Tuesday, November 17, 2009
FINAL DAY
Dont know what day it is cos it keeps changing!! Caught our next flight, Korea- Auckland and flew through the night again. Hoped for a sleep this time and loaded with a small sleeping pill.......Nothing !#?!#! Haha too excited or something to drop off at all! But we just closed our eyes and relaxed.
But it was the most turbulent flight we have ever experienced, probably only 1 hour in 12 that was smooth. A bit freaky when they suddenly turned all the lights on full bore and told everyone (for about the 10th time) to put their seatbelts on and we are like broken biscuits being tossed around- look outside and there is lightening all round us!! Happened twice- a wee bit scary, so best not to think about it I decided!
Got back to NZ well fed and excited at 8.30am. The airport has been radically upgraded so found there were no massive queues at the 2 immigration stops you have- was great. Out into arrivals wearing our viking hats lmao- should have seen Danni's face (confusion, followed by 'shrink out' but then smiles won through!!)
Back home and the house looks so good and airy after europes hotels. Managed to stay up for 36 hours today- is feeling like my midwifery days with long labours! We eventually couldnt hold our eyes open at 8pm so crashed!
Less jet lag for sure coming home even tho we had so little sleep this time. But went and picked up our animals at the kennels to find Shylah our very loved 13 year old shepherd was not right at all and she very quickly deteriorated and couldnt stand or walk and her eyes were continuously flicking round so she is really disorientated.
Trip to the vet and it is a wait and see thing, as something has happened in her brain or inner ear and treatment is only supportive. So we are totally focused on keeping her comfortable as possible.
Its rather weird that we had brought our flights forward two days and the day we return this happens to her. So glad though it happened this way so we can care for her.
But it was the most turbulent flight we have ever experienced, probably only 1 hour in 12 that was smooth. A bit freaky when they suddenly turned all the lights on full bore and told everyone (for about the 10th time) to put their seatbelts on and we are like broken biscuits being tossed around- look outside and there is lightening all round us!! Happened twice- a wee bit scary, so best not to think about it I decided!
Got back to NZ well fed and excited at 8.30am. The airport has been radically upgraded so found there were no massive queues at the 2 immigration stops you have- was great. Out into arrivals wearing our viking hats lmao- should have seen Danni's face (confusion, followed by 'shrink out' but then smiles won through!!)
Back home and the house looks so good and airy after europes hotels. Managed to stay up for 36 hours today- is feeling like my midwifery days with long labours! We eventually couldnt hold our eyes open at 8pm so crashed!
Less jet lag for sure coming home even tho we had so little sleep this time. But went and picked up our animals at the kennels to find Shylah our very loved 13 year old shepherd was not right at all and she very quickly deteriorated and couldnt stand or walk and her eyes were continuously flicking round so she is really disorientated.
Trip to the vet and it is a wait and see thing, as something has happened in her brain or inner ear and treatment is only supportive. So we are totally focused on keeping her comfortable as possible.
Its rather weird that we had brought our flights forward two days and the day we return this happens to her. So glad though it happened this way so we can care for her.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
DAY 59-60 MADRID-SEOUL VIA AMSTERDAM
WEDNESDAY 11/11 & THURSDAY 12/11
We had a nice easy day this morning, completely re-packing our suitcases from scratch. Our ticket says it is only 20kg luggage each but doesn’t sound right for bus. class so we will test the theory it is wrong! We have carried about 4-5 kgs in our hand luggage on all the internal Europe flights to keep our bags at 20kgs, but its too much when you have 27 hours of flying and 3 stops on the way home, so we will see.
The hotels top floor is a dedicated lounge, so we went up there for an hour and a half once we left our room at 12pm- no smokers in there today so that was nice and we could sit around and read papers. Pity we didn’t have an earlier flight than 5.20pm but all the ones to the States are around the same time too out of Madrid, so maybe that’s the norm here?
Caught the hotel shuttle to the airport which is cheap, as it was only an hour earlier than we needed to check in and saved us getting a €35 taxi. Checked in quick as, not many there and then went through to Madrid’s version of Koru club- were looking forward to this after all the economy flights in hot smokey terminals. But haha joke was on us! Look at the photo of the mini fridge today, that was it- some small savouries and if you asked you could have a ham sandwich and a packet of chips- could not believe it, was quite comical!!! But… the couches were very comfy so all was not lost and drinks were far more plentiful.
Killed 3 hours then onto the plane and we are the only europeans in this section! Korean is up-grading its planes and should have finished I think?? However it is still the older style seats and entertainment systems on all the 4 flights bar one. Was thinking that the toss up for this airline is that economy on the legs we have been on, have been more than half empty, so odds are you would get plenty of seats to lay on (if the arms come up- think so?) but there are no personal tvs, just screens at the front so it would depend on what is important to a passenger as to if they were a better buy than other airlines?
Malaysia airlines was certainly more flash but these guys aren’t bad either. We had a 2 hour flight Madrid to Amsterdam to pick up more passengers (can see why it was so empty in Madrid)- this had been added to the 12 hour flight about six months after we bought the tickets! Then an hour and a half in the transit lounge.
Those of you who I know have done longer transits- Mum and Dad, Gary and Claire and Maree- were you sent to a small glassed in lounge that you had to stay in?? Graeme said he couldn’t have sat in here for 3 or 4 hours, as you cant lie down and its so small??
We are off again in an hour, I think it is 11 hours? To Seoul Korea where we are staying overnight, was just too long a trip to keep going. (Dad, my eyes are like boiled sweets on sticks already hahaha!!!) Nah not really a hardship but you should hear European’s reactions when they ask us how long it takes to get to NZ!
There is no time difference between Madrid and Amsterdam, but we go forward 8 hours when we land in Korea as its only a 4 hour difference with NZ.
Later- flight was fine really, landed in Seoul 40 mins early and to the Hyatt for an overnight stop. Korean own this hotel and put you up in transit, give you dinner, breakfast and lunch- with a 3pm check out- cannot complain. They also have an Olympic sized indoor pool here so we swam quite a few lengths to stretch muscles out and wake up after 2 hours sleep last night. Will crash tonight!
They have a female pool attendant who lurks in the changing room, where you have to wear special slippers and shower before a swim- all very proper except there were naked women walking around everywhere openly in there- most surprising as Asian women are so shy?!
We are back to the airport to fly overnight to NZ- home around 8.30am Saturday.
We had a nice easy day this morning, completely re-packing our suitcases from scratch. Our ticket says it is only 20kg luggage each but doesn’t sound right for bus. class so we will test the theory it is wrong! We have carried about 4-5 kgs in our hand luggage on all the internal Europe flights to keep our bags at 20kgs, but its too much when you have 27 hours of flying and 3 stops on the way home, so we will see.
The hotels top floor is a dedicated lounge, so we went up there for an hour and a half once we left our room at 12pm- no smokers in there today so that was nice and we could sit around and read papers. Pity we didn’t have an earlier flight than 5.20pm but all the ones to the States are around the same time too out of Madrid, so maybe that’s the norm here?
Caught the hotel shuttle to the airport which is cheap, as it was only an hour earlier than we needed to check in and saved us getting a €35 taxi. Checked in quick as, not many there and then went through to Madrid’s version of Koru club- were looking forward to this after all the economy flights in hot smokey terminals. But haha joke was on us! Look at the photo of the mini fridge today, that was it- some small savouries and if you asked you could have a ham sandwich and a packet of chips- could not believe it, was quite comical!!! But… the couches were very comfy so all was not lost and drinks were far more plentiful.
Killed 3 hours then onto the plane and we are the only europeans in this section! Korean is up-grading its planes and should have finished I think?? However it is still the older style seats and entertainment systems on all the 4 flights bar one. Was thinking that the toss up for this airline is that economy on the legs we have been on, have been more than half empty, so odds are you would get plenty of seats to lay on (if the arms come up- think so?) but there are no personal tvs, just screens at the front so it would depend on what is important to a passenger as to if they were a better buy than other airlines?
Malaysia airlines was certainly more flash but these guys aren’t bad either. We had a 2 hour flight Madrid to Amsterdam to pick up more passengers (can see why it was so empty in Madrid)- this had been added to the 12 hour flight about six months after we bought the tickets! Then an hour and a half in the transit lounge.
Those of you who I know have done longer transits- Mum and Dad, Gary and Claire and Maree- were you sent to a small glassed in lounge that you had to stay in?? Graeme said he couldn’t have sat in here for 3 or 4 hours, as you cant lie down and its so small??
We are off again in an hour, I think it is 11 hours? To Seoul Korea where we are staying overnight, was just too long a trip to keep going. (Dad, my eyes are like boiled sweets on sticks already hahaha!!!) Nah not really a hardship but you should hear European’s reactions when they ask us how long it takes to get to NZ!
There is no time difference between Madrid and Amsterdam, but we go forward 8 hours when we land in Korea as its only a 4 hour difference with NZ.
Later- flight was fine really, landed in Seoul 40 mins early and to the Hyatt for an overnight stop. Korean own this hotel and put you up in transit, give you dinner, breakfast and lunch- with a 3pm check out- cannot complain. They also have an Olympic sized indoor pool here so we swam quite a few lengths to stretch muscles out and wake up after 2 hours sleep last night. Will crash tonight!
They have a female pool attendant who lurks in the changing room, where you have to wear special slippers and shower before a swim- all very proper except there were naked women walking around everywhere openly in there- most surprising as Asian women are so shy?!
We are back to the airport to fly overnight to NZ- home around 8.30am Saturday.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
STARTING THE TRIP HOME
THINGS WE HAVE SEEN AND DONE-
- We have flown on 12 flights
- Sat in airport lounges for 30 hours before those flights !
- Flown 46,200 kms
- Flown on 8 different airlines
- Spent 63 hours in the air
We have seen
- The Sahara desert
- The temple of Lindos, Greece
- Loch Ness (she was asleep)
- The high Atlas Mountains
- The Ring of Kerry (fog)
- The sun set on Stromboli
- The Scottish Highlands
- The Grand Masters Palace in Rhodes
- Oasis in the middle of Morocco
- Al Fama in Lisbon
- The Todra Gorge
- Monkeys on the Rock of Gibraltor
- Killarney National Park
- The Temple Bar area in Dublin along with the Guiness factory
And those are just the Big things we saw
Kinda blows you away really!............
DAY 57 LAST DAY- IN MADRID, SPAIN
Saw lots of different sorts today in our walking, from the very well dressed, classy older women who are out shopping arm in arm with other women, to the beggars everywhere- and why do so many of them have no legs??!I lay in bed last night thinking about a guy we saw yesterday, living in a cardboard box on the street. Many of the 'beggars' dont look poor at all but this guy looked so worried, worn out and tired with life- that I worried a bit about him, as while it is manys choice to live on the street, he had obviously fallen in a hole somewhere in life and looked like he just needed a break really.
Then this evening we saw all the young hookers in one street, with fat leering guys walking past openly looking them over- wanted to chop parts of their anatomy off!!! Had to include a pic of a guy walking in front of us in in his orange jeans and red top- fashion here is very individual with lots of clashing colours and girls with really heave severe fringes??!! All very interesting.
This place just comes alive after about 5pm, people out strolling everywhere.
We both prefer it to Barcelona, but they offer different things- Barcelona is very touristy, modern architecture and for young people- while Madrid feels older and more settled where everyone is dressed beautifully.
There are lots of things going on like an asian man with a stuffed bull (that looked like it had a bears head!) pretending to bullfight- and 'headless' mimes!
We walked for hours, did some shopping and finished all the gift buying. Then we went back to the tapas bar and had a couple of beers and tapas for late lunch/dinner and finished it off with a pistachio gelato, before walking for another hour or so.
Hotel Atlantico is in a perfect location, you can walk everywhere and we can see why they consistently rate number one on trip advisor. They have been really helpful and speak excellent English, I appreciate anyone who is bi-lingual since we aren’t!
We walked for hours, did some shopping and finished all the gift buying. Then we went back to the tapas bar and had a couple of beers and tapas for late lunch/dinner and finished it off with a pistachio gelato, before walking for another hour or so.
Hotel Atlantico is in a perfect location, you can walk everywhere and we can see why they consistently rate number one on trip advisor. They have been really helpful and speak excellent English, I appreciate anyone who is bi-lingual since we aren’t!
See if you can work out where Graeme is in in the photo with all the glass boxes too by the way related to the hotel!
Tomorrow we fly out on the first long leg, 15 hours Madrid-Amsterdam-Korea, then a night there before flying on 12 hours to NZ
Tomorrow we fly out on the first long leg, 15 hours Madrid-Amsterdam-Korea, then a night there before flying on 12 hours to NZ
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
DAY 56 - BARCELONA- MADRID
We are off the cruise- and should have earned degree's for managing it!! Dont know what the story was but geez Louise, every staff member told you a different story at every turn- to get your passport, no you couldnt get your passport, the deck to disembark, the Correct deck to disembark, that you could get off, No that you couldnt get off, go up, go down ....you get the drift. Could have severely smudged the massive offliner off one of them- BUT....having had 10 flights, 2 cruises and 2 coach tours you learn if nothing else- to hang loose!!
We did manage in the end to get off the frickin ship in Barcelona at 8am, in a taxi by 8.10am. Knowing we had the option IF we got to the airport early enough, to change our flight to an earlier one, we got the slowest taxi driver in Spain! Again, relax and if its going to happen it will happen. We got to the airport and I found the Vueling sales desk and changed our flight from 11.40am to the 9.30am one with 10 mins to spare. They didnt charge us the fee we thought they would to change, then put us through the last minute check out- We LOVE Vueling- they are our new most favourite airline!! And all because they had a really well laid out website that had all the FAQ's and then some- offering to change flights up to 1 hour prior etc.
To top it off, the lady had given us a spare seat in the plane And the exit row seats to boot!! The flight was only 50 mins instead of the projected 1 hour 15 mins. Our luck was changing.
Hit the tarmac at a quiet trot as we had 15 mins to get through customs and get our bags for the hotel shuttle. We rang them at the bag carousel to ask them to wait a few mins as the baggage was s.l.o.w to come then Yay- can we believe it- ours came out first! The shuttle took ages to turn up, but meant that we could catch that instead of a taxi way into the city- a good day all in all!
Back to Hotel Atlantico and they gave us our old room back- the corner room on the 8th floor- I called "we're home" as we went back in"! There is a pic included of the hotel- our room is the rounded one with the balcony- 2nd from the top on the left.
We wandered around in town for a few hours as we are right in the thick of it and last time had that awful day with cancelled flights so never got to see Madrid. This time we found clothes (its cold here), listened to a classical quartet in the street who almost made me cry playing Ava Maria, Carpe Diem? (National bank music) and another really famous Beethoven one. I didnt want to go, they must have been with the Philimonic orchestra or similar, out practising - their busking was moving. We have it on movie if you enjoy that stuff too.
Then bought Graeme a big thick jersey that was very him and he made me buy a sparkly lambskin (I doubt) coat, that isnt bad apart from the sparkles!
Then after one false start in a spanish only speaking tapas bar, we stumbled across a Spaniard , who is my new best friend- he spoke excellent english and was happy to explain tapas to us on the menu. If it wasnt for him we would have left Spain having never tried them cos you cant read the menus- so many Spaniards speak no English. He was funny though, he told me mine was "children-baby squid in aoili"!!! The kids were yummy though, along with a couple of local beers- cheap too!
Back to relax tonight before making the best of our last full day tomorrow.
Monday, November 09, 2009
DAY 55- MARSEILLE FRANCE
Woke late after getting to sleep late, but were pleased to see a fine day outside. We were docked in Marseille now and the cruise line put on a shuttle to the town for 10euros each. Only pity was they didn’t anyone that being Sunday, all the shops are shut!!
We walked along the big promenade where all the boats are moored, it is pretty along the seafront but the wind was freezing, freezing cold! Tried to stay in the sunlight for warmth, and found a fort ruin then a beautiful old cathedral that you could go into. The stained class and statues in these churches are something else.
Later we walked back to the promenade and went on the “petit train” that took you around the steets surrounding the seafront. Then walked back to the bus and then onto the ship for lunch and to thaw out!
Mucked around having showers, reading and sorting out our disembarkation tomorrow in Barcelona. Tonight we had dinner with the Irish couple Mairead and Shane in one of the optional restaurants- Tex Mex for some Mexican, now our stomachs can handle it! It was the best meal we have had the whole trip and they are real crack ups and enjoy a laugh or three like us- really nice couple and a nice way to end our cruise in a more relaxed atmosphere.
We walked along the big promenade where all the boats are moored, it is pretty along the seafront but the wind was freezing, freezing cold! Tried to stay in the sunlight for warmth, and found a fort ruin then a beautiful old cathedral that you could go into. The stained class and statues in these churches are something else.
Later we walked back to the promenade and went on the “petit train” that took you around the steets surrounding the seafront. Then walked back to the bus and then onto the ship for lunch and to thaw out!
Mucked around having showers, reading and sorting out our disembarkation tomorrow in Barcelona. Tonight we had dinner with the Irish couple Mairead and Shane in one of the optional restaurants- Tex Mex for some Mexican, now our stomachs can handle it! It was the best meal we have had the whole trip and they are real crack ups and enjoy a laugh or three like us- really nice couple and a nice way to end our cruise in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
DAYS 53- ROME & DAY 54- GENOA ITALY
Had a fairly quiet day yesterday in Rome as we stayed on the ship. The port is 1 ½ hours away from the city each way and since we had already been last time here we decided to have an easy day. Plus msc were charging $300pp for excursion which is ridiculous!
We had planned to spend the day in the sun on the ship but the weather had other ideas and the sky got blacker and blacker, then it rained- so a day with another book was spent reading!
Overate cos we didn’t do any exercise, then ate some more before reading some more. I said to Graeme it is the first time we have ever spent pretty much the best part of a day reading! I got a new Dean Koontz novel about a man who needs a heart transplant and ends up getting one through an Asian meat market type racquet for millionaires- so very weird!
Day 54 we docked at Genoa Italy which is where we got on for the first cruise. The weather was wet again but we decided to venture out anyway and walked the charming little streets just exploring. There are lots of statues on buildings and fantastic architecture here, along with flower stalls, fish shops, and bakeries.
Went back to the ship after a couple of hours and with very wet feet to warm up- think the sunbathing isn’t going to materialize from now on as the temp has really dropped.
We have the standard life jacket drill soon- so spanky in our titanic lifejackets- albeit in dazzling orange. I wanted to wag and hide out in the room but Graeme said he will tell on me (he can Never do anything remotely illegal!!) sigh…………
We had planned to spend the day in the sun on the ship but the weather had other ideas and the sky got blacker and blacker, then it rained- so a day with another book was spent reading!
Overate cos we didn’t do any exercise, then ate some more before reading some more. I said to Graeme it is the first time we have ever spent pretty much the best part of a day reading! I got a new Dean Koontz novel about a man who needs a heart transplant and ends up getting one through an Asian meat market type racquet for millionaires- so very weird!
Day 54 we docked at Genoa Italy which is where we got on for the first cruise. The weather was wet again but we decided to venture out anyway and walked the charming little streets just exploring. There are lots of statues on buildings and fantastic architecture here, along with flower stalls, fish shops, and bakeries.
Went back to the ship after a couple of hours and with very wet feet to warm up- think the sunbathing isn’t going to materialize from now on as the temp has really dropped.
We have the standard life jacket drill soon- so spanky in our titanic lifejackets- albeit in dazzling orange. I wanted to wag and hide out in the room but Graeme said he will tell on me (he can Never do anything remotely illegal!!) sigh…………
Friday, November 06, 2009
DAY 52 MESSINA, SICILY
Went to “Uncle Pauli’s “ home land today in Sicily! Woke and pulled the curtains to find we were tied up, docked opposite peoples homes!! The ship docked at 7 am and we got off at 9am and walked the city. It was easy as it is so close to the port. We walked for 2 hours all round and up the top of the hill to a beautiful domed church. Must look like tourists as we were walking to it, as an Italian man took one look at us and pointed to the left when we were going to walk past the road to the church- and we didn’t have maps or anything to identify us we thought as tourists lol!! The car parking here is as crazy as in Paris- they park a.n.y.w.h.e.r.e! Included a pic for you Mum today, Graeme said it reminded him of you lmao!!!!
Strolled around the very expensive designer shops and noticed a lot of the younger Italians would stare at our jandals for some reason- don’t they have No 1 shoe warehouse haha!! They are all dressed very chic- the guys in tight faded jeans, aviator sunnies, leather jackets and white dress shirts. Graeme was in a NZ t -shirt and a pair of denim short jeans and jandals- not too different???!!!! He has lived in the “Choice” NZ shirt that Sam designed for him as part of her degree.
Went back to the ship and had lunch and then went up in the sun for a bit but it clouded over so we went back to our cabin as with the balcony and large glass doors you can enjoy the sunshine And lie on the bed! Graeme slept which he needed to and then the captain announced that we were coming alongside the island of Stromboli, which would also see the sunset- it was gorgeous and got some great photos. The island has a village at its foot and then we saw black smoke and flames coming out on the other side- its an active volcano!! Not my idea of safe thanks!! The sunset though almost rivaled that of the Sahara desert- now that is somewhere I would like to do what my friend Sue has done and slept under the stars there- that would be memorable!
We cleaned up in suit and evening dress for the ‘gala’ night and had a lovely dinner of lobster tails, seared prawns and ravioli, while Graeme had rare beef in a mushroom sauce. Then they did a big parade and bought out many baked Alaska’s all lit up!
They have a big midnight feast tonight that is supposed to be something to see and if Danni was with us, she would probably make us set the alarm to go up to it!! But think we will no doubt be in the land of nod!
Later- funny I couldn’t sleep after our lay down this afternoon, so I got up about midnight and sat outside in the dark on our balcony. Thought I would just enjoy the waves at night since this isn’t something you get to do every day and I was treated to a pretty spectacular lightening storm on the horizon. Because there was no land to interrupt the show, I could see the sky suddenly light up then a few times there was a neon funnel of lightening striking as well- looked pretty sensational but not something I could of caught on camera probably- even if I could have found it in the cabin without waking Graeme! It was just one of those things like the day I was looking at the sea right where a dolphin leaped out then swam just under the surface on the other cruise!
Strolled around the very expensive designer shops and noticed a lot of the younger Italians would stare at our jandals for some reason- don’t they have No 1 shoe warehouse haha!! They are all dressed very chic- the guys in tight faded jeans, aviator sunnies, leather jackets and white dress shirts. Graeme was in a NZ t -shirt and a pair of denim short jeans and jandals- not too different???!!!! He has lived in the “Choice” NZ shirt that Sam designed for him as part of her degree.
Went back to the ship and had lunch and then went up in the sun for a bit but it clouded over so we went back to our cabin as with the balcony and large glass doors you can enjoy the sunshine And lie on the bed! Graeme slept which he needed to and then the captain announced that we were coming alongside the island of Stromboli, which would also see the sunset- it was gorgeous and got some great photos. The island has a village at its foot and then we saw black smoke and flames coming out on the other side- its an active volcano!! Not my idea of safe thanks!! The sunset though almost rivaled that of the Sahara desert- now that is somewhere I would like to do what my friend Sue has done and slept under the stars there- that would be memorable!
We cleaned up in suit and evening dress for the ‘gala’ night and had a lovely dinner of lobster tails, seared prawns and ravioli, while Graeme had rare beef in a mushroom sauce. Then they did a big parade and bought out many baked Alaska’s all lit up!
They have a big midnight feast tonight that is supposed to be something to see and if Danni was with us, she would probably make us set the alarm to go up to it!! But think we will no doubt be in the land of nod!
Later- funny I couldn’t sleep after our lay down this afternoon, so I got up about midnight and sat outside in the dark on our balcony. Thought I would just enjoy the waves at night since this isn’t something you get to do every day and I was treated to a pretty spectacular lightening storm on the horizon. Because there was no land to interrupt the show, I could see the sky suddenly light up then a few times there was a neon funnel of lightening striking as well- looked pretty sensational but not something I could of caught on camera probably- even if I could have found it in the cabin without waking Graeme! It was just one of those things like the day I was looking at the sea right where a dolphin leaped out then swam just under the surface on the other cruise!
DAY 51 – MALTA
We had a smooth sailing overnight, this ship seems far more smooth engine wise than its sister ship, although there is only 2 years between them, so shouldn’t be?? But you cant tell often when Splendidas engines are going and you are moving before you realise!
We got to La Valetta in Malta at 10.30am and found out that you can get the local bus to and from the port for 1 euro- choice bro! Did just that, was easy and drove around the small island of the old city- it is walled and very similar in its look and feel to Rhodes in Greece. The same group- the order of St John were given the land by the pope after being be-seiged by some mean arab guy in the dark times, and were pushed off Rhodes. They built the city at La Valetta and you see the maltese cross everywhere- a shape I really like.
We walked down the basically one main street and strolled around for a couple of hours then caught the bus back to the port. Bought Clive Cusslers latest book there as I have read the other one from the library!
We lay outside in the sun in one of those fantastic huge day beds on the top decks- you don’t get burnt here at all like home and because it is heading into autumn proper now, the sun isn’t burning hot anyway.
Went to dinner- nice people there, I could listen to the Irish girl all day. She is funny- likes to drink, smoke and sing karaoke a lot and consequently is a bit of a hard shot. She doesn’t eat any veges, just chips with her dinners and likes to spend lots of money. I swear her new hubby must be an accountant as he is in a perpetual state of trying to save it as she spends it!
Took it easy after dinner as Graemes stomach sent him back to the loo repeatedly again tonight- didn’t take his diastop regularly enough I guess and not a lot more we can do unfortunately- need a doctor to discuss it with! He decided to start the anti-biotics we have as its been 7 days now, now sure they will do the job but are broad spectrum, so heres hoping. In between these bouts he is ok though, just feeling weary of it by now.
We got to La Valetta in Malta at 10.30am and found out that you can get the local bus to and from the port for 1 euro- choice bro! Did just that, was easy and drove around the small island of the old city- it is walled and very similar in its look and feel to Rhodes in Greece. The same group- the order of St John were given the land by the pope after being be-seiged by some mean arab guy in the dark times, and were pushed off Rhodes. They built the city at La Valetta and you see the maltese cross everywhere- a shape I really like.
We walked down the basically one main street and strolled around for a couple of hours then caught the bus back to the port. Bought Clive Cusslers latest book there as I have read the other one from the library!
We lay outside in the sun in one of those fantastic huge day beds on the top decks- you don’t get burnt here at all like home and because it is heading into autumn proper now, the sun isn’t burning hot anyway.
Went to dinner- nice people there, I could listen to the Irish girl all day. She is funny- likes to drink, smoke and sing karaoke a lot and consequently is a bit of a hard shot. She doesn’t eat any veges, just chips with her dinners and likes to spend lots of money. I swear her new hubby must be an accountant as he is in a perpetual state of trying to save it as she spends it!
Took it easy after dinner as Graemes stomach sent him back to the loo repeatedly again tonight- didn’t take his diastop regularly enough I guess and not a lot more we can do unfortunately- need a doctor to discuss it with! He decided to start the anti-biotics we have as its been 7 days now, now sure they will do the job but are broad spectrum, so heres hoping. In between these bouts he is ok though, just feeling weary of it by now.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
DAY 50 BARCELONA- TUNISIA
Had a really good sleep last night, we note that we sleep way longer on the cruise ships. Must be the motion of the sea when you’re lying down that lulls you back off to sleep!
You can get a small continental breakfast in your cabin if you want, so with our stomachs and not wanting to eat too much we did that and very nice it was too! We weren’t getting into the port at the capital of Tunis until 2.15pm, so tidied up then took it easy and rested our tummies! I had got “the notebook’ by Nicholas Sparks out of the ships library and polished it off in the one day- I remember it is one of Sams favourite movies, one of those sad romantic stories though.
Because of the country’s rules, you can only leave the ship under their umbrella visa on an excursion for the day, so we booked the historical and cultural tour. Apparently there were very strong winds, so docking was delayed, then delayed again and we got the word to go about an hour later. Unfortunately, this excursion turned into a fiasco as it made the tour to places like the museum- 10 mins long right before they closed at 5pm instead of an hour and the same at some ruins because we were running so late.
We were practically running, then the tour guides were told to keep us out for the full 4 hours, so he had to drop us in a tiny town right as the sun set, to walk around in the freezing wind in the dark for 1 ¾ hours. It was such a waste of time we should have just thrown our 50 euro each out the ship window and stayed on board
A Swedish tour director we were sitting behind on the bus said that MSC keep you out for the expected time no matter what so they don’t have to give a refund! In hindsight, after Morocco, Tunisia was a poor cousin.
Anyhow, we got back to the ship and raced to get changed as we were all late for dinner, but were so glad to see we have English speaking people at our table for 8. An Irish couple on their honeymoon, a Puerto Rican couple on their anniversary and a French/English speaking couple from Canada. Two of them have English as their 2nd language but it is more comfortable than last time where everyone bar 1 man spoke different languages to each other!
Had a small dinner, but room for dessert of course- tiramisu and crème brulee! Then had a wander round before bed.
You can get a small continental breakfast in your cabin if you want, so with our stomachs and not wanting to eat too much we did that and very nice it was too! We weren’t getting into the port at the capital of Tunis until 2.15pm, so tidied up then took it easy and rested our tummies! I had got “the notebook’ by Nicholas Sparks out of the ships library and polished it off in the one day- I remember it is one of Sams favourite movies, one of those sad romantic stories though.
Because of the country’s rules, you can only leave the ship under their umbrella visa on an excursion for the day, so we booked the historical and cultural tour. Apparently there were very strong winds, so docking was delayed, then delayed again and we got the word to go about an hour later. Unfortunately, this excursion turned into a fiasco as it made the tour to places like the museum- 10 mins long right before they closed at 5pm instead of an hour and the same at some ruins because we were running so late.
We were practically running, then the tour guides were told to keep us out for the full 4 hours, so he had to drop us in a tiny town right as the sun set, to walk around in the freezing wind in the dark for 1 ¾ hours. It was such a waste of time we should have just thrown our 50 euro each out the ship window and stayed on board
A Swedish tour director we were sitting behind on the bus said that MSC keep you out for the expected time no matter what so they don’t have to give a refund! In hindsight, after Morocco, Tunisia was a poor cousin.
Anyhow, we got back to the ship and raced to get changed as we were all late for dinner, but were so glad to see we have English speaking people at our table for 8. An Irish couple on their honeymoon, a Puerto Rican couple on their anniversary and a French/English speaking couple from Canada. Two of them have English as their 2nd language but it is more comfortable than last time where everyone bar 1 man spoke different languages to each other!
Had a small dinner, but room for dessert of course- tiramisu and crème brulee! Then had a wander round before bed.
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