You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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Oct 17, 2014 04:00 PM Mezquita in Cordoba
Arabs built here a big mosque. And then Catholic kings of Spain ordered to remove a part of the mosque' roof and to built-in the cathedral. And this is famous Mezquita. For 8 euros you can see a forests of columns and ornate altar of the cathedral.
But Cordoba has more to offer: romantic Roman Bridge and a labirynth of the narrow streets in the Old Quarter.
I stay in the tiny and very cozy Hostal Trinidad just 50 m from the wall of Mezquita. Clean single room with shared bath costs me 20 euro. The only problem is street noise - bring your earplugs for the night!
On Sundzy morning I was ready for the mas in Mezquita. But when I reported at 8 am at the gate they told me that the Sun mass is conducted on 12 and 1.30 pm. Do not trust Lonely Planet guide! :)
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Oct 16, 2014 04:00 PM In the shade of Alhambra
The sun was rising over Malaga when I disembarked the ship and started long walk to the long-distance bus stacion. It took me 55 min to get there. The bus to Granada was waiting at the platform. I was running to the ticket office. Ticket for Malaga - Grenada route costs already 13,75 euro. We started at 10 am and 1,5 hours hater I was in Grenada.
Once Granada was Arab city they built there sultan's castle with beautiful palace and gardens. Alhambra is till now the main attraction of the town. I was climbing the hill to see it again. Entry to the ticketed parts of Alhambra costs 14 euro and tickets are sold-out few days in advance. In the evening I was climbing narrow streets on the opsite hill to San Nicola mirador - that' the best place to photograph Alhambra.
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Oct 15, 2014 04:00 PM Day at blue sea
It is still sunny, but strong wind. We are sailing back - west - to Spanish Malaga. Visiting new places from the ship is very easy and convenient: no need to pack and unpack and to look for the transport. But you have to adjust to the schedule of the ship: you cannot stay longer at specific port if you like it. I - the independent traveller always feel on the ship like a prisonier :) It will change tomorrow -I will be free to travel onward according to my own schedule.
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Oct 14, 2014 04:00 PM Cagliari - Sardinia
Cagliari is lovely Mediteranean citti with the nice old citadel on the hill. It is still sunny. I am wondering narrow streets visiting churches and enjoying lay-down atmosphere. Palms, flowers, friendly people...
What a pity that the ship docks here only half a day!
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Oct 13, 2014 04:00 PM Smoggy Eternal City
Civitavecchia - the sea port for Rome is one hour drive from the capital of Italy to the northwest. The best idea if you go to the Rome is to take the train - you have to buy at tiny Civitavecchia station BIRG ticket for 12 euro - it gives you round trip ride on the train and unlimited usage od bus, tram and metro for the day - very good deal!
Rome did not change much since my last visit. Just let you know that the famous Trevi fountain is under restoration. Entrance to Colosseum costs 12 euro and long waiting in the line.
There worst for me is that there is more street traffic and more smog in the streets.
But it was nice to take one more walk through the one of the most important culture centers of the Europe.
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Oct 12, 2014 04:00 PM Corsica - where Napoleon was born
Ajaccio - the capital of Corsica has very nice location on the slopes and the ship stays in the middle of the town. Picturesque citadelle is ocuppied by military, but you are coming here first of all to see the house where Napoleon was born. They built few monuments of the emperor. The old town of Ajaccio is not large - just for 2 hours walk. They have plenty of street cafes an souvenir shops. Palms, lay down atmosphere... I like Ajaccio also because they offer here free wi-fi connection on main squares - just make a choice of orange network. The coast line around is nice. One more reason to come back :)
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Oct 11, 2014 04:00 PM Great cathedral of Palma
Palma de Mallorca is not friendly for the tourists.. In the cruise terminal you will not find Any information! In the city center there is an IT office but completly closed on Sundays. I took 3 km walk along the coast - great promenade!) to the old town where enormous cathedral is the main attraction. It was closed on Sunday for service. There is an Arab palace to visit and it is good to take a long walk exploring the narrow streets of the old town, but they do not have such a atmosphere like those in Valencia. Plaza Mayoy is small and unimpressve here. It was 34 deg Celsius when I was going back to the ship.
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Oct 10, 2014 04:00 PM Ah, Valencia!
Our first port is very tourist-friendly. They have city bus for just 1,50 eu which will take you from the port to the old city - line 4.
But I was walking in the heat (29 deg Celsius today) -first to the City of Sciences and Art. This is very modern complex of the wonderful architecture. I really did not expect that it is so impressive!
Then there was another 30- min walk to the old city. They have three main places in the old town to see: Ayuntamiento, Reina and Virgen Squares with nice fountains. A lot of street cafes, palms. I found wi- fi internet in the Starbucks - but you have to buy somthing. The other place is Colon Market. Tomorrow we will be in Mallorca. Can you imagine that the ship cancelled the tour to Valdemossa Monastery. They said that only 8 passengers off 1800 on the ship wanted to go there - not enough! Do they know who was F Chopin?
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Oct 09, 2014 04:00 PM I am boarding the ship
Silent night in Residencial Universitaria. I recognized that it is the same tiny place whwre I stayed in 2005 at the beginning of my Transafrican voyage. Then is was a little brothel. :) Now, renovated and painted it is worth to recommend for budget travellers.Wi-fi works here well.
In a quarter of time I am marching to the port to board a cheap ship. It is Empress - the same ship I was crossing Atlantic Ocean in the spring.
Internet is expensive on the ship so do not be surprised if I will upload nthe next message only few days later. Ahoy!
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Oct 08, 2014 04:00 PM One more time in Malaga
To combine two low-cost flights I was forced to start early. At 5 am I was already in the Gdansk airport. At 6 we departed to Dortmund aboard wizz plane. To reduce the cost I travel only with a little carry-on baggage. At 8 we landed in Dortmund - good hub for low-cost airlines, but little and poor airport. No free wi-fi! To get to your next plane you have to go out and again through the security. It took me 40 min.
Then Ryanair took me then to Malaga. 3 hours flight for 35 USD - good deal! Bid and small carry-on bags are included and they offer more space for my long legs.
Malaga airport is now much nicer then years ago. Be prepared for the long way going out. Instead of city bus for 1,30 euro they introduced A airport bus for 3 euro - good way to milk travellers.
Near the cathedral I found the cheapest single room in the city. Shared bath but very clean and private for 15 euro (book via booking.com)
It is hidden in the narrow allej San Jose -entry from San Augustin.
Sunny afternoon. I climbed again to Gibralfaro castle for the great view of the city and port. Can you imagine that they charge 5 eu for the entry to the cathedral?
Please come better to my Gdansk. Churches are free and for the bus from the airport you will pay less then 1 euro!
But Malaga with palm trees and blue sea is still nice...
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