Sunday, June 17, 2012
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Le Havre (last blog for a while)
13 July
Had an absolutely lovely day today in Honfleur. Because we've been to Paris before and it was a three hour drive each way we opted to go by local bus to Honfleur which is a trendy little seaside village, much visited by Parisians at weekends. Cobbled streets, old, old buildings, pretty harbour. Seven of us went. Taxi from the ship to the bus station was 2 Euros each and return bus fare to Honfleur was 7 Euros each. Honfleur has buildings dating from the `1200s and is picture postcard at every turn. Had a very French lunch – I had chicken in red wine with potatoes and vegetables which sounds very ordinary but they were like nothing I've ever tasted. Delicious. Dessert was 'Cheeses of Normandie'. Also some of the best cheese I've ever tasted. I think it was probably the best day I've had ashore so far. I got to use my limited French and people were happy to chat with me. The lady who sold us the bus tickets was amused, and very helpful (in French) and I think she engineered us the best deal because we only had 3 tickets which had multiple trips on them. She said it was the cheapest and it worked. This will be my last blog for a while. I may do some sort of summary when I get home, as I've had a few requests, but we aren't home until the end of July. We still have London, Leeds, New York and LA to go. All I can say it is one of the best holidays I've ever had. There've been some minor irritations with the ship but you have to expect that anywhere you travel. Overall A+.
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Saturday, July 10, 2010
Gibraltar
10 July
Gibraltar today. Had no real expectations of Gibraltar. Years ago, I sailed from Algerciras, just next door in Spain, to Tangiers but didn't go to Gibraltar. We took an Official Rock Tour which was 90 minutes. There are lots of these 8 seater minivans waiting to sell you a tour, just as you leave the terminal. Price was 22 pounds sterling. The charge is actually 12 pounds but there is a 10pound charge to enter the park at the top of the rock. We went to all the places the Princess tours went to – Jews Gate, Pillars of Hercules (which in ancient times designated the end of the world). They thought that, if you sailed through there, you would fall off the edge of the Earth. The tour went to St Michael's Cave which was amazing. It was used as a hospital during the War but is now used for concerts. It's huge with fascinating formations inside. Then to the Great Seige Tunnels – tunnelled through the rock in the 1800s during a war with Spain. Of course, we saw the barbary apes and there were stops at lookouts along the way – could see the Atlas mountains in Morocco. Next year's cruise goes to Morocco so you'll see them close up. We spent the rest of the morning (we sailed at 2.00pm) just wandering through the town and having a drink at the Lord Nelson pub before walking back to the ship – about 10 minutes. There was a shuttle bus for 2 Euros per person. One note about the Official Rock Tours – they have small vans which can go all the way up the hill to the apes and the tunnels. We passed some Princess tour passengers slogging up on foot because their buses couldn't pass through the narrow road. Back at the ship, there were schools of thousands of fish swimming around so the water in the harbour must be clean. A pod of dolphins accompanied us out. Loved Gibraltar. Next stop Le Havre – then that's all folks!!!! Still haven't had any word from the purser's office, despite several enquiries, about the discrepancy when our bills were added and charged to the credit card. Make sure next year's people check and have access to checking your credit card while you are away.
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Friday, July 9, 2010
Barcelona - extra
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Thursday, July 8, 2010
Barcelona
8 July (5 days left – someone break out the tissues)
Barcelona
Went in late to Barcelona this morning, around 11.00am. Took the opportunity to do laundry while most people were ashore. I actually walked into the laundry and there was a free machine. Also got to talk to the Captain's Circle person who confirmed that we are indeed "Elite" next cruise so FREE LAUNDRY. Great cruise terminal after having no cruise terminals at all in Italy. It is quite a way into town, about 2km. The ship's shuttle, the usual $7 each way and the port shuttle 3 Euros return drop you at almost the same place, at the Christopher Colombus monument at the bottom of the Ramblas although it is further to walk from the ship's shuttle. It's about then 2 minutes walk or so to the nearest Metro station, .We walked all the way up the Ramblas, diverging into little side streets here and there. We've both been to Barcelona before so didn't want to do a lot. We travelled to a few places on the Metro. It's cheap, clean and not overcrowded. It's 1.4 Euros a ticket or you can by a T10 for 10 Euros (I think). We didn't have any hassles despite the dire warnings issued by the Princess Tour Manager about pickpockets etc. As long as you're alert and carry your handbag etc in a safe way I don't think there should be any problems. He's issued dire warnings in a lot of ports and we haven't had any problems and we've used public transport in most places. I'm quite chuffed by the fact I've avoided paying a Princess shuttle for the whole trip, nor have I entered the ship's shops (except to buy cough lollies). Lots of people today did the Barcelona Hop on Hop Off Bus – a double decker bus which also has a ticket booth beside the Christopher Columbus monument. The price is 22 Euros for 12 hours. Friends who did this said it was excellent. They seemed to have lots of buses as we had lunch near Gaudi's church the Sagrada Famillia, and several buses went past while we were there. We had tapas today in Barcelona, French Pancackes (not crepes) yesterday in Monaco and couldn't go past spaghetti bolognese in the Cinque Terre, Italy the day before. We have a lovely day at sea tomorrow. Weather is still hot. I think we've only had about half a day of rain in the whole trip as opposed to about 7 days when we did our last cruise on the QE2.
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Monaco/Cannes
8 July
Apologies for doubling up on photos of Cinque Terre...was rushing and the email threw me out. When I got back in, posted a couple of the same photos.
Did you ever see the film, If it's Tuesday, It Must be Belgium". Starting to feel a little like that – three countries in three days. We're about to go ashore in Barcelona. Have to change to Wenas Dias (incorrect spelling I know) from Bonjour from Bonjourno. Yesterday we took the train from Cannes to Monte Carlo/Monaco with Allan and Sally. It is a picturesque trip along the Cote Azur, running along the beach most of the way and giving a good view of the villas of the rich and famous and luxury towns like Antibes and Juan Les Pins. Next year's cruise calls at Monaco so you don't need train instructions. I was ambivalent about going to Monaco but found I really liked it. It wasn't all the glitz that I expected just picturesque and elegant. We were trying to work out how to get from the railway station to where we wanted to go when our son Peter phoned from Australia. After chatting he said no problem, turn left, go past the Ferrari shop and then head towards the water. Very convenient. He was here last year for the Grand Prix. Allan and Sally climbed up to the palace but we just wandered around town. This was one place I wanted to buy a Tshirt but, apart from Grand Prix merchandise, touristy things were scarce. Apparently, this wasn't the case up at the palace. And just think, we were in Monaco when Prince Albert announced his engagement....do you think Womens Day would be interested in an interview!!! The weather is still very hot and after the walk back from the station it was bliss to jump in the pool. We had another sailaway party last night...photos will be posted above. Of course..no alcohol involved!! - whatsoever!!!
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