DAY 30- LISBON, PORTUGAL

Into Lisbon or Lisboa as the natives call it this morning. It had been raining when we woke earlier in the night but it turned into another most perfect sunny day again- so appreciate it after Britain.

We got the MSC buses from the port and although expensive at 18 euros, it really was too far to walk and they make it so easy for you. They dropped us in the shopping district which had a fantastic huge arched entrance from the seafront- with statues in great stride everywhere.

What a fantastic day it was- started off by the fact that we found almost all Portugese speak English, felt like hugging them! Makes it SO much easier. Also the prices here are like NZ or cheaper – a real contrast to all the other countries we have visited so far. There were shoe and watch stores everywhere.

The mosaic tiles in the roads are a work of art and in the old part of the city- Alfama, the buildings date from pre-1755 when an earthquake destroyed most of Lisbon. This was the only part to survive and it is amazing.
You walk along the sea front then start inland- there are no roads, just winding little alleyways that twist and turn all the way up the hills. Then we somehow came out to a stunning view point over the sea, with a kiosk selling ice cold beer next to it- nectar of the gods!

Then we walked up to the old castle at the top and found our Portugese mailbox photo- people think we are so strange haha! Oh well……. Its been really interesting to take note of all the colours of the mailboxes in all the different countries. Then wandered down a more main road and came across a very old Catholic church with massive studded doors.

All in all our favourite day today- Lisbon has many wide open spaces which gives it a majestic feel. Really want to come back again.

We got the bus back and onto the sun decks for a sunbathe and swim. After only 3 hours lying in the sun the past 3 days, we have tog lines- YAY Danni, hear that, Mum has tan marks!! (sorry private joke!)

Had a delicious dinner tonight- I am going to photograph the menu and make you all read it tomorrow cos its so impressive. Graeme decided to demonstrate how most of the Germans were eating/chewing tonight around us. It’s like their teeth are all stuck together with chewing gum and they chew very intensely. A bit like their manners- so so pushy and forthright.

Oh that reminds me – we were standing in a queue this morning to get our bus tickets and a woman in front was talking and I said “Oh an English speaking person”. Got into a conversation with her and ….Oh Dear, She was from Greymouth and now lives in Oz. Gavin and Sharleen - Greymouth is better off now….. She was missing most of her top teeth, clutching her fags like they were a long lost love, and telling us very loudly with lots of expletives how she was also put onto the 2nd dinner sitting on arrival, but got on the 1st sitting by telling them that they would be so p*ssed by the 9pm one if they didn’t change them!!
Maybe it’s good to be quiet sometimes..!!!

DAY 29 CADIZ

Have meant to say Mum- we have had absolutely NO motion or sea sickness since we boarded this ship. It is the first one that has been so incredibly stable that you can watch the waves outside AND eat dinner without getting even the tiniest bit motion sick!

Today we visited the oldest port in Europe. Cadiz is on a spit which goes out to the atlantic ocean. A fantastically sunny blue day again today- is so great after Britain. Amazing that they are only a 3 hour flight apart yet worlds apart in weather!

We were able to get off in the port and walk across the road and we were there. Wandered the streets again, were looking for the museum but it was an absolute rabbit warren of streets that didn’t match the map we had, so we just walked. You really notice the work that goes into the public gardens and tree’s – and there are statues everywhere in honour of the Spanish forebears.

Not a lot of English spoken anywhere, but you can get by with a word or two and sign language as you need it. After trying to find sunscreen in Malaga yesterday (“Hola, solais” while rubbing your arms etc!) and eventually finding it at $50 a small bottle we decided to wait till today and found it for $10 in a small deli like shop- they are everywhere in Cadiz. So that’s good, as although it doesn’t burn like home, I couldn’t find the sunscreen I bought at home.

We came back after a few hours and had a lovely lunch on the ship at 2pm then lay in the sun at the back of the ship by the big tv screen. Went to a show before dinner called midnight in Paris- they did the can-can with amazing dexterity and a lovely array of very nice looking bums in g-strings (the girls that is!)

Enjoyed the laughter with our waiter at dinner tonight, Andy Mohammed Ismail- a lovely man from Indonesia. He has a giggle like Billy Connellys, only quieter! And was telling us he is on board for 10 months of every 12 and has been doing it for 20 years. Must work for the wife and family !!

PS. Danni you are clever about suggesting writing the blog in word then cutting and pasting it- that is exactly what we do and we also have a programme to compress the photos so they load quicker, that means we can pit more on as we know they make it much more interesting than just writing.

DAY 28- MALAGA, SPAIN

We arrived in the port of Malaga at 10.30am today to beautiful, perfect, crystal blue sunny skies. 22C, but didn’t get too hot later in the day either as we are past their summer height in August. Caught the shuttle to the historical centre no worries and walked to the Alcazaba castle which had a fortress as well- but bummer- it is closed on Sundays we are told! Saved us climbing up a ruddy great mountain to get to it though I guess.

We wandered through the city- there are so many little alleyways, narrow and cool with tiny shops in them. Malaga also has many ancient looking cathedrals and buildings with old iron hinged doors. Then we came across the central part with all the shops, many were closed today but it was lovely to walk through and there has been a lot of thought put in to the planting of huge palm trees everywhere, so you can always be shaded if you want. A very clean city, although there is a strong smell of horse pee everywhere in the streets as they have lots of horses and carriages for the tourists- these horses are well cared for and some even had their hooves oiled Danni! Just as well you aren’t here actually I just thought, it would have cost us an absolute fortune having the rides all over Europe!!!

Note we found another 'patriotic' letter box today, this time yellow for Spain!

We wandered around for about 3 hours then had a local beer (half the price of on board beers) before heading back to port and the bus to the ship. Came back on and had some lunch- again fantastic array of food and you have to use some decent will power not to over indulge all the time!

Then out to lay around the pool in the most perfect weather- no wonder people move to Spain. A quiet evening I think, although there is an ABBA game tonight in the bar we might have a look at. Depends on the language it is run as to if you can understand it, or they go through 5 languages for everything they say!

DAY 27 AT SEA. ITALY-SPAIN

We woke to lots of noisy waves and judderbar like vibrations at 3am today. Got up to look outside and it was pretty impressive!! Took video footage as the noise of the sea and wind was so loud. Back to sleep about 4am and because we had amazing blackout curtains we didn’t wake till 8.30am!!

We decided not to have breakfast since it was so late and we hadn’t finished dinner last night until 10.30pm! We both found it horrible to eat that late and then go straight to bed, but as yet haven’t heard anything about being changed back to the earlier sitting. We had a nice couple to sit with tho last night, plus an older couple from Switzerland. Luckily one of the men spoke both French for the Swiss couple and English for us- so we could have a 3 way conversation! He is married to an Italian woman so lives in San Marino, but is originally from Morocco, so had a really interesting discussion.

Later this morning I was sitting on our balcony looking at the sea and had my Polaroid sun glasses on, when I saw what I thought was a large tuna jump out of the water, but then realized it was one of those gray and white small dolphins that bow jump in front of ships!! Was so cool and I could see it under the water for a bit before it was gone- lucky!

Went up and walked many stairs again today= great exercise! There was some sort of ompah lompah german singing sensations by the pools and all the germans (huge contingency of them in a group on board) were clapping out of time and waving banners lol!! We haven’t met any English speakers as yet, heard one or two in passing but you cant run up and accost them just because you are craving an English conversation!! Altho if I heard an Aussie or Kiwi accent, I think I would.

Unlike our duty free ships, everything you buy here is very expensive, internet 20 euros an hour, excursions - usually at least 50 euros pp, drinks- a coffee is 5.70 euros and a massage is 99 euros for 45 mins!.
You also have to pay for water and beers- Heineken are 4 euros each! The man at dinner last night said the cruise lines milk you for all they can!! He said the excursions especially are a real rip off. We looked into our Malaga stop tomorrow as Gray prefers to just wander and discover on our own, so we googled Malaga on Wikipedia and saved it off line to read -clever. We asked at reception and they said you can get shuttles to town for a one off cost of 5 euros pp, so we will do that.

Then up to lie in the sun – 26 lovely degrees and sunny but with a 17 knot wind! They have warnings about sunburn but they havent lived in NZ! All the Europeans are SO brown that we look SO white L. But I also like the way the women all wear bikinis, no matter what their age or size and the guys wear a lot of budgie smugglers (not always so nice!)- but at least they are all very comfortable about themselves.

Went on to chase up the earlier dinner seating and finally won out after being told there were No tables to give- there turned out to be several- hard to fathom their ethics on honesty, however all sorted now and we have a romantic table for 2 from now on. It was formal night tonight so played dress ups!

SO good to eat at a normal time, especially when you are trying to fit in 6 courses ( sorry had to drop that in!). Their dining is incredible, like much of the ship in general. There language thing is a bit of an issue but we discussed it and your only other option is to cruise on the princess lines which are full of Americans- just don’t think we could handle it! The Italians are loud, but in a different way.
After dinner we went to the theatre and watched a circ-de-soliel type act, blows your mind what they can do acrobatically.

DAY 26- HORLEY- GENOA, ITALY

Had a lovely comfy bed last night and we were beat by 7.30pm, so crashed at 8pm. Graeme woke feeling refreshed and ready to go, until he found out it was only 10pm haha! He woke me at midnight again, so had an hour or so before dropping off again,

Up at 6am and down to breakfast at 7am as the owner had told us to do before a departure at 8am. No-one in the dining room, lights out???? Had to go back to our room and ring the reception to find the cook was missing?! Turned out she had taken someone to the airport as she is also the taxi driver- weird!

Anyhow, she got back and we had a lovely cooked English breakfast, then she took us to Gatwick. Pretty much all automated check in’s. What a busy airport. Sat there thinking it would have been nice to have Danni here like last time to kill the time with!

On to the british airways flight and only 1 ½ hours and we were in Genoa, Italy. We have found the information desks at the airports are great if you need to find out how to get from A to B and that you don’t always have to pre-book expensive transfers. Had decided to wing it a bit so we caught the ‘volabus’ for €4pp that took us right to the main terminus, not far from the port- much cheaper than €30 for a taxi. Walked 10 mins and we were at the port. The huge ships there looked magnifique!

A bit of back and forth to get checked in but we followed the Italians (they speak So loudly)! Our cabin is great- a balcony double room at the very front of the ship- couldn’t have got better as we have no-one next to us on one side and can see off the bow. What a massive ship- about 3,000 passengers speaking about 5 languages!

Was so funny- we had to go to the emergency drill wearing our titanic orange life jackets- I was going to try to get away with not wearing mine until I HAD to- but NO, they are waiting in the corridors for you haha! Wish I had taken a photo, looked very comical!!

Unfortunately we have to wait till the late sitting for dinner at 9pm as they put us on this one due to lots of people on the early one, despite the early request- eek! We are used to eating at 5-6 pm!! I told the Maitre d’ that I have low blood sugars so we could get on the waiting list for the 6.30pm dinner – will wait and see what happens.
We have walked many sets of stairs tonight exploring, and a day at sea tomorrow which is great so we can get our bearings.

They have wi fi here on the ship which we are using in our room but it is 20 euro's an hour!!

DAY 25- LONDON-HORLEY, GATWICK

We were able to sleep until we woke today- SO NICE! Even though we woke early still, we could lay there and doze. Its funny when we came to this hotel room 2 weeks ago, the bed was a typical cheapish sproingy hotel bed and we didn’t find it that comfy- two weeks and 13 hotel beds later, we came back to this one and think it is heaven. I so love the way we sleep when we travel and have long days- lay down and …..gone!

Decided not to have breakfast today as we feel we have overeaten with all the food put on, on the tour. Tidied up and left our suitcases with Patel then off to the post office to post back some clothes and gifts- £82 and a big queue later! But paying for over- weight suitcases through 7 odd airlines would cost more.

Then we went to a barber that Patel told us about, the Turkish guy did a great job freehand! No freak outs like the Italian hairdresser 2 years ago!

Then we went to a prêt-a-manger café, they are everywhere over here and very popular- for a prawn and avocado salad and a club sandwich. You get the internet for free which is great, so caught up with the blog – Collis’ – Where are all your comments??!!!

Then on to Victoria station and caught our train to Horley, Gatwick no worries really. Only took 35 mins and then the B & B owner picked us up. The Lawn house B & B is quite famous as it has been a school of some repute etc and they are very proud of it.- very helpful people.

We decided to take advantage of it being early afternoon so walked just down the road to the town of Horley to the launderette where Bett the lady who works there showed us how to work it. I never thought I would appreciate clean clothes SO much! We have been washing with soap and water and it makes the clothes a bit stiff. It only cost us ₤5 to wash and dry all our clothes.

Then shopped a little before walking down the other end of town to a real 1000 year old pub! Had a really fantastic time in the low ceiling, great atmospheric place with a pint or two and a great meal.

Rolled home with big smiles on our faces through the misty rain- was lovely. Having a nice night washing hair and packing for Italy. We leave at 8am for the airport.

DAY 24 PLMOUTH-SALISBURY-LONDON

All up at 6.15again and down to dissect the appalling meal dished up for our farewell dinner last night (as you do when you have no other worries!) On to the road to Stonehenge, which we got to in 2 ½ hours.

Seemed a very long time though as the master farter struck terribly after the cabbage last night- it was described as both feral and vile by people at both the front and back of the bus. Pete and Graeme talked to the tour director who gave them a can of air freshener, which was sprayed liberally around at the tea stop. Thank god he stopped it after that as I had to hold Graeme down so he wouldn’t say something (very frankly!) in front of everyone.
It is hard to understand how any decent human being can sit in a bus of 49 people for 2 weeks and continuously do that – his loud wife never said a peep about it either??

Our last day- and a beautiful sunny, still day so nice to end the tour with. Stonehenge was good to see again, although I’m sure the ropes keeping you back seem to be moving further and further away from the stones.
Apparently it was described as a disgrace in the English parliament this year and there are plans to improve it, taking away the road running alongside and putting a train ride in to the stones.

We went on to the town of Salisbury after this, the cathedral Graeme wanted to see was covered in scaffolding and apparently this church charges you £ 5pp to go in! So no-one did and we all wandered off to town. Went to an old pub for lunch and sat outside in the sunshine and had a beer and lunch- very nice.

Back on the bus at 1.45pm and on to London. They started dropping people off from Earls court through to Victoria so got to see some areas we hadn’t seen before. It was funny we went back to the hotel we had found previously from walking the pavements and when we walked in Patel the funny Indian manager goes “Helllllloooo New Zealand!! ” I said “Patel we’re Home”! It was a crack up! He gave us the ‘honeymoon suite’ again we had last time (believe me it isn’t but it is very clean!),

We went out at 7pm to meet Pete and Sharon, and Gaye and Jennie for ‘the last supper’ in the great Dim Sum restaurant we went to when we first arrived, It was packed with locals so obviously has a good name. Had a great meal and a mulling over of the tour- well enjoyed overall and of course meeting like minded people made it.

Got Gaye and Jen on the bus back to Earls Court and Pete and Sharon caught a cab after all our farewells, then we wandered through Victoria Station and sorted our train ticket to Horley, Gatwick for tomorrow then back to the hotel- many people are wandering around London at all hours and it feels quite safe. So many of them with suitcases – the wheels going ‘car-doc car-doc’ on the cobbled footpaths!!

Tomorrow we are sorting out posting some stuff home and getting Graeme’s hair cut before heading to Gatwick to a B & B for the night.

FAREWELL DINNER

The dinner- well......

Unfortunatately not like any other farewell evenings we have had before. There was a dinner in the hotel restaurant of cabbage (old) and swede (lumpy) and yucky dry meat. No entertainment or ,music of any kind this time meant we had to make our own! hahaWe all did our hat photo - 18 out of 49 had one to wear for it.

Between Graemes maori Billy T James take offs and Petes Frank Spencer ones, it was a funny evening.

DAY 23 PLYMOUTH – CORNWALL, ST IVES

Had a really decent sleep last night which was great and went to sleep with the sounds of the church bells ringing over and over in the dark- was very nice.

Up early and down to the harbour for a cruise round Plymouth harbour, including past the naval base. Really interesting and the threatening rain held off so we could go up top in the open air even though it was freezing cold!

Then we drove towards Penzance and through the Cornish countryside to St Ives. Unfortunately it teemed down the rest of the day and we all spent a very soggy couple of hours there, but can imagine that in the sun it would be a lovely little place to visit.
We all had Cornish pasties, cos it would have been rude not too! They are full of onions and a bit of minced beef, quite nice on a wet cold day, washed down with a beer.

Then back to the bus and a few hours back to Plymouth, everyone with very wet shoes and damp pants, so we steamed the windows up a bit !

We have our farewell dinner tonight and the 6 of us started the hat thing so tonight will be the official “Tour Hat Photo” – anyone with a hat, serious or otherwise is invited to be in it- the tour director thought it was a great idea!!

Tomorrow is our final day of the tour we have renamed the “Cacophony of Coughers” people have hacked and sneezed pretty much non stop the whole 16 days, meaning many then got the bugs halfway through and around it went again. Not that nice to be in to be honest as we are all in such close proximity and everyone is pretty tired as you are out for 8 or 9 hours each day. But we have seen and done heaps even though we have only had a couple of nice sunny days.

Back to London after Stonehenge tomorrow, finishing about 5pm I think, then a night in London before we go out for a night at Gatwick. After that its onto a plane for Genoa, Italy to pick up our cruise.

Not quite sure when we can get online again, but will post as soon as poss- bon voyage!

PS/ Mum you were right it was the bowls NZ cap I was wearing yesterday!. I will wear it somewhere significant and make sure you can read it properly, then you can put it in your newsletter as putting NZ bowls out there over here!!!!!

Also, that is so funny Danni played on the same dancing game for her birthday as Graeme is, in the ferry pics ! It was hilarious and a bit raucous. I bet Danni was a bit tamer than her Dad was hahaha!!