Ravenna, Italy - Sunday, 27 October, 2013

Back in Italy, today. We do led around 8:30  this morning in a very dense fog. The. QE kept sounding its fog horn at regular intervals and as needed. We watched t he tying up "alongside" procedure. It is amazing how a ship that is 950 ft long can ease up to berth. Thnaks to the the bow and stern thrusters. T hen someone from the ship fires a small, but very long rope with a weight on it onto the pier. The guys on the pier then reel in the small, but long rope until the the thick lines are brought up and looped around the capstans. By the time they are finished, the ship is held close to the pier by about 10 different lines all stretched taut.

It was still foggy when we boarded our bus around 10 am for the Mosaics of Ravenna Tour, bu by the time we got to the city center, the fog had gone and there was bright sunshine. Day 15 of bright sunshine on this trip!

We began today's tour at the Basilica of want' Apollinare Nuovo. The mosaics on the walls above the arches are just about 1600 years old. Some of been replaced, but most are original. Just imagine, 1000 years ago they were already old! On both sides of this church, these mosaics portray the Christian story. I have never been here before, but Susan had been here in 1969. 

Following are just a few of the pictures that we took at this amazing place.

Note the line outside of the ladies WC... A number of women wanted to use the men's room after we had all finished and a bit of a discussion ensued between the male WC attendant and the women.

On our way to the Basilica of Sam Vitale, we stood in line to poke our heads into the tomb of poet Dante Alighieri.

Then on to the Basilica of San Vitale and the adjacent Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.

First the mausoleum:

Now photos from the basilica of San Vitale: absolutely stunning! But, after awhile, looking up is hard on the neck and the back.

Back to the ship around 2 pm after walking through the town for a bit.

Late lunch at the Lido.  Time to pack. Luggage has to be out in the hall no later than 11:00 and will be waiting for us in the terminal tomorrow morning. We have to be out of our stateroom by 8:30 am and will wait in the Queens Room until out group disembarks the Queen Elizabeth at 10:30 am.Our luggage will then be transferred to the Bauer Hotel in Venezia and we will take a motor launch to the hotel.

Last dinner tonight with our table mates and we are looking forward to a great show in the Royal Court Theater.

More from Venezia tomorrow...