| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
19th Nov. 2021 |
Barcelona Catalonia Spain |
Walk into the City |
|
20th Nov. 2021 |
Palamos Costa Brava Spain |
Tour to the Dali Castle & Begur |
|
21st Nov. 2021 |
Palma Mallorca Spain |
Vintage Train to Soller |
|
22nd Nov. 2021 |
Valencia Spain |
Eight mile walk into the City! |
|
23rd Nov. 2021 |
Cartagena Murcia Spain |
Roman Forum tour |
|
24th Nov. 2021 |
Malaga Andalucia Spain |
Picasso birth place & museum |
|
25th Nov. 2021 |
Cadiz Andalucia Spain |
Viva la Pepa Constitution tour |
|
26th Nov. 2021 |
Cadiz Andalucia Spain |
a.m. Beaches p.m. Bastions |
 |
28th Nov. 2021 |
Lisbon Portugal |
a.m. City Tour p.m. Airport |
| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
I awoke at 6:10, twenty minutes before my alarm. At seven o'clock I had TWO eggs Benedict sat with Elaine in La Terrazza restaurant as usual. At eight o'clock I had my SECOND complimentary lateral flow test in less than 16 hours! I was off the ship by 8:15, walking the two miles into the city.
I went up the famous Las Ramblas to Catalonia Place, where I went in the tourist information office. They said I would have to wait until El Corte Ingles department store opened at 9:30 for free loos. I went up to their ninth floor to take pictures from the cafeteria there. I walked through the Gothic quarter to the cathedral and the royal palace with St. Agatha's chapel.
I then headed east passed the Picasso museum to the Citadel park. Here I photographed the famous cascade in the glorious sunshine.
|
I turned back west along the prom, getting back to the ship just before noon. Here I had a SMALL Puttanesca pizza, before sleeping for an hour and a half. I spent most of the afternoon working on my Caribbean slides. At 4:30 I spent 20 minutes in the central hot tub in the bright sunshine. At 4:45 the suites were released to the newly embarked guests.
At 6:45 I introduced myself in the Panorama lounge, before rushing down to La Dolce Vita lounge to host the solo travellers. With over forty singles on board we had a good turnout including newcomers Kathleen, Judy, Jenny and James. I led Elaine from Dublin, Catherine from Atlanta, Millie from Sarasota, Sid from Las Vegas, Bob from Toronto and Alan from Odiham down to the Atlantide main restaurant.
I began with the lobster bisque followed by the Parmesan & pear salad. I main coursed on the veal chop and finished with the sugar free Fantasia dessert. The table didn't break up until after ten o'clock! I lay in bed with the curtains open, watching the sail away from Barcelona through the windows. I was asleep soon after eleven o'clock, but I don't know how many miles I must have walked during the day, as I only took my old phone into Barcelona for fear of being mugged!
I awoke at 6:45, fifteen minutes before my alarms. At 7:10 I broke my fast with a cheese omelette with crispy bacon sat with Elaine as usual. Back in my suite, I worked on my laptop as Maneesh serviced the room.
At 9 o'clock I was on duty escorting my second choice Dali in Pubol & Begur Village tour (USD 79). We had a half hour drive north to the pretty hill top village of Begur, where we climbed up to the castle with views across to the snow covered Pyrenees mountains. We then visited the famous Salvador Dali castle in Pubol which was quite enchanting.
Back at the ship, I had a late lunch of cheese burger & fries with no bun in the sun by the pool, before sleeping for three quarters of an hour interrupted by a phone call from Shorex. I filled in their form and returned the bags to them, whilst getting an update on Palma. I spent just ten minutes in the middle jacuzzi, before getting ready for my 37 minute talk on Palma de Mallorca. I then had to change again for the formal night, before collecting my escort back pack.
At 6:45 I hosted the solo tarvellers as usual. We were joined by Georgia from Las Vegas and Elaine's old friend Jim. Alan choose to dine with Jenny. I popped up to La Terrazza where I had a run in with the maitre d'hotel for not having reserved a table in advance, as that hadn't been necessary on the previous cruise, but the ship was now much fuller. Ten minutes later, I led Elaine, Bob, Jim, Millie, Catherine and newcomer Lynn up to the Italian restaurant. The first three sat on one table and I sat with the last three at another table.
We began with the rose prosecco and anti pasti sharing plates. I then had the lentil soup followed by three bruschetti. I continued with the veal chop again, but this time covered with melted cheese. I finished with my favourite cassata siciliana. We had Piedmont wines to drink with the meal.
At 9:45 I went to the excellent Argento swing show, in which I just managed to stay awake! I was asleep by eleven o'clock having done over ten thousand steps equal to four miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at six o'clock, half an hour before my alarm, so I was able to update this blog and upload yesterday's photos, before breaking my fast with TWO eggs Benedict sat next to Elaine as usual in La Terrazza.
|
At nine o'clock I was on duty escorting my first choice tour on the vintage railway to Soller (USD 89). We had a photo stop at Palma cathedral, before going to the out of town railway station. The ride up into the mountains was spectacular. We emerged from the long summit tunnel into sunshine on the other side. The train stopped for five minutes at the high level view point, before continuing down into Soller. Here we had some free time, so I photographed the monumental buildings around Constitution Place. I found the Can Prunera museum, but being a Sunday it was closed, as was the Grand Hotel. The latter did however have excellent free wi-fi that I could use. We walked up the hill to the coach park, but one lady was suffering from muscle cramps, so I recommended eating a little more salt in her diet. The coach then took us back to the ship, where I had a late lunch of a SMALL Puttanesca pizza.
I then slept for an hour and a half, before doing my tour report. I then spent just ten minutes in the central hot tub, before giving my 40 minute talk on Valencia. One native Valencian congratulated me on my lecture, but pointed out that the word for sails was the same as the word for candles in Spanish, so I just blamed Google translate. He also said that Valencian paella is made with chicken and rabbit, NOT shellfish!
At 6:45 I adjourned to La Dolce Vita lounge where I had FOURTEEN singles to host. This included new comers Ben, Roger, Kristen and Peter the Dane and regulars Catherine, Lynn and Judy. At 7:30 I led Elaine, Alan, Millie, Georgia, Stephen, Jim and Bob down to the Indochine oriental restaurant. We all began with the sweet cocktail, but afterwards I had just one Singha Thai beer. I began the meal with a large bowl of egg drop noodle soup. I main coursed on the green Thai chicken curry with rice. I finished with the pineapple cake with vanilla ice cream.
At 9:45 I sat next to Millie, just behind Elaine and Alan to hear Carlo's excellent one man show for a second time. He sang lots of classic songs from the MoTown, Pop and Swing eras in an exuberant if not manic manner! I didn't get to sleep until 11:30 having done nearly ten thousand steps or four miles during the day.
I awoke at six o'clock ready for my break fast at seven, sat next to Elaine as usual. I had a cheese omelette with crispy bacon to eat and a glass of tomato juice to drink. I then worked on my Cartagena presentation ready for this afternoon.
Clearance was delayed, so I didn't get off the ship until 8:45. I walked from new cruise terminal two (some marquees), passed TUI's Marella Explorer 2 at cruise terminal one, to the old port. I then headed towards the City of Arts & Sciences designed by local architect Santiago Calatrava. The Oceanarium hadn't yet opened and the next building (l'Agora) was being repaired. I photographed the exterior of the Science museum and went in the sub-tropical garden. I then walked passed the Planetarium and the Opera House (Palacio Reina Sofia).
I entered the Turia Gardens linear park to get to the city centre. After another mile or so, I exited the park to go in the lovely Royal Gardens. The Natural History museum here was closed on Mondays, as was the Fine Art Gallery next door. I got to the shuttle bus drop off point at 11:45, having done nearly twenty thousand steps or about eight miles of walking. It had been over cast all morning, but I hadn't actually got wet!
I then caught the noon bus back to the ship. Here I had a cheese burger and fries with no bun, before sleeping for over an hour and a half. At 3:15 I spent twenty minutes in the central hot tub, but it was still over cast. At 5:30 I gave my forty minute talk on Cartagena.
At 6:45 I hosted the single travellers as usual. At 7:30 I led Elaine, Kristen, Bob & Jim up to the Hot Rocks Grill by the pool. We were sat inside the newly installed side conservatories, but we did need the electric heaters turned on above us. I began with the Caesar salad and then cooked a filet mignon on the hot lava stone myself. I had a baked potato with sour cream and bacon bits together with just one vegetable skewer. I finished with the cheese cake, all washed down with Rioja red wine.
At 9:45 I went to the excellent "Lyrically Yours" production show for a second time and enjoyed all the classic pop songs. I finally got to sleep at 11 o'clock, having done 22,828 steps equal to nine miles of walking during the day!
I awoke at 6:20, ten minutes before my alarm. I then had TWO eggs Benedict sat next to Elaine in La Terrazza restaurant. Back in my cabin, I worked on my up coming presentations.
At 9:15 I was on duty on the quayside to dispatch my third choice Roman Forum tour (USD 129). We began with a panoramic minibus tour of the city. At the Roman Forum one of the archaeology curators gave us a guided tour. Unfortunately he didn't allow time for us to explore the brand new museum at the far end. We also didn't get to see the famous Roman amphitheatre.
We then walked via St. Francis' Place (Plaza San Francisco) to a local bar, La Uva Jumillana. Here we had a large, single tapa of one quail's egg on a tomato and vegetable bruschetta. I had the local draught beer, but the guests could have whatever drink (wine, spirit or liquer) that they choose. We were then led along the main street (Calle Mayor) to see the famous art nouveau (modernisme) mansions of the rich mine owners. At the end of the walk, we were given half an hour of free time which I spent walking along the ramparts of the impressive sea wall.
|
Back at the ship, I had a SMALL Puttanesca pizza, before sleeping for an hour and a half. I spent ten minutes in the left hand jacuzzi in the shade, before moving to the central one in the bright sunshine. At 5:30 I gave my 35 minute talk on Malaga.
At 6:45 I hosted the solo travellers as usual. At 7:30 I led Elaine, Kristen, Catherine & Bob down to a table for four and Millie, Georgia, Sid, Jim, Alan and myself down to a table for six in the Atlantide main dining room. I began with the shrimp bisque, followed by the white asparagus starter in lieu of a salad course. I main coursed on the roast duck and then finished with two scoops of the sour cherry yoghurt sorbet.
At 9:45 I went to the excellent three "Divas at Sea" show time for a second time. I was asleep by eleven o'clock having done over ten thousand steps equivalent to over four miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at five o'clock and then dozed for an hour and a quarter, getting up at 6:20. I broke my fast with a cheese omelette with crispy bacon sat next to Elaine.
At 8:15 I was on duty to escort my third choice Picasso & Old Malaga tour (USD 69). It was only 10 degrees C, 50 degrees F outside, so Susie allowed us to gather in the new cruise terminal. This was out on the break water, not where I had been told we would berth yesterday morning. Apparently the port authority decided to dredge the inner berth at the last minute and only notified the ship in the afternoon. Both groups took the shuttle bus to the usual drop off point where we began our walk.
Our first stop was at Picasso's disappointing birth place apartment. We then had to kill time until the main Picasso museum opened at eleven o'clock. This is a fabulous collection of his works in the old art school where his father taught. We then had a fine selection of tapas (fish, ham and cheese) which I washed down with a glass of red wine sat with Millie.
|
Back at the ship, I had a SMALL Puttanesca pizza, before sleeping for over two hours interrupted by a telephone call to confirm my complimentary airport transfer. I didn't have time for a wallow before my 40 minute lecture on Cadiz. Sebastian had asked me to be punctual, so I skipped over my two videos.
At 6:45 I hosted the single travellers as usual. At 7:30 I led Elaine, Georgia, Kristen, Bob and Jim up to La Terrazza Italian restaurant. We began with the rose prosecco and the anti pasti sharing platters. I had the vegetable soup to begin, followed by the Lasagna starter. I main coursed on the beef fillet and finished with my favourite Cassata Siciliana. Most of us had the Basilicata red wine to drink.
At 9:45 I went to the Operatic show for a second time sat just behind Bob. Back in my suite, they had finally solved the broadcast problem of video finalisation, so I was able to watch my Cadiz talk on the TV. I went to sleep after 11:30 having done over eleven and a half thousand steps equal to four and a half miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at 6:15, but break fast wasn't until 7:30. I had TWO eggs Benedict sat next to Elaine. She gave me her email address, which she asked me to send on to Barbara Meyer from our previous cruise together, wishing her a Happy Thanksgiving Day back in the USA.
Back in my vista suite, I checked over my Story of Spain presentation. I gave this 40 minute talk at 10:30, but Sebastian was beset with technical difficulties. At noon I ate a cheese burger with fries, but no bun, by the pool in the hot sun. I then slept for an hour and a half.
At 3:45 I was on duty escorting my fourth choice Viva la Pepa tour (USD 49). We walked around the old town with stops when the guide would talk in English and her companion would sing in Spanish, both dressed in period garb. Unfortunately a very heavy rain shower disrupted the tour and we had to rush back to the ship early.
|
At 6:45 I hosted the solo tarvellers, but all the Americans wanted turkey to celebrate Thanksgiving day, so just Irish Elaine and Canadian Bob accompanied me, English Martin, to the Indochine restaurant. I began with the noodle soup, followed by the short ribs with more noodles. I finished with the oriental creme brulee. I had one bottle of Singha beer to drink.
At 9:45 I went to Jonathan's excellent one man musical theatre show, but only knew half the songs and half the musicals he had chosen. Back in my suite, I was able to watch my Story of Spain on the TV. I went to sleep around eleven o'clock with my curtains open to view the illuminated cathedral as I lay in bed. I had done nearly nine thousand steps equivalent to nearly four miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at seven o'clock and rushed to get ready to break my fast with Elaine in La Terrazza. I had a cheese omelette with crispy bacon. She gave me her nightly chocolates and I showed her the UK locator form on my lap top in the Arts Cafe.
I was off the ship before nine o'clock, but a sea mist had rolled in. I walked two and a half miles south east to Playa de Victoria, where the sun came out for me to photograph the extensive beach. I back tracked to El Corte Ingles department store, but the view of the new cable stayed bridge across the bay was obscured by the fog. At San Severiano train station I shelled out 2.30 euros to go just one stop back to Cadiz.
Back at the ship at 11:30, I had a SMALL Puttanesca pizza, before sleeping for an hour and three quarters. By now all the sea mist had been burnt off and it was another glorious day. I tried to create a UK locator form, but it was more than 48 hours off, so I must try later this evening.
At 2:30 I visited the Tourist Information Office just opposite the new cruise terminal, before doing the complete (4.5 km / 3 mile) circuit of the bastions. I walked out along the causeway to the westernmost castle, but it was closed. Santa Catalina castle on the other hand was open, with free admission. There is a lot to see here with extensive ramparts, a chapel, a museum and an exhibition hall. The latter had a display on the great explosion of 1947 which I didn't already know about.
|
|
I got back to the ship at 4:15 and spent some time sat by reception which has better wi-fi than my suite. At five o'clock I spent five minutes in the left hand hot tub until the central, hotter jacuzzi became free. I wallowed for another ten minutes in the glorious sunshine, "sparkling in African light" as Laurie Lee said in his memoir.
Back in my suite, I up loaded several batches of photographs from my smart phone to my lap top. At 6:15 I went to the excellent Blues Brother / Soul Sister production show time sat with Elaine, but it was more MoTown and less Blues & Soul! We slipped out just before the end to go to the solo travellers, where Bob was already waiting. We were joined by Jim, Sid, Stephen and Kristen, but only the latter joined Bob and me to go to the hot rocks Grill by the pool at 7:30.
We were entertained by guitarist Charlie, who played a couple of Ed Sheeran tracks. I had the Caesar salad to begin followed by the filet mignon on the hot lava stone, accompanied by a jacket potato and one vegetable skewer. This was washed down with the lovely Rioja red wine again. I finished with the cheese cake.
The table broke up at 9:15 when I adjourned to the reception lobby to complete my UK locator form. I again had problems using the ship's wi-fi, so I had to use my old Three network smart phone to fill it in successfully. I had previously spent £18 paying for an appointment for my day two test back in the Arcade in Bournemouth with the Regenerative clinic to get the required code.
Back in my suite, I worked on my Lisbon presentation, before going to sleep at 11:15. During the day I had done over twenty seven and a half thousand steps, equal to eleven miles of walking, the most I have done in a single day this whole cruise!
I got up at 7:15, but it was now only 6:15 on Portuguese time (GMT). At 7:30 I broke my fast with a cheese omelette with crispy bacon sat between Elaine & Millie. At 8:10 Maneesh & Jayson came to service the suite, so I adjourned to the Observation Library. At 9:15 Sebastian had asked me to come early to the theatre in case of any more technical hitches. At 10 o'clock I gave my 38 minute talk on Lisbon to a surprisingly full audience.
At 11:15 I went to the Cape Malay Pickled Fish culinary demonstration, where I had one glass of champagne, but no food sample, as you had to go for lunch to La Terrazza for that. I then had my complimentary lateral flow test (LFT) in the converted card room. Just after noon I had the minute steak and chips in the grill by the pool in the bright sunshine. I then slept for an hour and a half.
At 3 o'clock Yessy taught three beginner line dances, including Cupid's Shuffle to a rap tune. I then adjourned to the central jacuzzi for a twenty minute massage in the warm sun, but cool wind, of the Atlantic as we rounded Cape St Vincent. Back in my suite, I watched my Lisbon talk on the TV, before packing. At 6:15 I adjourned to La Dolce Vita lounge where I was later joined by my regulars.
At 7:30 I led Georgia from Las Vegas, Kristen from North California, Millie from Sarasota, Elaine from Dublin, Jim from Michigan and Bob from Guelph down to the Atlantide main restaurant. I began with the mushroom soup with one king scallop and continued with the asparagus salad. I main coursed on the New York Strip Steak (sirloin) with steak fries and more asparagus. I finished with the special pineapple, marzipan and chocolate opera cake. At the end we said our goodbyes, with five of them staying on and just Millie & me getting off tomorrow. Having heard about Doris's evening talk on the UK TV stations, I was worried that I would have to go into isolation when I got home. This would mean that I would miss my two dental appointments and have to upgrade my £18 day two lateral flow test to a £70 PCR test! I finished packing and went to sleep at 10:30 GMT (11:30 on CET).
I awoke at ten to six to see the passage passed the famous Discoveries monument, which along with the Ajuda palace was floodlit. At 6:30 I broke my fast with my favourite cheese omelette with crisy bacon. I had one glass of tomato juice with extra salt for my muscle cramps together with one glass of sparkling water. At 6:50 Elaine arrived and we chatted until she had eaten. I then said my goodbyes to Elaine, Kristen, Stephen and Alan. The latter would also be on my tour coach and at the airport, but in business class, not cattle class, on the plane home!
Back in my vista suite, we were finally berthed at the new cruise terminal for my first time in 23 arrivals here. However, the travelling walkways were not in use. Our coach left at 9:10 for a nearly three hour panoramic tour of Lisbon including all the famous sights.
|
|
We had half an hour of free time at the Statue of Christ the King on the south bank of the Tagus (Tejo) river, before getting to the airport at noon. I then found out that the new UK restrictions would not come in until Tuesday, so I was relieved!
The airport is a warren or maze of corridors, all poorly signposted. I went round in circles to find the BA check in desk and then again to find the toilets! Check-in opened at 13:00 and I was first in the queue for steerage. The attendant wanted to see my UK locator form and my vax certificate, but not my lateral flow test result which the ship had printed out for us. Security was relatively quick and I found a power socket in the main departure hall. However I then noticed that I hadn't gone through passport control beside security and the check in attendant had warned me that the immigration officers were on strike. I updated this blog and then moved on.
As it turned out, immigration only took a few minutes, even though I had to use the manual, all passports desk. I walked to the far end of the North corridor, before settling down again. At 2:25 the gate number came up and I had to back track a little. We were then bussed out to the plane. I thought I was in row 20, so I used the front stair case. This was fortuitous as the back of the plane, where I was actually sitting in row 30, was heaving with people unable to stow their bags. I placed mine above row 20 and worked my way to the back. There was chaos in the aisle for ten minutes until the remaining bags were taken back out side to go in the under floor compartments!
We pulled back ten minutes late and then had ten minutes on the taxiway. After take off, I opened up my lap top and up dated this blog. We were then given a bag of crisps to eat and a small bottle of water to drink. We arrived back at LHR T5 on time and my new passport worked at the electronic gate. However, I did have to wait a time at the baggage reclaim carousel.
I took the Piccadilly line tube to Hounslow West and was at the Skylark Motel at 8 o'clock ready to collect my car. I drove home through some rain and sleet, quite a change from the weather on my cruise! I got home at 9:45 after a fabulous pair of cruises on the lovely Silver Spirit! During the day I had done over ten thousand steps equal to four miles of walking.
One lady wrote: "Thanks so much for your great lectures and for making this a fun and not lonely cruise."
Another lady wrote: "I enjoyed our breakfast time together and little chats"
One gent wrote "Always a pleasure to cruise with you."
9 Silversea cruises 8 Solos hosted at dinner 7 Old ports 6 Tours escorted 6 Port talks (Not Palamos) 5 Spaccanapoli lunches 4 Grill lunches 4 Silversea ships (Wind, Muse, Moon & Spirit) 3 Atlantide dinners 3 New towns (Pubol, Begur & Soller) 3 In suite telephones 2 La Terrazza dinners 2 Indochine dinners 2 Hot Rocks Grill dinners 1 Island (Mallorca) 1 Enrichment lecture (Story of Spain) 0 Silver Note dinners (booked up)
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 Celebrity Silhouette Celebrity Solstice Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Edge Celebrity Apex Black Prince Black Watch Balmoral Boudicca Braemar Silver Wind Silver Muse Silver Moon Silver Spirit Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) Queen Elizabeth (QE) Queen Victoria (QV) Queen Mary 2 (QM2) Crystal Symphony Crystal Serenity Seabourn Odyssey Seabourn Sojourn Sapphire Princess VoD Discovery P&O Oriana