During our second day in Albania we travelled inland to explore the historic capital of Krujë, located at the foot of Mount Krujë. Here we visited the National Skanderbeg Museum and learned about the Albanian national hero for whom it is named. As leader of the League of Lezhë, Skanderbeg successfully defended the castle against three Ottoman sieges until his death in 1468. At a local restaurant we were treated to authentic Albanian food and a rousing performance of traditional Albanian music and folk dancing. Before returning to the ship we had free time to explore the unusual collection of shops in the medieval market, including locally made rugs and memorabilia from Albania’s communist period. Before dinner, expedition leader John Frick gave a presentation about the history of the Sea Cloud and we enjoyed a tour of several original cabins.
9/15/2024
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Sea Cloud
At Sea
As we wiped the sleep from our eyes and looked to the sky above, dreamy clouds splayed out, luffing in 18-plus knots of wind. These clouds, the sails of the magnificent Sea Cloud , were set not for viewing pleasure but for making way, tacking onward through the Aegean Sea off the coast of the Peloponnese Peninsula. With Captain Starostin on the bridge guiding his seaworthy crew through the sail plan, Chief Officer Alex took charge on the spanker deck walking the guests through a play-by-play of the mechanics of sailing the Sea Cloud. While winds gusted heavily, some rain clouds appeared, but this did not deter guests from the exhilarating demonstration happening above them. Between the weather and the waves, it was the perfect storm for Sea Cloud and her crew to show off what this ship was truly built for—sailing. Guests enjoyed being out on the decks in the action with the crew as they handled various lines working the sails above. We continued onward as Sea Cloud made way for our next destination in Katakolon, Greece.
