January 3, 2024 Tampa, Florida
Larry and I boarded Delta Flight 1525 that left Tampa at 2:55pm and flew to Atlanta, then arriving at Barcelona Airport at 8:40am, a 11 hour and 45 minute trip. It is always hard for me to believe that we are in the clouds for hours.
Espana (Spain) plate
We caught a local bus to the converted bull ring-shopping mall called Arenas de Barcelona that we had visited with friends in 2023. The bull ring opened in 1900 and the last bullfight was held in 1977.
The refurbished bullring opened as a shopping mall in 2011. It has relaxing restaurants and bars on the roof that show off a nice view of the city.
We took the local metro to our new home, an apartment close to the Park Guell.
It was unseasonably cold in Barcelona. Most homes do not have heat. This was a great start of our adventure....trying to communicate that we needed a heater. Our host must have understood our need and gave us a space heater that helped to warm one of five rooms.
Larry and I went out to pick up a few supplies. We passed this delightful bakery with Three Kings holiday delights called Roscon de Reyes. This is a circular and spongy treat made of a sweet brioche dough, decorated with candied fruit and sugar filled with cream, custard, chocolate or plain.
Inside the cake is a surprise, a tiny figurine of one of the Three Kings and a dried bean. Whoever finds tthe figurine is crowned king or queen for the day. But, whoever finds the bean, will pay for the Roscommon.
Larry and I noticed many folks walking the streets with boxes of these delectable pasteries.
Our neighborhood was full of interesting architecture and ......
this unique community water spigot
The Barcelona streets had Christmas decorations.Locals were celebrating the Three Kings Day that occurs after New Years Eve. Many businesses were still closed through the weekend and taxis were hard to find. The streets were void of traffic.
Three Kings Day is one of the most special and magical days of the year. Unlike Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, Three Kings sort of take the place of Santa Claus. Long ago the Three Kings brought Baby Jesus gifts after birth. Today in Spain, children write letters to the three kings to tell them if they have been good or bad. They write about what gift they would like to have if they have been good. If they claim to be bad, they will receive a chunk of coal which today is a black sugar lump.
We had dinner one evening at the local diner down the street from our apartment.
An amusement park sat on top of the hill from our apartment
The port had hand painted posters displaying Barcelonas iconic spots.
Our upcoming cruise was going to touch four continents….Africa, Europe, South America, and North America
On January 7, we boarded the MSC Poesia....an Italian Cruise Ship on a World Cruise.
The ship really rolled out the red carpet with live music and champagne.
It was all very exciting.
Our room even had a bottle of bubbly waiting.
Janaury 8 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Having been to Mallorca, Larry walked about the town while I relaxed, adjusting to the 6 hour time difference from the US.
January 9 Alicante, Spain
Larry and I walked into the town.
We were heading to the top of the hill (Mount Benacantil) to the Santa Barbara Castle.
The sidewalk was a unique design....flat but an optical illusion.
We enjoyed walking by a gorgeous beach called Postiguet Beach.
There was a wonderful marina for the annual sailboat race.
We found the way to the top of the mountain which was a long tunneled hallway equipped with an elevator to the top.
What a nice surprise!
A giant cactus greeted us. I wondered how log ago it was planted.
Spectacular views of the marina and the city were in all directions.
It always a delight to spot our ship, the MSC Poesia.
I can only image what the view would be at sunset....our ship leaves at 4:00pm.
The castle had some unique designs. The castle dates back to the 9th century.
What an icon view!
Larry spotted a unique precussion instrument.
We walked back to the ship to find a show going on just before the sail away.
This was a unique introduction to the ship’s crew and officers...full of energy.
January 10, 2024 Malaga, Spain
The next day we arrived in Malaga, Spain at 8:00am.
We decided to take the Hop on Bus to get a tour of the city.
The streets were lined with orange trees. It smelled so sweet.
A pleasant graffiti drawing of amor.
The architecture was magnificent.
The shopping area was still decked out with holiday poinsettias.
Driving on the right was the norm in Spain and parking on the corner was an accepted practice.
A wonderful park along the waterfront
Our walk home along the marina was delightful.
January 12, 2024 Las Palmas de Grande, Canary Island, Spain
After a day at sea we arrived at Palmas de Grande, one of the Canary Islands.
We tried to rent a scooter to get out of the city; there were none left to rent so....
We walked the boardwalk along the beach and
watched a volleyball competition.
For the first time we experienced the European beach attire. Now I understand why the lady at our Clearwater Beach pool was donning her European look.
I did not come dressed for the beach.
It was very hot so we headed back the ship.
Spanish Navy ships
We had a colorful sunset as the pilot boat lead us out of the harbor.
January 15, 2024 Mindelo, Cape Verde, Africa
The ship pulled into Mindelo on the Isle of Sao Vicenete at 6:00am. Larry and I walked over to the Ferry Dock and decided to take the local ferry to Porto Novo on the Isle of Santo Antao to spend the day since we were going to be in Cape Verde for two days. The islands of Cape Verde are part of the Windward Islands. Sailors long ago would stop into these isles to stock up on fresh water and supplies before crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
The ferry was crowded...Folks commute back and forth to work.
Leaving Mindelo in a foggy morn, crossing the sea, we hoped for a bright sunny day ahead.
Car ferry.
Looking back on Mindelo from the ferry
Famous light house rock guarding the harbor.
Santo Antao was quite close.
Our ship from the back of the ferry.
Porto Novo, Santo Antao, Cape Verde
We rented a car and quickly headed for the mountains.
Enjoying the free life....like us.
When we got to the curves, we started wishing we had our Motorcycle.
The road turned from smooth pavement to very rough, bumpy pavers.
Art was displayed everywhere.
Colorful fishing Boats were everywhere.
Fishing is a big industry in this village.
Pavers continued to make the road a real authentic experience.
As we headed back up into the mountains , the hillsides began to be layered for terrace gardening.
Another form of roadside art
Abandoned terraces
Pine trees...very unexpected.
Stunted corn due to lack of rain
End of day refreshment while waiting for the ferry.
The next day we hired a driver, Samuel, to take us around Sao Vincente.
We asked Samuel to take us for some internet service. Our English and his Portuguese/Creole did not get along well. He stopped at a grocery and picked up a local who lived on the highest point of the island. The gentleman spoke very good English. His name was Mark and he was into the Ham Radio Operation. He invited us to go to his home on top of the mountain to use his internet service. We were off on a new adventure...the kind that is unsure but exciting.
Marks home was on the very top of the mountain next to the Cape Verde Miltary Base.
Mark had moved here from the Canary Islands. He said the Canary Islands had gotten too populated for him, so he came to Cape Verde for a vacation and fell in love with the quietness of the island.
He paid the owner $10,000 for his mountain top retreat and moved in, putting in a bathroom, kitchen and a second floor bedroom. He sponsers a Ham Radio Contest every year to see how many folks they can talk to over the Ham Radio around the world in 48 hours. People come to this spot every year to participate.
Mark is a unique character. It was a bit rustic for me, but he is very, very happy with his home.
The generator he uses for power
Mark and Samuel are good friends. Mark is losing his sight so he can not drive. Samuel picks him up every week or two and takes him into town (30 minute drive) to get supplies.
The top of the mountain is a perfect spot for a Ham Radio Operator.
What a view of the city, Mindelo!
The view was tremendous!
We headed back down the road to...
more tremendous views.
Looking back on Mark's home and all the radio towers.
We stopped on the way back down the mountain at a local bar. Tour companies brought vans of people up to the bar to enjoy the views and partake in liquid refreshment. Too early in the day to participate.
Samual took us to Salamansa Beach where we enjoyed talking to local students who were trying to sell shells and trinkets.
Samuel took us back into town.
We picked up Samuel's children from school on the way through the town.
Samuel took us to the top of a small hill within the town to check out the sights
Larry and I parted from Samuel's tour and walked to the city square.
Detailed painting of Mindelo in a local restaurant
The buildings were so colorful.
We made it back to the port in time for a 4:00 pm sail away.
The nice sunset to top off the day
That evening the buffet was celebrated with an Arabian Night theme.
January 24, 2024 Walvis Bay, Nambia, Africa
Larry and I were anxious to get off of the ship. It took us seven days at sea to come from Cape Verde to Walvis Bay, NambiaWe headed out for a walk along the coast looking for the pink flamingos. We passed by the locals selling all kinds of African trinkets.
Local restaurant along our walkway
We found the infamous pink flamingos.
A local Salt production Company
We left Walvis Bay knowing we would be back for a two day visit on February 23.
That evening we sailed away to guitar music and African animal ice sculptures in the buffet.
January 28, 2024 Durban, South Africa
We were greeted in Durban at 9:00am by some local dancers.
We crossed the street from the port and found a picturesque walk into a outdoor shopping mall.
The shade was mighty fine.
The African architecture and art were plentiful in the uShake Marine World area.
We were planning to ride the local buses, unfortunately they do not come to this area so we walked to the entrance of the shopping area and found a driver who escorted us around the city.
Modern buildings
We enjoyed a quick walk through the Victoria Street Market.
Our driver took us to the Durban Botanic Gardens established in 1849.
Map of the Botanical Gardens
Bird of Paradise
These cute creatures greeted us at the entrance.
We enjoyed watching the monkeys.
The Lotus were very unusual for us Virginians.
I liked this butterfly bench.
Along the coast, locals provided many shopping opportunities.
The beach from the marina to the Moses Mabhida Stadium is known as the Golden Mile.
The Lion Match Company (1924)is home based in Durban and is a rival to Diamond Matches (1853) in the US.
We sailed away from Durban at 11:00pm under........
a full moon.
February 2, 2024 Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Arriving in Zanzibar has been a dream for me. Just the name alone sounds so exotic. The white sandy beaches, spice farms, and top-notch accomodations make it a big tourist destination. We arrived at 7:00am and had to patiently wait our turn for our tender tickets to be called. After four days at sea everyone, including me, got up at 5:45 to stand in the tender ticket line. Going 15 minutes earlier didn't make much of a difference. The line wrapped all the way from one end of the ship to where they were passing the ticket out. We ended up with Tender number 7.
The port was lively with immigrants standing in line to have their passports examined. Although we had to purchase a visa to enter Tanzania, the passengers on our ship were waved forward with no passport check.
We enjoyed the music at the port.
Zanzibar is an island off the east of Tanzania.
Locals were dancing in the street.
We headed down the sidewalk looking for a driver. Our destination was to see the rare Colobus Monkeys, a unique species found only in this part of the world.
The Old Fort unfortunately was not open.
Exquisite carved wooden doors and architecture were everywhere.
We finally found a driver that took us out of the city.
A bus stop
When our driver turned into this deep rutted road, Larry and I looked at each other and thought,
"Was it a good decision to come out here, just the two of us?"
But we soon came to the National Park and were introduced to a guide that lead us on a
very interesting hike.
We felt lucky to spot the colobus monkeys in the wild. Our ship mates saw them in a caged zoo.
Our driver, Larry and our nature guide
School children were walking home from school for lunch.
Our driver dropped us off at this hotel and told us that we could access the beach in the back.
So we departed and found some shade out on the beach.
This looked like a fun boat.
Larry and I mosied down the beach.
The resorts and hotels along this beach looked mighty inviting.
We did manage to find some shade....It was hot so .....
we jumped into the Indian Ocean. It was warm but really refreshing.
Many passengers paid to go to the beach in the horizon. It couldn't be any more beautiful than where we were.....or better yet Clearwater Beach, Florida.
February 11, 2024 Port Louis, Mauritius
The road was cantilevered on the side of the mountain in some places.
Larry and I walked down the street, but were advised by the local police to not go further for safety reasons.
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