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2017 Cruise & Safari
  • Valerie Eisler
  • Valerie Eisler

2017 Cruise & Safari

40-dniowa przygoda według Valerie Czytaj więcej
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    9 kwietnia 2017
    Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Leave Aguascalientes April 12th

    9 kwietnia 2017, Meksyk ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Flight from Leon was perfectly on time leaving.
    3+ hour wait in Houston. Plenty of time for lunch 😀.

    Heard from Wentzeks that after they dropped us off (2-hr drive) they went to the leather district to do some shopping, got back to their car to find their license plates missing. Cost them $140 pesos and I really hope not too much hassle to get them back... Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik
    2

    Grupo Gravina Hotel II. Gravina 12

    13 kwietnia 2017, Hiszpania ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Nice little centrally located hotel. We were given a room with a nice-sized private terrace. We were upgraded to a larger room, can't imagine a room much smaller than what we are in!

    Notes:

    Clean but corners, etc. a little grungy. Lots of hot water and water pressure is great. Poorly designed shower, we can point shower head right or left and move it up and down on a slider, but we cannot change the angle and it comes straight out. There is a door that stops short of the end of the enclosure, so water almost pours out onto the floor. Later: Figured the shower head out Friday morning.

    A/C working great.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 3

    15 kwietnia 2017, Western Mediterranean ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Somewhere out there.

    Had my alarm set for 7:30 and room service and coffee arranged for between 7:30 & 8..... The steward woke me up by knocking on the door at 7:10. 😴😩😭

    Lovely dinner at Cagney's tonight. Wondering if our foursome has enough oomph tho make it to the show at 9:30? ..... Nope, no one would go with me. Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 4 -Tangier Morocco

    16 kwietnia 2017, Maroko ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    This was a good day.

    Got off to a bit of a Rocky start. We were told to meet our guide on the pier as we got off the ship. He was to be carrying a sign with your name on it. When he got off, there was no one there from our tour company.

    In general, we try to get a consensus of at least 3 people when getting directions or finding out information. Two of the people we spoke to said that we were at the only place the tour buses came. So we waited patiently. When we talked to the third person he said, of course Said tours are not here, he meets his groups outside of the port entrance. So off we headed. There we saw our group guide with our sign. In the end they were only half an hour late getting started.

    Our tour started off in the Medina or Old City. We walked in small streets that were more like alleys and small alleys that were more like pathways. We also saw the Casbah or Citadel, and the souk or Marketplace. We probably only covered about 3 city blocks, but on our own it would have been a challenge to know where we were. We then had lunch at a restaurant owned by the tour company owner. Was quite delicious consisting of a vegetable soup/stew and chicken served in a tajine.

    We then drove out of the city and stopped to have a short little camel ride and then on to the Hercules cave. The legend said that this was where Hercules divided Europe and Africa from each other. The channel at that point - where the Atlantic is to the West and the Mediterranean is to the right, is about 18 kilometres wide. The historical explanation is that the caves were carved by the Romans 1000-2000 CE. In the cave there is small niche in the rock where spring water is collecting. The local Legend says that if a woman looks like she is becoming an Old Maid she goes to that spring, washes in the water, and soon will get married.

    Then back into the city and we did a little shopping. The first stop was the top floor of the handy Co-op. We were given a sales show about carpets. No one was interested, and to give credit where due, the salesman did not push. (Much better than the stop in North Africa - Egypt - where the sales people were very pushy and very rude when we were not buying) The Moroccan salesman were very polite and nice. After the first one, we went to one other shop where Troi was able to get new jellaba and the others were able to buy some other trinkets.

    Back to the ship well in advance of sailaway at 5.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 5 - At sea

    17 kwietnia 2017, Arctic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    9 am. This was my first 'catch up on the jet lag day'. It's 4 ok and not much has happened other than catching the special talk we missed yesterday. The streaming is such a nice addition to our banquet of well oiled dishes.

    While breakfasting looking out over the bow of the ship we saw a pod of dolphins or porpoises cross under us. There were maybe 20 or 30.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 6 - Las Palmas

    18 kwietnia 2017, Hiszpania ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Was a beautiful day. Sun was warm but a steady cool breeze blew in off the ocean. We were thinking about taking the double decker hop-on-hop-off bus for 40 Euros but decided to try the local bus. Was comfortable and fast. Cost us about 5 Euros leaving us enough for a beer and Nachos :-).

    Getting off and back on the ship has been far easier than it has on other trips. No dealing with visas, passports, nor even picture ID. No lineup to get off or not the ship. We were asked to carry some form of government issued ID in case the local security wanted to check it but we have not yet been asked. Makes getting off the ship for a couple of hours much easier.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 7 - Arrecife, Lanzarote, Spain

    19 kwietnia 2017, Hiszpania ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    So our day in Lanzarote went very well.  We took a half day coach tour to see the north of the island. It's a volcanic island, so it's quite barren. Very little water, there are no mountains higher than 650m, so not enough condensation to cause rain.  There are prevailing winds and to combat the harm they can do, the farmers build little shelters around the plants (ie. grape vines) using volcanic rock.

    The tour guide, Dolores, told us there are two seasons, spring and summer. Much is grown…potatoes, corn (not sure if maiz or sweet), onion. The soil is rich, a reddy brown colour. In order to keep the plants and roots from burning, they plant, then cover the soil with crushed volcanic rock a few inches deep.  The effect is that it keeps the soil and plants underneath cool, plus evaporation from the soil condenses on the lava and the moisture then is delivered again to the plant.

    Much of what we see, the architecture, the art, the town squares, remind us of Mexico, just nicer and cleaner because there is more money available.

    Population? 144000😋

    Each year 4 million tourists visit.  Our guide knew Spanish, English, German at least and I’m guessing a few others.

    One very interesting stop was the Jameos water cave. It's an ocean-fed lagoon in a cave. It has been developed into a tourist attraction with a restaurant and swimming pool.

    “The Jameos del Agua - like the Cueva de los Verdes - are part of a 6Km long lava tube which formed about 4,000 years ago when the Montaña La Corona erupted.
    Molten lava continued to flow as the surface hardened, which in turn led to the formation of the tubes, which run down under the Atlantic.
    The word Jameo is used in this context to refer to the large openings in the tube which formed when parts of the roof collapsed due to a pressure build up caused by the volcanic gases.
    It is these open-air caves which Manrique used as the centrepiece for the attraction and which have given it a name.” (Online Lanzarote tourist page)

    A beautiful place to visit and one that we would definitely want to go and spend a day enjoying.

    We were only off the ship for 3.5 hours, getting an early start and back on board to enjoy a little quieter time around the pool.  Note to self:  Next time I will make sure to check more carefully when European spring break is – there are so many kids onboard that things get a little crazy.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 8 - Sea Day

    20 kwietnia 2017, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Today has been a relaxing day. We are barely moving at about 1.2Km/h (according to the GPS). As you can see the ocean is very calm with only gentle swells. One can really feel the power of the planet when even these gentle swells (probably about 3ft) are enough to sway this big ship. Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 9 - Malaga

    21 kwietnia 2017, Hiszpania ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Well, we were supposed to be in Malaga today. Half an hour before our arrival time we saw the photo below of the ship heading back out to sea! We had 40 knot per hour winds and it was unsafe to dock. So, we are skipping the port and have an extra sea day. No too disappointing as we had no plans greater than getting off the ship and doing some souvenir shopping.

    We knew how rough the seas were, felt shuddering and shaking and banging all night long.

    8:30 pm update
    Still windy and cool. The cruise director said that because there was a little too much or extra fresh air outside they are moving their party indoors tonight.

    Sea is a lot calmer, bodes well for tomorrow. We are keeping the balcony door open so we can see the sea and smell it and hear it...Lovely though a little too cool to sit outside and enjoy.

    Went to the show tonight called Burn the Floor. Ballroom dance is the theme, but the music was good enough even Troi enjoyed it.😉     Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 10 - Sea Day

    22 kwietnia 2017, Western Mediterranean ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Beautiful sunrise... Not usually awake to see it, but we had the balcony door open during the night to hear the waves.🌊 The bright sunlight woke us up.

    Had a half-hour meeting regarding changing our cabins tomorrow and the second leg of the cruise. Really too bad we​ weren't able to book the same cabin because that means we have to pack up our stuff today. For now, just sitting on our balcony enjoying the sunshine for a bit.

    Delicious dinner at the French restaurant tonight, but before we went for a martini at the ice bar... Well below freezing and martini glasses made from ice. We chatted in Spanish with a very entertaining lady from Valencia. She had three pairs of socks on and various other layers of clothing, including a plastic layer to keep her body heat in. She told us her husband was sleeping, but she was going to experience the ice bar!

    Packed up tonight in preparation for a cabin change tomorrow and the next week of our trip... Italy!     Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 11 - docked in Barcelona

    23 kwietnia 2017, Hiszpania ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Today was our changeover day.  We felt like we were pretty busy - for one thing, I already typed this up and lost it. For another, we had to be out of our cabin by 9 am then fill time until we could get into our new cabin around 1.

    One thing that was nice was that we were able to wander around the ship and take some photos without a bunch of people around.  People started coming on at about noon.  We are seeing less children - no more spring breakers.

    We were cut free from our safety drill because the crew running our muster station knew we had already done one within the last two weeks (even though we are in a different room and assigned to a different station which should mean we need to attend again).  sue and Mark had to stay for the whole drill.

    Our stateroom is the same category although it is two decks lower and the reverse floor plan.  Like the floor plan better (bed is by the balcony instead of closer to the door) but there is a lot less storage.  Our room steward Made (Mahday) seems helpful and attentive.

    Had a nice dinner in the buffet watching our sail away and then we went to the spa and watched the sunset out the stern of the ship.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 12 - at Sea

    24 kwietnia 2017, Western Mediterranean ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    A relaxing day. We are in our way to our first stop. It will mean a day trip to pompeii and Vesuvius courtesy of Sue and Mark.

    Today we hung around the ship not doing much. Sue and I attended an ice carving demonstration which was neat to watch.  It takes 2 days to create  the block of ice that's about 3 feet tall, and took a carver from Haiti about 20 minutes carve it into a sail fish. Then on to a Mr sexy legs competition.... Not much worth seeing there.😆 The best moment was when they announced one of the competitors as so and so from Wisconsin Canada!

    Photos, dinner, hot tub, bed.

    Tomorrow is a full day.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 13 - Naples, Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius

    25 kwietnia 2017, Włochy ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Pompei was interesting, a lot bigger than I had pictured it...7 square miles big.  Because we were on a shore excursion, we were sharing with many thousands of people from more than one ship, plus many more thousands of Italians celebrating their Independence Day and we didn't have a lot of time. There is much to see. Some original plaster decorations remain, as well as some marble flooring, painted walls, etc.

    The theatres were interesting to visit. There are three of them sitting, respectively, 1500, 5000 and 20000 people.

    Due to the short time we had, we weren't able to visit the extra exhibits... Maybe that is why we only saw one of the plaster casts of the former residents overcome by the gas.  They were covered by ash, the ash hardened and the body decayed leaving behind their skeletons in an empty cavity.  Archeologists found the cavities by finding hollow-sounding areas in the ash.  The system devised was to drill a small hole, funnel plaster in and let it harden; then remove the outer layer of hardened ash revealing a cast of the body that once had been there. Most are found laying face down with their hands covering their mouth and nose.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 13 - Pompei coffee shop

    25 kwietnia 2017, Włochy ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Note on tour company
    World tours

    They were where they said they would be outside the port entrance.  While it seemed to take a long time, we were in the bus and on the road at the time they indicated.

    The tour was provided as a gift and the necessary paperwork was given to us ahead of time. However, the "necessary papers" did not include the information that entrance fees were not included. Someone on the tour had the original email and buried in the tour information section it informed the buyer of that information.  We just happened to have enough Euros to cover but others did not have the needed cash.. Close to 50 euros per couple. The tour company should correct that and make sure it's in the voucher.  Many months can pass between the booking and the actual trip, we should have been reminded. The best way to do that is to have it on the reservation voucher.

    Our guide was Irena. She was happy and friendly, with nothing to dislike.  The archeological guide in Pompei (Susy) was good as well - she knew her information.  A little more dialogue from Irena while driving would have been appreciated - information about the neighborhoods, day to day life in the city, for example. When asked questions, Irena answered happily enough with one or two word answers, not what you are looking for from a tour guide.  For example, we asked what sort of people lived in a certain neighbourhood, to get an idea of the economic demographic.  She replied, "Italians" and left it at that.  At the end of the day she was quite talkative when asking us to give her and her driver a good Tripadvisor review. As for the driver, he was decent enough and we felt safe, but he drove the tour van as if he was driving a car.....A little tough for someone who tends to get motion sickness. Maybe that's the way to drive in Italy, but it wouldn't take much to turn it down just a little for the comfort of the clients.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 13 - Mt Vesuvius

    25 kwietnia 2017, Włochy ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    Want a hike?

    There are some beautiful views from the mountain, but not an easy climb when wearing open sandals. We knew we were going, but completely missed that it was a fairly major climb on a gravel, sandy track. Troi and I probably made it a third (half?) the way up. Happy there were two others who were prepared and will share their photos.

    It was a perfect day. Maybe 20°, sunny and a cool breeze blowing.

    We got stopped in traffic as we approached the entrance. Due to it being a national holiday there was a wait that probably added close to an extra 1.5 hours or more to the day.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik
    1

    Day 15 - Pisa

    27 kwietnia 2017, Włochy ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Today we were in Port for 12 hours. Troi and I went off ship from about 9 until 2.

    NCL had a 5 euro shuttle bus to get us of the pier to the Terminal. Then we took a 15 Euro bus trip to Pisa, about 45 minutes from Livorno. Then we were given close to two hours at the Tower.

    Adequate signs (we found our way to the tower) directed us the 15 minute easy walk to the entrance.

    We tried that morning to book tickets online but it wasn't possible. So we went directly to the ticket office. We could get Tix to walk up the tower at 11:30, about 45 minutes after our arrival. Ticket included entrance to the Cathedral as well.

    Girl at the desk told us to leave our bags behind the tower.  I took a little walk around the back side of the tower but couldn't see what she was talking about so asked. The cloakroom was actually a good 200m away. We had to have our bags dropped off and be in the line 10 minutes before out time. Many missed the bag information. If you are not there at the designated time you lose your spot and your entrance fee.

    There are something like 284 steps. Open to the public are 257 in two different sections. The last couple of floors is up to where the bells are.  We just happened to be there at noon, when the bells were rung. Quite loud, but it made our trip upstairs a little interesting.

    The climb up was weird, you have no real concept of where you are - on the up or down side of the 'lean' - but you find that the climb is easier or harder. Sometimes you sort of fall into the outside wall than somewhere else you fall onto the inside wall.       Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 16 - Cannes, France

    28 kwietnia 2017, Francja ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    A little more difficult to get off the ship today - we tendered ( had to take a one of the life rafts the get to shore). The water was quite rough due to a windy day which took longer for things to get organized.

    Made a little walk around town.

    Quaint town, just what we had pictured in our minds. Lots of yachts​, motor bikes and fancy cars to drool over.

    Heading back to ship now.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Valerie Eisler2017 Cruise & SafariPodróżnik

    Day 17 - Palma de Mallorca

    29 kwietnia 2017, Hiszpania ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C

    If anyone is following... Sorry for all the notifications, but I had to straighten out my day numbering.

    We are starting to get tired out! We docked about 1 but none of us were ready to get off until after 2. Then, we were all happy to pay the 15 euros each to take the shuttle instead of walking a few blocks to see if we could figure out the cheaper city bus system. Finally, after wandering around for only an hour, we were all happy to hear back to the ship!

    Still, it's another beautiful spot.

    We were reminded again of Mexico's roots. Narrow streets, narrow, stuccoed, tall houses, cobblestone streets.  However, the stucco is in good shape, the cobblestone streets are actually made of smooth, flat 6" square stone tiles and everything looks almost perfect. 

    There's a photo-worthy scene around every corner.

    Bought a couple of small souvenirs and headed "home".

    Had the unpleasant task of packing up. We broke it up by spending some time in the arcade and getting a few more photos taken... for which we have been given account credit as a bonus. Then a final dinner and last stop at the Cavern to listen to a band called Siglo from the Philippines.  They quickly became our favourite at the start of the cruise, playing old and classic rock.     Czytaj więcej

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