Belfast

Tuesday morning

We got up early so we could get away by 9 am to get to Cairnryan to get the 11.30 am ferry to Belfast. It is a 2 hour trip and we had perfect sailing conditions. Lunch on board then we got to Belfast around 1.40pm.

We were able to get a taxi to the Hotel Ibis on Castle St and checked in by 2.

Got organised then went for a walk in the city. 

Some beautiful buildings here, surprisingly untouched during the troubles except for the Europe Hotel which was bombed several times because all the politicians etc from London used to stay there! 

This is the Town Hall and the photo does not do it justice. 

We found a wonderful deli with amazing food in it. 

Have not seen this flavour spread before! 

Decided to have dinner in the hotel as we were done walking anywhere else for the day. Nice meal too.

Leaving the ship and more!

After drifting in the Mediterranean for about 15 hours, we finally got to Civitaveccia at around 6 am on Sunday morning. 

We had packed our bags the night before and all we needed to do was walk off the ship with our hand luggage. We decided not to have breakfast on board to save us some time but as it happened, we had plenty of time. We had to wait for about half an hour for the driver to pick us up for our trip to the airport.

Thank goodness, it was not as fast as the trip from the airport and we got there about 9am. Our flight was not until 5.35 so we were not able to check in until around 2pm. Meantime we got some food and found seats that we were able to sit down in for our long wait. Little did we know but the waiting was again to go on and on.

After we checked our bags and did the security thing, we wandered through the shops to find our gate for departure. We found some seats there and waited again. The plane that we were to go on was late arriving to Rome, then we found there was going to be another delay - this time for about an hour or so, due to storms over France! When we got on board and the plane was ready to go, there was another delay of around half an hour. At least they came around and gave us water! 

Finally got off the ground on the first leg of the trip to Glasgow. We had to go through Amsterdam as it was a KLMflight. Actually the captain and crew were very good and explained what was happening at the appropriate time. When we were getting close to Amsterdam they actual told all the people with connecting flights what the status of those flight was. Some people missed flights and were placed on later flights or the next day while our flight had been delayed by an hour anyway so we were able to make it. As it happened, we had to wait a bit longer than we thought. Eventually got on the plane and off to Glasgow, where Lucy and Donald, affectionate known as “the in-laws” were there to meet us. By the time we got back to Ochiltree, it was after 1am and we had to have a cup of tea before heading to bed! 

Monday

A bit of a sleep in then breakfast and the washing. Good to get that done as it had accumulated during the cruise. 

Had a lazy day then a nice BBQ with Bruce and Russell and Ian and Shona, great friends of Lucy and Donald. 

Bed early as we had to get up early on Tuesday to catch a ferry over to Belfast. 

Cagliari, Sardinia

Docked here about midday today. We had free shuttle buses to the gates of the port as you are not allowed to walk around the dock area. Was a short walk to the town, but very hot, so we decided to do a tourist train around the “interesting” parts of the town. Just as well as we would never have walked up some of the hills! 

Sardinia has been occupied by many different foes over the centuries. There is an old Roman fort that was partially dismantled so they could use the blocks for building other things. 

It is quite a mix of old and new, but not as interesting as other places we have been over the last few days. More graffiti on building walls, rough streets, people parking at odd angles! 

We decided to go back to the ship after the trip  as it was very hot and humid. 

Roger on the dock by the Jewel of the Seas. 

Palma

We have just spent a delightful morning in the city of Palma. 

The cathedral here is amazing. It sits atop a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and took 3 centuries to build. It has the most colourful stained glass windows I have ever seen. Gaudi’s influence is seen here too in the area around the altar. He designed the centrepiece which is quite amazing. 

There are little chapels along each side of the cathedral, some colourful and others quite somber. 

We then went for a wander through the old part of the city. 

It was very hot, over 30C. We decided to get back to the ship before we wilted away. Thank goodness they put on shuttles to get into town. Some brave souls decided to walk the 4km trip! Hope they did not get heatstroke before they got there! 

Barcelona

Arrived in Barcelona this morning just before 10am. It seemed like a long trip as we left Corsica at 4pm yesterday.

We had breakfast outside while the ship was cruising slowly up the harbour then took our time disembarking. We bought tickets for the shuttle which took us to the World Trade Centre at the bottom of the famous Los Ramblos. It did not seem like a long way as you could see the ship from where they dropped us off, but walking would have involved quite a hike over an uphill then downhill bridge as well as negotiating the traffic! 

We took our time walking up La Ramble as it is signposted and stopped to buy water then found a lovely cafe where we got a wonderful cheese sandwich made with home made bread rolls fresh from the oven, still warm, with freshly squeezed orange juice. 

Took some detours and found some interesting places and shops. One was a fabric shop with patchwork and other stuff. Found an apron with elephants on it for Max to wear when he helps his mum with baking. 

All the shops seem to be having sales here. Lots of bargains to be had at big name shops too! 

Found a Disney shop...

We made our way back to the top of La Ramble and a couple of department stores. Bought a gelato and sat eating it by the main square. 

Lots of comings and goings including buses to and from the airport. 

We walked back down to the World Trade Centre to where the shuttle was waiting to take us back to the ship. 

Completed my walking ring on my watch today, nearly 12,000 steps and still counting as you do a lot of walking around the ship each day too! 

Ajaccio- Corsica

We docked earlier than expected at Ajaccio in Corsica. Looking out the window over the marina it looks lovely. At breakfast we got a better view because we were higher and there were more windows! 

The town is typically French in style. Narrow streets, tall apartment buildings in many different colours, all needing a good coat of paint. 

Because this is the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, there are statues of him all over! 

We went on a Little Train for a trip around the centre of the town. It was quite interesting. 

The market in the centre of the village was interesting. Lots of vegetables, fruits, cheeses and charcuterie. Some huge tomatoes on one stall for €5 per kg. You would only get 2 they were so big! 

We wandered through the tourist street and bought nothing except a paper for Roger! Had a lovely gelato then walked slowly back to the ship in time for lunch. 

Barcelona tomorrow so the ship will be leaving a bit earlier than yesterday. 

Cannes

Monday dawned warm and a little cloudy. 

We arrived at Cannes about 7 am . 

We got up early and went to breakfast before the crowds then went for a wander around the ship. After a brief discussion, we decided not to go ashore as it was a 15 minute trip on a smaller boat. Neither of us has completely recovered from the lurgies we got last week.

Spent the morning on deck chairs and going walking, morning tea then lunch! A bit of a rest then up to the Schooner Bar to clean up in the geographic trivia quiz. The prize was a Royal Caribbean highlighter pen each! Just what we have always wanted! 

Afternoon tea then a nice sit down in the Solarium reading and boat watching. Met an interesting acupuncturist from India who works on the ship. He is a qualified medical dr  who has studied traditional medicine as well. Might be worth a visit!