Day at Sea, Crown Princess – August 5

our cabin on the boat

27 degrees, hazy

Sea days are my favourite days aboard a cruise ship – forced nothingness…glorious. As every cruise we’ve ever been on has said, you can do as much or as little as you like and that’s precisely right. I choose to do as little. We were out quite late at the casino last night, so we didn’t get up until after 8:30…fine with me. BTW…the casino was good to both of us…we’re up.

drink service

We had breakfast in the Italian restaurant which is supposed to be a perk of our room category, it was calm and quiet, which was nice, but it would be nice to be able to get some healthy breakfast options at a buffet. We ended up having eggs benedict and a mimosa…delicious, but a fruit or veg and some fibre is always nice.

always searching for wildlife

The rest of the morning and early

champagne waterfall

afternoon was spent lounging on our balcony…glorious. I took a nap in what is by far, hands down the most comfortable bed I have EVER slept in! I’ve slept in some pretty comfy hotel beds, but

disco

this takes the cake. It is soft and cushy, and the pillows are perfect and the duvet is fluffy and just the right amount of heavy. The only down side to being able to take full advantage of how awesome the bed really is, is the temperature of the room. It is just a bit too warm for me. BTW…the back of the boat is as awesome as I remember it.

The most exciting thing of the day happened by chance…we saw dolphins and a turtle! Dolphins always announce themselves a bit with the splash they make, but the turtle was just floating along and we happened to spot it. I think it must have been pretty big for us to see it as far up on the boat as we were – super exciting. Spotting wildlife is BY FAR the most exciting thing that can happen to me on a cruise (even more exciting than our hanging at the pool on a cruise in India with Alan Thicke, and that was pretty exciting!

This evening was the much-anticipated champagne waterfall…my first instinct was to stay as far away as possible, expecting a huge crowd and a huge crowd is the last thing I’m interested in, but we went anyway. The crowd was huge, but it was fun.

This evening was the much-anticipated champagne waterfall…my first instinct was to stay as far away as possible, expecting a huge crowd and a huge crowd is the last thing I’m interested in, but we went anyway. The crowd was huge, but it was fun. We watched for about 5 seconds, got a glass of champagne and then split.

Dinner tonight was at the main dining room. After dinner we went to a star gazing seminar and then some dancing at the disco. We have to start going to bed earlier!!

Barcelona, Spain - August 4

Spanish omelet, bacon and cava...yum!

32 degrees, blazing sun

Today is another travel day. This year’s vacation certainly has us travelling between places more then usual. We prefer to not have to get on so many planes, cabs, subways etc, but this is how things worked out this year – we’re not suffering. After another lovely hotel breakfast we were out...

Speaking of travelling, we’re about to visit 5 different cities over the next 7 days! This is OK…we’re going to do the travelling between spots

getting ready to set sail

on a cruise ship. Today we boarded the Crown Princess. This is a ship from Princess Cruise lines, which is a first for us. This boat is certainly bigger than we’ve experienced. This boat has 3000ish passengers compared to the 650ish that we usually travel with. This will definitely be a new experience. With more people, come more amenities which I think is a good thing, but |I think more people will also bring new aggravations – time will tell.

All that we have planned for this morning is packing and getting to

wifi gizmo

the ship – our boarding time is officially 1:00, but we arrived around 12:00. This ship doesn’t actually seem overly big. Basically, everything is generally the same size as we are used to, but there are more of things.

A couple of things that we did notice that are bigger are the spa and the gym. I can’t really say about the spa as I typically never go – maybe a pedicure or 2, but that’s it. Today we wanted to see the gym and we wound up on a hard-sell full-on tour of the spa! I suppose it was actually good in the end, I never

wine bar blogging

would have looked for a tour, but am glad to know what’s on offer and what the space looks like. They have quite the operation – teeth whitening, non-surgical facials (2000.00 USD!), foot assessment. We also saw the thermal suite…interesting…a variety of steam rooms/ saunas and hot stone beds. I’m pretty sure the last think I need on this vacation is a ‘thermal’ suite – the last few days in Barcelona have been thermal enough for me. I’d like to know where the ice bar is?? In the end

sitting area and balcony

we did see the gym...that is certainly bigger than we are used to...doesn't mean we (I mean 'I') will actually go. 

Getting to the port and getting on board was really a breeze. We took our first taxi of the trip to the port…easy and didn’t seem to get hosed by the driver. Europe has a taxi hailing app that we used that I put my credit card into, so we didn’t even exchange money. There was a bit of trouble paying (it’s not like Uber that assumes payment, you have to to authorize it) because my wifi didn’t

pretty big bed area

cooperate, but the driver actually was able to give me his wifi and then no problem.

Once we are on board, required welcome champagne in hand we proceed to check things out. Typically we are on cruises that include all beverages – even booze. Princess isn’t one of those cruise lines. Of course, you pay for everything one way or the other. This time we have paid for a daily all-inclusive drink package – it’s hard to say if it pays or not, we figure we’ll likely break even.

entryway, wet bar and first  TV

We’ve decided not to purchase any of the ship’s WIFI. For times we are in port the pocket WIFI gizmo we’ve been using since we arrived in Germany will supposedly work and for the times we are sailing…oh well. The ship’s WIFI is just too expensive and crappy to bother with.

This year our room on the boat is significantly bigger than rooms we have had in the past. We decided to go for a bigger room, because with the bigger room come with other amenities we are interested in, 2 of

second TV and one entry to the bathroom

the big ones being…a bigger balcony, and UNLIMITED LAUNDRY AND DRY CLEANING!! Time will tell if this really is as awesome as it sounds. And speaking of the larger balcony, ours is off of the BACK of the ship, or should I say the aft of the ship. We’ve had a big balcony once before at the back of the ship and I LOVED it. I hope I love this as much.

I'm desperate to post this blog entry before we set sail as I suspect the wifi to be non-existent once we leave port.

Barcelona, Spain – August 3

Casa Mila

40 degrees, blazing sun

We started the day with another great hotel breakfast. Today’s plan was no tour or anything particularly organized. The one thing on my Barcelona to-do list was to visit the Joan Miró museum. Because this was our third time here we have seen the major sights. This takes a bit of the sightseeing pressure off and

Miro museum

we can take our time to see particular things we are interested in…for me it was Joan Miró museum.  

This place was a bit of a hike from the hotel…technically only 3.5k, but it is at the top of a hill and in this heat, we said NO to the walk. The hill is enough of a hill that it is accessed by funicular. We decided to take the subway and then

enormous

the funicular. The funicular is a normal part of the Barcelona transit system – the hill must be big. I always like taking transit in a foreign city…makes me fell like I’ve accomplished something. Anyone can call up a cab (now that they are working again) but figuring out how to get there via transit…an accomplishment. Plus, on the way to the subway station we passed one of Barcelona’s iconic buildings by Antioni Gaudí Casa Milà. It is interesting that this building is just in the middle of the city

The museum was a nice break from the heat and wasn’t

museum sculptures

particularly busy, so not busy that we were alone in some of the rooms. We decided to splurge on the audio guide, which is always a good decision. When we were done, we had a beer in the museum courtyard and were again on our way. Back down the funicular and on to the subway.

We decided to get off the subway near the Sagrada Familia church. We visited the inside this church on a previous visit, so didn’t need to go inside. It was interesting just to wander around the outside.

another sculpture

sculpture

For dinner we found a local, typical Barcelona place where we sat inside – this is rare for us. There really wasn’t anywhere outside and really, outside, while interesting to see the world go by, is a bit exhausting…hot and

smoky. We opted for tapas. The waitress recommended padron peppers, which were very good. They are small green peppers that aren’t at all hot. We did a bit of research before they arrived and read that they can be hot depending on how they are cultivated, but the waitress said none were hot and she was right. They seem

to be eaten a bit like edamame…

Sagrada Familia

hot with salt and eaten with fingers. 

dinner...see the peppers??

Tried some 'aperitivo' chips today, not sure what 'aperitivo' means for a flavour...salt and vinegar is what they taste like.

Barcelona, Spain – August 2

Jamon shopping

40 degrees, blazing sun…again

I didn’t used to value hotel-included breakfasts much until this trip. Having it in Munich, then not having it in Seville and now having it again in Barcelona makes me realize it’s one less thing to think about. Finding something to eat doesn’t sound like it is a lot to think about, but to me it seems to be. Also, because they are always at least partly buffet, we get to eat something nutritious once a day.

cool stuff like this EVERYWHERE!

Breakfast at the H10 Art Gallery (our current hotel) is buffet and menu – posh! And it included sparking wine, so double posh!

random street plaques

We lounged a bit on our room’s balcony (not as glorious as the courtyard outside our room at the last hotel, but nice) until early afternoon and then we set out for another free walking tour.

It was another hot one today, so we dodged the sun and strategized where to walk to be in as much shade as possible. We wandered around our hotel neighborhood a bit looking at buildings etc. We had a bit of time to kill before the tour, so we found a place for a couple of beers. €2.90 (4.40 CAD) not crazy.

Barcelona cathedral

Once we made it to the meeting area for the tour (Plaça de Catalunya) we felt like we were on the face of the

Plaça Real

sun. Holy crap was it hot! Today’s tour took us through the Gothic Quarter of the town – the old part of town including Roman ruins and medieval parts.

We stopped part way through the tour for a comfort stop and drink break…my first cava in Barcelona. I didn’t have time to linger over the drink, this and the comfort stop were 10 minutes.

cava break

On the walk back to the hotel after the tour we found our selves at

stuff like this around every corner

the Barcelona soccer shop…after buying a shirt, we were on the go again.

Back to the hotel by early evening it was siesta time. Dinner was a pizza down the street. Although it was crazy hot today, this evening was not at all

Chris and our guide

uncomfortable to sit outside.

cerveza

Sevilla, Spain to Barcelona, Spain – August 1

waiting to go...cool painting

42 degrees, blazing sun in Sevilla, by the time we got to Barcelona it was 28 and humid

As today was a travel day, there’s not a whole lot to report. Out flight wasn’t until 7:20 PM, so we had a whole lot of time to kill. We decided just to have a lazy morning and get out of the hotel as late as they would let us. The small courtyard outside out room was so fantastic, that we spent the morning out there.

Sevilla hotel lobby...very cool.

We opted to get an early start for the airport due the taxi strike that the complete and entire country of Spain is experiencing right now! We weren’t planning to take a taxi, we were planning to take the same bus we came in to Sevilla on, but everyone else that had planned on a taxi would have to make other arrangements, and we thought the bus would be packed – it wasn’t. In fact, other than a bit of a protest that we saw last night, if we hadn’t read about the strike or the hotel hadn’t told us, we wouldn’t have even known. Hopefully this lasts and we don’t really notice it in Barcelona either. The strike is all about the taxi drivers against Uber…no big surprise.

not exactly Spanish

Last night when we were sitting on outside for dinner a taxi driver protest drove right past us. Basically their form of protest is to drive very slowly, blasting music and honking their horns. It lasted about 30 minutes. It was annoying for us and would have been more annoying for those driving around it, but pretty much peaceful. One of the ‘buskers’ that like to sing one song and ask for money had even more gall to ask for money for what he may or may not have sung during the protest – ha…NO!

Anyway, because of all of the extra time we planned ‘just in case’ to get to the airport, we had A LOT of time to kill in the airport – certainly better than the alternative.

The flight to Barcelona was about 90 minutes, so a glass of wine, an episode and a half of Mad Men and we were there. Our plan all along was to take the subway to the hotel, so that’s what we did. It took about an hour with one transfer and about a 5 minute walk…super easy and no need for a taxi! And as a huge added bonus…no potential (pretty much a sure thing, really) screwing by the taxi driver!

By the time we got to the hotel it was 11, so we dumped our stuff, and headed out for a quick stop for water, snacks and donairs (every trip has to include them!) We tried to get beer, but were shut down, apparently we were too late for the piggly-wiggly to sell booze.

The snacks included emmental chips…not exactly Spanish or even unusual, but I had to get something for the collection.

Sevilla, Spain - July 31

ancient graffiti on the cathedral

34 degrees, blazing sun…again, today…humidity

The weather today is again very similar to yesterday’s, except for even more heat and humidity.it was the first day I’ve really felt HOT. There have been moments here and there, before today, but today I was drenched.

I suspect most people do the free walking tours on one of their first days in a place, we decided to do this, today on our last. It was an interesting approach, knowing a few of the places we visited. These free

world's coldest beer!

walking tours give a brief overview of the main monuments and give tips about the city and try to drum up business for other pay tours. We had about 25 people on this tour and, although that is a pretty bit number, the guide was good at picking quiet spots in the shade to talk to us. We mostly visited spots we had at least already walked to but a few we hadn’t.

One the new spots was the university, which was formerly a tobacco factory. This place, like a lot of the rest of Seville, was palatial – this place

Plaza de España

was no UofC. The king built the former tobacco factory, so whatever the king builds is like a palace apparently.

We also visited the Plaza de España or Spain Square which was built for a world’s exposition in the 1920’s. Apparently because of the world economic crash of the

Plaza de España

time, no one came so this was a bust. It is a very impressive place nonetheless.

Salvador church

Seville’s Torre del Oro or Golden Tower was also a new stop for us. This is a tower on the river erected to control access to Seville via the river. I’m glad we stopped here, because it’s on the ‘not-to-miss’ list for Sevilla, but it was a bit of a let down.

We made a comfort/beer stop about 2/3 of the way through the tour. The facilities were great, and the beer was the coldest we’ve had in all of Spain, maybe even in all of my life. I’m convinced it had small shards of ice in it – I loved this. €2.50 (3.80 CAD) for a pint!

the 'mushroom' - underwhelming

After the tour and before lunch we visited Iglesia Colegial del Salvador, or the Salvador church. Entrance to this church was included with the cathedral entrance we paid yesterday, so we made a point of visiting. This place was a bit hard to find as it was completely integrated with the shops around it – no grand entrance, or much for steps leading to

La Antigua Bodeguita

the door etc, but once we were inside although not huge, it was super ornate. We were hot, tired and hungry, so we decided against the audio guide and just wandered around for 10 minutes or so. I probably stayed longer than I needed to simply because of the big fans I found myself lingering in front of.

Lunch was tapas and wine. Our meals of tapas have always been good here, but I have to admit I haven’t found anything I’m

La Antugua Bodeguita

particularly in love with. I have been longing for the tomato bread we had in Barcelona a few years back but haven’t found – guess I’ll have to move along to Barcelona…maybe tomorrow.

Our intent was to head straight (however straight things can be here) back to the hotel at this point but stumbled upon La Antigua Bodeguita – a small beer

outside the Salvador church

and tapas place in the square opposite the Salvador church. Our guide yesterday mentioned this place to us as a happening place, which it certainly was. When we walked by yesterday and earlier today it was packed, but when we were in the mood for a post lunch cervaza there was a spot just for us. It was pretty obvious this was a place for locals and workers. We had a couple of beers (smallish) for €1.30 (2.00 CAD) listened to a busker and moved along, this time back to the hotel for sure. 

Stacey – good idea on the Tom Collins…I’m now inspired

Heather – yup, the gin was yummy, I’m now inspired to make my own flower infused booze when I get home!

Katherine – sadly I’m getting a tan without the misters…you have your own mister (you don't mean a human mister, do you??) ?? Just another reason for you to be my  personal travelling assistant!

Sevilla, Spain - July 30

cathedral tower/minaret

33 degrees, blazing sun

The weather today is a carbon copy of yesterday. The difference today is that we decided to make the 3k pilgrimage to the soccer stadium/mall in the heat. There was some shade and a bit of a breeze, but by the time we got there we were just a bit warm. And…the soccer shop and mall were a bust. We wanted some soccer gear souvenirs and hoped the mall would have Fitbit stuff – I broke my bracelet, so hoped to get a new one – nope on both counts.

Today we decided to visit Seville’s cathedral. That’s basically what everyone calls it and it actually wasn’t until the guide told us the name did I know that it was called The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Sea. Apparently, this is the third largest church in the world. The tour we were on was nice because there were only 7 people on it. That’s how tours here seem to go when they are pay tours - the free ones are packed – obvious. I think the free tours are

tomb of Christopher Columbus

intended to motivate you to pay for other ones if you like the tour company.

This church is interesting because it used to be a mosque. After the Seville was conquered by the Christians they turned it into a church. Because of this, there are many things here that you wouldn’t see in a church, like an inner court yard with water for

tomb of Christopher Columbus

the pre-mosque cleansing. There were also ornamentations unique to mosques. In this courtyard (as there are all over Sevilla) there were orange trees.

There were many huge paintings by famous Spanish artists, but the claim to fame of this place was the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

At the end of the tour we climbed the tower which is the former minaret of the mosque. There was a ramp and not stairs as it was once used

huge bells at the top of the tower

for donkeys! The views there were pretty awesome.

Found some interesting chips today – ‘huevo frito’ or fried egg. I thought they were just plain, Chris thought definitely the white of a fried egg.

Lunch was tapas, then back for a nap. We’ve been trying our best to use some (extremely little) Spanish when we can, but figured at lunch today that we need to just pretend that we don’t know any at all. When we even say hola, they assume we can speak Spanish (reasonable) and spend 5 minutes talking to us in Spanish, then we have to sheepishly say

view of the city, including the bull fighting ring

we didn’t understand.

Last night in the evening after I posted the blog, we decided to go to an area we hadn’t visited yet, across the river - Triana. We had higher hopes for this area being a bit hopping and lively at night. We had a pizza and a bottle of wine, and there was a really good busker (one guy who played the guitar, pan flute and singer) so this was good,

cathedral door

but as far as liveliness went, it was a bit deadsville. The deadness could have been on account of it being a Sunday, but who knows – it seems like we blamed a lot on the fact that it was Sunday. One thing so blame on Sunday was that most shops were closed. Some smaller tourist shops were open, but the vast majority of bigger shops were closed. This was the case in Munich too we noticed.

One of the things we bought at the sweets/booze shop was hibiscus gin…it was just a small bottle, but

lunch

I couldn’t resist! It was quite tasty. One the way back to the hotel

hibiscus gin

at a small corner shop, when looking for a room-beer, we found lemons, which was delicious with the gin. I mixed the gin with water and half of the lemon – I’m sure this is also good for my water intake!