A portrait and a temple

5 November 2008 - Athens

In the distance, behind the cruise ship Thomson Spirit, a funnel appeared with a picture of the hauntingly beautiful Mona Lisa. I recognised her instantly. Not because of the picture, but the ship underneath her. This was the old ocean liner Kungsholm.

Kungsholm has played a major part in my life (almost as much as the Cunard Queens). She was built at John Browns Shipbuilders in Clydebank, the ship before QE2. Between her and QE2, the shipyard went bust. After a while travelling transatlantic for the Swedish America Line, she was bought by P&O Princess and renamed Sea Princess. I took my first ever cruise on her in 1986, and I visited Ephasus, Santorini, Jerusalem and, of course, Athens. I owe her a debt of gratitude because it was through her that I first developed my love of Greek history and architecture.

In 1995 we was moved to P&O cruises and became the Victoria. I travelled on her again in 2001. I was almost 6 months pregnant at the time and made the time limit for travelling while pregnant by 2 days! I was seasick all the way across the atlantic to the Caribbean. But I loved every minute on board her. She is very like QE2. Ships are like paintings, you can tell who built them by the quality and look of their interiors. She was every inch a John Browns ship.

In fact I enjoyed my trip on her so much, she forms part of my daughter's name - Elizabeth Victoria (known as Evie). The Elizabeth is after the QE2, which I also travelled on while I was pregnant.

Athens has changed dramatically in the 19 years since I was there last. I first visited Athens on Victoria, then as part of a bus tour of ancient greek archaeological sites. On that trip I also visited Corinth, Olympia, Delphi and Epidavros. 

Oscar went up to visit the Acropolis with us. He had a great time, standing on ruins and following Evie around the site. He also watched the changing of the guards outside the Greek Parliament. The soldiers have little pleated skirts and HUGE pom poms on their shoes. He also took a stroll to the Panathenaic Stadium which was built for the first modern day Olympics in 1896.

Leaving Athens was sad for a couple of reasons. We were leaving Victoria - its probably the last time these two ships will meet. Also it means we are on our way home.  For the next two days we'll be at sea, but there is plenty to do. Evie is in the nursery doing school work, Campbell and I have a meeting of the World Ship Society/Ocean Liner Society at 11.15am today, and tonight we have been invited for cocktails by Captain McNaught.

I also met a friend who got on at Athens. His name is Brian Johnson, and he is Human Resources Director at Princess Cruises. He is on board to do some work, so I'll make arrangements to meet up for drinks. We met at the International Cruise Conference in Bremerhaven. 

PS The weather is scorching hot!!!!