Day 109–April 24–Day at Sea

I am now at the Fort Lauderdale Airport and it is April 26th.  These are pictures that I took on Day 109.  I will miss being at sea and looking out on the wide blue oceans of this wonderful world that we are lucky enough to live on.

  Cargo ship on the Atlantic

  My messy room as I prepare to pack.

Please note the knitting project (unfinished) on the sofa.  It has been quite a process packing after 4 months of residing on a cruise ship.  I’ve had to purchase 2 other bags to pack all the gifts and souvenirs that I have purchased on my travels.  Early this morning I was chaotically stuffing things (like a wet bathing suit) in bags.

  Some of the wonderful Lido kitchen staff on Easter Morning.   Oh how I will miss their smiling faces and pleasant personalities.  The level of service on this ship has been exceptional. 

  My friend Ira who had a witty way about her.  She loved that I was a vegetarian and so pleased when I tried dishes from her country of Indonesia.

Day 108 - April 23–Day at Sea

We have just experienced a beautiful day sailing on the Atlantic Ocean.  It was a great day to have the “On Deck for the Cure” breast cancer walk.  I had heard previously that the Holland American Cruise line along with other lines organizes these walks towards the end of the cruise.  I signed up and a big group of us walked around the ship 12 times which equaled about 4 miles.  I walked with a woman that I had just met and we talked the whole time.
For the past days we have had a wonderful Explorations Speaker.  His name is Robert Lilwall and the title of his series of talks is “Cycling Home from Siberia”.  He is a young British man who is an avid cyclist and adventurer.  He starts in Siberia, goes through Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Papal New Guiana, Australia and then north through South East Asia, up into the high Himalayan passes heading west towards London.  His last talk was on his terrifying adventures in Afganastein and Iran.  He has published a book which I might get when I get home.    Most of the speakers on this trip have been interesting, educational and at times inspiring.  One of the pleasures of being on a cruise is the convenience of any activity of your choice.  An elevator or an easy walk can take you to whatever you need:  the pools, the gym or spa, restaurants, bars, shops, the library, the speakers lounge, movie theatre and even a Digital Workshop.    
Speaking of eating. it’s exactly as I imagined it before I took this cruise.  You are never far from a culinary delight, from fine dining to casual poolside hamburgers.  Ice cream and deserts are served all afternoon.  Coffee and tea are always available.  They even have a late night meal at 11 pm.  It’s both overwhelming and a pleasure.  I haven’t even boiled water for almost 4 months or even thought of washing a dish.  Funny as it might sound I will enjoy being able to fix a meal of my liking whenever I want and also doing dishes while looking out my window at my peaceful backyard and birdfeeders.  Wonder how those birds have done without me feeding them?

Day 104–April 19–Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

I awoke with a feeling of sadness today.  Funchal is our last port of call, this marvelous voyage is just about over.  All in all it’s been a wonderful trip. 

  Early morning full moon over Funchal as we docked.

Nearly 500 years old, Madeira’s capital – Funchal is one of Europe’s prettiest ports.  This volcanic outcrop off the coast of Africa is Portugal’s own floating garden. There are flowers everywhere!  Funchal was even named after it’s most fragrant native plants – funcho (fennel) which were growing all over the place when the 16th century Portuguese mariners arrived.  You’d be hard pressed to find any fennel now, the plants were ripped out to make room for the early settlers..  Just about anything will grow and survive on this beautiful piece of land.

I debarked from the ship early to once again take advantage of the free internet in town which was an easy 1 mile walk away.    

  These Flowers were across the street from the Wi-Fi Hot Spot that I found.  After finishing, I walked back to the ship to return my laptop and then took the shuttle bus back into town.

I had a serious mission today and that was to find the perfect gifts for my very special granddaughter, Savannah.  I asked each one of my three wonderful grandchildren to pick a country that was included in my itinerary. I would then bring them gifts from that country.  Sam picked the Polynesian Islands while Jack asked for currency from each country.  Sam is 16 and he probably would have liked an island girl as a gift but alas I couldn’t do that.  He was fairly easy to shop for because we had 6 ports of call that would qualify as Polynesian Islands.  In regards to Jack, all I had to do was to make sure that I kept some of the currency (paper or coin) before we left that country.   But now Savannah ‘s choice was presenting somewhat of a challenge because we were only going to be in Portugal until 3 pm.   So shopping was my main objective here.  I also was looking forward to seeing as much of this charming town as I could.

  Fruit Stand at the Mercado de Lavradores, the old market used by the locals and the tourists.

  The Fish Stand.  A big crowd was there to take pictures of the men cutting up the huge pieces of fish.  I believe that is tuna on the cutting table.

I was very fortunate with my shopping.  In fact, I was extremely happy with my purchases.  I could now relax and do some touring.  My next stop was the Cable Car.  I wanted to get up to Monte before the rains started.  Monte, at an elevation of 2,000 feet, is 4 miles from Funchal.   It is the highest part of a national park and is usually in a blue cloud-like mist.  After seeing this mist I can now understand the myth claiming that this island is the lost continent of Atlantis.

  View of Funchal from the cable car

  The Amsterdam seen from above.

My fellow cable car passengers were a young British family on holiday.  They told me that there were hiking trails at the top.  Oh how I wished I had more time to do a longer hike. 

  Flowers along the trail

  View from the Church Steps

The Chapel of Monte is set into the hillside and can be easily seen from Funchal.  The former Emperor of Austria, Carlos I is buried near this chapel.  He sought refugee in this village after abdicating during WWI.  He must have been a very saintly man because he has been “beautified by Pope John Paul II in Rome.  The walk up the 68 steps to the top was charming even in the rain.  The steps were slippery but once again my Keens kept me from slipping. 

   An advertisement for the wicker sled ride down the mountain.  I decided against taking this ride because of the cost and also the weather conditions.

  The actual sled drivers stacking up the sleds.  In days past, they used to have to push the sleds back up the hill.  They are now brought up on a flat-backed truck.

  More flowering trees

  The Botanical Gardens

  Stacked wood.

Holy Smokes, stacked wood in a land of Palm trees.  I just had to take this picture.  I haven’t seen stacked wood, a common sight in New England,  in 4 months. 

  Older Home built into the terraced hillside.

Back on land, I am once again walking on the beautiful pavements of Funchal.  Every road has a different design on the cobblestoned sidewalks.

The delightful sidewalks and the flowering trees make walking in this city a pure delight, but challenging since the cobblestones can be sharp and uneven.

 

I stopped along this road and purchased a piece of Portuguese bread that was grilled with butter and garlic.  Yum Yum!!!  The diet will start when I return home.

  Cactus growing along a volcanic hillside

 

  Replica of one of Christopher Columbus ships, the Santa Maria.   I read that good ole Chris did reside in Funchal for some period. 

  Our last sighting of land until Fort Lauderdale in 6 days time. We cruised alongside Madeira for the next hour where we were treated to views of mountains, waterfalls and small villages.  Madeira is now on  my list of places that I would like to return to.  I could easily spend a week or more here exploring those mountains and villages and having a more substantial meal!!

Day 102–April 17–Cadiz, Spain

I woke around 8 and decided to go to the “formal” restaurant for breakfast since we weren’t supposed to dock until 10 a.m.  On “Sea Days” my usual morning routine is to grab a bowl of cereal and a piece of toast at the  buffet style restaurant before my Tai Chi class, when we are docked it’s the same except there is no Tai Chi class and I’m usually rushing to get on shore.  However, since this “once in a lifetime” journey is slowly coming to an end, I’ve decided to shake up my routines and take advantage of all the ship has to offer.  So off I went to the La Fontaine Dining Room, where I was forced to interact with people before my first cup of coffee.  Two couples joined me and as usual the conversation is about our travels, past and present.  This does get old after awhile, but I usually come away from these conversations with some tidbit of information.

Now onto Cadiz, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western world..  Some archaeologist believe that the first Phoenician merchants landed here in 1100 BC.  Keeping this in mind, I ventured out but first being a gal of the 21st century, I had to find a place with Wifi.  That goal completed I returned to the ship and dropped my laptop in my cabin.

  It’s not hard to imagine all the history that has occurred here in Cadiz and the peoples that have walked these same streets. 

 

  Monument to the Cadiz Parliament

In 1812, Cadiz played a key role in an historical event that was to influence Spain’s contemporary history.  At the height of the Peninsular War the Spanish resistance met in Cadiz and shaped the first liberal constitution of Spain and Europe.  You can’t get out of Cadiz without becoming very aware of this fact.  They are very proud of their long history as an important port and their wonderfully diverse culture.

  A Typical street

  and their unique balconies.

You can get lost in Cadiz but if you just follow the flow of pedestrian traffic you will find yourself at a square or shopping area very quickly and of course the ocean is always within sight if you get up high enough.

  Looking westward, towards America

The above picture was taken from the terrace of the Torre Tavira, one of the most fascinating watchtowers in Cadiz which just happens to have a Camera Obscura installed there.  So in a completely dark room with a mirror and a magnifying lens and a good sized white screen in front of us we were able to see a brilliant moving image of the entire town. 

I walked on through the town, most of the shops were closed since it was Palm Sunday and a religious procession of much significance would be marching through the narrow streets of the town in the late afternoon.  A festival feel was evident everywhere.  People were out in full force.  The squares were filling up and with that came the vendors selling drums, horns, balloons, nuts and popcorn.

  Pastry vendor.  Notice her obvious lacy hairnet, this must be the style in Spain because I had seen them previously at a bakery that I just happened to walk into.  The Temperature was in the low 70’s and very sunny but windy.  I couldn’t get over how many woman I saw wearing high winter boots, very stylish but they had to be hot.  I was wearing sandals, Birkenstocks of course!

  Wooden folding chairs were lined up along the processional route.  They all had numbers on them.  I later found out that they charge a small fee to have a seat.  I choose to stand but now wish I hadn’t, the procession was quite long and it did get quite cramped as the crowds pushed in.

  Residents along the way.  The perfect place to watch.

  Children of Spain.  Oh, what fun it was watching the children.  Most of them were all dressed up and just adorable.

  The main event.  A statue of a tortured Jesus being carried by many men, young and old.  At least 4 on each corner but then I noticed at least 20 or more white-shoed feet marching in step underneath the gold platform.

  The drummers in the marching band.

The music was loud and very stirring.  It wasn’t religious music more  patriotic.  I was moved, especially when the priests with the altar boys and girls marched by.  I’m guessing it was the incense which reminded me of all the High Masses that I have attended.  

  White robed man with traditional attired men.  Those white robed men were a shock to these American eyes, so similar to the Ku Klux Klan.  I then recalled that the KKK had adopted their dreadful outfits from an old European religious fellowship.  Well here they with a positive connotation instead of the cross-burning one that we think of.  Before the procession we saw these robed men and young boys heading for their meeting place.  The robes also come in a deep blue and a yellow, each representing a different fellowship.  They carried tall poles with a candle on the end.  Young children from the crowds would approach them and ask if they would drip some of the wax onto a ball of wax that they were carrying.  This must be a tradition.  The kids were all excited and the parents encouraged them.

  Happy kids.

I then decided it was time for me to move on.  Well that was easier said done.  The center of the town was all blocked off by barricades and serious looking police.  I couldn’t get out.  So there I stood the only non-Spanish person in a crowd of Spaniards.  In no way was I frightened just overwhelmed and confused about how I was going to get away from the festivities.  It was comical, felt like I was a spy in a James Bond movie trying to run from the officials.  Once I got into the swing of it all, I enjoyed myself.  I just kept heading in the opposite direction from where I wanted to go, when I looked down a street and saw those coned heads I kept heading further away.  So needless to say I had a long walk back to the ship and ended up with my first blister of this trip.  So much for Birkenstocks. 

  This is where I ended up.  Thanks for the ocean as a landmark.,

  Land Gate to the Medieval Quarter.  Only seen because of my little adventure.

  Father and Son playing soccer.

It was so heart warming to see so many families of all ages enjoying each others company.

  City Hall Square

This is where I had lunch earlier in the day and just by chance the Captain of the ship and his lady friend were in the table next to me.  I ignored him, poor guy deserves his privacy.

  Springtime in the Square

Another great day under my belt.  Will, I ever adjust to my quiet life back in New Hampshire????

Day 101–April 16–Cartagena, Spain

This strategic port on the Spanish Mediterranean Sea was an absolute delight to visit.  We only had a short stay here and most of us passengers were wishing for more.  It is so interesting how each country has a different feel to it and how an observant traveler can pick up on it very quickly.  Spain, at least to me, seemed much more laid back than the other Mediterranean ports that we have visited.  That also could have been because it was the Saturday before Palm Sunday. 

 

  The Nieue Amsterdam another Holland American ship was in port.  In was huge as you can see in the picture about double the size of our ship, the Amsterdam.  They were offering tours to go view it.  I wasn’t in the least bit interested.  Why go on another ship when there is a foreign city to explore?  But 400 of my fellow passengers signed up to go gawk…

 

  We were docked right next to each other.  I was surprised that even with so many tourists in town and the locals out in full force, it wasn’t a mob scene at all.  Looks like the modern developers of this city knew what they were doing.

  The town is surrounded by several forts and the ramparts are lined by a broad seaside esplanade.  Abundant palm trees and flowers line the way.

 

  A “Waste Management” truck.  Tiny and very efficient.  The city is remarkably clean except for the graffiti which I didn’t find offensive. 

On my first visit into town, I of course had to get to a cyber café.

  My friend Cody showed me how to take a picture with my computer.  What would we do without knowledgeable teenagers.

  Catholicism is the major religion and these purple banners with a religious significance were hanging from many balconies.

  Museum dedicated to Roman artifacts from nearby sites.

 The Roman coliseum being worked on.  It was late in our stay when I finally found the coliseum so I didn’t have time to go see it completely.

I spent most of the day walking through the main shopping district which is paved with lovely cobblestones and blocked off to traffic.  There were many cafes, fountains, statues, churches, homes and of course shops.

 

  These iron statues were throughout the area.  I believe this one is depicting two nuns with a child.

  Apartment or Condo complex

 

  A Fountain.  As the day progressed more families came out to stroll or have a meal at one of the restaurants.  As always I enjoyed “people watching” and in particular got a kick out of seeing women my age or older gather with their friends and chat over coffee.  They were stylishly dressed in suits and sensible shoes.  They were beautifully made up and had a demeanor of seriousness and wisdom about them.  I wanted to sit down and join them.

A Strolling Spanish guitar player.  My day has now been made!

 

  A monument to memorialize those who have died in terrorist attacks.  This was quite moving, a huge depiction of a nude grieving male.  Spain along with many other European countries has  been affected by hatred and fear.

But I don’t want to end this blog entry on Cartagena on a sad note.  As I walked further down the esplanade,  I saw this group of German motorcyclists eating at a café.  Their shiny BMW bikes were parked nearby.

  A toothless Accordion player.  I have been trying to make it a habit to throw a Euro in at every street side musician that I see.  They add so much to my experience.

  When I returned to the ship, my friend Andy, who lives in Spain, was departing.   He was so reluctant to leave, as he said he will now have to start cooking for himself and making his own bed.  Poor Baby!!!

  The “sail away” was beautiful.  I took a wonderful “siesta” in a deck chair as I watched this scenery unfold in front of me.

 
Taken before I dozed off.

I had a 3 hour dinner this evening with my new friend Jenna, not a subject was left untouched.  After our meal we went to the Indonesian Crew show.  The majority of the workers on the ship (dining room, stewards, engine room staff, sailors, etc) are either Philippine or Indonesian.  Each group gives a show to us passengers towards the end of the trip.  The Philippines show was a couple of weeks ago.  These shows usually depict some aspect of their cultures.  It’s a treat to see members of the crew sing and dance.  Some emotion is felt during the show, since these young men and women have been taking care of most of our physical needs for some time now and most of us become very attached to them.  They are usually always smiling and so eager to please.  At first I was uncomfortable with such servitude  but I then began to realize that feelings are hurt if I don’t let them wait on me.  I now joke with Didit & Nyoman, my stewards and Lam and Harris, the guys who work in the restaurant.  I appreciatively share smiles with Ira and Anna the young women at Lido’s who now know that I don’t eat meat. 

Before I went to bed, I made arrangements to have a wake-up call at 4 a.m., because that was when we were scheduled to go through the straits of Gibraltar.  When that dreadful time arrived I drowsily threw a robe on and walked out on the deck.  It was still dark and I could only make out the outlines of the famous Rock, surprisingly there were other diehards there.  It was a thrill to pass through the narrows heading for the Atlantic Ocean with Spain on our right side and Africa on our left. 

We have a station on our cabin TV which always broadcasts our location and other shipping information.  This is what it looks like: 

Thankfully I was able to get back to sleep.