CRUISE 2

 

CRUISE 2: 9 MARCH 2023---10 DAY CRUISE FROM LISBON

 

LISBON (PORTUGAL)

@SEA

FUNCHAL (MADEIRA)

SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE (CANARY ISLANDS)

LAS PALMAS GRAND (CANARIA ISLANDS)

@SEA

GIBRRALTAR (UK)

MALAGA (SPAIN)

CADIZ (SPAIN)

LISBON (PORTUGAL)

 

9 MARCH 2023--- LISBON (PORTUGAL)

Last night was another busy night. We went to bed late and then hubby was called out in the early morning hours only to return just before dawn. I waited for him before we got off to walk around.

Our first stop was sitting on one of these benches all along the walkway with views over the ocean, but they are in demand for as soon as you get up the next person sits, to also enjoy lying on these curved wooden couches enjoying the sun.

Our next stop was at the sardine shop where we got ourselves 7 different kinds of Portugese sardines and a tin of octopus in olive oil will have to try them and give a verdict at a later stage. We ended up at the little coffee shop I discovered on my arrival in Lisbon and their hubby had amazing bream fish with veggies and I had coffee with my cream custard tart (Pastei de Nata)

We bought 3 boxes and wanted to spoil the rest of the crew in the medical. While in the coffee shop they brought us the cutest gadget to squeeze lemons and to pour juice over your fish so I asked the waiter were i could buy one and that sent me hunting in Lisbon for the same thing, they told me I must try a shop called Pollux, I found the shop but not the exact same one and the one I wanted. By this time hubby needed to go back to the ship for had to be back for a zoom meeting and I went walking around on my own.

I walked past a shop that just looked so inviting selling codfish cakes with a serra cheese filling so in I went and ended up having a fish cake served with port so was great sitting on the plaza enjoying this local treat. Took a video of the chef making them in the kitchen (she works behind a glass for all to see) I thought that was cool.

By this time, I was tired and decided it was time to head back to the ship so off I went but did stop for a quick free WIFI session in the cruise terminal. Once on the ship I went straight to the shore execution desk to book my excursions for this cruise and was very excited to get place on both, so my first one is in Arrecife in the Canary Island to the Fire Mountains and going on a Camel ride and the next one is going to be in Malaga Spain visiting a farm called Malaga Reservaturo and the Spanish bulls and horses.

So very excited and glad about tomorrow’s sea day so that we can just chill know it must sound crazy but being in a port every day is tiring for you feel you need to do as much as possible while you have the opportunity can’t waste any time, moet beweeg!!

 

 

 

10 March 20223---@SEA

 

We left Lisbon at 21h00 and just after leaving port the rocking and rolling started and was bad it even woke us up just after going to sleep. For a moment I thought something might be wrong but then got used to it. We were up before 6 for our gym routine and coffee on the deck, there was only one other person in the gym think on sea days the people just chill and get up late.

Tomorrow we are back in Funchal Madeira one of my favorite places on this itinerary.

 I have just arrived on deck 11 in the sports bar where I normally sit and write my blog and boy are we having a show by some fish/dolphins they seem to be enjoying the high swell at sea even if looks flat. They look like small dolphins with a fin and white tummy but are smallish so don’t know.

I have been lazy got myself a book in the library so did a little bit of reading and before I knew it was fast asleep. Missing home today funny how some days you just miss home, can be in beautiful places all over the world but not home. The last cruise had a man that was 97 years old and looking good, amazing to think that here in Europe the older folk do these types of trips, and some do it on their own.

Then you get some that are buggered and still go on a cruise siek of te nie!! I must admit that on the ships they do cater for all sorts and are very accommodating with wheelchairs. Must remember this one day to keep going and do things and see places until you really can’t do it anymore. Do think can be a bit challenging for the people that travel with you. This cruise is 10 days, and we will not be going to Morocco and have 2 sea days. Hubby is off tomorrow so we will be doing things together and his turn to do what he wants to do!!

 

11 MARCH 2023---FUNCHAL MADEIRA

 

Had to wait for the ambulance to arrive to come and pick up a crew member with appendicitis so that was the end of an early morning gym session. So, after the pick-up and once all was sorted, we could go ashore and spend the morning in Funchal Madeira.

We took the road all along the waterfront to a little coffee shop overlooking the harbor area with stunning views and decided to have some ice cream while enjoying the views.

Then we ended up in a park with beautiful gardens with ducks, swans, and birds and this is where we decided we were going to lie on the grass under the trees just relaxing.

Think it did hubby the world of good to just rest and do nothing for they have been so busy and run around like crazy.

Took some nice photos of us and him lying on the grass we will call it off day business!!!

By this time, he felt like a bite to eat so off we went to a little café to have something to eat, I had a cold beer shandy, and he had his Sandes Prego Santa Catarina!!! The beef sand wedge was vrek lekker, but we had such an unfriendly waiter who also brought his milk for this coffee when we were nearly done! I went to ask for some milk when I realized they might have forgotten but at least the food was good.

Hubby returned to the ship, and I decided to go and find out how and where I must be with our next visit if I want to do the basket ride.

So, I am going to have to walk to the cable car station, take the car to the top of the mountain and then walk to the Toboggan starting point. The ride ends in Livramento and from there I need to catch a bus downtown, so with our next visit, I am going to do this.

We will be staying overnight in Funchal so that is great and want to go out for supper downtown and try out the nightlife, fish, and wine on the cards for that evening. This really is an amazing place just love the vibe and chilled feeling of the island. On my way back to the ship I stopped to buy some (Castanhas Quentes e Boas) Hot and good chestnuts they get roasted and pop open is huge, so this place does deliver when it comes to flowers, fruits, and nuts! Fertile ground.

Even got a bit of a tan today for was hot and sunny so by the time you get back to the ship you are tired that is if you do the walking thing and do not use a taxi, bus, or take a ride with the guys that cycle around with a little cart that they pull, must say did look inviting and costs 5 euro back to the ship from downtown.

Did not get to the market today but might try that with our next visit when we have more time, think there I want to try some local food and have a nice cold glass of white wine while watching the people.

Stopped at the little shop they took us to when I was on an excursion on our last visit, but it was closed so that was a disappointment because I wanted to buy something there. I bought a painting of Madeira on my way back to the ship and when hubby saw it, he said made him think of the view we had from where we were sitting under the tree in the park with a view over the bay so, that was a good choice.

This morning I took a chance to see if I could get a place on the walking tour of the upper rock in Gibraltar and I was very lucky, got a spot and will be going on it on Thursday. You go up in the cable car to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar with scenic views over Catalan Bay before you walk along a wooden path to St Michaels Cave to admire what was a source of wonderment even in Roman times. Neolithic inhabitants are known to have lived here much earlier. From there you visit Gibraltar’s most respected residents, the Barbery Apes.

We have been warned that they are world-famous pick pocketers you are still trying to take a photo with your cellphone or camera and the next thing they grab it and that is the end of your phone or camera, jewelry must be covered or that might also disappear while you on your visit to see them. Don’t know if there is any insurance for stealing by apes!!!

We also visited Princess Caroline’s Battery and the Upper Galleries.

This labyrinth of tunnels inside the Rock includes the Great Siege Tunnels. They represent the most impressive defensive system devised by man. Excavated during the Great Siege of 1779-83. So really looking forward to this and am so thankful to be able to visit it for this will be our last stop in Gibraltar. Tomorrow we are back in Santa Cruz Spain.

 

12 MARCH 2023 ---SANTA CRUZ SPAIN

 

We made it to the gym this morning and hubby was ready to go but I was feeling a bit pap and lazy. The coffee with a view over Santa Cruz was the pink and blue sky this morning and can see that the seasons are changing it is starting to get lighter earlier in the mornings.

After breakfast, I decided it was time to try out the jacuzzi so that is what I did must admit not my thing I don’t like the bubbling water and prefer calm water so don’t think will try that again.

My hubby was working today so I decided to take the bus downtown, but we were hardly on the bus, and it was drop-off time so not a major distance that they take you. There was a triathlon on in the town so all over were athletes’ bikes and spectators. I made a stop at a shop that had the most beautiful handmade embroidery and decided to buy a tablecloth, 8 napkins, and a tea tray cloth which I think are stunning and will always remember us of our visit to Spain.

Walked all over downtown in very hot and humid weather so decided I had had enough and took the long walk back to the ship. The poor athletes really took a beating today glad it is only a half-ironman race. Looking forward to tomorrow when I can show hubby the places, I discovered last week and if the weather is good hope, we make it to the beach.

 

13 MARCH 2023--- LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA

 

Got up this morning and decided did not feel like going to the gym so took the day off and had a late breakfast before I got all our things ready for our walk to the beach. We are 2 ships in port today, but I have never heard of the other cruise liner called Marbella Explorer looking about the same size as our ship.

They are busy working in the port and is a mess but going to be very nice once they are finished, they are working in the area between the two ships which looks like gardens with trees, and flowers and a sitting area is on the plans which will be very nice and relaxing.

How I keep on dreaming about what PE could look like from where the ships dock and all the way to Something Good and even further, could be stunning. The beachfront area is really very nice, feels like it goes on for miles with restaurants and shops. Even had an announcement over the PA system to say no loud noise or music on the beach that could disturb other people. Once we got to the beach our first stop was at El Tipico Easpanol where we had the most amazing lunch grilled sardines with baby potatoes and a cheeseboard with local cheese and some or other nice source.

Hubby had his normal Americano coffee, and I had a class of white wine. After that, we went onto the beach for a lie-down with me up against the coconut tree and hubby lying with his head on my lap.

Was good to just relax, not far from us an older lady was lying topless, that is something we are not used to, and they just let it look so normal, for us weird and strange!

On our way back to the ship we got lost and eventually stopped and showed a lady a booklet of the aquarium in which direction must we walk to get there? Because she did not understand English, I just showed her the pamphlet and waived my arms trying to show her we are on foot and walking but thank goodness we understood each other and not long after we turned in the right direction we could see our ship, what a relief that was!

When you are in the city between buildings you really don’t know which way to turn and is confusing.

This is when hubby decided he was going straight back to the ship this getting lost did not go down well and nearly ended up in a fight as I am always trying and doing new things and he always plays it safe so needless to say!

I still felt like still walking around and getting some supplies, once I was over the shock and sweating of not knowing where we were, the sight of our ship was good and knew was within walking distance to get back. In this port, there is a huge shopping center very close to the port area where you get 1 hour of free WIFI so that is where I posted all my pics and could download all my messages.

So, tomorrow is my day for camel riding very excited so hope I am not disappointed at least heard people talking about the excursion and they loved it, so we will see. She just said she gave a scream when the camel got up, so I am prepared. Just hope I can take a video of the whole experience so that family and friends can ride with me. Only leaving late tonight and tomorrow will be an early day for I need to be at my assembly point at 8, always like to be early hate being late, not my thing my senuwees kan dit nie hou nie.

 

14 MARCH 2023 --- ARRECIFE LANZAROTE (SPAIN)

 

Well, what a day it has been, and I enjoyed every minute I have seen so many things and experienced stuff that I never ever would have been able to see, mind-blowing and different, breathtaking. We left our ship and headed toward the southwest coast of the island to follow a trail to the green lake called El Golfo you get the sea on the one side then a sand dune and then this green lake at the bottom of the cliffs the views are beautiful and very different to what we are used to.

While driving along you see bizarre craters, streams of lava, and fields of ashes formed by the eruptions during the 18^th century and are mixed in a nearly unrealistic lunar landscape.

The visit to the wine-growing area in La Geria was something I have never even heard of. They grow grapes in these dimples-like craters they are 3 m deep and surrounded by volcanic stone semi-circles called Zocos. Built for each individual vine to protect them from the fierce winds. The grapevine is planted in the middle of the circle, and they do not water anything, at night the condensation gives the plants water, and the volcanic ash retains water how cool is that? The peasant farmers together with their valuable companion the camel have led to the creation of this unique environment, the farm we visited is called BODEGA FAMILIA ANTONIA SUAREZ here we had time to taste some of their products and I tried the muscadel which was very nice you could also try vinos, queso’s and tapas. I just could not get enough of the farm, and the views all around me, words and video just don’t do just what you see.

Our next stop was the camels and my goodness what an amazing experience that was, getting up you must hang on for dear life, then a bumpy ride up the mountain and going down is also a bit of a hang-on en brieke trap, story. You share a ride in this basket that is on the camel’s back, a basket chair on each side, and must get on or sit together otherwise it tips then you get buckled up and have a swing-like wooden piece of wood you put your feet on. All the camels have a nozzle on so no biting and then your guide leads from the front and walks in front of the camel with 5/6 camels behind the leader all in tow and fastened to each other. We were on a male camel and in front of us was a female this male took a chance when he could to give her a smell so think she might have been on heat for then he would lift his head in this weird way with his nose to the sky!!! Then the guide would reprimand him, arme ding.

I would say we were on the camels for about 20 minutes and went up the mountain with spectacular views of the area was one of the top 10 things I have ever done. Can’t wait to share today’s photos. The camels have stables in a town 12 km from where we were and walk up and down every day at 3 o clock, they return with a guide that walks all the way with them. I wondered where they sleep and eat and after our ride, we passed some that were done for the day and on their way back to their stables.

It was just so beautiful to see them in this landscape all walking behind each other like in the movies. After this, we were off to the Fire Mountains called the lunar route which goes deep into the heart of the National Park and you end up at Islote de Hiario a crater with the highest surface temperatures in the region.

Here we had 3 demonstrations as I have previously explained, we were each given these tiny rocks in our hands, and they were hot, not burning hot but you had to keep on moving them in your hand because of the heat. These little rocks we could keep so have a souvenir.

Then we were spoilt with watching the dry weeds catching fire due to the geothermal energy and water gushes up to the surface and catches fire within seconds.

Our last demo was seeing the food being prepared on natural stone in the restaurant and the restaurant had spectacular views over the landscape with glass windows in all directions. There were buses and cars all over the place and we were spoilt for the buses to get 1 St class treatment and just pass the queue of cars. Tomorrow is also a big indaba for Portugal and Spain, so all the high-profile government officials were flying into Lanzarote for this.4000 tourist visit this place per day.

50 000 tourists visit Lanzarote per week, amazing. Their temp is between 20 and 25 degrees all year round. They only get 100mm of rain per year and rely on desalination plants for water have no rivers on the island, also told us their desalination plant is the first of its kind and was built 57 years ago to supply water to the island. The tugboats used to bring water to the island years ago.

The trip back down the mountain was also amazing for they have this road built between the lava fields. Daar is wragtig niks,net lava geen lewe maar hy se daar is diertjies wat hier lewe en snags uitkom can’t believe it for really looks like nothing for miles and miles.

So that was my day today and loved it, so thankful could experience it. When I got back to the ship, I was informed that my tour to the bull farm had been canceled due to not enough people that are interested so that is a disappointment, but it is what it is, so will try something else next week maybe a flamingo show. The positive out of this disappointment I will be able to take hubby up the mountain to the little café I discovered and the breathtaking views over this city he is going to be in for a workout to the top but hopefully we will take it slowly and enjoy the views while doing it.

 

15 MARCH 2023---@SEA

 

I was awake early in the morning and ready for the day so went to the gym, but my poor hubby was tired and tried to catch up on some sleep. They have been very busy so was very glad that the last 2 days have been quiet. Time to reboot.

Spent the rest of my morning on deck 11 going through lots and lots of photos and videos of yesterday.

Yesterday definitely goes down as one of my highlights while traveling all around the world with my husband, maybe because it was so different and just breathtaking.

The top places I have been to include the following:

Amazon

Tasmania

Alaska

New Zealand

Russia

Warne Munde Germany

Tallin Europe

Victoria British Columbia

New York

Seward Alaska

Quebec City

Some of the excursions I have gone on that were amazing are the following:

River Rafting in Alaska

Swimming with stingrays and dolphins in the Caribbean

All the tours in the Amazon I went on were amazing visiting an Indian village, going into the forest, up the rivers in a small boat, Sommer net alles.

The tour in Lanzerote to the wine farm, camel riding, and seeing the crater and moon-like landscape

Jet ski ride in Bermuda swimming with turtles and fish.

Will have to sit and think about those that I might have missed.

 

We are in Gibraltar tomorrow and hope to be able to post all the stunning videos I took of my day. Need to do that for tomorrow I am going on another tour of The Rock and hope to have more beautiful photos.

 

16 MARCH 2023--- GIBRALTAR UK

 

This morning we started on the right foot and got to the gym full of energy even tried to get hubby to commit to doing the Half Ironman next year 2024, then he has something to really work and exercise for, a goal to work towards.

On the open deck, during our early morning walk the wind was hectic and felt like a gale-force wind was blowing even wondered if we would be able to dock today. Thank goodness we could and after breakfast, it was time for my tour.

I was so thankful I got a spot on this amazing tour to walk the Upper Rock. We started at the cable car station but had to wait 1 hour for there were 7 tours booked for today and that took us up to the top of The Rock with beautiful views over Catalan Bay and even views of the Moroccan Coast.

The tours done by taxi take the tourists right up to the top on a very narrow one-way road, but I think we had a better deal by far, so would recommend the walking tour.

The monkeys were well-behaved, but one did give a lady a fright when he jumped on her back but thank goodness, she got to shake him off. We had to wear our backpacks to the front, so they open them if they get half a chance imagine that a monkey opening your backpack while you are on a walk.

So, I wore mine with my jacket over it and that worked well because it was a bit chilly at the top and only removed my jewelry and kept my cell phone close.

Monkeys with no tails did look a bit weird and these were brought to Gibraltar from Morocco many years ago. They have about 5 different troops that live on the Rock and the government looks after them by feeding them daily, and even have their own vet and nurse.

Then we walked to St Michaels Cave which was very impressive but what was amazing was the lighting and music while we were in the cave. The guide told us that this cave and the Cave Church in Helsinki are two of the churches in the world that musicians would like to perform in only once in their lifetime due to autistics.

Then we were off to the Great Siege Tunnels and it was amazing to think that they dug these tunnels by hand with hammers and chisels, mind-blowing. And the passages are wide and high how they got the heavy cannons there I can’t get my head around must have had brilliant engineers to work all that out. We were lucky to have fantastic weather, our tour guide told us that a few weeks ago a ship could not dock due to the bad weather.

Seeing the airport from above was also cool and must say the runway does look a bit short to me!! Thank goodness I am not a pilot, said that a few planes land here every day but just wish I could share all the interesting information she shared but just too much. One should take each place on one’s own and do some research and read up about it.

Getting back to port and having fast internet was just wonderful to use and post all my videos and photos, I must apologize for not explaining all the different pics but just wanted to get all of them out there.

Here they must import everything because there is no room to plant anything and a 1-bedroom flat can cost up to 500 000 pounds some other places go up to 1 million pounds!!! So does not come cheap but the living cost is not bad she said.

Ships are anchored all over the bay to refuel for it is also cheaper for them to refuel here than in Europe. Tomorrow we are in Malaga not very far from here and hubby is off so that is going to be great to walk around together.

Hubby made a mistake when we booked my flight back from New York only to discover that the itinerary ends in Miami and is a 19-day cruise so I had to change my flights and will only be flying back on the 21 April 3 days later from Miami.

I am not complaining about that for it means that I will be able to walk around in New York, my favorite city, just love it, must admit think it is Central Park that does it for me. So, until tomorrow, bye for now.

 

17 March 2023--- MALAGA

Today was another lovely day in Malaga so this morning I had breakfast on the open deck with views over the city. Today we have lots of passengers that are disembarking and then we have a lot of new passengers getting on, still find it different with this coming and going.

Was good to hear Hubby’s next ship is one with nice open places on deck 7 where I can sit outside, which I do miss on the older ships.

Once we could get going, we walked all along the waterfront downtown towards the very steep cliffs where I wanted to take hubby for coffee and a bite to eat. This climb is really a very good workout! The city was busy with tourists all over next visit I am going to spend more time on the waterfront just chilling and walking through the stalls.

The black beach I do not find very attractive just does not look very inviting but maybe I must give it another go before we leave to do the crossing back to the States. I got my flights sorted and am going to be flying back from Miami on the 21 April so I am very happy about that.

 

18 MARCH2023--- CADIZ SPAIN

 Last night we went out for dinner to Moderno Restaurant and o my goodness all the different meats were delicious, but we ate far too much, the roasted pineapple was a winner as always maar het ons nou vleis jorries gehad!!! I had some wine with dinner, but hubby does blame the wine because I did not even hear the alarm go off this morning and that does not normally happen. So, no exercise happened this morning.

I got off just after breakfast and decided to go exploring early to have enough time to get around. I took the long route around the city and did an hour of walking before I got to Plaza de la Cathedral and on my way, I walked through the park Genoves with beautifully cut trees of all shapes and sizes. On the steps of a local hotel were the leftovers of a wedding service with flowers, chairs, and walkway, so had to stop to take pics of that.

Once I got to the cathedral, I decided to go up into the lookout tower to see the views of the city and to try and see where I was. Well, that had me huffing and puffing quickly for was a steep gradual climb right to the top with a beautiful view in all directions.

Could not believe how far I had walked and how close I was to our ship so that made me feel better I then went down to enjoy the stunning Cathedral, which really is a masterpiece of architecture still can’t believe how these guys got to build these huge, beautiful buildings took some time to just sit and enjoy the church and some quiet time.

Then it was time to enjoy the narrow streets where I stopped at a little café for some coffee and a piece of cheesecake really enjoyed that for felt I had deserved that piece of cheesecake after my long walk and lookout climb to the top!!

Caught my breath and then I stopped at my last visits bakery and was so disappointed that they did not have enough of the cookies I wanted to buy at least I got the name Japonesas just now has set icing sugar on the outside and custard on the inside and they are delicious cost 1.40 euro each, said I could come back in 2 hours time but by then I wanted to be back at the port so will try again with next visit.

Enjoyed my day in this lovely place and tomorrow we are back in Lisbon. Next week we are on a 14-day cruise and will be visiting 2 new places in Spain which is exciting, and I want to try my last 3 excursions, so we will see.

The toboggan ride I will have to do them on my own for my hubby is working and I want to do it on our first day in Funchal Madeira for we are going to be staying overnight which puts me at ease to have the whole day to go up and wind my way down. Don’t think I am going to take the bus back down into town want to walk and experience the neighborhoods.

Did not think I was going to eat again after last night and sure enough here we go again!