Salerno

Friday 7th August

We woke about 9:30am and slowly got ready. Nikki, in the neighbouring room, told us that there were long queues for the shuttle bus, so we decided to wait. By midday we were able to get on a bus. Because Salerno is an industrial port, a shuttle bus to the port entrance is mandatory.

All we really wanted in Salerno was some Coke and a bottle opener for the bottles of wine we had bought earlier. We could not find appropriate shops. We wandered and wandered, looking in shops and just relaxing. I can’t say we were ‘chilling’ because it was mighty hot! We looked for somewhere to have a drink but had trouble finding a place with wine, wifi and either a cool breeze or a fan. Eventually we found somewhere to sit.

Before we left the shuttle bus, I had asked David if he would remember the place where we were dropped. He said he would. What I didn’t ask was if he would remember the route back to it! I knew I wouldn't. We walked around and around, even looking at the map and eventually working things out from that. Eventually David found a queue of people waiting for the bus. I am sure it was not in the same place as we had left the bus, but at least we could get back!

By then it was 3:30 and we had not eaten any lunch. I checked out the Lido and discovered they had Battenberg cake. I was delighted and took three pieces. We then sat in the sun on our balcony and did odds and ends until dinner time.

Another couple came and chatted to us during the 7:15 dance session, and when her attention turned to David, I had time to actually chill and relax and realise how exhausted I was. In fact, when David and I danced a Cha cha I realised I was also suffering from lack of salt after sweating in the hot sun all day. A flask of sports drink (fruit juice, salt and sugar) did not revive me. I went to bed and dozed while David sat in the ballroom and chatted to people who came up. He got back about 12:30 and we ended up watching ‘Saving Mr Banks’ on TV and eating room service food until 3am! That's a first for me on a cruise.