Sunshine again as we sailed to the island of Ponza, about halfway between Naples and Rome. It's a volcanic island with some nice beaches as well as spectacular cliffs. As we entered the harbor, we noticed an unusual cluster of pastel-colored buildings on a hill, looking very much like little dollhouses.

There wasn't a lot to see in the harbor town of Ponza. Most of the shops and restaurants seemed to have closed for the season. But that didn't stop us from walking up and down the hills, passing shuttered homes, cats, and an occasional resident. Many of the homes and shops were painted in bright colors, often contrasting sharply with the next building. The church is high above the town, overlooking the sea. In the adjoining cemetery we discovered that the little pastel buildings sighted from the ship were actually crypts.

That evening we attended the Captain's Farewell Dinner with Ingrid, who had become a wonderful companion during the cruise. Whether on a land excursion or on board, she was always a delight. We hope to keep in touch.