Adventuring
Day 10 – A day at Sea.
A little rockin’ and rollin’ in the Atlantic as we sail towards Lisbon. Some sun but mostly cloud – still warm though. Good day to read, lay about, eat and drink some more, consider diet on return home! Food has been very good with amazing choices each day.
I went to a Jacques Pepin cooking demonstration – most enjoyable – Jacques and his mate Jean-Claude a bit like a comedy duo. Also went to scarf tying lesson (what you do on a day at sea!)
Day 9 – Cadiz – Spain
Beautiful sunrise in Bay of Cadiz. Tour of what is believed to be Europe’s oldest city today. Cadiz sits on a sliver of land ( 6 miles x 2 miles) almost entirely surrounded by water. Seems a pretty relaxed quiet city, pretty buildings mostly cream coloured, bit of ochre colour here and there in neo-classical style, Lots of parks. The streets are mainly narrow winding alleys, shops at the bottom and apartments up top – some nice window boxes, wrought iron balconies, building decor and of course washing waving in the breeze! In some places buildings are only one room wide and you can look through arch ways to beautiful patios and tiled areas.
Day 8 Casablanca, Morocco
A bit of Atlantic Ocean rock & roll as we sailed last night but slept well! Arrived in the bustling city of Casablanca to breakfast as a giant “Morrocan sun” arose. Tour of the city today – 6 million people and as much traffic! Traffic jams but it does move. Goes in all directions in some order with much tooting and triple parking! New tram system operating looks good. All shapes and sizes of motorbikes and helmets (or not) with some very interesting loads – reminded me of Shanghai. Just as much variety in cars. Hot and dusty. First stop – Rick’s Café – mythical gin palace of Casablanca movie fame.
Day 7- Gibraltar – UK.
An imposing piece of rock – dominates the strait between Spain and Morocco. Gibralter itself is only 6 sq kms and inhabited by 30,000 people. Diverse ethnicity. The UK seized Gibraltar in war of Spanish succession in 1704 and was granted in perpetuity in 1713 (Treaty of Utrecht). Two referendums have confirmed residents want to stay with UK. Spanish keen to have back – daily delays at the border as people cross into Gibraltar as a protest. 7 ½ hours two days ago and 1 ½ hours yesterday. That did not affect us as we were not crossing the border.
Day 6 Malaga
Moorish legacy – 8 centuries as previous Muslim capital. Stunning sunrise as we arrived in port.
Highlight today was trip to Alhambra – the Red Palace in Granada. Sitting on one of 3 hills dwarfed by Sierra Nevada range, it’s an amazing place. Begun in 1240’s – was complex of schools, houses, baths, barracks and gardens with 24 defense towers and impregnable walls. Only 2 parts remain but they are stunning – the Alcazaba and the Palacio Nazaries. Palaces and gardens.
Day 5 – Cartegena
Significant port and major naval port. (Saw a small sub out in the bay as we came in). Strategic location obvious!
Most of these countries have long histories of glorious and turbulent occupations by different civilisations- Cartharginian, Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines & Moors so any different cultural heritages and influences can be seen.
Drove to Elche today through beautiful Mediterranean countryside – fruit bowl of Spain with most fruit & veg grown here. Currently tomatoes, artichokes, lemons & oranges. Lots of irrigation. Also grow asparagus, sugarcane, tobacco, grains, avocados. Drove parallel to coast- significant tourism and resorts including “Little Sea” – shallow salt lake spa.
Day 4 Ibizia! Pop usually 100,000 but in summer grows to around 1 million with young clubbers descending onto the island they say – must be awful! Island about 8 miles wide & 25 miles long (old measures here) & relatively quiet until discovered by the hippies in the 60s.
Also known as Isle of Pines and/or White Island. Most imposing feature on arrival is the old city Dalt Vila – a walled city & World Heritage site. Hence the historical & hedonist background to this area.
Cruise Day 1 Barcelona (in port)
Embarked! Nice accommodation! Berthed opposite Montjuic Mountain, old fort on top now a museum and grounds landscaped for Olympics.
Afternoon spent visiting Barcelona Cathedral – plans laid down in 1298 & finished 1913. Usual impressive windows, bell towers & organ but unique cloister with orange & medlar trees, tranquil fountains & ponds, shady palms & a gaggle of white geese.
Wandered back down Las Ramblas (old riverbed) to waterfront and ambled along the 1.5 km-beautiful beach, well provided with services – restaurants, public amenities and super clean! Impressive Frank Gehry “Fish Sculpture”. Area all redeveloped for 1992 Olympics including lovely Port Vell. There is an overhead cable car from port to Montjuic- quite a distance & works by counterbalance. Dined at the impressive Toscana restaurant on board – outstanding.
Yesterday (18th Sept) we spent the day exploring the modernist architecture of Antoni Gaudi (1853-1926). Fantastic!
Got the hang of the Metro (underground) and headed off!
Casa Mila (La Pedrera) is interesting for its facade curves & elaborate metalwork. Casa Batllo (World Heritage Site) has ceramic tiles and mosaics. Both buildings have chimneys of all shapes and kinds characteristic of Gaudi’s work and the interiors,which we didn’t view, are also just as well known.
Good trip to Barcelona this afternoon. Left the London rain and saw sun 15 mins after takeoff. Great views of the coast as we flew in. Barcelona Airport was gleaming and spotless – very impressed.
Very pleasant temperature here and we are well located in the heart of the city. Champagne on arrival at hotel.
Have enjoyed a lovely evening wandering fascinating little alleyways around the old part of town. Lots of shops tucked away amongst restaurants and bars – surely destination places for the locals and finds for the tourists!
Yummy tapas and sangria (they serve this in very big glasses!!) for dinner on The Rumblas- said to be the most characteristic avenue and the nerve centre of the city.
Flower stands and stalls selling plants and packets of seeds decorate the top part of the street and then there are the street artists and tourist stalls. Fascinating watching streams of people go past.
I bought a fabulous pair of eye glasses (they flash blue lights with 3 different settings – very becoming) from a passing salesman as we ate dinner. We haggled over the price and did quite well (who would really know). Told myself we were supporting an enterprising chap who would otherwise be unemployed – unemployment said to be 27% here and high percentage under 25 years.
Some street performers seen too – amazing acrobatics – bet they are black and blue tomorrow!
Also wandered about the wonderful Boqueria Market – under cover and selling all kinds of meat, fish, fruit, herbs, spices, nuts, breads and vegetables – all attractively displayed and a vibrant atmosphere.
Masses of pidgeons in the square – barely move and waiting for food. Children were loving them.
The camera battery was discovered to be flat (oops) so will have to retrace my steps again tomorrow!