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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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Oct 04, 2023 08:00 PM Arenas de Barcelona
In the morning our ship docked in the cloudy but warm port of Barca. Shuttle bus to the city (stop near Columbus Mon.) costs already 4,50 euro (RT version only) so I was walking the well-known trail via Europa Bridge to Darsenas, Rambla and then - Plaza Espanya. What is Spain famous for? For the flamenco, but also bull fighting. In Catalunya they are forbiden, but before... They built big and ornate Plaza del Toros on Pl Espanya. I never been inside of the building so it was good chance to visit it today. Well, there are shops and 12 cinema halls, you can also take elevator to the top floor and photograph the Plaza, towers and national museum - the view os really great!
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Oct 03, 2023 08:00 PM Celebrating 75th Anniversary of Costa
Today we had the day at sea, heading to distant Barcelona. During the day I made a laundry and took a sunbath on the deck. In the evening we had a concert of Tony Hadley - british star from the 80ties. Then there was a 75th birthday party of Costa company - a lot of music and dance with sweet cakes and fruits. I like Costa ships for their climate. But sayimg the true the level of service is decreasing. They cheated me - after short notice cancellation of Cossta Venezia cruise they dod not give any compensation...
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Oct 02, 2023 08:00 PM Meeting friends in Malaga
Blue sky greeted us today in Spanish Malaga. I like compact, nicely located Malaga and I have been here many times, so I was happy to meet my friends Sveta and Oleg living here and spend with them the day outside the city. Sveta took me by public bus 110 to Benalmadena - some 25 kms south of Malaga.
Wow! Imagine a resort town, built on the network of the canals, with thousand docking boats and yachts, hundreds of restaurants, bars and cafes... Let's say it is small-scare vontemporaty Venice. Above the port they have nice Paloma Park with many exotic plants and huge pond. But I liked most fantastic cacti garden with nice species taken from all over the world. The last hour or so we spent in the contemporary- built up on the slope Castle Colomares. It is dedicated to Columbus and his achievements. A kind of Disneyland, with fountains, sculptures on the edge of the good taste, but definitely a new invention and charging only 3 euro for entry. Bus 103 will take you there for 1,5 euro.. Lovely day with the great views. Thank you Sveta and Oleg for your hospitality. Until the next time!
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Oct 01, 2023 08:00 PM Tanger - thousand and one Arabian nights
I have been before to Tanger, but travelling overland by bus. Now - arriving by ship to Tanger port the experience was even stronger. At sunrise the wiew from the 11th deck of our ship was exceptional: all medina and kasbah was in the sun and they were just calling to pray from the minarets... Then I spent the whole day crawling the labyrinth of the narrow streets, talking with the local people, watching their handicrafts, enjoying the smells and atmosphere of old Arabian town... I found again the tomb of Ibn Battuta - great Arab traveller pf 14th century. He was born in Tanger and visit his tomb is a must for passonate traveller like me. Finally I reached Place de France - from the terrace with old cannons there is great view of the port with our ship in it. Great, sunny day!
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Sep 30, 2023 08:00 PM Casablanca legend - for money!
The main symbol of this city is new Hassan II mosque proudly rising on the coast. Well - if you want to go inside you have to come only at 2.30 pm - after praying time. It is necessary to buy entry ticket - they charge from the foreigners 140 dirhams for museum+mosque. I have been there twice already, so no need to pay again.
Do you remember the movie "Casablanca". It was not filmed here, but in Hollywood. But entrepreneurs established here the "Rick's cafe" on the edge of medina to give the tourists a chance to see similar institution like on the moovie. Many foreigners likes to see and have an expensive meal at this place. Too many! You have to make reservation in advance. No short visits. Even to cross the door you can pay at least for the drink. The staff is just rude - they do not allowe take inside even smartphone picture. Not recommend! Take the outside picture and go better to see the life in the medina!
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Sep 29, 2023 08:00 PM Foggy Casablanca...
It was thick fogg in the port when we arrived in the early morning to Casablanca. Industrial landscape around. Poor organization: no maps, no shuttle buses. From the pier you have to walk some half an hour to get off the huge port area to the city. The gate is just near Casa-Port station. Crowd of nasty taxi drivers awaits here for tourists. Small taxis (Petit taxi) are red. We expect today 32 deg Celsius. Let's try to find the places I saw here years ago!
First of all I found the cosy youth hostel near Marina Gate, where I was staying during ma visit to Casablanca in 1979. It still exist, but they improved little bit the standard: the bunk beds in the dormitory where I slept was replaced by the regular ones. And this dorm was splited into two separate rooms. I saw the corner where in 1979 I noticed a rat as big as rabbit!
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Sep 28, 2023 08:00 PM Cadiz in the sun...
Cruise line modified our schedule and today we are still in Spain - in the historic city of Cadiz. I sit as always under the palms on paseo listening to the Spanish music played by the "puppet band" - rare place to enjoy... They are always here, collecting coins in the hat. We have here great, sunny weather. Unfortunately we passed Gibraltar in the night... I was walking again the narrow streets of old Cadiz, discovering Moorish - style theater and many street landscapes. Tomorrow we will reach Casablanca in Morocco. I have a new friend - Sabrina, a lady working in the capital of Algeria. Maybe she will be my chance to get invitation letter to this country...
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Sep 27, 2023 08:00 PM Cartagena in Spain
We are in the lovely Cartagena - little port in Southern Spain. Hot, sunny weather with light wind... Romans built here the theatre - now it is the main attraction of this lovely city. The cruise port houses only one ship and the jetty is just steps from elegant palm-fringed coastal promenade. Great place to spend the afternoon, enjoying the landscape and sipping cold cerveza (beer). Drinks are extremely expensive on board so I will try to smuggle to the ship a bottle of white rum bought in the shop for just 5 euro. Keep your fingers crossed, please! :)
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Sep 26, 2023 08:00 PM Captain Frederico
Today we have day at sea, sailing west along the coast of Algeria. I had a chance to meet our captain - 46 years old cpt Frederico. Funny person! He said he doesn't know any Italian who visited all countries of the world like me... The sea is calm, sun is shining and the music on the ship plays till midnight. Every evening we have new show in the theater. Let's enjoy!
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Sep 25, 2023 08:00 PM Tunis again after 44 years...
La Goulette - the port of Tunis lies far away from the centre and old Medina. Shared taxi is probably the best solution to get there. I remember Tunis from my 1979 visit - noise and wild traffic in the streets, garbage and calls from the minarets... There are changes: they built new city hall just near the medina amd a bright monument of the heroes with red flags around. Narrow streets of old bazaar are still the same and very atmospheric.any little shops offer traditional goods like carpets and brass stuff. It is worth to go to nearby ruins of Carthage and coastal village located on the cliff - Sidi Bou Said for the views, flowers and souvenirs. Painted in blue and white little pictures are especially nice but you have to bargain!
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