The Wind across the Black Sea.

I am used to writing Trip Reports on Frequent Flyer sites but they are much too long and pictorial for the normal Cruise Report here.however I have been encouraged by the reports of TLCOhio and jpalbny that some may enjoy such a report though to be fair it really helps me remember my trips.So here goes.

After being forced to walk a considerable distance in the heat because of our dishonest taxi driver we were mightly pleased to board the Silver Wind even though we had to get our passports checked 5 times before boarding and then being collected on boarding.However that feeling was relieved when they swapped a glass of champagne for our passports.

We then went up to the Pool Deck and had lunch-a crab caesar salad for me after starting with curried chicken sticks(satays).Rojaan started with a prawn cocktail and then the chicken caesar salad.Nice on a hot day.As became our custom during the day I would have the odd Mojito and Rojjaan the odd glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

As we finished it was time to go to our room.We had booked one of the new Medallion suites on deck 8.We enjoyed this suite.Our butler Charlie introduced himself then our maid Grace-both of whom looked after us very well.So pictures of our room-

Note the shower is beside the bath not over it.

For those that might wish to see the report up until the cruise here is the link-

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/trip-reports-and-trip-photos/bass-strait-to-black-sea-40761.html

Covers Tasmania,Jordan and Istanbul but because this is from a frequent flyer site a lot about our flights.Of course this report is not live.Our cruise was from the 11th until 20th of July.

Now some pictures from our balcony-

And with the benefit of zoom the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque.

As you can see my reports are picture intensive-still lots more to come.

Thanks.drron29.. Following with great interest,both here & on A.F.F.:)

Cheers...Gary.

Thanks. I really enjoy the Black Sea cruises.

Some more of the views from the ship.First Topkapi Palace and then more of the local area-

After my once around the deck with the camera it was time for a decadent afternoon tea in the Panorama lounge.Then at 6pm we dragged ourselves back to the Panorama lounge for lifeboat drill.We find out then there is a large group of Australian's on a Captain's Choice tour.Straight after that we have the Captain's welcome cocktail party.We meet a couple who spend their year in Canada/Florida and we hit it off so have dinner with them on the pool deck with the Hot Rocks-pictures of that next.

For Hot Rocks I had the rib eye and Apple cake and ice cream-

Rojaan had thge pork chop which was thick so she chopped it in pieces to cook a little faster.She then had the Chocolate mousse-

Next-night falls on Istanbul.

Istanbul at night takes on a much different air-

And the dock is very close to one museum-

We were exhausted and so retired at 10pm.Departure time was 11pm so we missed sailing the Bosphorus.Apparently a Russian Naval convoy from Sevastapol en route to Syria passed us in the night.

Next a sea day.

Thursday and a day at sea.Breakfast in La terrazza and I renewed my acquaintance with breakfast herring that I grew fond off cruising Svalbard.Then to the lecture on our next port-Trabzon,Turkey and then read my kindle until the next exertion of the day-lunch.

I had the Mediterranean stack,Oriental beef and Snow egg-

Rojaan had the Medley of Seafood salad,Roast Beef with Yorkshire pudding and a coconut mousse-

Once again we found the food in the Restaurant quite satisfactory and reasonable quality and taste.The accompanying wines were also good-they may not be to everyone's taste but no wine we had on this cruise was bad.

after lunch I downloaded and sorted my photos.On a couple of occasions dolphins were observed but a little off the ship so no pics.Later on some quite large fish were swimming beside the boat.

The Captain's Cocktail party was at 7pm and again met a delightful couple from LA.After that it was the first formal night and we had dinner with Flavio the Hotel Director-the consumate host.Turns out he had spent 7 years working in Australia and had friends who lived not far from us.Shared this with another nice couple this time from North Carolina.

This night we both started with the Foie Gras then Rojaan had the lobster and a strawberry dessert.I had the Tounedos Rossini with Foie Gras and a cheese plate.

This night we had enough energy to stay up for the show-a Motown tribute.The young artists did a great job.All that was left to do was sleep.

Next-Trabzon.

Great pics Drron29 and thanks for the commentary.

Great pictures of a wonderful ship. Recognized the cabin immediately as we enjoyed it for 14 days in March. Our best cruise without doubt.

We were on that cruise too so your pics are bringing back some lovely memories.

Must say, I didn't know roast beef, yorkshire puds and snow eggs were on the menu!

now to our first port-

The port buildings and view from our balcony-

Mainly small cargo vessels around us but also one of Turkey's finest-

Now the best trip today would probably have been to the monastery in the mountains but with my mobility problems that was out of the question so it was a city highlights tour.First stop was at Ataturks summer residence which was at the top of a hill-not much space left there-

Actually Ataturk only had 4 visits to this place but it is impressive-

The grounds also well planned-

The inside of the house revealed some work was needed but also quite modest-

But again his bedroom shows the respect he has even today-

In the rear was a lovely shaded area out of the sun-

The view wasn't too bad either-

And at the gift shop and restaurant over the road they had an easy way to get greenery in a pot-

Next a visit to a local mosque.

This mosque was built first some 600 years ago for the mother of the Sultan.The interior was simple yet impressive-

With some nice stained glass-

Now it was summer school holidays so many boys were in the courtyard playing soccer but some children were inside having religious instruction-

In the grounds was the mother's tomb-

Now because I knew I wouldn't remember the name I cheated and took a photo-

There was the usual foot washing station and down the hill a small park and nice looking cafe-

Next it was on to Trabzon's Hagia Sophia.

First the bell tower of the Hagia-

The outside is shaded by fruit trees and palms-

And some fine detail still visible-

With a little of the floor mosaic still visible-

Inside some interesting frescoes,first above-

And then in the alcove-

Some being recognisable scenes-

We were then dropped in the middle of town.Next some more photos of the Hagia and Trabzon.

First some different views of the Hagia-

And the view form the church-

Then back to the church and the grounds-

The remains of the City's walls-

A street near the mosque-

And a flower shop with some Aussie favourites-

After walking a few blocks around the town we decided to go back to the ship for lunch then a rest.

Back on board we decided to have a light lunch at the pool.Rojaan had a hamburger and I a toasted ham and cheese sandwich-

Once again I had the odd Mojito or two.It was then time for my nanny nap.When I awoke Rojaan decided it would be better for our health to do a few laps around the upper deck rather than go to afternoon tea again-that woman will be the death of me!

Anyway I took my camera along(taking a photo is a good way of taking a breather).I was glad I was on the wind and not this vessel-

Then one of the cargo vessels left port in a hurry-

Whilst another appeared to have problems with weight distribution-

But finally it was time for us to go.Suite 804 gives you a good view of the preparations-

Next-to Le Champagne.

After leaving Trabzon it was time for us to get ready for dinner at Le Champagne.The 2 things that we both like are Foie Gras and Lobster and the Le Champagne menu is strong on both.As it is their fine dining restaurant I did dress appropriately with jacket and bow tie.

Naturally on arrival you first have a glass of champagne.then served the Amusee bouche-

First on the left is a porcini mushroom soup-it was delicious.Next a scallop on a pumpkin puree.Then lobster with Mango salsa-both these were good.The disappointment to us was the foie gras cream cone.

For starters Rojaan had the foie gras terrine and I the lobster with Ossietia caviar.Both were enjoyable-

We both then had the lobster thermidor which was great-

We didn't think the complimentary wine would suit our taste so this meal was accompanied by a Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc.

For desserts Rojaan had the apple crepes which she thought was a little too sweet and I had the Grand Marnier souffle-that was magnificent.

We must also remember our waiter for the night-Tayfun was just great.We enjoyed his service at the pool during the day and Le Champagne at night.

Next-Sochi,Russia.

Saturday arrived and we started with a light breakfast on our balcony.We could therefore watch our arrival into Sochi.

Although it was early in the day it was already hot and the locals were out on the beach-or should I say the collection of pebbles that passes as a beach-

Then a view the other way.The thing that strkes you is the number of cranes that you see-

The reason for this is that Sochi is hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Quite a different Immigration experience compared to our other 2 Russian visits-both going out and coming back we had young attractive women and it was reasonably quick.We were directed to go through the X ray security even though it was turned off!

We had chosen the best of Sochi tour which supposedly was an all day tour but it did include Stalin's Dacha which was my must see.All in all though this tour was not good value and this will become apparent in the next few posts.