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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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Apr 16, 2025 12:00 AM Boarding Big Ship
It was rain expected in Barcelona for the evening but surprise it was sunny when we were marching to the port at 10 am. Our big ship was docked close to Europa Brldge. Due toy platinium status in this line the check-in was very quick and at 11.30 we were already in our cabin on deck 14. But the cabin was not ready yet! So we went to the restaurant for the lunch with unlimited ice cream! We will be departing at 4 pm to Ibiza....It is OK! The boys are excited and happy. Me too! :)
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Apr 15, 2025 12:00 AM Guell Park - book early!
Sunny morning in Barcelona. We decided to ride the metro to the Vallcarca Station. Single ticket for subway costs 2,65 euro. Once in Vallcarca there are arrows showing the way to the famous Guell Park housing many works of Antonio Gaudi. It you are approaching the Park from this side there are few segments of electric stairs taking you up the steep street.
At the entrance check- point we were asked to show online tickets (18 euro, 22,50 seniors and students) The officer said that all tickets for today are sold out.
We went to the hill above for the view of Barcelona and Cerro tres cruces on the other side of the high fence. We went down to the street turned left and soon we reached the main entrance to the park. The richly decorated entrance buildings are good samples of Gaudi style. Better to have such a picture tham nothing!
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Apr 14, 2025 12:00 AM Aerial view of Barcelona
Today I was guiding my son and grandson through the attractions of Barcelona. The highlight was the ride on the old aerial tram from Barceloneta beach area to Mont Juic. We had excellent, sunny weather this morning. They start the operation at 10.30 am. It was not necessary to book the tickets online. We departed on first tram... Ticket costs 12, 50 euro one way and the view of the port and city is worth this price! Once on Mont Juic we enjoyed also view from the terrace. Then we took a walk through the park to the Arts Museum of Catalunya to descrnt to Plaza Espanya... Former Bull Arena stands here converted into shopping mall. They have viewings terrace on the roof level but nawadays they charge 1,50 euro for the lift!
Instead we took the subway (2,65 for single ticket) to Sagrada Familia church. Crowd of tourists here! Everybody is taking pictures, nobody think about pray and religious character of this strange building! Walking the streets we reached brick Arch built inthe nice park... What a day!
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Apr 13, 2025 12:00 AM Meeting Adam and his sons in Barcelona
Ahoy! It was 10 am when I said goodbye to the ship and took a walk in the sun to the Columbus Column. My son Adam was waiting there for me. And my grandsons too! We went to Hostal Portugal, 600 m away to leave our luggages and took a walk to Rambla.Palm Sunday procession was performed there. Rambla was full of tourists, vendors and sun. We walked to Plaza Catalunya whe fountain still do not work, but pigeons as re still posing for pictures. Then we turned to Barrio Gotico. I am so happy to be with my family!
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Apr 12, 2025 12:00 AM First time in Alicante!
At the breakfast time it was raining. The port was covered by fogg on approach.... My friends from Paris: Patricia and Bertrand offered me an umbrella. They have been here before and decided to spend on the ship this rainy day. But for me it is first time in Alicante. Already from the ship there is nice view of the city built at the bottom of the hill with the castle on the top. I decided to disembark at 12 pm. No wifi in the terminal! Shame! They offer a toy trolley from the ship to the town. But for 1,5 km they chatge 5 euro! I decided to walk to the coastal promenade, where - opposite the nice fountain is the tourist office. You can get here city map, but no wifi again.
I got from them important info: instead a 40 min walk by road to the castle you can take a lift. The station in at the bottom of the hill, near the beach. Seniors go free! Others pay 2,75 euro for RT! The views fronm yhe Santa Barbara castle are Great. Sorry for cloudy sky. On the way back I visited old city with basilica and co-cathedral. I have to order better weather for the next visit in September! :)
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Apr 11, 2025 12:00 AM The story of Adam and Eve
Today we have day at sea heading to Mediterranean. Weather is bad - rainy and foggy. The rock of Gibraltar was not wisibe. Sorry. But in the evening in the theater we had a great show persormed by Hungarian young couple. They are not only acrobats but also dancers, jugglers and story tellers. I was impressed! Let's hope tomorrow the weather will be better!
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Apr 10, 2025 12:00 AM Old Lisbon
After sneaking in the Tag River estuary our ship docked at an elegant cruise terminal in Lisbon - just steps from Sta Apollonia station and the old part of the city. Spread out on the low hills. From the terminal there are short walks to the central square of Lisboa - Praia Commercio. It is rather cloudy but warm (20 deg. C) today in Lisbon. A lot of tourists and young peoples in the streets. Probably the main attraction of the city are old trams, offering 1 hour loop tours for 25 euro.
In the evening we will turn back to south to cross Gibraltar Strait.
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Apr 08, 2025 12:00 AM Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Today before sunrise, after two days spent in the bit rocky ocean we docked in Santa Cruz on the Canary Islands. I call this port the lighthouse od Europe - each ship heading to/from West Africa, Sth America or Caribbean is stopping here for the supply, inexpensive fuel and tourist attractions. I have been here many times. Despite the bad forecast after the morning clouds we enjoy the blue sky and sun. I went to the public library to write and send via free internet some publications. It was also necessary to do some bank operations and to response many letters. After I took the walk to the well- known places in the town. We are leaving in the late afternoon to be in Lisbon on Thursday...
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Apr 06, 2025 12:00 AM Memories of Praia
Yesterday in Praia I found the place on the coastal cliff where they built a monument of the pope John Paul the Second. JP2 was here in 2007 to pray with the locals... I have great respect to this pope - traveller not only because he was from Poland. This eas a great authority in today's corrupted world.
There is a nice view from the monument surrounded by the palms. Locals call this place Cruz de Papa, because there is also a big cross nearby.
To get there from the port you should walk first to the center of Praia. Then from Palacio Presidencial down to dirty Praia Gamboa and to climb by wide stairs the opposite hill. Ask the locals - they will help you to find the shortest way through the narrow streets. From the port it is 5,5 km one way....
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Apr 05, 2025 12:00 AM Praia - Cabo Verde
After 4 days in the ocean I reached Santiago island on Cabo Verde archipelago. Sunny day, but much cooler (23 deg Cel) that 3 days ago when we crossed equator. Costa company offers expensive transfer from the port to the city (12 euro RT). I am walking - it is mot too far, an you can see a lot on the way! Praia, where I am is a capital of Cabo Verde. After 20 years when I was here for the first time it looks more developed and... more European. But the vegetation is not as lush as in Brazil. I have good time... Next two days we will spend at sea heading to Tenerife on Canary Islands.
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