Cartagena, Spain

Wednesday, April 22nd

Nothing planned for today.  This is a pretty little town that is just nice to stroll around.  Need to relax today in anticipation of 2 busy days in Barcelona.

The day started out a little cold and light rain.  Charlie and I decided to stay on board and wait for the weather to clear.  Pam and Mike went out to brave the weather.  Closer to noon, the weather cleared and we went out to explore and find an ATM.

Charlie and a really big tree!

   Inside Santo Domingo Church

   

  Touring the Roman Forum

   The Thermal Baths built in the 1st century AD

  Still an active archeological dig

  

 Wall of the Atrium

   The Banqueting Hall

    Thee Atrium building was built at the end of the 1st century BC

 Our ship awaits us

Turned out to be a nice day.  Found a very pretty glass clock for our mantel and, of course,found some VERY GOOD Sangria and Tapas.

Malaga, Spain

Tuesday, April 21st

Today, we have arranged a full day tour to Granada arranged thru Spain Day Tours. The highlight of the tour is a visit to the Alhambra Palace.

Granada Shore Excursion - from the port of Malaga

Wonderful shore trip to Granada and the Alhambra Palace

 

Visit Granada and discover the famous Alhambra Palace - a World Heritage UNESCO site.

In the morning we will pick you up for a transfer to Granada to visit the mighty Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. We will drive through the Andalusian countryside in a new and comfortable van or minibus for the two hour transfer. WASN'T A VAN BUT A 50 PERSON BUS!

 

On arrival at the Alhambra Palace you will discover a maze of magnificent halls and intimate courtyards decorated by rows of elegant arches, bubbling fountains and splendidly carved decorations. You will see the Palace of Charles the 5th, an outstanding example of Spanish Renaissance architecture, and the Alcazaba fortress with its Torre de la Vela tower offering spectacular views of Granada.  

Palace of George the 5th

We will continue our visit to the Generalife, a royal place of leisure and recreation with beautiful exotic gardens, stunning water features and the lingering aroma of jasmine. 

Charlie found his cat....

We enjoyed our visit but it was a very long drive and there really wasn't that much to see.  In retrospect, I think our time would have better been spent in Malaga.

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Sunday, April 19th 

Today we are taking a full day tour arranged by Mike Martin.  Not sure exactly where we are going but I'm sure it will be good!

The island of Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands at approximately 800 square miles.  It is called the "Island of Eternal Spring" because of its superb climate.

Mike arranged our tour thru Felix with Oditen Tours. Our tour was to the northern part of the island. 

Declared a national park in 1954' the Parque Nacional de las Teide includes an enormous volcanic crater 30 miles in circumference, from which rises Mount Teide at a staggering 12,200 feet, making it the highest peak in Spain.  Mount Teide National Park offers one of the most spectacular examples of volcanism in the world and represents the best example of volcanic ecosystem in the Canary Islands.

      Mount Teide in the distance above the clouds

  Different layers Exposed when road built.

                       JUST BEAUTIFUL

                     

  Happy group

  Pam and Mike among the volcanic rocks

WOW!!

This was really a very nice day.  At the end of the tour, we had a very nice lunch.....can't tell you exactly what it was but it was good!   The wine was good too...

Sea Days

Sunday, April 12th thru Saturday, April 18th

The sea days seem to go by fast.  I did find a group to play Mah Jongg.  It was sort of crazy the first day as the sets on the ship were a mess!  Also, some of the people that showed up to play were people from hell!We finally were able to put together a few sets and I found 3 compatible people to play with.  

Taken with my selfie stick....

******played for 6 days...WON $8.25!!!!!*******

There were also several guest lecturers on the sea days...some were good....some were bad...and one we had seen before.  Charlie was happy to have Fox News on the TV.  That's all he needs....just like home!

We were able to take advantage of another 2 for 1 special and had dinner at the Lawn Grill.  Lots of fun!  Mike and I turned out to be very good making our flatbread appetizers.

Getting ready to be a chef.                   

  You should have seen me throwing it up.  Not pretty

   We did good!  Don't they look pretty!

  Mike was giving directions on how to cook his steak.

   

  Good food....good friends.  What more could you ask for!

Met with Greg and Renee Carlock.  Eat your heart out Beth!!   You should have been here!

After dinner drinks on our balcony

Last sea day before Tenerife.  I decided to take a day off from Mah Jongg and just enjoy the ship.  

Pam and I spent most of the morning lounging on the hot stone beds...WONDERFUL!

I have really enjoyed the sea days.  All in all, Charlie has done pretty good. It was nice to see old friends, Bill and LizHandy.  It's been a long time since we sailed with them but they haven't changed one bit!  The weather has been wonderful....hope it continues now that we will be in a port every day except one.

Boarding the Reflection

Saturday, April 11th

Bobbie and Jack Griffin brought us to the Comfort Suites by the airport last night as we had an early flight out this morning.  We stopped at Chedder's for an early dinner and, of course, we had to have a bottle of wine to celebrate the start of our vacation.

  Enjoying a glass of wine before turning in .

We flew out of Knoxville at 7AM on Delta.  

Sunrise over the mountain leaving Knoxville

I felt comfortable flying in the same day of the cruise as we booked our air and transfers to the ship thru Celebrity.  Flights were uneventful and transfers went smoothly.

Charlie on transfer bus

We were on board by12:45PM and met up with Pam and Mike for lunch at Bistro on Five.  Lunch was just OK......new menu and increased prices but we had a nice visit and it was good to see them again.

Mike, in his role as cruise director, had made a reservation for dinner in Qsine.  It was a really nice dinner....lots of interesting courses and lots of fun!

Final preparations

This has been a very busy work!  Monday morning to the dentist because my bridge is loose.  Tuesday morning to the Podiatrist to have a check on a toenail that he partially excised and to get a cortisone shot in my foot.  It sure is hell to get old!  Wednesday morning back to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned.  Today it was hair and nails and also the guy showed up to pressure wash the house!  Boy....do I need a vacation!

  Itsy loks so sad.  Most of the packing is done.  Will finish up in the morning.  Both suitcases are under 50lbs.

Here we go again

Getting ready to head off on our latest adventure. Didn't know if we would make this cruise but Charlie seems to be doing pretty good and is looking forward to the cruise. We booked this TA when we were on the Constellation last spring and will be sailing again with Pam and Mike Martin who we met on that cruise. Since Mike is as anal (and as controlling) as I am, he has done most of the tour arrangements for this cruise. This has really been great for me...Thanks Mike!!!

Didn't completely unpack from the last cruise so packing should go pretty smoothly. Only problem will be keeping the suitcases under 50 lbs. and keeping Itsy out of the suitcases!!!!