Safely back on board, I decide to head for the ship’s library where a talk on the earliest sailing voyages of mankind is being offered up before dinner. Now I’ve attended many such presentations on other cruises and frankly, they can be boring. The library is comfortable, rich, and beautifully appointed. The stock of literature, predominantly in English and German, isn’t something to sneeze at either.

I arrive late and passengers are already comfortably assembled around the perimeter of the room. At the front with a world map affixed to the wall is Peter Kissner, a tall, tanned Bavarian with tousled blonde hair drawn back in a pony tail. He is Star Clipper’s Cruise Director. My expectations for the talk aren’t very high.

When he wrapped up at eight o’clock, and even with hunger pangs whispering, I was prepared to sit there all night, riveted by this man. I’m not the betting sort, but I’d wager that Peter has more knowledge about maritime history than academics in this field. Not only that, his storytelling ability is unmatched. We heard about Ferdinand Magellan, the first to circumnavigate the world. We heard all about the political intrigue surrounding his historic voyage, and Peter magically teleported me to the deck of Magellan’s ship where I became one of this famous navigator’s men.

I promised myself not to be presumptuous about on-board talks again.

Cappadocia, Turkey.

Sailing the Med aboard Star Clippers tall ships just got a lot more legendary. During the 2011-12 Mediterranean sailing season guests will have the opportunity to explore the ancient city of Cappadocia, located in central Turkey, during a pre- or post-cruise land excursion.

This magical two-night tour takes you to the underground cave cities of Cappadocia, where discreet entrances give way to elaborate subterranean worlds. Learn the art of pottery making before setting off to visit the Goreme Open Air Museum and Uchisar Castle where you’ll discover the fairy chimneys and rock-cut churches from the early days of Christianity.

Hike in the dramatic Red and Pigeon valleys; explore Kaymakli, the widest underground city; travel to Cavusin — one of the oldest Greek villages, and marvel at Ortahisar Castle. More adventurous guest can take to the skies and drift over the spectacular Cappadocia landscape with an optional hot air balloon tour.

According to Origins of Sea Terms, by John G. Rogers, Lubber’s Lines are marks in the bowl of a ship’s compass, aligned for dead ahead, astern, and abeam. The origin of the term may be that an experienced helmsman did not need these aids to ascertain the ship’s heading, and to use them was considered lubberly.

Sailing Lingo aims to test your knowledge of the peculiar and sometimes indecipherable language of sailing. We pose a question and see who can answer it most accurately in the comments section of the post. Be sure to check the blog for the correct answer the following day. Good Luck!

Grasshopper

Ingredients:
Cacao White — 2 cl
Menthe Vert (green mint syrup) — 2 cl
Fresh cream — 2 cl

Glass:
Martini glass

Garnish:
Two cherries

Shake all ingredients with ice cubes and then pour into a glass. Enjoy!

The ancient Greek city of Pergamon.

Situated on Turkey’s north Aegean coast, Dikili is a small fishing town known for its dark sand beaches, picturesque shoreline and warm thermal springs.

With a history dating back to the 2nd century B.C., guests will find that there is a lot to discover and explore while at port in this resort town.

From Dikili, guests can take an optional tour to the stunning historical site of Pergamon, an ancient Greek city that thrived during the Hellenistic period and was the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon. Other notable attractions include the temple of Dionysus, the Acropolis, the town of Bergama and a 10,000-seat theater clinging to the incredibly steep hillside.

Be sure to visit the restored marble-columned Roman Temple of Trajan and the Asclepion, an ancient healing sanctuary named after the god of medicine.

Star Flyer’s “Greek Isles & Turkey” cruise calls at Dikili, Turkey, during the 2011-12 Mediterranean sailing season.

Velvet Hammer

Ingredients:
Cointreau — 2 cl
Creme de Cacao White — 2 cl
Fresh cream — 2 cl

Glass:
Martini glass

Garnish:
None.

Blend all ingredients with ice cubes until smooth and then pour into a glass. Enjoy!

Hammamet, Tunisia.

“Tunisia’s Saint Tropez” is a fitting description for Hammamet, a former fishing village known for its exotic history, white sand coastlines, ancient buildings and breathtaking villas. Located between the Mediterranean and the Sahara desert, Hammamet’s history is displayed through its bronze statues, pottery and Arabic inspired mosaics exhibited in the town’s museums and archaeological sites.

Guests visiting Hammamet can enjoy a camel ride on the beach at sunset or explore the ruins at the Roman site of Pupput. Other attractions include the Medina, a place of narrow roads filled with historical fountains, mosques and interesting architecture, traditional Arab baths (Hammams) and local pottery artisans.

Star Flyer’s new seven-night itineraries between Malta and Athens, Greece, calls at Hammamet, Tunisia, during the 2011-12 Mediterranean sailing season. ]]> http://www.starclippersblog.com/2010/07/port-of-the-week-hammamet-tunisia/feed/ 0 http://www.starclippersblog.com/2010/06/chefs-suggestion-swordfish-steak-with-olive-oil/ http://www.starclippersblog.com/2010/06/chefs-suggestion-swordfish-steak-with-olive-oil/#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:21:54 +0000 Julie http://www.starclippersblog.com/?p=2278 Bernd Schröter, director of hotel operations at Star Clippers headquarters in Monaco, shared this delicious recipe with us.