Archive - Cruising is FUN

Ventura Maintained her easterly course throughout the night towards Livorno, passing to the north of the small island of Gorgona. Ventura embarked her two local pilots at 06.33. At 06.55 we entered the harbour, passing the breakwater on our starboard side. At 7.10 we entered the inner basin and commenced turning short round bow to port. By 8.10 Ventura was all secure port side to at Banchino Al Fontala Berth, Livorna.

Since departure Villfrance until our arrival in Livorno, Ventura steamed a distance of 129 nautical miles at an average speed of 11.5 knots.

With all pre departure checks complete and the local pilot on board, Ventura slipped her lines and commenced thrusting off the berth. At 19.06 we passed the breakwaters leaving the harbour and disembarked the pilot and set course and speed to Santa Margherita

Today we are in Livorno, the Port for Pisa and Florence.

As usual, Amanda and I just took the complimentary shuttle bus into the town. As first glance there did not seem much to do, then as if by magic, we rounded a corner and there was the market – Amanda seems to have a nose for it.

The fruit market was something else, the fruit was so fresh looking and everything smelly lovely.

We found and American lady who ran her own dog rescue shelter, as we are both suckers for a dog, we had to dig deep and let her have a few coins for the dogs, and Amanda had a photo.

We bumped into quite a few passengers from the ship who were also just having a lazy day wandering around the local port.

Back on board, we contemplated what to do that evening, we thought perhaps we would eat at “East” the oriental restaurant (with a cover charge)

but after looking at the menu decided that it was not really what we wanted, so we opted for the main restaurant again.

One of tonights acts was a singer called Robbie Allen, we what a vocal range, this guy really could sing everything from falsetto to Barry White. Excellent show.

There were still no takers on the electronic poker machine, so Simom, The casino manager set Amanda and I up with a demo game, and guess what, she 'Busted' Me :-(