ISTANBUL, TÜRKIYE Approaching the city of more than 16 million inhabitants, it looks as one might expect. Container ships abound awaiting their turn to offload or upload or transit the Bosporus canal. These ships were EVERYWHERE. Buildings and the beautiful minarets with the domes of the mosques are the most prominent land feature. But surprisinglyContinue reading “ISTANBUL!”
Tag Archives: medcruising
Bozcaada, Ayvalık, Cunda
Trip North to Istanbul One of the most difficult challenges we face is deciding which towns/islands/countries to visit and which to bypass. The sad unavoidable truth that we continue to reconcile is that no matter for how long we plan to visit, we will not see everything we hoped, planned, or dreamed of seeing. ThatContinue reading “Bozcaada, Ayvalık, Cunda”
Poros and Hydra
THE PASSAGE If we were lucky to have an ole’ salt in Kelly aboard for the passage from Schioussa to Paros, we paid our dues with Jennifer and Tracy going to Poros. A 12-hour passage and forecast to be off and on high winds and bigger seas than we like to see with guests aboard,Continue reading “Poros and Hydra”
PAROS
Can I just begin this post by saying that moving Gratitude this summer with the Meltemi winds has been a challenge. That said, we have mostly managed to keep to our original plans – plus or minus a few days. Getting from Ios to Schinoussa to Paros with Kelly on board was nerve wracking givenContinue reading “PAROS”
Santorini- Thira, Oia, Pyrgos Kallistis
While at a cocktail party in Montenegro- before we left on our 3-month tour of Greece, we met someone who had cruised the Cyclades the year before. One of the highlights of enjoying time with other cruisers is the wealth of information we can share with each other from one year to the next. RarelyContinue reading “Santorini- Thira, Oia, Pyrgos Kallistis”
Victron update, Ionian Greece, Boat School
A mere 2 weeks into our cruising season and so much is happening, I’m all ready to make a short post. This is going to have more photos than words but will include a bit of an update on our Victron/Solar upgrade, Jacks school (big changes), and our stops thus far. We left Montenegro onContinue reading “Victron update, Ionian Greece, Boat School”
Montenegro – Winter projects, The War in Ukraine and … life
OMGosh Laurie, are you following what is happening in Ukraine? Montenegro This was the comment I received on a social media post I recently made. One which, by the way, had nothing at all to do with Ukraine. It made me remember the early days of the Covid pandemic when concerned friends and family, certainContinue reading “Montenegro – Winter projects, The War in Ukraine and … life”
“Are you ok”? No post for 4 months!?
“Is Everything OK? We haven’t read a post from you for 4 months?!?!” I received this text just a couple of days ago and it has been on my mind and heart to update the blog for weeks. But this text really drove home how long it has been. I will attempt to begin theContinue reading ““Are you ok”? No post for 4 months!?”
Venice (with road trip to Piacenza, Verona, Lake Garda)
Italy – Venice, Road trip to Piacenza, Verona, Lake Garda and Milan Ok, so housekeeping first, if you follow us on Instagram (@gratitudelaurie) or you have seen us in Slovenia or Montenegro, you may be wondering why I’m talking about Venice. Well, the answer my dear friends: we are swamped. Which is to say, ourContinue reading “Venice (with road trip to Piacenza, Verona, Lake Garda)”
Venice – Seconda parte (Part 2) Murano, Burano, Santaelena
“Venice”. Few cities conjure more many images both from popular art/culture as well as it’s storied past. If you read my last blog, you know that I was more than a little disillusioned with my perception of Venice and the reality that greeted us. If you haven’t read it, I would recommend that you startContinue reading “Venice – Seconda parte (Part 2) Murano, Burano, Santaelena”
M/VGratitude 