FYI ladies (of a certain age): hot flashes and Mediterranean heat are not compatible. I am melting.
I’m sticking to my vacation linens.
Tendering to Shore
Had to tender from the ship to the town of Carloforte this morning. Not a fan of tendering. They use the ship’s lifeboats. So you’re trapped in an “I am the captain now” situation – for what feels like an eternity – with 50 sweaty strangers while you head for land. Air. I need air.
Free day for us today – no scheduled activities. I’m a perpetual planner, but when we travel, I actually like to schedule days without a plan. Wandered and shopped the streets of Carloforte. Wonderful little town. Might be our favorite so far. It has a much quieter, more authentic vibe. Very little English spoken here. Anna was disappointed at the lack of street cats, though. 
Making New Friends
Anna has been making friends left and right on this trip. Today, her new friend, Cesare, (at the jewelry store) told Anna she has “the skin of an angel”. Translation: you are very pale. I think that makes me skin of an old angel?? 
Cesare gifted Anna a red coral horn charm. It’s considered good luck when someone gifts you one. Cesare said you can ever buy one for yourself, or you will have bad luck. For the record, no charm for me!
Found a lovely antique store. The proprietor, Giovanna, spoke no English. Lots of sign language. Anna bought a small Tiffany style lamp (I can’t wait to see how she gets this home), and I bought a small gilded sun mirror from 1950s Florence. Forgot to take pics of both before Giovanna wrapped them up. When we left, Giovanna gave Anna a huge hug, and two cheek kisses. Me? Zero kisses.
Anna and I have been enjoying the hell out of Italian granita – kind of a cousin to shaved ice. I actually prefer it to gelato. Found one today – honeydew melon. Really good, but the Sicilian version is still champion.
Overall, a fantastic day exploring Carloforte. Anna and I both agreed it was our favorite stop so far. Mostly because none of the giant ships stop in Carloforte – the town just doesn’t have the infrastructure to handle that kind of volume. So only the smaller ships stop here. And it was wonderful.
Rode the tender back to the ship with this couple – who travel with their own foldable bicycles. Asked where they are from: the Netherlands. Because of course they are. 
Attempted the ship’s laundrette this evening. In true Euro tradition, each washing machine holds 3 socks and a t-shirt. The dryer? At your own peril. Each cycle is 3 hours. Yes, plural.
At sea tomorrow.
Travel date: June 13, 2025
You had me laughing through this whole post!!!!
Thanks, Mimi. It always makes me super happy to hear I could bring a smile or a laugh! Cheers!
First of all, I’m so, so sorry I have nothing witty to say about your post, sweatiness, or skin (although I would agree it’s angel-like).
Next, let me say that Heather and I love traveling with you and Ken but you couldn’t get me on a cruise or even on that shuttle boat at gunpoint. So, if you are gracious enough to invite us in the future, as you would put it, consider that “a hard no”.
Lastly, how did you end up with three dirty socks between the two of you? 😂😂😂
Well, to be fair, nothing can compare to the Julie M! As for the socks, I have no idea. I probably dropped one on Deck 9 on my way to the launderette.
Not selling the cruise vibe to this particular sceptic….not so far….
I will post about this in a couple of weeks, but I think it comes down to finding a cruise style that works for you. You will never catch me on one of those 6,000+ person floating amusement park/petri dish cruises. And I’m one and done with mainstream cruising. This cruise (which is considered “luxury”) was a good experience, overall. I would do another one.
Ah ok…look forward to reading. I guess my real problem is that I just don’t like being told what to do! 😀
Haha. Me, neither. Which is why we did our own thing (rather than the cruise excursions) more often than not on the cruise.
Commenting after Michaela and Phil I am kind’of laughing – noy being wildly in love with the activity either 🙂 ! Have not been to any of the Med islands . . . do like the quiet look of your port.
I don’t recommend any of the Med islands in the summer. Unless you’re into melting. ;o)
[…] to do a load of Anna’s sick laundry – good times. I still don’t get why it takes 3 hours to run a wash cycle. I hope it means her clothes are really, really […]