So off we sailed - I could watch the wake of the ship for hours, quite mesmerizing .. ....
The first stop was beautiful Palma, Majorca......
So there we were, captives on a boat with 4,000 Italians (some Spanish and French, but mainly Italian). Nobody spoke English, including most of the waiters at dinner, which made for some very interesting meals - who knew that tripe could be cooked in so many ways, and that ox cheek could be so tasty (once you got over the hysteria caused by a waiter waggling his head around, puffing out his cheeks, holding his fingers like horns on his head and mooing loudly to explain what we were eating). You should have seen the action when it was rump steak on the menu! It was like a bizarre game of charades every night. Of course, I am blaming myself not the staff, we Brits are woefully unprepared when it comes to any language other than English - well, this Brit is anyway!
I did get quite good at throwing casual Ciao's around, in fact I can say ciao like a native - I know this, because as soon as I said ciao to anyone, they replied with a torrent of Italian
I'll be back with a walk through ancient Pompeii tomorrow....
Now for the winner of the Flexmarkers, sorry it is so late. The name that came out of the hat was:
CAZZY
Congrats Cazzy, email me with your details and they will be on their way.
Ciao for now, or Arrivederci as we say in Italy.....
wow!! very beautiful photos! Greta place!
ReplyDeleteYour holiday looks heavenly! Hope there were a few quirks that you can use as amusing fodder for your future posts. I'm looking forward to more photos, too.
ReplyDeleteI would have been in the same boat as you (sorry couldn't resist!!) language wise. Wow to size of boat, we only do baby cruise ships with max. passenger size of 1,300. Look forward to hearing more of your cruise stories - can't wait for our next one at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWow! Amazing photos there - what a yacht!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the winner too.
I'm sure this is one holiday you won't forget in a hurry.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos xx
Oh Enfys that did make us laugh, look forward to more pics
ReplyDeleteGood to have you back safe and sound. Hubby and I would have loved no one being able to chat to us - we like to be left in peace on hols not make life long friends. I wouldn't have enjoyed the food though, I prefer plain simple food. Looking forward to seeing more pics.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an adventurous holiday, Enfys, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. One would expect that the staff on an international ship would at least have a basic knowledge od English, but then the Italians are even worse than the English when it comes to foreign languages. Or maybe I should say the English usually get away with it, because English is taught and spoken all over the world. Wish they would speak some English in Greek public hospitals as well, though. When my husband was hospitalised a few years back, the only staff who spoke any English were a sweet nurse from the women's ward and the cleaning lady. Unfortunately, our Greek is still rather limited, even after 6 years of living here.
ReplyDeleteLol sounds like there may well be a few Italians or Spanish talking about the funny English couple on board the ship!! Glad you are well rested, your photos are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteSuper photos and it soumds like you had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteToni xx
You were missed Enfys! The photos are beautiful. Some of my family have just set off on a cruise from Barcelona. They are going to be in for a surprise with the language barrier. I can't wait to hear more about your cruising adventure!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW ... it sounds like you had a wonderful holiday. It's funny, but silly me thought that nealy all cruise ships had English speaking staff. I guess that just shows how much I know (or don't know). After all, I've never been on a cruise. I know I would completely enjoy it and hope one day I will have the pleasure of taking a cruise too. Till that day comes, I'll just live out my cruise adventure dreams through you ... so bring on those entertaining stories and beautiful photos ... I will be delighting in each one.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you had such a grand time and are now feeling relaxed and rested, and I am also glad you are now safely home once again. Caio
Congrats on your win Cazzy!
Bore us? I don't think so! Tales from afar are always entertaining, especially when the storyteller is you :o) Hope your vacation was wonderful! Congrats, Cazzy!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had fun and it looks beautiful. Congrats to Cazzy. Hugz
ReplyDeleteOnly you could end up the only Brit on a ship that size! Sounds as though you had great fun & I look forward to reading the rest of your travelogue. Congrats to Cazzy. Pat x
ReplyDeleteFabulous ship Enfys and sounds like an interesting time was had. Well done to Cazzy too.
ReplyDeleteMags
x
Now there's no excuse for next time get out the English to Italian dictionary, and study up.lol, glad you're back. I've missed you.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Jess
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ReplyDelete