November 3: 🚢 Kos, Greece
Shore Excursion: Zia Village and Asklepion
A balcony kind of morning
Had organised our morning room service breakfast order and it arrived just in time for us to take up prime position at the balcony setting and enjoy the sun making its appearance over the Greek island of Kos. Nothing like yesterday out there - we were anchored just off shore with views of the shoreline and marina and there was just enough warmth in the start of the day to make it a very comfortable greeting to a new day.
Despite the change of time zone and the gain of an hour in our schedule (we used that productively by sleeping), we still found ourselves in a little bit of a "rush" though to be in the meeting area of the Constellation Theatre for our 7.30 meetup.
Our only day in Greece
Efficiently marshalled on board the tender and delivered to the bus to meet today's guide @Yannis ("just call me John or Yanni") and settled in for another superb round of knowledge infusion. Feels like we cut off the top of our skulls, flip it forward and just wait for the knowledge to be tipped in. This was 3 out of 3 perfect tour hosts.
Kos is the hometown of the father of medicine, Hippocrates and a visit to the three terraces of the Asklepion, the healing centre, was the first goal of the morning. A great drive took us higher for sweeping views of the coastline (our ship was very prominent as the only cruise ship anchored off shore) and access to the Asklepion. @Yannis had us fascinated with stories that painted a clear picture for us of the people making their way to the healing centre to have their ailments diagnosed and then pursue healing and a cure. Amazed that so many of the procedures that we employ today in our hospitals and clinics found their beginnings in these early times in the temples, baths, sanitorium, disinfectant springs, waiting rooms and "hospitals" such as this and again, the story of healing was infused with the importance of holistic treatment that included a healthy mind, body and soul.
We did have a little distraction here because of the bees - yes, those little (these were actually quite big fat ones) black and gold buzzing things. They were everywhere and one of the ladies in the group seemed to be attracting dozens of them. They circled and buzzed her and she was swishing and swatting and changing listening spots in an attempt to avoid them. Of course, lots of comments that she must have been "sweet" and luckily there were never any stings just the swarming accompanied by the swats and little evasive dance.
Because we weren't the target, we could enjoy a smile. But this was heightened to laughter when @Mac started the swiping and dodging dance. He thought he was the next sweet thing. False alarm. We were all hooked up with the portable audio systems for @Yannis commentary which delivered his voice crisp and clear into our ears through our headpiece. The reality was - there was not a bee anywhere near @Mac - he was just doing his version of the "Daddy Dance" bee jig because he was hearing the buzzing sound that was surrounding @Yannis and was bee-ing buzzed through his earpiece.
Travelled further up Mt Dikeos to visit the charming village of Zia to take in the panoramic views of the islands and Turkey in the distance (well, so close really.) Enjoyed a visit to the local church (it was closed as the priest was recovering from a bout of covid) and strolled the alleyways and visited the shops. The summer season is "done" and the shops that were open had only re-opened for the day because of our visit.
The return journey was filled with political discussions of Greek and Turkish interactions in the modern world and an insight in @Yannis' life as a self-sufficient family farmer. Really wonderful "warts and all" look beyond the tourist sites to end our time on this excursion.
Did a little wander around the foreshore, visited the town square, explored the alleyways, found the tree planted at the birthplace of Hippocrates and eventually made our way back to the tender for a return to the ship.
@Yannis had helped us understand the quote that was included in last night's edition of Passage - an assertion that "Kos is chicken soup for soul. As well as for the body and the eye." The stretches of beach, the blue of the ocean, the magic of that blue sky, the palms and bright greens of the trees and shrubs, the richness of the soil and its accompanying prolific offerings of crops, orchards and livestock, its history of healing and health and the beauty of the town - we do agree with the sign - "I love Kos."
Managed to find some little items in the shops today. What a "non Turkey" experience. We were able to wander around and browse at leisure and chat, compare and decide without "helpful' intervention. @LoRi found some gorgeous items for some very lucky "littlies" in their family and even though we are strictly in the "decluttering rather than accumulation" phase of our lives, abandoned our minimalist goals because we couldn't resist a little bit of olive oil serving "clutter." Successfully added a couple of new leather belts to @Mac's collection - the gentleman made the adjustments for us right there in the store. The new stuff will fit perfectly in the returning suitcases because we have made room by eating our way through the Melbourne Cup stash of prizes. Perfect planning.
Afternoon delights
Free time on board saw us head to a new lunch venue - upstairs at the Pool Grill for burgers and nachos and icy smoothie treats. After clearing the food away (can't believe we were actually even hungry, but we were) we opted for a game of Sequence. Ladies versus gents in the warmth of the sun and after a game play refresher we were away. Always love how "chatty" we are as the game starts - and then as the number of counters on the board increases - and the five in a row gets closer - that banter is replaced by furrowed brows and silence. Smiling broadly, because the ladies have it at two-zip! A good start.
Followed up this exercise of the mind with some physical exercise. Bravely left the safety of the bath this afternoon and opted to get my water fix by trying the pool and the jacuzzi. @Mac acted as my ever-vigilant observer and lifesaver (he took up a comfy seat and played "the game") and cocktail procurer (for afters). It was in the afternoon shadows, but the pool was pleasantly warm. Only lasted for a few laps and a brief chat with a couple of fellow paddlers and then escaped to the warmth of the hot tub. After a little fumbling around had to call @Mac over to give me a hand to get the bubbles started. It was a good thing he was on hand because a gentleman exiting from the adjacent pool had managed to somehow wedge his foot between the railing and the edge of the tub - and @Mac went into superhero mode to help with the rescue manoeuvres. Made me very careful on exit. @Mac had incentivised the exit though with a welcoming Grasshopper martini - i didn't miss a step.
Evening delights
It was "optional" formal night. What does that mean? If you choose, you can don your extra-splendid finery for the evening and mark the occasion by joining your fellow guests in the Constellation Theatre for a 6 pm rendezvous for the Captain's Welcome. There was definitely some very splendid finery on show and @Richard and @Mac marked the occasion by wearing a tie and @Mac broke out one of the new belts. Must say though, that every night at dinner all the guests are dressed for a night out - no beach wear, shorts or thongs are seen. Aunty @Gail and @Paul would be right in their element. Mind you, we like to smarten up for the evening as well.
Joined the queue post welcome, for our first dining experience in Compass Rose. The restaurant team were certainly efficient in moving everyone through - we had all just transited the Atrium from the theatre to the restaurant - everyone was sharing our plan - get into dinner so that you are ready for tonight's show.
The Compass Rose menu is displayed across two pages - on the left are selections that are offered every evening (that is a thumbs up because there are so many you want to try) - and the right are selections designed specifically for today (oh dear, strike while the iron is hot - otherwise you miss out.) You can mix and match of course and there was even a degustation menu choice on offer, complete with carefully paired wines. Will save that for another night.
The restaurant has a far larger capacity than the specialty dining areas but is cleverly set up with wings and nooks and crannies to give a sense of intimacy. Beautiful tableware and glass settings (of course, I think that the muted tan and blue Versace are my new favourites) and the most stunning blue roof top lighting array that makes for an impressive centre piece for the decor of the Compass Rose.
Did work our way across both sides of the menu (yep, I'm still sticking with the seafood) and enjoyed each and every course, the details of the side dishes and the palate cleansing sorbet between courses. Confessing that maybe the culinary team have tamed us a little, after just four days, some of us skipped portions of the appetiser, the sides and even the deserts.
We enjoyed our coffees and @Richard went out as the scouting party to secure us seats for the first full production show Divos and Divas which celebrated the best male and female vocalist of the last seven decades. Glad he did because we got great seats in the second row in what appeared to be a full house. Thoroughly enjoyed the high energy performance and happily joined in the invitation to clap along and were not shy in belting out the "Sweet Caroline" chorus.
Said our goodnights and then wound the clock forward an hour as the Captain takes up back to Turkey and its time zone. And another day has disappeared - up at dawn and swinging our legs up onto the bed just before midnight.
PS Definitely don't want to jinx it - but have to say it has been smooth sailing all the way so far. Barely a ripple on the surface of the water and we were laughing that all is so calm that we don't really know that the Explorer is moving. We have to take a look outside at the shoreline or lights on the horizon to figure out if we are evening moving. Long may it continue!
PPS Note to self. A chai latte is not quite the same as home. I thought my order must have been mixed up and asked a team member if perhaps it had. Another was bought in its place and when it too was "different" I asked how it was made. Apparently, it is an English black tea, topped with frothed milk. But no "spices." Going to further investigate at the Coffee Connection tomorrow and see if I can get something a little closer to my aromatic go-to from Aus. It may have another name here - or maybe I hav to "grow up" and have the non-sweet "big girl" version.
PPS Our daughter posed the question today "How is the ship" - well how do you begin to answer that - it is beautiful - without doubt - luxury at sea. But in trying to answer, it made me think a little harder - all the decor is "there" - you can drink it in if you want to and spend as much time as you want or need to take advantage of it - and it is everywhere - right down to the door handles, on carpeted, wooden and tiled floor coverings, in artwork in all mediums, in the shape and size and glow of the lighting, the amenities of the stateroom, yes without doubt the food and drink and my favourite plates and glasses - but even though it is visible and pervasive - somehow it is all "understated" - it is not thrown at you and "in your face" - it is comfortable, inviting, warm, calm and inclusive and, yes, and odd way to describe it all - but it just seems all so very kind. Certainly, it is about "the people" - and here on the Explorer, staff and guest alike are also a luxury.
Weather: 26 under clear blue skies
Steps: 12 157
#RegentSevenSeasExplorer #RegentSevenSeas #RegentCruise
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