2 times...at sea

Another uneventful yet restful and relaxing day at sea. This day is a lot hotter than the last one and we get a bit too much sun.

Just as we are getting ready for dinner the ship is on a serious tilt (that is of course the sailor's term for it!) so much so that the drains don't, and we have a bit of a flood in the bathroom. Things are sliding off of counters and standing straight is a chore (even before cocktail hour.) This is one of the charms of ocean sailing I guess. This was brought on by a bit of a wind storm. It didn't seem to be amounting to much until we came out after dinner to a bit of rain - mostly mist - very cool. This also means the night is a bit chilly. The bar we sit in after dinner is covered but outside - this seemed to be the perfect opportunity to wear the sweater I bought in New York.

Not too much else to say. Tomorrow takes us to St Tropez - the last night of this ship.

Mallorca

For once we actually have to get up early for a morning tour. We visit a monastery, where Chopin spent some time at the end of his life when he was ill . Good thing we had a guide, or we really wouldn't have learned anything.

After the tour we decide to stay in Palma (the city we are docked at.) We visit a cathedral/museum before finding a cafe for a pizza and wine for lunch. The guide told us the walk back to the ship would be around 45 minutes, but in reality it was at least an hour in the blazing heat! The walk is quite pretty with more sail boats than I have ever seen! Palma seems fair sized. Hard to say how big actually, but has lots of chain hotels and chain shops.

The is the end of Spain for us for a while. Tomorrow we are at sea and then on to France.

Sounds like Calgary is having a heat wave! Maybe it is snowing by now.

Ibiza

We had a day to explore Ibiza on our own without any tours. This is a welcome change from the daily tours we have been on each day up till now. We visit the cathedral, the old town, lots of shops where I buy a scarf, sit in a few cafes and have more than one vino blanco, no tapas yet for us...maybe manana. I am thrilled to be able to communicate - basically. This is one of the better stops for us, lots of cafes and plenty of action. A great day with great weather - high 20s probably.

Chris is hoping that what they say about birds pooping on a person as being good luck - I think he should have bought a Spanish lottery ticket!

When we were at the sherry winery a few days ago we picked up a couple of bottles of wine. We had the first today. Until today I hadn't met a wine I didn't like, that is until today. This stuff is CRAP! I have actually considered pouring the crappola out - it is bad.

We have taken care of the signature problem...we didn't realize our readers were so discerning - good to know.

Tomorrow takes us to Mallorca.

at sea

Although we have been sleeping relatively late each day, today is the latest yet - 11:30! I'm sure we're not on any kind of sleep schedule yet, so I don't think we can really say it's late.

We spend most of the day reading and getting some sun on the deck of the boat as we sail toward Ibiza. All in all pretty uneventful. We were lucky enough to see some dolphins - pretty amazing.

Tomorrow takes us to Ibiza.

Granada

We dock at Motril and the tour takes us to Granada. The weather in Motril is very foggy and misty but in Granada it is sunny and hot.

It takes about an hour to get to Granada where our group meets a guide for a tour of Alhambra which is a palace/garden/fortress. The gardens alone are amazing - I am more impressed by them than Versaille. The pathways are narrower and seem more intimate. Water streams throughout the gardens - from level to level. Apparently this is the most visited site in Spain. On our way back to the bus there are some shops where Chris gets a beer for the bus ride - ahhhhh Europe!

The bus takes us for a bit of a tour around Granada. It seems like a city we'd like to spend more time in.

I think I have mastered the art of bathtub laundry. I am happy with all of my clothes being clean, while Chris is proud of the fact that he owns a lot of underwear.

Thanks to those of you who have left comments here. It is good to know somebody is reading this. We also like hearing a bit from home.

Tomorrow we are at sea.

Chris Kowalski, P. Eng.
McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd.
direct: 218-1383
fax: 233-2744
email: cbk@mcdan.com

Morocco

I was a bit concerned after the first night at sea about the roughness of the sea. It seems like that first night was unusually rough and things have calmed down significantly.

The temperatures are cooler today at about 21 degrees - looked like rain, but none came.

Once in Morocco, we travelled inland a bit to Tetouan. Here we walk through the crowed, narrow streets with a guide and a security man. We see chickens (dead and alive), rabbits, produce and almost anything else you could imagine. There are very few women to be seen and the ones we do see are wearing traditional and western clothing - none of the women are sitting in cafes, all are walking. A carpet shop is on the itinerary - some of the group buys but we don't. Next we stop for a drink where we are entertained by belly dancers, muscians, and a guy who placed his hand on the ground and moved his whole body around his hand without moving it. Once I figured out what he was actually doing, I couldn't watch! I'm not sure how many tourists actually visit this city - we don't see any others, and many of the kids we see find us hillarious! I wonder who would be more culture shocked - us or them if we visited the other's country.

After dinner we sail through the straight of Gibraltarr. It is too bad this is in the dark, but what we do see is a bunch of lights and fog. The moon is full tonight.

Tomorrow takes us back to Spain where we visit Granada.

Chris Kowalski, P. Eng.
McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd.
direct: 218-1383
fax: 233-2744
email: cbk@mcdan.com

Spain

Today's tour takes us into Spain. We land at Cadiz (a city apparently 3000 years old), but spend little time here as the day's tour is in another town. We visit a church, a castle and a sherry factory (Tio Pepe - apparently world famous, but we've never heard of it.). It is 32 degrees - the hottest day yet.

We have a bit of time to walk into town, where we find a grocery store. We find a 6 pack of beer for less then $2.00 (CAN) and a liter of sangria for about $0.75.

There's not as much time for exploring the cities on our own as we would like, but we are having a great time.

Tomorrow we are in Africa - Morocco.

Chris Kowalski, P. Eng.
McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd.
direct: 218-1383
fax: 233-2744
email: cbk@mcdan.com

rolling seas

We woke to heavily rolling seas. Showering was quite a challenge! We were told last night 'one hand is for the ship' - no kidding. That was relatively short lived and the rest of the day was much smoother.

We discover much to our disapointment the lack of Champagne at breakfast - there's still Nutella!

In the afternoon we tour a cork factory and a few Portugese towns and the countryside.

Tomorrow we are in Spain.

Chris Kowalski, P. Eng.
McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd.
direct: 218-1383
fax: 233-2744
email: cbk@mcdan.com

Lisbon

Arrived in Lisbon after an over night flight. We were lucky enough to have the seats in front of the emergency seats which meant we would not be reclining at all for an entire 7 hour flight!

Once we landed and got in a cab things were great. Weather was great, Lisbon is a typical European city, with the outdoor cafes we love.

We decide on lunch at one of a million cafes in the main tourist area. I get 2 small fish (which is the half order) that come whole - and by whole I mean 'whole' - guts, organs and all! It was delicious once I got over the guts and organs.

We are able to board the ship at 4:00 - and are beat! I actually fall asleep for about 10 minutes on a bench before checking in. All is well as we head for dinner, see the sails set and at long last get to bed.

Until the next installment...

New York City

Just as we remember it, the city is busy, crazy and fast!

We had a fabulous meal the first night we arrived at an Italian place near Times Square. I have never seen so many staff in my entire life and so much food - holy crap! This place is near our hotel - which BTW is quite fabulous itself. It is right in Times Square and has the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in!

We saw 3 shows, a Mets' game, visited the top of Rockefeller Center for a view of the city, rode the subway, did a bit of shopping, had some great meals, ate street food, went to a museum, checked out Central Park, saw the Food Network and walked a lot.

We are currently at the Newark airport waiting for an overnight flight (my favorite!) to Lisbon where we will begin the next leg of this vacation.

Until the next installment...

Mexico - muy caliente

We arrived in Mexico 3 days ago with Chris's family - parents, sister, brother significant others and children. 10 of us in all! The weather has been terrific, hot and humid, exactly what you would expect from this country. I didn't think I was sufficiently rested yesterday, so I had an outdoor massage - nice!

precautions

Although I'm sure we will probably never have to worry about 'getting something', we took the responsible route and got shot. Thanks to Stacey for helping us out.

new passport

I figured I had better get a new passport. My old one wasn't expiring until January, but I figured with the whole 'can't travel on a passport that will expire within 6 months' issue, that I'd better get on with it. The whole process was not all that bad especially now that there is a new office in Calgary - don't have to go downtown anymore and it was mailed to me.

It's amazing how flattering passport photos really can be!