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August
17 - Board the Radisson Diamond for
an 8 DAY/7 NIGHT CRUISE
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Hello! We are loving Barcelona. The Ramblas is quite
the happening place. There are street performers
everywhere. We have seen clowns, the Simpsons, Charlie
Chaplan, all sorts of statue type people with no
names, Michael Jackson, I´m sure I´m
forgetting some. Vendors also dot the landscape
here. Flower vendors, bird vendors (why would someone
buy a bird here? I don´t know!) magazine stands,
local craft stands, body painters.
We had read before departing that on the Ramblas
in Barcelona is where you are most likely to be
scammed or pickpocketed. Neither has happened
to us and I must tell you that Philip is quite
disappointed.
All over the world you see McDonalds restaurants.
I had never eaten at one outside of the United
States, so I decided to eat in one of several
here on the Ramblas. ICK! If you love the Golden
Arches, eat before you leave home.
Over here you see something called "Tapas".
That is where you eat a variety of appetizer type
stuff. Somewhat like doing a "pub crawl"
in London, people do a "Tapas Crawl"
here. You go from place to place and have a variety
of appetizers. That´s what we did for dinner
last night. It´s interesting to communicate
in a spanish speaking world to figure out what
that strange looking substance is on the item
you´re about to ingest. I think we did okay.
The culinary highlight in Barcelona thus far
has been gelato. It´s kind of like ice cream.
WOW!!! We´re going to have another go 'round
at the gelato stand before we go to the ship this
afternoon. One unique thing at the gelato stand
is that you order either a small or large and
depending on the size, you get a number of different
flavors all in one cup. I got three flavors in
my small cup. YUM!!
While Philip was napping yesterday, I set off
on my own wandering around the side streets of
Barcelona. I never felt threatened at all. So
I was either safe or dumb. It is so interesting.
The streets just wind around and get smaller and
smaller. All sorts of great shops. Lots of clothing
shops. I thought I would look around and get some
funky clothing item to commemorate this day in
Barcelona. All I can say is, I must be getting
old. Very old. I couldn´t find anything
I would even consider wearing. Oh well.
Well, I think we´ll sign off. 2.5 hours
until we board the ship. We are going to go look
at a knife shop for a swiss army knife for me
and look for a picture frame and take pictures
of the street performers.
Adios!
Cathi and Philip
Day 1
Hello! It is about 10 until noon here in Sete,
France. Sete is a charming fishing village in
the south of France. It is a holiday here tomorrow
(today is Sunday) so many of the shops are closed.
No worries, though, I've found many things hard
to resist (I did resist though - my luggage is
already heavy!).
This ship is amazing. It only holds 300 passengers
and it is large enough to carry many more so you
never feel like you are in a crowd.
All over Europe the people have been delightful.
I have decided that I am going to learn French
and Spanish because over here everyone knows more
than one language and work really hard to make
you feel at home. I feel dumb just knowing one.
Ruthie is taking spanish in school - so maybe
I'll start with Spanish so we can do homework
together!
I have checked a book out of the library called
"The Florabama Ladies' Auxiliary and Sewing
Circle". Sounds interesting. I haven't started
it yet, but I've already finished "The Remnant"
and "Prisoners of Hope" which are the
books I brought with me. "The Remnant"
is in the "Left Behind" series - which
I love. "Prisoners of Hope" is a the
book written by the two girls from Waco Texas
who were held prisoner in Afganistan from early
August 2001 until mid November (you might remember
that we actually started bombing Afganistan during
that time.....) Simply an incredible story. Amazing.
It is actually foggy here today. Cool and foggy.
strange - I wasn't expecting that. I'm trying
to decide if I'm going to bring along a long sleeve
shirt as a cover on my tour this afternoon, but
one of the shop owners said that after noon it
would clear up and be warm. Well, I think that's
what he was trying to tell me....
Oh, before I close - we sat at a table for 6
last night with two other couples, one from Alexandria,
VA and one from Portland, OR. We sat down for
dinner at 8 and didn't get up until 11 and the
time FLEW by because we had such a great
time. The couple from Virginia, they have a son
that up until a couple of weeks ago flew Helecopter
One - that's the helecopter that flies around
George W. -- Very interesting.
Okay - I'm going to go sit on the deck and read
this book and wait for lunch to start.
From France,
Cathi B
Day 2
After my update yesterday, I went and had
lunch in the wonderful dining room. I had cold
strawberry soup and a Monte Cristo sandwich. Yummy.
At 1:20 I met up with a group of people for a
guided tour of Montpellier and a tour of a vineyard.
Montpellier is the oldest medical school in France
(and, in fact, in Europe). Very interesting. At
the winery the home was built in the 16th Century
- we toured that also. All so very interesting.
The weather in Sete never did clear up. It was
foggy all day. Where we went on our tour, though,
it was nice and clear and sunny. On the way back,
the traffic on the highway coming toward us looked
like IH635 at 5pm on Friday. It was the day for
everyone coming back from holiday. Also, when
we got back to the ship there was a crowd of people
(local people) standing and staring at the ship.
At first I looked around to find a fire or medical
emergency. As it turns out, what they were coming
to gawk at was US! The Diamond is a fairly unique
looking ship - also Sete doesn't normally get
alot of cruise traffic, and when they do come,
they anchor off shore and tender in - so they
never get to see the ship up close. We were supposed
to tender, but since it was so foggy, the couldn't
have operated the tenders, so it was either anchor
at port, or skip it altogether. I'm glad they
were able to get dock space.
The captain actually announced that morning that
he was able to get a white cane and a seeing eye
dog and find a way to the port. (That's how foggy
it was.)
Last night Philip and I sat out on our private
balcony and couldn't see a thing. It was still
great, though.
Last night was the formal dinner. I had my hair
done and went in the sequined gown borrowed from
my Mother-in-Law. In fact, that dress had actually
been worn on the same ship last year! We had another
great dinner (Beef Wellington) and more wonderful
conversation. Again, it lasted until about 10:30pm.
Now we are in Marseille (2nd largest city in
France, other than Paris). Our first stop was
this internet cafe to update you, and check on
email.
Now we'll go and investigate the town and report
back.
From France,
Cathi and Philip
Day 3
Today we are in St. Tropez. I am running out
of descriptive words for the things I am seeing
and doing. Everything is so....well....beautiful!
Amazing, thought provoking, historical. I don't
know how else to say it.
Today we (the whole Amex group) went on a tour
of Grimaud and Port Grimaud. I had never even
heard of these places and they were FABULOUS!
These areas (along with St Tropez - really this
whole coast) are where many Europeans come to
vacation, so in many areas they are like any other
beach resort destination. I am trying really hard
not to take a bunch of scenery pictures. (although
I want to etch it into my mind) a) because no
one really likes to look at pictures that don't
have people in them and b) it doesn't do the scenery
justice anyway.
I am also trying really hard not to buy a ton
of stuff. A) Because I don't need the stuff b)
I don't need to spend the money and c) I don't
want to lug it all the way home. I did, however,
buy a big tablecloth and matching napkins. I have
wanted one ever since we pulled into the harbor
at Sete two days ago and saw a person sitting
on her balcony with this wonderful provencial
table cloth. I had to guess at our table size
- but I guess if it doesn't fit I'll at least
have a story to tell. Someone else on the trip
just bought placemats because of that, but it
just isn't the same. I also bought a refrigerator
magnet of St Tropez today as well as a cake of
lavender soap (native to this region - the bushes
are everywhere).
But I do really have my eye on any one of a number
of stunning water colors being painted there by
the waterfront on the way back to the ship's tender......hmmmmmmm
maybe if I bought it unframed and rolled it up
into a tube - or maybe the ship would ship it
home..or.....or..... Someone talk me out of this
PLEASE!!
I'm sorry I'm not uploading pictures - most of
these internet cafes don't really offer places
to upload them. Also our digital camera is heavier
to carry around. Come to think of it,maybe these
places do have facilities to download and I just
don't know the french word for it! (Really I think
they're just scared of viruses.)
You really wouldn't believe how stable this ship
is. Besides the fact that the water really is
glass smooth, this twin hulled ships design is
amazing. Other than some motor vibration when
we're backing into a dock you really wouldn't
know you were even moving. I know everyone says
that about modern cruise ships, but on this one
it really is true.
The service on this ship is exceptional also.
The whole crew (1 to 1.5 ratio with passengers)
seems really sincerely happy to be there. This
is a no gratuity cruise line also - so it's not
just that they are hoping for tips. The company
must treat them well. They stock our stateroom
with fresh fruit, 2 bottles of liquor, bottled
water, and whatever we want for soda. Yesterday
we got back to the ship after lunch was complete
and just ordered room service. They came to our
suite and put a beautiful table cloth on the balcony
table and I ate and read. Just lovely. I was thinking
I may do that for dinner tonight, but we asked
someone to join us for dinner already, so I may
have to wait.
Speaking of dinner, the formal dining room is
in the rear of the ship. Last night, the captain
actually altered the course of the ship in order
that we might see perfectly the sunset in the
center of the huge windows. Amazing.
I am here in an internet cafe. Philip already
went back to the ship. Boy is he missing out.
I got lunch at a sandwich place that was YYUUUUMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYY.
I don't speak a word of french, so I just pointed
to a sandwich in the case that looked good. The
lady took it out and mushed it into this grill
(two sided, kind of like a waffle iron or a George
Foreman grill) . She cooked and cooked it, then
pulled it out and gave it to me. WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!!
I think it was called "Panini" but I'm
not at all sure. I may have to get another before
I leave. I also got a "Coca Cola Light"
(Diet Coke).
Well, I'm going to sign off and go wander somemore.
2.5 hours until the ship leaves. I don't want
to get stranded....on the other hand......
From St. Tropez....
Cathi
Day 4
I am writing to you from Santa Margharita (did
I spell that right?) Italy. We crossed over into
Italy last night. Tomorrow is Livorno, then Rome,
then home.
Before we start, it occured to me that I never
said how the day in Marseille was. Well, that
in itself should tell you how it was. Really nothing
to speak of. We should have stayed on the ship.
Icky shops basically, very congested and dirty.
Okay, on to more fun things. When last we spoke
I was at a Cyber Cafe in St. Tropez. Wonderful
port. Next day (yesterday) was Nice. Our group
had a complimentary all day shore excursion to
Monaco/Monte Carlo. That was SO interesting. During
some free time Philip and I went and took an audio
tour of Prince Rainiers palace. Extremely fascinating.
The things they consider new here would be considered
very old in the USA.
We went into Monte Carlo also and went into the
casino. It costs 10 Euros even to enter. They
are strict about age requirements and dress code
(thankfully, more strict after 4pm and it was
early). We saw where the Grand Prix goes. We drove
on the same streets. We saw the Bentleys, Ferraris,
etc. The amount of wealth in one place was staggering.
Altogether a beautiful and fascinating day.
Today we are in a very small place called Portofino,
Italy. In 1935 they decided that there would be
no more new building ever again. So, it is preserved
quite nicely. It is very much a place for the
rich and famous. There is Louis Vuitton, Hermes,
Cartier, all of those kinds of shops lining the
marina. I do not know enough about those sorts
of items to know if the prices are good or not.
Some of the other ladies seemed quite impressed
though. My big purchases this trip have been my
tablecloth and my swiss army knife. I guess I
am just a simple person.
At this moment in time though, I am WAY out of
my comfort zone. In Portofino, they did not have
an internet cafe, so I got on a local bus for
1 Euro. I came to the next big town, got off,
asked directions from people who do not speak
english, and found my way to this cafe kind of
off a small alley.
Until a few moments ago, there was quite the
gathering of italian young people next to me hanging
out. They are probably about 2 feet away from
me. I can not understand a thing they are saying,
but 2 of them at least are very much "in
love".
It is 2pm and I must find the bus stop again,
figure out which bus goes back to Portofino and
get there before the ship leaves at 5:30. The
scariest part is that not a soul on the planet
knows where I am. I did not tell anyone before
I took off. Oh well, if I do not make it back,
I have my Mastercard, I will take the train to
Livorno and rejoin the ship. Only part that might
be a problem is that Philip would worry, and the
ship has my passport.
I took a walking tour of Portofino this morning.
Fascinating. I also called Rome to arrange a walking
tour for our oh so very short amount of time while
we are there. I have no idea if I have gained
any weight or not, but I certainly have moved
more than I do at home.
I can not stand that this trip is almost over.
I had better sign off though, I only bought one
hour of access and I don not want to lose all
I have typed.
Ciao!
Cathi
Day 5
The next port was Livorno, Italy. This was the
site of the worst internet cafe we encountered
of anywhere we went. It wasn't the cheapest or
the most expensive, but certainly the worst. My
mouse didn't work and the letter "n"
on the keyboard didn't work.
Livorno itself was, I guess, a typical modern
(as modern as you can be with centuries old buildings)
Italian port town. We did find some great gelato
(gelato seems to be the theme of this trip :-).
We had an afternoon excursion to Pisa scheduled,
so we didn't spend the whole day in Livorno. The
other option was Florence, but Philip had already
seen Florence so we went to Pisa.
It was cloudy, so the cruise line had umbrellas
for all of us, I thought that was cool. How thoughtful.
(and we actually needed them - usually when I
have an umbrella I don't need it!)
I never knew that the Leaning Tower wasn't just
off by itself somewhere. It isn't! It's actually
a bell tower that has a church and a baptistry
building beside it. Together, it is "Miracle
Square". Our guide told us that the "Miracle"
didn't refer to the fact that the tower was still
standing, but the miraculous beauty of the buildings.
The baptistry was also leaning, but it isn't quite
as obvious since it isn't as tall. The reason
for the leaning is the foundation (actually the
soil) that the buildings are on. I guess it is
marshy - wasn't solid enough, so it leaned.
The church actually had a glass coffin in it
with the actual body of the patron saint of the
area in it (from the 16th century!!) . That's
sure something you don't see every day. I took
a picture, I don't know yet if it came out.
In the baptistry, you could actually sing harmony
with yourself. There was the longest echo I've
ever heard. The guide got it all quiet and the
guard sang different tones which harmonized with
each other. Beautiful!
Pisa certainly takes the cake for the most worthless
knick knacks. As far as the eye can see, junk
stands lined up, waiting for tourist dollars.
All in all, a great day.
Tomorrow, Rome!
Cathi B
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