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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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May 02, 2025 12:00 AM Rainy start in Barcelona
I woke up before the sunrise. In the Gdansk airport there were a lot of passengers, but I managed to report at the gate on time... Last days there was a rumour about strict baggage control by Ryanair. Bit I am lucky boy - nobody wanted to check the dimensions of my baggage. Soon I boarded the plane and we spent 3 hours on our direct flight to Barcelona.
The city was dark today under the heavy clouds. It was not raining yet when I was boarding bus 46 to Plaza Espanya. When we reached destination it was already raining... Brrrr... I was not on a hurry, I decided to wait for the weather improvement, shopping in the supermarket (do you know what it was necessary to buy? :). At 11.30 am I started a walk to WTC bus stop in the light rain. From WTC there is a special blue bus heading to the port terminals. It costs 3 euro and I usually do not use it, but today - in the rain... At 12 I was already in the terminal B, where my ship was docking. Long line of the people was waiting for checking. No priiviledges! -all passengers on this special cruise are GOLD or PLATINIUM! We will ne departing in the rain in the evening. Sorry Barcelona. But I will publish sunny picture...
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May 01, 2025 12:00 AM With other members of the Club
Costa Shipping Company offered me a chance to participate in a club cruise, organized on an unusual route only once a year. They promised numerous attractions and privileges... And so I sail, and also visit ports I haven't seen before. This voyage will start with a low-cost flight to Barcelona, where I will be boarding the ship. Please keep your fingers crossed dear Friends! :)
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Apr 26, 2025 12:00 AM Tulips on Wojtkówka
I was sleeping long and comfortable. Home, sweet home! Then, enjoying sunny day I went to my Wojtkówka. What a lovely view with many spring flowers! Tulips are in full blossom... A lot of work is waiting. I have only 5 days to the next flight left! Anybody reaady to help?
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Apr 25, 2025 12:00 AM End of the journey...
In the morning our ship docked in Barcelona. Imagine 5 cruise ships staying one by one... Disembarking process os not easy: how many taxis and buses you need to take circa 15000 thousands passengers to the city and airport? Lines were long. I decided to walk through Europa Bridge to the roundabout and call the uber. I confirmed the price to the airport: 25,50 euro for four of us. The car with Pakistani driver arrived only after 30 minutes. There were traffic congestions on the way, but we had enough time till departure. I received from uber by e-mail receipt for 33,80 euro. THE UBER is cheating now! It is necessary to control them... Of course I immediately sent the complain... Our flights to Oslo and Warsaw were on time. I am waiting in Warsaw airport for flight to Gdansk. The great journey from Brazil to Europe is almost over!
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Apr 24, 2025 12:00 AM To Monte Carlo!
Our ship anchored in the morning near Cannes in France. They do not have a dock for such a big ships so we were tendering - they took us ashore in the ship's universal motorboats.
Cannes is elegant resort city with the elegant coastal promemade and a film festival palace but I wanted to take the opportunity to show my family famous Monte Carlo in the Proncipaute of Monaco. I myself was there once only - in 1973.
For the budget travelers the best option is to buy day ticket for train. It cost around 9 euro per person and allows you travel round trip and make an extra stopover in Nice.
Trains go every 30 min and after slightly more then 1 hour ride we were already on the Street of Monte Carlo. Everybody goes here to Prince's Palace. No need to board the bus - it is an easy walk uphill. The view of the bay, city and mountains in the background is unforgetable! Then back on the port we climbed to the historic Casino Monte Carlo. After security control everybody is alloved to enter the big hall of the casino. Playing rooms are open from 2 pm. It was the great, sunny day and what an excursion for just 9 euro!
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Apr 23, 2025 12:00 AM My nameday in Livorno.
I celebrate my day on the ship in Livorno... Sunny day. I kust received a confirmation of one more fascinating cruise! (Fiji to Tahiti in 2026) and I treat this as a gift. What a gift! We decided to stay today on board, enjoying all attractions offered, sunbathing and planning tomorrow's visit in France. While in Livorno every visit to the city will cost you at least 7 eur for shuttle bus, because they do not allow to walk on your own from the ship to the port gate. Shame on you Port of Livorno! I invited my son to sushi restaurant... There will be also a Broadway - style show in the evening. Let's celebrate!
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Apr 22, 2025 12:00 AM We are going to Pisa!
From Livorno Centrale station it is 20 minutes by train to Pisa Centrale (2,80 euro each way) then you have to walk to the Arno River, cross it and snake with the crowd of tourists of the different nations... Three huge monumental buildings are waiting there for pictures: The Leaning Tower, Pisa Cathedral and Baptisterium. You pay entrance fee only if you want to go inside. We returned the same way to the ship. I used the free voucher offered to high-ranking passengers to order the laundry...
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Apr 21, 2025 12:00 AM Arivederci Roma!
Our ship docked in Civitavechia before sunrise. We were ready soon because it is one hour train ride to get to Rome. They offer shuttle bus from the ship to the station for 6 dollars or euro. But there is also free port shuttle going to the parking in the city - about 1 km from the station. Train ticket to Rome (no discounts) costs 4,60 euro.
We disembarked at Roma San Pietro station to start close to Vatican. The line of the people waiting to enter the basilica wasn't long. Soon. After the security screening we were inside. Just to receive sad message: the pope passed away!
After Vatican (see my son and grandsons on the picture) I took them to St Angel's Castle, we crossed the river and took the pictures of Di Trevi fountain, Spanish Stairs and Colosseum. The sky was blu, the day lovely and my companions were very happy. We terminated 8 kms walk at Termini station at 2 pm to catch the train to Civitavechia. Returned by ealk to the ship. Bingo! We deserved the big (and free on this ship) ice cream! :)
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Apr 20, 2025 12:00 AM Easter Sunday in Napoli!
Vesuvius Volcano on the other side of the bay. Sunny day. We celebrate Easter in Italy. But in the terminal building no wifi or tourist info desk. But in the terminal hotel they allowed me to use their network... Have a Happy Easter!
I got the map of the city in the little kiosk, crossed municipio Square and started the walk or rather climbing uphill Monte Martino
Real life in the narrow, cobbled strees,.. Stairs... The view opens only from Victor Emanuelle Ii street. You woll see roofs and domes of the old town, but also Vesuvio and the bay...
From this place I started descent to the cathedral hidden between high houses but having nice interior..
Nice experience, nice day!
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Apr 19, 2025 12:00 AM Captain Asen - my 47th captain...
Day at sea, but a lot to do! Invitation to the behind the sceves tour of the ship. Then wine tasting. And finally Captain's Cocktail for the most loyal passengers. (I am platinium level pax on this cruie. Captain Asen remember my face - I was alreaady sailing with him from Mauritius to Cape Town! Nice person! In the evening we went to the new show - Amercan style!
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