Cartagena, Spain
Crossing back to Europe, we docked in downtown Cartagena, Spain. Today we spent a leisurely day wandering the city. We started out by walking the seaside promenade and then ventured up Calle Mayor, the main pedestrian street, to the Mercado de Santa Florentina, the local market. The rest of the day was spent enjoying this beautiful maritime city. Paseo de Alfonso XII Walking on Paseo de Alfonso XII Statue on Paseo de Alfonso XII Plaza de Heroes del Cavite Calle Mayor City Market In the City Market Olives in the City Market Wine by the liter – bring your own bottle Chicken...
Read MoreMelilla, Spanish Morocco
We left Cadiz and passed through the Straight of Gibraltar crossing the Mediterranean to Melilla, Spanish Morocco, which is on the north coast of Africa. We docked at the commercial pier and had a shuttle bus that took us about a mile to Plaza Espana, the center of town. Melilla is divided between new and old areas. We first explored the new area which has a Modernist-style of architecture consisting of about 100 buildings some of which were designed by Gaudi’s disciple, Enrique. Many of the facades are quite ornate. After lunch, we roamed Medina Sidonia, the old town in Melilla, which...
Read MoreSeville Spain
March 25th was our second full day in Cadiz. Today we took a ship’s tour “The Palaces of Seville”. After a one and a half hour ride we arrived at our first stop, Casa de Pilatos. The building and grounds was the home of the first Marqees of Tarifa, who copied the palace of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. We then walked through the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter to Lebrija Palace. This palace was remodeled about 100 years ago with roman tile floors and artifacts. Then it was off to lunch. On our way we passed cathedral square and more of the Jewish Quarter. After lunch...
Read MoreCadiz, Spain
We had a day at sea after we left Madeira and then because of strong 45 mile per hour winds, we missed our next scheduled port of Portimao, Portugal so we went directly to Cadiz in Spain. We arrived at 5pm in the evening so we decided to take a short walk in town before we went to dinner. While we were out we went to the grocery market where we picked up a few things for home. The next day we went to the main market and then to the cathedral. Since its the week before Easter holy week, the patron saints or the Virgin Mary was being prepared to be carried by the local churches for their...
Read MoreFunchal, Madeira
March 21st. After 8 days at sea we docked in Funchal, Madeira at 8:00am on a bright sunny day. We left the Prinsendam after breakfast at 9:15 am and decided to walk the half mile into town along the new promenade even though a shuttle bus was provided. We ventured past the church and strolled the narrow streets until we came to the market, with it’s flowers, vegetables and fish stalls. From the market we went over to the cable car and took it up to Monte where we had a cappacino and enjoyed the views of the city below. Returning to Funchal we had lunch at a local restaurant. We then...
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When we retired and moved to Florida from Bellport,Long Island, NY, we began to cruise more and for longer periods of time. Our travels have taken us up the Amazon, around South America and the Antarctic, North Africa, the Mediterranean and Black Seas. We hope you enjoy some of our images and that they can help in planning your own dreams.