11 minute video of Seville, Spain. Click on the �YouTube player below to watch the video. | ||
11 minute video of the Sea Princess arriving & departing from Cadiz, Spain. Click on the �YouTube player below to watch the video. | ||
Hello Everyone, I had sailed away from Southampton on Saturday evening last time we talked. Sunday was the first of two sea days. It was a pretty rocky one. The North Atlantic isn't the smoothest body of water in the world. It didn't bother me any but a lot of folks didn't begin their cruise on a very happy note. The dancers on stage during the evening's entertainment really had their work cut out for them with the ship rocking from side to side. The weather and sea conditions improved greatly on Monday. It was a beautiful day and was able to spend a lot of time outside on the open decks. In the evening it was the first formal night and the Captain's welcome reception. As has been the case with every cruise I have taken, the Captain is from Italy. He made his way through the Grand Atrium and shook hands with the passengers and then introduced his fellow officers onboard the ship. Tuesday was our first port. We arrived in Cadiz, Spain as the sun was coming up. It was then a one hour a forty-five minute drive to Seville, where I would spend most of the day. Our first stop was a very large and impressive old building that is now the headquarters for the army. I don't remember what it originally was. That was just a quick photo stop. Next it was off to the old part of the city where we continued on foot. Our first stop was the Royal Alcazar, a Moorish fortress rebuilt as a palace. Many centuries of Spanish Royalty has resided here. Next was the 15th century Gothic cathedral, the largest in Europe. You almost needed binoculars to see the ceiling. We continued our walk through the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz district. Some streets so narrow the you can kiss the person on the balcony across the street from your balcony. We had lunch at a beautiful old hotel. The buffet in the classic banquet hall seemed to go on for about a mile. We were entertained by flamenco music and dancers as we ate. And the nicest part of the lunch, it was air conditioned. It is very, very hot in Seville. After lunch we drove around the city for a bit before driving back to Cadiz. We passed the bullfight arena and other local landmarks. We got back to Cadiz shortly before sail away. We followed another large cruise ship out of port as we headed toward the Strait of Gibraltar. We passed through the strait around midnight. I could see the lights on the coast of Africa from my balcony as we made our way through the strait which is 8 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. Wednesday is another sea day. The last one for a week as we will have seven ports in a row following today. It is another beautiful day today. Just spent several hours laying out on the deck. My favorite spot is on the top deck at the rear of the ship. Not as crowded and noisy as the pool area. We just passed the point that divides the eastern and western hemispheres and are now in the eastern hemisphere. Am hoping that I am not gaining weight. I've been good in the mornings, I eat my healthy breakfast and pass right by all those eggs, pancakes, sausage and things I love. That's followed by at least an hour of walking around the promenade deck. But lunch and dinner has been a different story. I have eaten way too much and they are gonna have to lift me off this boat with a crane in 24 days. The attached picture is the 15th century cathedral in Seville, Spain. Will write more after the next port, Tim |
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