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Place the cursor over the photos to read the
descriptions; if you click on any of the thumbnail pictures,
the full-sized photo will open in a pop up screen. Please note
full sized photos may take a moment to load. |
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Page 3 of 8 |
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Page 3 of 8 |
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If it's
Sunday, this must be Corsica. WRONG!! Due to strong winds,
Captain Valter Berg has decided to change SeaDream I's itinerary and
first head for the Italian island of Elba.
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Portoferraio,
Elba |
Arrival at Portoferraio |
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By 9AM
SeaDream I approaches the picture-perfect harbor of Portoferraio,
the island's main town. Although the sun shines
brilliantly, the wind is cold and with predicted highs of 55F
/ 12C sweaters and jackets are essential today. |
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Elba |
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Elba's claim
to fame is undoubtedly the stay of Napoleon on the island in
1814. After having been exiled from France he was officially
named sovereign of this island but after 300 days he managed to
escape and return to France. |
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Prime viewing location |
SeaDream I at
Elba |
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Nowadays,
Napoleon's house has been turned into a museum
which attracts many visitors, just like Elba's clear waters, pristine beaches
and Italian 'dolce far niente' atmosphere. |
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If the
weather had been better, our yacht's water sports platform might have been used at Elba. But with the prevailing
cold front the temperature is way too low to take to the
water. |
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Pick a bike... |
...and peddle off! |
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So instead we
peddle away on another
SeaDream exclusive. Each yacht carries a number of mountain bikes that
can be borrowed by the guests in all ports of call. We just walk to the gangway, tell the
watchman that we
like to use the bikes and voila ... off we go. What a
great way to discover a port of call! |
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Biker's view
of Portoferraio |
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Just a short
walk from our yacht is the old town of Portoferraio, located
on a peninsula jutting out in the bay. Guarded by a fortress
and a distinct pink lighthouse, the maze of alleys and
stairways exude that typical Italian atmosphere that I like so much.
However, on this chilly Sunday in October the tourist season is all but over and most shops
remain closed for the day. |
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Portoferraio |
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Still, locals
can be seen parading along the marina, dressed in winter
clothes, sipping their espresso's and discussing the latest
news. |
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Portoferraio |
Portoferraio panorama |
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This is
island life at its best and once TW and I have seen all there
is to see in the old town we sit down in a trendy waterfront
café and order some strong Italian coffees ourselves. |
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Parade of ships |
Portoferraio old port |
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This is the
good life! Sitting here in Portoferraio on a Sunday,
watching the Italians go about their usual routines. But
hold
on, is it that time already? |
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The
pre-dinner scenario on board SeaDream I is very straightforward. After a full day exploring
yet another
picturesque port of call, all yachters congregate in
the Main Salon before
dinner. The mood is relaxed yet upbeat, the
champagne flows freely and the stylish hors d'oevres are tasteful,
imaginative and
plentiful. |
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Oysters before dinner |
Main Salon |
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With a glass
in one hand and a bite in the other, it is all too easy to get
to know your fellow yachters and compare notes on the ports of
call. |
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Lively
cocktail hour in the Main Salon |
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At 7pm sharp,
Club & Activities Director Linda Mueller enters the stage for a short talk
about coming events, the weather and what not. Informal and typical
of SeaDream, this talk is attended by most and invariably
followed by dinner in the Dining Room one deck down.
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