| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
|---|---|---|---|
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31st May 2024 |
BoMoH to Hounslow |
£53 AirBnB |
 |
1st June 2024 |
LHR to FCO to CivitaVecchia |
On board by 12:30 |
 |
2nd June 2024 |
Saint-Tropez Cote d'Azur France |
(Gassin & Wine Tasting) |
 |
3rd June 2024 |
Barcelona Catalonia Spain |
a.m. Montjuic p.m. Gothic Quarter |
|
5th June 2024 |
Cadiz Andalusia Spain |
Cadiz through the eyes of a local |
 |
6th June 2024 |
Casablanca Morocco |
Imperial Rabat |
|
7th June 2024 |
Agadir Morocco |
Walls & Souks of Taroudant |
|
8th June 2024 |
Arrecife Lanzarote Spain |
Panoramic Lanzarote |
|
9th June 2024 |
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Spain |
Biosphere Reserve & UNESCO |
|
10th June 2024 |
Santa Cruz de La Palma Spain |
Volcanoes & Wine tour |
 |
11th June 2024 |
Funchal Madeira Portugal |
Wonders of the North |
|
13th June 2024 |
Lisbon Portugal |
Lisbon On My Own (OMO) |
Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
I got up at six o'clock and spent the morning working on my laptop, sending out requests to various Tourist Information Offices (TIOs). At one o'clock I called for a Streamline taxi, which came within five minutes, to run me to the coach station for £14. The National Express coach was five minutes late arriving and then took ten minutes to load up, as it was a busy Friday afternoon. I sat at the back of the coach with a view down the aisle.
Next to me on the coach was a young man who had been backpacking in the Far East where he had met a French girl. He was now flying out from Gatwick to visit her in Paris. Unfortunately he had bought a ticket for the 1:30 AM service, not the afternoon service, so he had had to buy another ticket. He had an evening flight and I don't think he would have made it in time, as the coach had to make THREE calls at LHR before getting to the TWO terminals at LGW, as well as negotiating one quadrant of the M25 on a busy Friday afternoon!
At LHR Terminal Five I used the loo and ate my Boots sarnies, before catching the Piccadilly line to Hounslow West. Here I had a £53 AirBnB in a brand me apartment with high ceilings, an en suite and a view of a playing field. I had one complimentary bag of crisps and one Waitrose banana that I had brought from home for supper. I spent the evening watching television and starting this blog, going to sleep at nine o'clock.
I got up at 3:45, fifteen minutes before my alarms (sic) excited to be flying to Rome again. I had one mug of instant cappuccino coffee in my AirBnB, whilst updating this blog. At 4:45 I left my room and walked just 150 yards to Hounslow West tube station.
I caught the five o'clock train to Terminal Five where an assistant checked me in, as I didn't have my booking reference number with me. Security took fifteen minutes and then I had to wait for the transit train to satellite terminal 5B. Boarding was fine and a lady already in my window seat asked me to take her aisle seat, which I was happy to do. Then magician John Lenahan, who I had worked with on my previous RSS cruise, said hello as he walked passed my seat.
We took off twenty minutes late, but made up some time en route as usual on the two hour flight. I asked for a complimentary flapjack, but they had run out, so I got given both a small pack of oatmeal biscuits AND a small pack of chocolate digestives, along with a small plastic bottle of water.
During the flight I got out my laptop and updated this blog. Leonardo airport was much better then usual as we were ushered passed the long passport queues to the automatic gates with no queues. The official then just stamped our passports, but my stamp was virtually invisible.
After a long walk, my bag was already on the baggage carousel. In the foyer, I was ticked off the Oceania mainfest and then led out to our coach. During the one hour run out to CivitaVecchia (CV), I slept for half an hour.
At the Roma Cruise Terminal (RCT) I dropped off my case and was quickly checked in. On board the ship at 12:30, I checked into my muster station and then touched base with Destination Services. Willie took me through to the back offices to show me how to sign up, but as before there were no light blue shirts available. Luckily I had remembered to pack mine just in case. Whilst filling in the tour request forms, the Cruise Director Peter introduced himself. In his office, I also said hello to ACD Jason and Social Hostess Hilary. I told the latter that I was happy to host the solo travellers as usual.
I then moved up to the pool grill to have a burger and sweet potato fries, but I didn't realise you had to add the salad elements yourself. I lay down on a lounger in the shade by the pool until the state rooms were released at 2:40. I had a double cabin with floor to ceiling picture windows, but no balcony. In the en suite was a shower AND a full sized bath. I then slept for one hour, before unpacking and updating this blog.
At 6:15 I went to the Baristas bar, where I met social hostess Hilary who used to live in Highcliffe. We were joined by eight solo travellers and comedy magician John Lenahan. I had two glasses of soda water to drink and some nibbles to eat. At 7:30 they had all departed, so just John and myself had dinner al fresco a la veranda. I had the cauliflower soup, the pork ribs and the cheese plate to eat with just a glass of water to drink. Afterwards I picked up my escort sheet for my first choice Gassin & Wine Tasting tour, but it was an afternoon tour so I couldn't do it.
At 9:15 I went to the Taste of Things to Come showtime. One of the female singers sang three songs, before CD Peter brought on his team to introduce themselves. First came ACD Jason and SH Hillary, followed by the eleven members of the production company (one member was missing for the whole cruise). One of the male singers then sang three songs, the last of which was Volare as he was Italian. At the end the company sang and danced Fiesta Caliente (Hot Festival) a Latin American medley. When the room had cleared, I spoke to George the stage manager. I went to sleep at 10:45, but it was only 9:45 on BST, after a long and busy day.
I awoke at 7:15, ready for my Huevos Rancheros special breakfast al fresco a la veranda. This was a fried egg with cheese and refried beans on a tortilla. I had just two small glasses of orange juice and some sparkling water to drink.
I then touched base with the Destination Services desk, where I had to hand back my afternoon tour escort sheet. When Latoya was servicing the suite, I explored the top of the ship. Back in my state room, I updated this blog whilst the tour guests were being ferried ashore.
At 9:15 I checked in to the Marina theatre to get my tender ticket, but had to wait twenty minutes for the last of the tours to go. It took fifteen minutes to go ashore, during which I chatted to a couple from Sydney. Once ashore, I walked around the port to the little beaches and then up to the Citadel, which is a maritime museum. I doubled back through the pretty little town taking lots of photographs and a couple of videos.
I caught the 12:30 tender back to the ship, where I had the bean soup, the roast lamb and the orange trifle for lunch al fresco a la veranda. Back in my state room, I slept for one hour, before working on my laptop all afternoon, putting my morning's photography into a PowerPoint presentation. I had last been in Saint-Tropez in 1982 with Stephen Morgan forty two years ago!
At 4:45 Stanislav from Moldova set me up, but we had trouble with the sound until George suggested rebooting my laptop. This did the trick and I was able to play my introductory video, but I didn't need to use my final video at all when forty minutes was up. I touched base with ACD Jason to see the next day's programme, before CD Peter introduced me. At the end, I had a fair few questions to field.
At 6:30 I went to the Grand Dining Room (GDR) where I sat with Margaret & Tom, two former elementary school teachers from New Jersey. They travel extensively, mainly with Oceania, but also on land. She maintains a private blog. I had the lobster bisque, the Caesar salad with extra anchovies, the tenderloin beef and the Humphry Slocombe ice cream to eat. The latter includes potato crisps!
At 9:15 I went to the brilliant Brill Factory production show, with great songs from the 1950s, most of which I knew. It had just five musicians and eleven singers & dancers. I went to sleep at 10:50 having done over fifteen thousand steps equal to six miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at 7:15 ready for the special breakfast of two Tuscan Eggs at eight o'clock. When Latoya came to service the state room at 8:15 I went up to the top deck to enjoy the views of Barcelona. I caught the first shuttle away at 9:30.
I walked the half a mile to the Parallel station where I bought a single ticket for €2.55. However one of the electronic gates was left open, so I waltzed through without submitting my ticket. I took the famous funicular railway which goes halfway up the Jewish Mountain (Montjuic). I continued on foot to the top, where I encircled the huge fortress, but didn't go in. I then worked my way down to the World Trade Centre bus park after two hours of walking.
I caught the 12:15 coach back to the ship, where I had the lentil soup and the roast chicken al fresco a la veranda as usual. I then slept for three quarters of an hour, before catching the 2:45 shuttle back into the city. I went in the rear entrance of the maritime museum, as the front area was being repaved. I used their loo, but didn't buy an entrance ticket. I walked up La Rambla the famous boulevard to the Royal Place and the Boqueria market.
At Catalonia Place, I doubled back into the Gothic Quarter to photograph the Cathedral and the King's Palace. I crossed St James's Place to see the City Hall and Catalonian Government building, before heading back to the funicular railway again, to use the ticket I had bought in the morning. This time I headed straight back down the hillside and caught the five o'clock shuttle bus back to the ship. In my state room I finished putting my Saint-Tropez pictures into a 86 slide PowerPoint presentation.
At 5:45 I went to the Captain's welcome cocktail party, where I had just one glass of complimentary red wine, but several canapes. I chatted to Peter Wall from Birmingham, who has a holiday home in Thirlestone in South Devon. I was joined by Margaret and Tom from New Jersey, but they had to depart soon for their 6:30 reservation in the Polo Grill speciality restaurant.
I then headed down to the GDR, where I sat with two retired Professors, Carol from Tallahassee in Florida and Judy from New Hampshire. I had the Marseillaise fish soup, which was suspiciously like the lobster bisque, followed by the lovely Maine lobster with rice. I finished the meal with two scoops of the Humphry Slocombe Fat Elvis (sic) ice cream.
Back in my state room I updated this blog and sent Carol and Judy thank you emails, to which they both replied. At 9:15 I went to John Lenahan's amusing comedy magic show. I went to sleep at 10:40 having done twenty seven and a half thousand steps, equal to eleven miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at six o'clock and got up at 6:20. At seven o'clock I had just a fruit yoghurt to eat, as I felt bloated after last night's dinner. I had one glass of orange juice, one of sparkling water and a cup of decaff cappuccino coffee to drink al fresco a la veranda in the bright sunshine. Peter Wall from Birmingham and Thirlestone came over to speak to me.
When Ahmad came to service my state room at 8:20, I did ten circuits of the top deck jogging track, equal to one mile of walking in thirteen minutes. At nine o'clock I touched base with the Destination Services to check on last minute availability for tours in Cadiz. At 9:30 I went to Sadie/Sarah and Charlie's Dancercise class where eight guests and me learnt three Zumba routines. This took place on the main stage of the Marina's theatre.
At 10:15 I went to ACD Jason's line dancing class, where he taught Elvira, Achy Breaky Heart, Cowboy Twist & Cupid Shuffle to the Go Right song. This had twenty guests on the rather small and hard dance floor in the Horizon Lounge. At eleven o'clock I went to Cecilia's fifty minute future cruise presentation, which included details of the newly forthcoming Oceania ships.
At 12:30 I lunched on tomato soup and roast pork with Mexican vegetables al fresco a la veranda in the hot sunshine. I then touched base with CD Peter to check the next's day programme. At 1:45 I set myself up as the lectern and wires were all ready in place. Then Stanislav fitted my head set and tested my introductory video. At the entrance to the Marina theatre I chatted to singer/dancer Steven who was on door duty before the start of my talk. He told me that after this contract he would be moving to Italy to live with his boyfriend there.
At 2:15 I gave my forty minute port talk on Cadiz to a fair sized audience, in spite of the hot sun shining outside. I didn't need my final two videos. As I answered some questions, John Lenahan began setting up for his magic lesson at 3:15, to a rather smaller audience than I had garnered. I then slept for three quarters of an hour, before working on my Casablanca lecture.
At 5:45 I went to the Oceania virgins cocktail party, although I have previously sailed on their Sirena ship last year. Here I chatted to Kathryn from Hawaii the production company's costumier, seamstress and dresser. At 6:30 I went to the GDR and sat with Olga a Russian American from Atlanta and Margaret & Tom from New Jersey for a second time. I had the cream of malanga (root vegetable) soup, the Boston lettuce blue cheese salad, the steak au poivre and the no sugar added creme brulee. I then picked up my tour escort sheet ready for Cadiz in the morning.
At 9:15 I went to Chris Bannister's excellent John Denver tribute show. He began with a pitch perfect rendition of "Leaving on a Jet Plane", but broke the illusion when he spoke with a broad Lancastrian accent, coming from Wigan. How can these performers sing so accurately and yet not care about speaking like their idols? John Denver did not have a Northern accent!
He didn't wear a blond wig nor granny glasses, unlike fellow tribute artist Wayne Denton, who I have heard several times. He self-indulgently sang one of his own songs, and several of John Denver's I didn't know, including most of the final medley. His singing of "Annie's Song", "Rocky Mountain High" and "Country Roads" was perfection and the mainly American audience loved him, giving him a well deserved standing ovation.
At 10:30 I went up to the top deck to see the Plough constellation, but not the Milky Way or Gibraltar. I went to bed just after eleven o'clock having done five thousand steps, equal to two miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at six o'clock, one hour before my alarm. At seven o'clock I had the special breakfast of two split bagels with scrambled egg, bacon, smoked salmon and ratatouille to eat. I had two small glasses of orange juice and one large glass of sparkling water, but no coffee to drink as I was escorting that morning. When both Latoya and Ahmad came to service the state room at 8:10, I did ten laps of the top deck jogging track, equal to one mile of walking. I went around the wrong way to avoid walking into the bright sun.
At nine o'clock I reported for escort duty in the Marina theatre, for my third choice Cadiz through the eyes of a local tour, but we didn't get away until 9:45. Our guide was Luis de la Roz, who had a great sense of humour. We walked to the cathedral, to the market and to the city beach, before doubling back to the market. Here we had three types of goat cheese and lots of slices of roast pork to eat. I had a bottle of beer to drink, but some guests had red or white wine instead.
We got back to the ship at 12:45, where I had just one bowl of bean soup and a small slice of pizza for lunch. I then slept for three quarters of an hour, before heading out again. I walked across town to the cathedral and market to get to the bastions walk on the other side of the peninsula. I headed out along the causeway to St Sebatian's fort, but it was closed as usual. St Catherine's fort was open, but I didn't go in, instead cracking on along the ramparts.
I got back to the ship at 3:45 ready for a can of Sprite lemonade as I updated this blog. I then touched base with ACD Jason and Destination Services. At 4:45 I got set up in the Marina theatre with Stanislav fitting my headset. At 5:15 I gave my forty minute port talk on Casablanca to a surprsingly large audience. At the end I had a lot of questions to answer.
At 6:15 I went to the solo travellers meet up, but the chairs hadn't been laid out. Then Social Hostess Hilary and Costumier Kathryn arrived, followed by comedy magician John Lenahan. Guest Douglas from Hong Kong arrived in shorts and had to go and get changed. I had just one glass of champagne to drink, but lots of snacks to nibble on. Then Diana and her friend Paulina arrived, followed by three more ladies. However they all had dinner reservations elsewhere, so it was just one guest, Douglas, with FOUR hosts for dinner in the GDR. I had the lobster bisque, the small greens salad and the BBQ pork chop to eat. I had TWO glasses of the Merlot red wine.
I didn't have time for dessert, as I wanted to go to the 9:15 Broadway in Concert show time, featuring the six singers and the seven musicians. Unfortunately I had trouble keeping awake in an excellent show that I have seen several times before. I went to sleep at 10:30 having done over twenty one thousand steps, equal to over eight miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at six o'clock as usual, but it was now only five o'clock on Moroccan time. Having abluted, I worked on my Agadir presentation, as the overcast dawn came up. At six o'clock I had a freshly made cheese omelette with two sausages, one tomato and a hash brown in the Waves grill as we berthed in Casablanca.
At 7:30 I moved down to the Marina theatre to escort my first choice half day tour to the capital city Rabat. We had a long walk along the quayside to the old cruise terminal, having sailed passed the new one on the breakwater, as had happened 18 months previously. Our guide was the talkative Hamid and our driver was Tariq. We had a run out to Rabat for an hour and a half along the motorway, during which I slept for half an hour.
Our first stop was at the enormous Royal Palace. Next up was the impressive Royal Mausoleum. Our final stop in Rabat was at the beautiful Andalusian garden, where we had mint tea and cookies. I had an almond macaroon and a coconut cake to eat, sat with Margaret & Tom from New Jersey.
We had a quicker run back to Casablanca, which took only one hour, during which I slept for half an hour. Our last stop was twenty five minutes at the Artisanal store on United Nations Place. I took the opportunity to photograph the ticket machines at the tram stop.
Back at the ship after two o'clock, I had a toasted mozzarella and tomato panini sat at the long table in the brand new Aquamar Kitchen cafeteria. I then slept for three quarters of an hour, before updating this blog. At 4:45 I set myself up and then Stan came and fitted my headset. Dancer Abby from New Jersey was on door duty with me. I touched base with Destination Services, before giving my forty minute lecture on Agadir. Again I had a lot of questions to answer and then one Aussie wanted to talk about how his backpack had been tampered with on our tour coach.
At 6:45 I dined with Tom and Margaret yet again in the GDR. I had the sweet corn soup, the Cretan salad, the lamb and the no sugar added tart to eat. At 9:15 I went to John Lenahan's second show, but had trouble keeping awake. I went to sleep at 10:30 having done only nine thousand steps, equal to less than four miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at 6:20 to another overcast dawn. At seven o'clock I had a freshly made cheese omelette with bacon, hash brown, tomato and baked beans to eat al fresco a la veranda. At eight o'clock Latoya and Ahmad came to change the sheets at the half way mark of the cruise, so I adjourned to the Horizon observation lounge to watch the sail in to Agadir.
At 9:30 I moved down to the Marina theatre to escort my first choice Walls & Souks of Taroudant tour. We departed at 9:50 with 27 guests, guide Abdel and driver Khalid. I slept for half an hour on the hour long run out to Taroudant. Dropped off just outside the impressive city walls, we walked through one of the gates into the old city.
Our first stop was at a souvenir shop in one of the markets. Next we visited an argan oil workshop to see the women grinding the almond like nuts to extract their precious oil. Our final stop was at an up market hotel, where we had either mint tea or soft drinks with cookies. I had a bottle of Sprite with my biscuits. Unfortunately there was a rather long walk across the city to another gate to get to our coach. Two ladies with walking sticks and one with a bad hip struggled all the way back in the hot sun. I slept for another half hour on the way back, this time via the down town area of Agadir, where we saw the construction of the new opera house.
Back at the ship, I updated this blog and got ready for my next lecture. At 4:45 I set myself up and Stan fitted my headset, ready to give my thirty minute talk on Arrecife at 5:15. At the end, I had fifteen minutes of questions to answer!
At 6:45 I dined with snow bird Skip and his wife Karen from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They have just sold their holiday home in Phoenix, Arizona, as having turned eighty the US medical insurance is prohibitively expensive. Both their mothers were English wartime brides in Canada. I had the asparagus soup, the Caesar salad, the rack of lamb and the Humphry Slocombe black sesame (sic) ice cream to eat.
At 9:15 I went to Chris Bannister's Singer/Songwriters show. I was expecting some more of his own songs, but thankfully, apart from the last one, we had a lot of great standards instead. Most of the songs were from the 1969-1972 period, which must have been a formative one for him. These included "Times they are a-changing" by Bob Dylan and "Mr Bojangles" by Sammy Davis Junior, however they all sounded like John Denver! I went to sleep at 10:35 having done nearly ten thousand steps, nearly at my daily quota, equal to four miles of walking.
I awoke at 6:35 having slept for eight hours. At 7:30 I had the special breakfast of a fried egg on top of a beefburger al fresco a la veranda. Back in my state room, it had already been serviced. I then worked on my Tenerife presentation.
At ten o'clock I moved down to the Marina theatre ready to escort my fourth choice Panoramic Lanzarote tour. We were quickly called forward and I rushed out to meet driver Miguel and guide Stefano from Venice. I had a nearly full coach of 39 guests to look after.
Our first stop was supposed to be a winery, but it was already chocabloc with coaches, so we pressed on for the Timanfaya National Park. Here we had the usual demonstrations including the burning bush and the artificial geyser. We then drove along the eleven kilometre scenic drive, but one lady was nearly travel sick on the switchback road. Our next stop was at the famous Green Gulf which is an algal salt water lagoon. Our final stop was back at the winery, where I had a couple of glasses of the sweet Moscatel wine.
Back at the ship at two o'clock I joined the queue for the shuttle, which left at 2:15, but only went as far as the far end of the marina. I then walked the half mile into the town centre along the prom. La Recova covered market in the Town Hall courtyard was closed. The town was very quiet with the last few stalls of the Saturday market just packing up. I walked back along the north side of the lagoon where the cafes were very busy.
Back at the ship again, the Waves Grill was packed so I had just two scoops of the Humphry Slocombe black sesame ice cream as a late lunch. I touched base with Destination Services, before getting set up to give my forty minute lecture on Santa Cruz de Tenerife. At 6:30 I tried to go to the Spanish meal in the buffet, but it was heaving, so I went down to the GDR instead. Here I had to wait nearly half an hour for other solos to arrive, as it was very quiet. I dined with a Chinese American lady and Brian a retired architect from Iowa. I had the lobster bisque, the crunchy salad, the prime rib of beef and the rocky road ice cream to eat.
At 9:15 I went to the Peggy Lee tribute production show, but I only knew ONE song, "Fever".
7 Musicians 4 Female dancers 3 Male dancers 2 Female singers 2 Male singers
I went to sleep at 10:30, having done twelve thousand steps, nearly equal to five miles of walking during the day.
I awoke to my alarm at 6:30 ready for a continental breakfast of two croissants with ham, cheese and tomato at seven o'clock. At eight o'clock I moved out to coach number two to meet guide Victor and driver Alphonso. I had 38 guests to look after on my third choice Biosphere Reserve & World Heritage Centre tour. We began at Taganana beach, before moving up to the village. Here we had unlimited wine and tapas, the latter consisting of cheese and olives on white bread. Our next stop was at the Cruz de Carmen viewpoint, with a view across to Tenerife North airport, where the world's worst air crash had occurred. We then had a forty minute walk around San Cristobal de la Laguna, the old capital and UNESCO world heritage site.
Back at the ship, I had a Caesar salad with smoked salmon and caramel ice cream as a late lunch. I then slept for three quarters of an hour, before receiving a call from CD Peter to appear on his television show. At 5:15 I recorded the morning show with Peter covering both Santa Cruz de La Palma and Funchal, Madeira. I then had to change back into my casual outfit to head ashore.
The green bridge was being used for the huge pop concert on the quayside. This was where I had heard the Tenrerife Symphony Orchestra, the Christmas before last, when I was on a Saga cruise. I had to back track to the cruise terminal with the lifts up to the promenade. The museum under Spain Place as closed, as was the old Tourist Information Office (TIO) under the flowers and the new TIO in the old Charter Palace building. I photographed St Francis's church before returning to the ship.
At seven o'clock I dined with Shane & Sandra from Tasmania. He had been a WO1 in the Australian Army, doing long tours in Antarctica. I had the tomato soup, the Mykonos salad, the salmon with lentils and the chocolate profiteroles with vanilla ice cream. I had actaully ordered the Rossini Tournedos, as had Sandra, but she got given salmon, so I offered to swap. In my corridor, I bumped into virtuoso violinist E Sarah Carter, who didn't know that I was on board.
At 9:15 I went to the hour long Dancing on the Deck party. CD Peter and his partner ACD Jason both sang two songs each, as did the professional singers and the girl from the pop group. I danced with Social Hostess Hilary, Costumier Kathryn, Violinist Sarah and two of the professional dancers. When they played a Queen number, I led off the Electric Slide which proved popular. They didn't do YMCA or the Macarena! I went to bed at 10:30 having done over fifteen thousand steps, equal to over six miles of walking during the day.
My alarm work me at five o'clock by mistake as it was one hour ahead, so I dozed for another hour. At 6:30 I had breakfast of two tubs of Greek yoghurt with honey and two glasses of orange juice. At 7:45 I went out to find bus number one with Norwegian guide Thor and local driver Toni. I had 38 guests to look after on my third choice tour Volcanoes & Wine.
Our first stop was at the southern lighthouse next to the pink salt pans. Our next stop was at the Volcan San Antoni which erupted several hundred years ago, leaving a huge hole in the ground. We were able to walk around the western half of the crater with extensive views. One gent fell on the volcanic ash and grazed his elbow, so I had to get him to sign an indemnity form. Our final stop was at the winery (Bodega) in Hot Springs (Fuencaliente). Here we tasted one red and one white wine, but no nibbles were forthcoming.
Back at the ship, I had the corn chowder soup and the fish & chips with mushy peas for lunch, but it was too windy to sit outside for the first time this cruise. I then slept for three quarters of an hour, before walking into town. I popped into the Tourist Information Office (TIO) in the glass box in the middle of the roundabout to collect some maps and leaflets. I then took the new elevator up to the Hermitage and worked my way down gradually. I photographed nearly all the important sights, including inside the excellent island museum in the old monastery. I didn't have time to go in the maritime museum, inside the reconstruction of Christopher Columbus's flagship, La Santa Maria. I also didn't make it to the Castle of the Virgin (Castillo de la Virgen) above the dried up river bed.
Back at the ship, I updated this blog. At 6:15 I went up to the Horizon observation lounge to join the solo travellers. First costumier Kathryn arrived, then social hostess Hilary. Eventually we had ten ladies and one gent, Douglas from Hong Kong. I had just one glass of champagne to drink and lots of crisps (potato chips) to eat.
At 7:30 we moved down to the GDR sitting at the huge Captain's table for ten under the chandelier. Paulina slipped in to join Diana and I was sat next to Kathryn and New Yorker Harriet now from Florida. I chatted to Ann who has homes in both Auckland, New Zealand (for the summer) and on the Gold Coast of Australia (for the winter). I had the chicken consomme, the iceberg lettuce salad and the Argentinian flank steak with sweet potato fries to eat. I had two glasses of the Merlot red wine to drink. The main course finished at 9:10 when I slipped out to see the show at 9:15.
Funky violinist E Sarah Carter began with the "Devil went down to Georgia", followed by the "Lord of the Dance". When she called for dancers, I was tempted to go up on to the stage to dance Coastin', but I was sat in my favourite poisition in the middle at the back. I went to sleep at 10:40 having done sixteen and a half thousand steps, equal to over six miles of walking during the day.
I got up at six o'clock and had a freshly made cheese omelette for breakfast at the Waves Grill at 6:30. Back in my state room, I worked on my laptop. When Ahmad came to service the state room at eight o'clock, I did six circuits of the top deck jogging track, equal to one kilometre (6/10th of a mile) of walking in the hot sun, as we reversed into the city side berth.
At nine o'clock I met up with guide Susana, who lived in Jersey for some years, and driver Alvaro on minibus number eight. I had just twelve guests to look after on my second choice Wonders of the North tour. We drove east along the motorway passed the airport to Machico the original capital of the island.
At Porto da Cruz on the North East coast we visited the House of Rum distillery (Casa do Rum), where I had a glass of fruit punch (poncha) and some ginger nut biscuits. Our next stop was at two glass floored balconies overlooking the wild Atlantic ocean. In Santana we photographed the colourful thatched cottages.
At Quinta do Furao we had a huge luncheon. We began with warm home baked bread with garlic butter, followed by tomato soup with onions and an egg. Next came black scabbard fish with banana, vegetables and a sweet sauce. The main course was a thick beef kebab skewer with potatoes and salad. The dessert was creme caramel. I had two glasses of the house red wine and an espresso coffee to drink.
Back at the ship at 2:45, I slept for just half an hour, before heading out again. I climbed up the steps to St Catherine's Park and the Presidential holiday home, which was charging €3 for admission. I looked into the Casino, before going into the Pestana Hotel next door. I was able to photograph our ship from their swimming pool overlooking the inner harbour. I carried on along Prince's Avenue (Avenida do Infante) to the bridge over the Magnolia Estate (Quinta Magnolia). I turned back down the hill to the inner harbour and our ship.
Back on board I updated this blog. At 6:30 I went to the Terrace Cafe for dinner, as I was feeling bloated after our enormous lunch. I dined al fresco a la veranda sat with Simona & Rad Dedek originally from the Czech republic, but now living in Seattle on Puget Sound. I had the borscht soup which was like a minestrone, two small cannelloni with green pea puree and two scoops of the Humphry Slocombe Honey Graham & Harvey Milk ice cream.
At 9:15 I went to the really excellent Dancin' Fool production show, with my favourite male dancer in the lead role. It had lots of great songs and dances by the usual eleven singers and dancers, so one was still missing. I went to sleep at eleven o'clock having done fourteen and a half thousand steps, nearly equal to six miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at six o'clock as usual and got up at 6:30. I then back upped by photographs from the last eight ports At 7:30 I ate the special breakfast of half a bagel with scrambled egg and half a bagel with smoked salmon. I had one glass of orange juice, one cup of decaff cappuccino coffee and one glass of sparkling water to drink.
Back in my state room, I worked on my laptop. At nine o'clock I touched base with both Destination Services and Guest Services. At 9:30 I went to Sadie/Sarah and Charlie's Dancercise class where eleven guests and me learnt three Zumba routines. I left at ten o'clock before the final dance.
At 10:30 Stan set me up ready for me to give my forty minute talk on Lisbon at eleven o'clock to a surprisingly large audience given it was the turnaround port. At 12:30 I had the corn chowder soup with bacon bits followed by BBQ pork ribs with gratinated vegetables for lunch. I then slept for three quarters of an hour. I spent the afternoon working on my upcoming presentations.
At 6:30 I moved down to the GDR, but they were unable to find me some guests to share a table with. I ate the Thai curry soup, the Boston lettuce salad, the Chateaubriand beef and the Humphry Slocombe white chocolate and lavender (sic) ice cream. At 9:15 I went to Sarah's second show, which featured the work of Stephan Grappelli. I went to sleep at 10:45 having done less than five thousand steps, equal to less then two miles of walking, during the day.
I got up at six o'clock to watch the sail in under the famous suspension bridge. At 6:30 I had the full English breakfast al fresco a la veranda with a couple from New Zealand. I wished Peter Wall a safe journey back to Birmingham. When I got back to my state room at seven o'clock, it had already been serviced, as they need to get ahead on a busy turnaround day.
At 7:50 we were cleared to leave the ship, so I walked into the city centre. I found the new elevator which goes up to the Cathedral. In Rossio Square I descended into the Metro station which is not actually under Rossio Square, but is under Fig Tree Square next door. Here I bought a metro card for 50 cents and paid €1.80 for one ride.
I changed trains at Alameda and alighted at Oriente into an enormous building. It took some searching to find the mainline railway station on top of the building! I went in the Vasco da Gama shopping mall and then out the other side. I photographed the MEO Arena, the Oceanarium and the Living Science Centre, before walking back south along the estury. En route I photographed the Blue Tiles Museum (Museu do Azulejo), but didn't climb up to the Water Museum (Museu da Agua). I went into Santa Apolonia mainline railway station to photograph the locomotives there.
Back at the ship, I had to avoid the long lines of the new arrivals to get back on board. Here I had the corn chowder soup, the Caesar salad with extra olives and the Humphry Slocombe ice cream of the day. The buffet and veranda were heaving with the newcomers, so I sat outside at a large table, the only one free. I then slept for one hour, before working on my laptop. ACD Jason's Father was taken ill, so he left the ship to be replaced in Bordeaux with my mate Brody, who had been the ACD on the splendid RSS Splendor earlier in the year.
At five o'clock Stan set me up as the stage was being cleared. At 5:30 I gave my forty minute talk on Oporto with lots of questions afterwards. At 6:30 I joined the solo travellers in Baristas coffee bar. Here I had TWO glasses of champagne and lots of nibbles.
At 7:30 I led Steven, Gail and her daughter Lisa down to the Grand Dining Room (GDR). I had the cauliflower soup, the Sicilian salad, the veal and the same Humphry Slocombe ice cream that I had had at lunch time. The two ladies slipped out at 9:15 for the Taster show time, but I stayed on with US Army veteran Steven. At 9:45 I watched my Oporto talk on my state room TV. I went to sleep at 10:35 having done over twenty two and half thousand steps, equal to NINE miles of walking during the day.
Professor Carol Darling wrote: "Thanks so much for copies of your blogs for our 2 cruises. They were most interesting especially as you went to some places that were different from what we visited. Your presentations were well done, organized and informative. For your presentations I usually watched them twice, the first time was for general information and the second time was for specifics in certain locations. Similarly I have read your blogs, but will now do so again."
Score card:
188 Cruises 46 Cruise ships (see below) 14 Cruise lines (see below) 12 Day cruise 7 Lectures given 7 Tours escorted 6 Special breakfasts 5 Beef dinners 4 Production shows 3 Guest entertainers (John, Chris & Sarah) 3 Omelette breakfasts 2 Pork lunches 2 Pork dinners 2 Lamb dinners 1 Fullsized bath
1) "Barcelona: Art Nouveau City 2) "Cadiz: Europe's Oldest City? 3) "Casablanca: Commercial Capital of Morocco" 4) "Agadir: Morocco's Premier Seaside Resort" 5) "Arrecife: Capital of Lanzarote" 6) "Santa Cruz: Capital of Tenerife" 7) "Lisbon: Capital of Portugal"
8) "Santa Cruz: Capital of La Palma" 9) "Funchal: Churchill's Pad"
I had done one previous Oceania cruise: Western Med before this one.
* Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines * Saga Shipping Company * Voyages of Discovery * Seabourn (Carnival) * Princess (Carnival) * Cunard (Carnival) * P&O (Carnival) * Celebrity (RCCL) * Silversea (RCCL) * Regent SS (NCL) * Oceania (NCL) * Marella (TUI) * Ambassador * Crystal
Forty Six Cruise Ships:
Silver Whisper Silver Spirit Silver Wind Silver Muse Silver Moon Silver Dawn Black Prince Black Watch Boudicca Balmoral Braemar Bolette Celebrity Silhouette Celebrity Solstice Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Edge Celebrity Apex Saga Rose Saga Ruby Saga Sapphire Saga Pearl II Quest for Adventure Spirit of Adventure (Old SofA) Spirit of Adventure (New SofA) Spirit of Discovery Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) Queen Elizabeth (QE) Queen Victoria (QV) Queen Mary 2 (QM2) P&O Arcadia P&O Aurora P&O Oriana P&O Iona Crystal Symphony Crystal Serenity Seabourn Odyssey Seabourn Sojourn Ambassador Ambience Ambassador Ambition Regent Seven Seas Mariner Regent Seven Seas Splendor Oceania Sirena Oceania Marina Marella Explorer Sapphire Princess VoD Discovery