Sitting at the front of the bus was a good idea until the descent. There was barely room for cars to pass let alone a coach. The driver was very experienced while we just hung on to gripping the seat. The hairpin turns were the worst.

    Safely down the mountain, the driver got a well-earned applause and before long we stopped where the troll story is told. Of course, we didn’t see the real ones because they don’t come out in daylight.

    Back on board we did our daily visit to the martini bar. We chatted to a couple who were about our vintage. Alan was a very interesting person. He is retired now but served for 44 years in the US Air Force as a fighter pilot flying M16s. He explained what it was like to be a fighter pilot. We learnt a lot. He doesn’t believe Tom Cruise could fly a jet fighter!

    The show tonight was a Beatles concert, and the crowd were the perfect demographic. Their performance was slick, and they even got a standing ovation. The evening entertainment has been great all week.

    We are back on the North Sea again turning south sailing back to Rotterdam.    Read more

  • Europe, England & Greece 2023
    Day 10

    Sea Day back to Rotterdam

    June 24, 2023, North Sea ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Our last day onboard.

    There are heaps of activities so after breakfast we did some duty-free shopping and then went to the theatre for a presentation on whales. The speaker was passionate about all thing's whales. It was worth watching.

    The Celebrity Apex is only a few years old, so the decor is really modern, and the technology is a step up on our past cruise ships.

    All the restrooms have touch free door openers. Your room has an internal verandah with an electric window, so you choose to have sea air or close it if it is chilly.

    With sunset at 11:30pm and sunrise at 4:20am the block out blind is also electric. You can operate all these things from your phone on an app that also tells you every activity, location and start time.

    Gone is the big formal dining room. Now there are four themed restaurants. You can dine at Normandy (French), Tuscany (Italian), Cyprus (Greek) or Cosmopolitan (international). Half the menu in each is the same standard fare but the other half are specialty dishes from that country. You really are spoilt with choice and the quality of food has been great.

    There are also other fine dining restaurants that you pay extra to eat in.

    The main buffet is open all day. Bread is made and baked in front of you. The main meals are plated for you by the staff, but salads and wet dishes are still self-serve.

    You have multiple bars to choose from. There isn’t a pub but there is a small sports bar. All the bars have live musicians from midday. One bar hangs on the outside of the ship and moves up and down the floors.

    The designers even put a garden on the top deck and the plants elsewhere are all real. Our cruise had 2600 on it but capacity is 3500. You really don’t feel cramped with the Apex configuration.

    The concert tonight was a rock tribute. All the shows have been of a very high standard.

    The kids get a Camp Out option. There is an area set up outside with tents. This cruise wasn’t really for kids though.

    We received a note from Celebrity saying Rotterdam Central station is completely closed this weekend for renovation. The tickets we bought back home have us leaving there. After some fast footwork we cancelled and rebooked at the next station down the line. Rotterdam station is huge and much bigger than our Southern Cross station at home.

    All packed now and bags are collected. Big travel day tomorrow.    Read more

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