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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 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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Apr 18, 2025 12:00 AM Palma de Mallorca
Today we docked in Palma. It was cloudy in the morning, but later the sun appeared. Let you know that the cruise port is located on the opposite side of the bay, looking fronm old town an city center. It is 4 kms to the famous, huge cathedral (on the picture). Ship offers shuttle bus for this route charging 20 USD for round trip. But I was already here and decided to make my other dream true: 25 kms from Palma there os picturesque old town of Valdemossa. Chopin was living and working there for few months.
I, the lover of Chopin's music sonce years wanted to see this place. And today the dream came true! I was walking 5 kms from the ship to Plaza Espanya bus station. Paid 4,50 euro for the bus going to picturesque Mountains. Paid 12,50 entry fee to enter Valdemossa Monastery, visited museum and attendend short concert of Chopin's music. On return I had enough time to cross old town in Palma and return to the ship 15 min befor "all aboard" deadline. What a day!
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Apr 17, 2025 12:00 AM Sunny day on Ibiza
The morning was sunny but strong and cold wind was waiting for me on the open deck. We turned into the bay where cruise and ferry port are located only at 11 am. The location of yhis port is exceptional: opposite the hill with a castle on the top, with the green hills around. I am here for the first time and first impression was very positive.
Not often I sign for the tours offered by ship but this one cost me only 17 euro an we had only few hours on Ibiza...
Bus took us first to salinas. Where they still produce salt from the sea water. Not far from there we stopped at beautiful Salinas Beach. At eater temp 17 deg. C many people were bathing and swimming. Then through the pine forests we went to the west coast of Ibiza to enjoy nice cliffs. I didn't know that Ibiza is hilly island, offering interesting landscape.
My boys went to Ibiza city on the opposite side of the bay. To get there on a cheap you have to find city boat at the edge of ferry terminal. For just 7 euro they offer round-trip crossing of the bay, departing every 30 min. If you want to walk it is 4 kms around the bay each way! The old city with cathedral - they say -is interesting. i will go there next time! :)
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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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