SOVEREIGN 24th September 2016 (part 7)

Thursday 29th September 2016
Today we have arrived in Livorno, Italy. I was on deck early to see various comings and goings in the port, in the half-light before sunrise. As MEGA EXPRESS FOUR arrived, I could see work going on in the distance beyond her; I could also see MOBY VINCENT, WORLD ODYSSEY, and AETHALIA. One of my friends and fellow travellers was leaving the ship today so we said goodbye and best wishes on deck taking photographs in the wonderful golden light.

Mega Express Four arriving

Work going on in the yards in the distance

Moby Vincent

Aethalia of Toremar

Moby Vincent leaving


Our decks on SOVEREIGN were being washed down and, as it was not yet time to meet friends for breakfast, I went into the Spinnaker Bar for an early coffee. I was amazed to find it completely empty of other passengers and could take some photographs.

On deck

Early sunshine and coffee in the Spinnaker Bar

In the bar

Empty Bar

Near the entrance


After breakfast it was another sunny blue-sky day. Two of us took one of the shuttle buses into town with the plan to go to nearby Pisa by train.

The poster in the Tourist Office; once I had noticed the big yellow crane to the right/middle of the picture, I thought we were berthed on that same quayside at the breakwater end of it. We were much smaller than the ship in the poster picture!


In the end it was easier to get on one of the many regular tourist coach services, which stopped just a few yards from the shuttle bus stop.

In the city of Livorno


Return Tickets were available inside the nearby tourist office, where I saw and photographed an interesting poster showing an aerial view of the port; we were soon on our way to Pisa in a comfortable air-conditioned modern coach. We had set times to depart and return, but that proved perfectly convenient.

The so-called Leaning Tower of Pisa was amazing to see, and I read that the building of it was begun in 1173 - unfortunately on uneven ground which produced an unintended tilt! It felt good to know that some years ago a British Engineer had been called in to stop any more tilting of the Tower. I have teenage memories of visiting the Tower and being able to take the stairs inside and climb up to the first and second floors, and then walk around outside to view the scenery. Today there were enormous queues to enter the Tower, Baptistry and Cathedral nearby and we were surrounded by probably thousands of other people in this part of the ancient town.

Pisa

Leaning Tower

Tower

That sinking feeling...

A picture in the ticket office

A view of the Cathedral, Baptistry and Campanile (the bell tower)


After taking the necessary photographs, it was decided that a local backstreet cafe amongst shrubs and parasols was just the place to get delicious coffee, so we left the crowds and enjoyed a quiet break.

Heading for the quiet square, past ancient walls


Back in the coach park we could sit on our bus and then enjoy the drive through the tranquil countryside back to Livorno, always with the mountains in the background. Back in town we took one of the historical town walk routes and were amazed at the sights and smells in the Fish Market, the food market, the big public square and then along various canal tow paths, including past the old fort.

The Central Market in Livorno; it opens very early in the morning, and was closed by the time we arrived after 2 p.m. but the smell of fish lingered...

Port for sale

Wonderful building

Looking down from the city walls outside at the water and fish

View along the canal path

A huge public square

With statue

Canalside again

Looking in the other direction

Further along, with lovely reflections under the hot sun

Along further, watching the fisherman on the canopied boat, and who occasionally tossed a piece of fish to the hopeful gull nearby

Looking towards the Fort


Back on the ship I could take photographs of port activity.

Bunkering Norwegian Epic

Mega Express Four and World Odyssey

Mega Express Four and Moby Aki

World Odyssey (ex-Deutschland)

Teak rail, hot sun, ships and city

Cruise Smeralda arrived

Going astern to her berth


Once back on the ship life continued in its usual relaxed way, with tea and chats with other travelling companions, followed by another enjoyable evening.


Ships seen: Sovereign, Norwegian Epic, Moby Aki, Moby Vincent, Mega Express Four, World Odyssey, Aethalia, Cruise Smeralda


To be concluded...

SOVEREIGN 24th September 2016 (part 6)

Wednesday 28th September 2016
Today we arrived early in Civitavecchia. I slept badly last night and decided not to take a bus to visit Tarquinia, but I shall remember to do that on another visit. After breakfast two of us decided to take the ship's shuttle bus into town and have a stroll around in the sunshine, which was very satisfying.

I like these table mats in the Buffet; if one is eating alone, the mat can be displayed with the appropriate message, and the plate etc. will not disappear whilst fetching more coffee.

Bonaria seen through the glass window of the shuttle bus

World Odyssey (ex-Deutschland) also seen from the coach

A beautiful church building and a tri-coloured beagle to see and enjoy

Under an olive tree

Still under the olive tree and a parasol


A cold drink under an olive tree, visiting a small jewellery shop in a local arcade, and looking at the sea was a good way to spend a morning, before returning to the ship for buffet lunch.

SNAV Sardegna seen through the shuttle bus window


The rest of the day on board passed happily watching ships or enjoying the company of fellow OLS members. We were due to leave at dusk and enjoyed seeing the other ships go past us first.

The sun sinking as Cruise Barcelona approached the port

Sunset, with no green flash

Comings and goings as the fishing fleet left the harbour

Cruise Barcelona going to her berth

Norwegian Epic finally sailed

The 3 big ships (World Odyssey, Zenith, Norwegian Epic) headed out, and then it was our turn


Dinner, star-gazing and afterwards in the Viking Crown Lounge completed another happy day.


Ships seen: World Odyssey (ex-Deutschland), Bonaria (Acciona), Norwegian Epic, Zenith, Catania, SNAV Sardegna, Cruise Barcelona


To be continued...

SOVEREIGN 24th September 2016 (part 5)

Tuesday 27th September 2016
Today we arrived in Naples, with volcanic Vesuvius looming over the bay in the early morning light. We spent a long while on deck as we headed towards the port and our berth, and enjoyed watching all the early morning ferry arrivals and departures. I was delighted to see the little LAURANA, which I enjoyed sailing on with my ferry friends in June 2015. We also saw the ROSA D'ABUNDO, which I sailed on from Ischia back to Naples on another occasion.

Rosa D'Abundo sailed past us

The Pilot came to board Sovereign

Naples ahead of us all

The lovely Laurana

Fauno heading out of Naples

Laurana and us heading into Naples

Moby Zaza over on the far side; she was built in 1982 as the Olau Britannia, came to Moby in June 2016 but suffered a fire in August 2016. Here she is a month later in Naples yards.

That was close!

Distant view across the bay to the working yards

Nearing the berth we could see the usual laid-up vessels, including Patrizia

Norwegian Epic looming over the maritime station

Capri is still there

Dimonios with the volcano behind

The wonderful Maritime Station


Two of us in our group wanted to enjoy another style of ship today, and decided to take a fast craft to the nearby island of Ischia.

Ferry port seen through the window of the Airone Jet to Ischia


Because we had to rush to buy tickets and then get to the vessel, there were few empty seats left and I sat with a Canadian lady from Vancouver Island; she and her son are travelling on NORWEGIAN EPIC and we both enjoyed talking about where we came from. Ischia is a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, about 30 kms (19 miles) from the city of Naples. We sailed there on the AIRONE JET, which took about 45 minutes, and was very comfortable and spacious inside. There is a tiny entrance to the island, which opens out to a pretty little harbour for the ferries and fishing boats alike. Once on the quayside we could watch AIRONE JET embark just a few passengers, turn and leave, and suddenly all was calm and quiet again.

At Ischia

Airone Jet leaving

Macaiva arrived and turned


The small conventional ferry MACAIVA arrived, with passengers disembarking and embarking, and then she was gone, sailing gracefully out from the harbour. The fishing vessels and pleasure craft were reflected in the clear waters as we strolled around the little bay.

Adeona


Then the conventional ferry ADEONA arrived, turned and put her stern ramp down; passengers and vehicles disembarked and then she was silent, with a few hours of layover until her return trip to Naples. We intended to get this sailing after a satisfactory lunch in a local restaurant, and that is what we did.

On board Adeona


We left the island about 2 o'clock, and soon found comfy seats on a shaded outside deck, to enjoy the sail back to Naples. The hot sun shone under a cloudless blue sky, the calm sea sparkled and all was well with my world. We could see the nearby popular island of Procida, various ferries taking people to their destinations, we could see a castle-like hotel on a headland, lighthouses in prominent rocky places, and simply enjoy the sensation of gliding through the water on ADEONA.

BENITO BUONO sailed towards us and passed, DRIADE did the same, and in turn we passed the rather slow-sailing DON PEPPINO, which I discovered was built in 1964 at 495 gross tons with the name of MALMO. She appears to be wearing well, sailing for Gestur. ROSA D'ABUNDO came towards us and offered her lovely profile for photos, and about an hour and a half after leaving Ischia we were heading back into the ferry port in Naples. As we berthed I noticed another ferry in the corner, named QUIRINO, belonging to Medmar. It had been such a satisfying day out.

Leaving Ischia port

We could just see the tiny harbour entrance, left of the flag at the stern

Benito Buono

Driade

Don Peppino, built in 1964

Rosa D'Abundo

Quirino of Medmar


We caught the shuttle bus which met our ferry, taking us back to the Maritime Station terminal, where we made time to look at the Totem Della Pace. This was built last year, 2015, to mark the 150th anniversary of the amalgamation of the Port Captains and the Coast Guards. The base of the Totem also includes another plaque informing us that an Urn behind the plaque contained the relics of an unknown migrant dead in the sea, in search of dignity, freedom and peace lost in his country. This moving inscription made us so grateful once again for our own dignity, freedom and peace in our countries.

Totem Della Pace

Totem Della Pace

Urn of the unknown migrant

Totem viewed from the Maritime Station


Back on the ship I could have a relaxing cup of tea and notice that CARTOUR GAMMA was berthed fairly near us in the harbour.

A poster picture I saw in the Maritime Station - I wonder when the photo was taken...


Darkness had almost fallen by the time we sailed away but dinner and conversation made a good end to our visit to Naples.


Ships seen: Norwegian Epic, Dimonios (Tirrenia), Raffaele Rubattino, Capri (the old yacht-like vessel still laid up in the working side of the harbour), Moby ZaZa, Patrizia (still laid up on the other side of the harbour), Fauno (Caremar), Rosa D'Abundo, Laurana, SNAV Lazio, SNAV Antares, Tui Discovery, Benito Buono (the ex Hamlet), Airone Jet, Adeona (Caremar), Naiade, Cartour Gamma, Quirino (Medmar), Don Peppino


To be continued...