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Paris, Africa, Spain, & MoreParis, Africa, Spain, & More
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Paris, Africa, Spain, & More

February - April 2024
A 46-day adventure by Laura Read more
  • 33footprints
  • 8countries
  • 46days
  • 334photos
  • 0videos
  • 50.1kkilometers
  • 29.8kkilometers
  • 7.1ksea miles
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  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 30

    Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

    March 29, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Abidjan, Ivory Coast... Today was a bit of a bust.
    Firstly, the pilot was very late getting to us. This resulted in our arrival being delayed significantly--a container ship took our time slot to depart. *
    Port Authority came aboard and informed the ship this morning that everyone debarking needed a form with their name printed out on it. (That was a "no-go.." not possible at last minute.) That got somehow negotiated with a blanket form for all passengers being accepted.
    Finally, scheduled excursions-10+ big buses allowed to leave (we weren't on one)
    We waited until a lot of people got off. The plan was to go into the city to walk, shop, and sightsee. We were at the passarelle, when all exit was "suspended".
    A lot of pax had already walked from ship to port exit.
    Then- they couldn't leave port without a shuttle bus. They were told to come back to the ship- a healthy walk in heat across sand.
    Shuttle buses were obtained.
    Then- shuttle buses not allowed off port.
    Then- hours later, apparently sorted, but by this time, most passengers stayed aboard.
    We figured that if there were a misunderstanding with a shop owner or police officer, there might not be a good outcome if things were this confused after all the coordination that NCL had tried to put in place before our arrival.

    Too bad... Many of us were planning to do some serious shopping. Guess they showed us🤷‍♀️

    Late entry- Buses from excursions just arrived- 40 minutes after "all aboard." It will take at least 20 minutes to board them all.    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 33

    A Few Days At Sea

    April 1, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    We were scheduled to visit Gambia today, but the very shallow port requires entry and departure at high tide- which for our departure would have been at midnight. That's not a problem, but high winds are expected, making it too dangerous.

    So we've had 3 sea days... Fine with me.

    Berte & I had planned to put together an Easter Vigil on Saturday night, but were told that there would be one on the Catholic channel at 9 pm. I guess it was on at 9:00 in another time zone🤷‍♀️

    We've had knitting every Sea Day, and yesterday was Easter. We received a cake in our cabin (with frosting carrots and a bunny butt) from Lale- Food & Bev Mgr. There was a gorgeous bread display in the Garden Cafe yesterday morning. We sat and chatted with a lot of peeps in the 8th deck chairs- Bobbie shared her Easter Bonnet. We joined Ed, Gen & Rilla for dinner in Aqua- Easter dinner of Ham for Wayne, and Lamb for me. Gen & I got a picture with Ron & Randall who were festive'd up for the day.

    Annie finished her pearl-beaded shawl, modeled below by Andrea, the Special Events coordinator.

    I'm trying to fend off a cold- spent much of today resting in the stateroom, and "getting my knit on."    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 34

    Dakar, Senegal

    April 2 in Senegal ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    We picked quite a day to visit Dakar. The new president was installed today, and we encountered motorcades and all types of interesting things. It seemed that all of Senegal came to Dakar today.
    Our first stop was the cathedral. From the outside it looks like a mosque- but inside, very Catholic. Beautiful windows, and a lovely organ.
    We headed to a market that had lots of interesting things- and I suddenly realized that I don't need anything- and that I don't want to saddle my kids with "stuff." I saw gorgeous totes- but I have way too many totes.

    There was a visit to a small fishing village where the Chief greeted us, and the ladies (representing the numerous wives that the tribal chiefs had in years gone by) danced for us. I loved watching their kids emulating the dance.

    There is a HUGE monument to African Renaissance. Very impressive.
    We stopped outside the largest mosque in Dakar- and then got tied up in more traffic as we passed the Presidential Palace.

    We were ready to get back to the ship. I was tired and skipped dinner.    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 37

    Santa Cruz de Tenerife

    April 5, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    We had a delightful day ashore in Santa Cruz. Weather was perfect. We were berthed between 2 other ships from cruise lines I was not familiar with.
    We walked into the city-- lots of shopping opportunities for those so inclined- high end stores, shoestores, so many perfume stores...
    I happened upon Flying Tiger of Copenhagen where I resisted purchasing a carrot sharpener(!)
    We stopped for some nachos, a sangria for him, and a cafe for me.
    I hit an ATM for future European expenses, and got a small scoop of the most delicious Bailey's gelato.    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 38

    Arrecife, Lanzarote

    April 6 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Lots of volcanoes-some 10 -13 million years old. Our excursion took us to Timanfaye National Park. There was volcanic activity in 1800s- Latest activity 1824.

    We had demos of how hot the earth is- not too far down. We were handed hot ash, saw some brush burst into flame when placed in a shallow pit, and geyser-appearing spurts when water was poured into a tubular hole.

    Driving through the park was fascinating. There were black and red ash and rock. There were dramatic contrasts between the very rough huge chunks of lava rock, and the smooth appearance of the ash. (Note- it only look smooth- but very chunky when one wears sandals on an excursion.) I saw some mini-Basalt columns.

    On to the green lake which gets its color from a concentration of algae. It"s really green- also some good views of a black sand beach below the walkway.

    We then proceeded to the wine tasting- or rather wine taste. We had a choice of dry or sweet (only one or the other.) My best guess. is that 10ml is a generous estimate for the volume. So perhaps "wine tasting" is a somewhat embellished description. The identical tour minus the wine was $25 less. (Hmmm..... Expensive tablespoon of not very good wine.)

    On our way back to the ship we saw a monument to the local animals- donkeys, camels, and something else(?). Takes some imagination.

    Back on the 8th deck, my pharmacy was pressed into action- one friend with a cold, another with a girl problem. I live to serve.

    😥We lose an hour tonight.    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 39

    Last Sea Day

    April 7 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Lost an hour last night.

    Our Needlework/Craft group met, exchanged contact info, and admired each others' work.
    Ann made great progress on her kiddy sweater. Annie has started a fan & feather scarf, after finishing the red shawlette with pearls. Berthe learned about sock-knitting and felt confident in her future attempt. Victoria finished a beaded fish. Larilla continued progress on her embroidery. Carol wasn't with us today, but has made a couple of squares for her baby blanket. Candy punched thousands of blue stars for DAR party ornaments. And I am almost to the shoulders of my Floozy Too pullover. It's been a great group, and we'll hopefully stay in touch.

    We did some 8th deck socializing.

    Dinner tonight at La Cucina. Cannoli for dessert.    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 40

    Motril, Spain, Granada, and Alhambra

    April 8 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    Grapes roses cypress & oranges
    Love tree, Judas tree

    Our Alhambra tour guide was Daniel- clearly loved his job. He was very animated, and did a great job of explaining the history to us.

    We started out at the Generalife- beautiful gardens and fountains . Then proceeded to the Alhambra palace through the town. We saw Charles Palace- occupied for 6 month honeymoon, then construction stopped for lack of funds.

    The Alhambra Palace was much as I recalled- carved wood, pressed stucco, beautiful colors- some amazing ceilings. And fountains all over the place    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 41

    Alicante and Murcia

    April 9 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    We awoke in Alicante. After breakfast we joined our tour to Murcia, the capital of the province of Murcia.

    We stopped for an orange drink & coffee, then went to the Cathedral in Murcia- very beautiful with many little chapels around the outside. One of these was very large- the family actually had the side of the cathedral removed to make it larger. Outside is an amazing chain carved from stone.

    We then visited the church of San Juan de Dios- very small, and with lovely statues.

    With some free time , we enjoyed a sangria at the same cafe from the morning. Then back to the ship, which was parked next to P&O's newest craft, sporting a Union Jack.

    Then- the worst part of any cruise- packing (and saying goodbye)    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 42

    Montserrat and Cava from Barcelona

    April 10 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    The sadness of departing the ship was softened significantly by extending our time with Gen and Ed- friends we've spent a lot of time with during the last month.

    When we told them of our upcoming tour to Montserrat, they decided to join, and we were able to arrange being together for the trip. Our guide was Marta- who grew up on Long Island

    What a remarkable place. The mountains truly look serrated from afar. And when we were near the monastery, it was walking through a medieval town. We had enough time to see the church before they closed for Mass. Unfortunately, we needed to leave before the Boy's Choir sang.

    We picked up some goodies- cheese, almonds, and fig cake. I about got knocked over by a young lady as I tried to pay for some goods- she had to reach across me to grab something.

    Then on to Art Cava- I've discovered a new vice. Cava is Spanish sparkling wine. We've been drinking Freixenet for decades- but Art Cava gave me an appreciation for the smaller vintners. Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarello are the three traditional varieties of grapes used to make Cava. (And I discovered techniques for handling the bubbles.)

    We purchased some bottles to be shipped home. We'll be able to enjoy our memories in the future.

    Then to the hotel.    Read more

  • TravelerParis, Africa, Spain, & More
    Day 43

    Bagá, France, Andorra

    April 11 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    We found the tour office- no mean feat... and I was able to locate Gen & Ed. Our tour guide was Steven- he's Irish- married to a Spaniard. It was a great day.

    Our first stop was Bagá- a Spanish medieval village- we were able to taste Coca- a Catalunyan sweet bread- and visited a small cafe for a coffee and servicio break.

    Then on to France- Ax de Thermé. We had a really good lunch at a small restaurant- Wayne had onion soup and we shared a Mountaineer Plate- cheeses, meats, and a delicious onion marmalade. Gen and I shopped at a small grocery store and picked up some small goodies.

    Andorra was our next stop. We visited the border town from France, then headed to the capital city. Gen & I dragged the guys to Starbucks where we both got Andorra mugs. IYKYK.

    On our return to Barcelona, the four of us ate at a small Turkish restaurant- I had calamares, and W had paella. We bid farewell to our new friends, and back to our hotel.

     St. George- Jordi
    Pheasant Island    Read more

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