Barcelona, Spain

 

Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, May 3, 2011.  We are excited to be returning to this city of great sites, fun and wonderful food.  Just were not sure what we wanted to do but did not plan an organized excursion as we are very familiar with the city having spent a lot of time here previously.

We rode the Port Bus to Columbus Monument and began our walk up Las Ramblas.  After several blocks we detoured into the square that houses our favorite restaurant, Les Quince Nits, to be sure they were open for lunch and to check the time – not open until 1pm – we will definitely be hungry!  Since we had already detoured we decided to take a stroll thru the Gothic Quarter as the architecture dates between the 13-15^th centuries and it is the old heart of the city.  Also near the Gothic Quarter is the Picasso Museum but the entrance line wrapped around the block.

Wondering back to Las Ramblas I had to do a little shopping in a small boutique, picking up a necklace and earrings that caught my fancy.  Near the end of Las Ramblas we stopped at a hotel where we spent a week several years ago.  They have remodeled and the desk clerk graciously invited us to have a beverage and look around.  We will definitely stay again on any returns to Barcelona.  Leaving the hotel we arrived at Placa Cataluna, one of the stops for the Hop On-Hop Off Bus.  We highly recommend doing the HOHO if you have never visited Barcelona.

Returning back down Las Ramblas we visited several of the vendors, watched the mime’s and then went to the market, La Boqueria.  You can do your daily or weekly grocery shopping, get a snack, a drink or have lunch.  It is a fascinating place to spend time looking and wandering.  I could spend all day there just walking the aisles!

NOW it is time for lunch…..across Las Ramblas and into Placa Reial, a lovely old square, great for people watching and to the restaurant!  Don’t ask me what I ate – all I remember is the Sangria, it was huge and made with a marvelous red wine and brandy.  It took me 2 hours to finish…….marvelous.

Another wonderful day in Barcelona and tomorrow Toulon, the beginning of the French Riviera.

Gibraltar



After leaving Casablanca, we passed through the Strait of Gibraltar, the narrow opening separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Mediterranean Sea.  The strait is just 7.7 nautical miles across with Europe on the north and Africa on the south.  It is an important passage for military operations as well as commerce and trade and regular ferry service allows easy travel across.

The Rock of Gibraltar welcomed us on Sunday, May 1.  Although it is less than three square miles in area, it holds a strategic location at the western entrance of the Mediterranean.   Gibraltar has always been an integral part of many military operations.

Weather is always a hit and miss and today was no exception with heavy cloud cover most of the day and intermittent showers.  Rides on the cable car up the mountain to the Top of the Rock did not produce successful pictures.  The Barbary Apes were in attendance and putting on a show.  All told, it was a calm, peaceful Sunday.

Barcelona here we come!

Casablanca, Morocco

On Saturday, April 30, 2011 we arrived in Casablanca, Morocco, Africa’s second largest city.  It is Morocco’s chief port, home to the primary naval base of the Royal Moroccan Navy, as well as a very modern city.

Because of the bombing a couple days ago, all tours to Marrakech were cancelled.  Lots of juggling by passengers and the tour office ensued.  Curt is still not supposed to leave the ship due to his bronchitis and I have decided this is not a place I want to tour alone.  Besides we have previously been to Morocco, so I will use the day to begin to organize our departure packing as the time is quickly approaching!

Our next stop will be Gibraltar – tomorrow, May 1.