Our last day of the expedition could not have been better as we recharged our energy and enjoyed the wonders of Sea Cloud by spending our day at sea. Sailing under the sun across the Aegean Sea and looking out at our surroundings, including Monemvasia, a medieval town. Our sea day allowed us to pack and enjoy our last moments of pure sailing.
The perfect end to a perfect cruise happened while the sun was setting. We all raised our glasses at the lido bar to the amazing 5 country expedition that we just completed. It was a trip to remember for the rest of our lives.
Maria Intxaustegi is an internationally awarded maritime archaeologist, naval historian, commercial diver, professional offshore sailor, and expedition guide from the Basque Country.
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Everyone was up early in an athletic frame of mind as we were off to Olympia, the location of the original Olympic Games. It was particularly pertinent given that it’s an Olympic year this year. We wandered around the impressive ruins which includes a gymnasium, workshops, temples, and of course the stadium with the running track. The stadium was definitely the favorite, with a few people trying out their running skills! Then it was off to the museum where we could see artifacts from the archeological site including statues, figurines, and even helmets amongst other things. We could see just how small people were about 2,000 years ago from the size of the helmets. The day was only half done when we got back to the ship, as after lunch the sails were set and we all got into Zodiacs to see Sea Cloud in all her glory. We even had a few brave souls get harnessed up to clamber out to the end of the bowsprit (after they had passed the necessary strength and balance tests!).
After mooring Sea Cloud alongside in the coastal city of Durres, we drove to the medieval town of Kruje where our local guides exposed us to the fascinating history of Albania. We had lunch in a lovely restaurant where local dancers performed for us and some of us even burned off the delicious meal by dancing with them. After shopping in their bazaar, we came back on board where Albanian wine and our staff recaps were waiting for us. Next stop: Greece!
Today's expedition took us through the breathtaking landscapes of Montenegro. Our journey began nestled high in the mountains in Njegusi, where we were greeted by lush greenery and traditional stone houses. The village is renowned for its smoked ham and cheese, offering us a taste of authentic Montenegrin cuisine. We then descended towards the Bay of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with medieval walls and narrow cobblestone streets, rich history, and architecture. One of the options was to climb the ancient fortress walls, marveling at panoramic views of the bay and its charming, red-roofed houses. After lunch we ventured to Perast, a picturesque town nestled on the bay's edge. Here, we explored the town's Baroque architecture and visited the famous Our Lady of the Rocks islet, where a stunning church sits atop a man-made island. As the sun began to set over the Adriatic Sea, we sailed away while enjoying the taste of fresh oysters, Montegrin wines and liqueurs, and the music from our piano player, Gabriel. We all joined in and sang our favorite songs. The serene waters and majestic mountains provided a perfect backdrop for capturing memorable photographs and memories.