MSC Melody Cruise

My Trip 2010 Part 6

Departed Barcelona at 7pm - 612 nautical miles to Cadiz – we would be going through the Straits of Gibraltar at approximately 2am.  Needless to say after playing cards until midnight I went to bed and missed the Straits of Gibraltar – but then again after seeing the pics that were taken - could not see much anyway.

Weather not improving at all – min 3 - max 14. Certainly not the kind of weather to lying on deck in. But there is so much more to do, Italian Lessons, Super Bingo, Bridge Lessons, Duty Free Shops, The Library – some ok books to read. So spent the day reading and sitting around chatting or you could be very busy and participate in the following:

9.00am                                    Aerobics

9.30am                                    Pilates

10.00am – 11.00am                                Arts & Crafts

10.00am                                  Beauty Demonstration

10.00am                                  Good Morning Game

10.00am                                  Babyfoot Tournament

10.30am                                  Quiz Time

10.45am                                  Italian Lessons

11.00am                                  Bridge Lesson

11.00am                                  Line Dancing

11.30am                                  Bingo

03.00pm                                  Coffee Game

03.00pm – 04.00pm                               Arts & Crafts

03.30pm                                  Robin Hood Game

04.00pm                                  Quiz

08.00pm & 11.00pm               Cha Cha Lessons

10.00pm                                  Dance Contest

11.30pm                                  Disco

So your day can be kept pretty busy and your evenings - then there is the Cinema – 6 different bars – and the Casino.

We were to dock at around 9am in Cadiz on the 4^th December 2010 – another port of call – I was looking forward to another city to investigate.

Cadiz is located in the southern Spain and is considered to be one of Europe’s oldest cities.

We arrived just as the sun was rising so took some good early morning shots of the sun bathing the buildings in a soft glow.

After having breakfast we decided to take the Hop on Hop off city bus tour. It gives you good idea of what’s around you – what was great was the fact that we could walk back into the city after lunch as we were only departing at 6pm and we had to be back on board by 5pm. So we had all day to explore.

After lunch on board the MSC Melody – we walked back into to town and did a bit of exploring.

We found this amazing little shop that sold the most awesome confectionery – had the most decadent slice of chocolate cake – promised myself that I would be back for another slice – and so it has come to pass – leaving Cape Town on the 20^th Feb 2012 on the MSC Melody for the Northbound cruise and will be stopping in Cadiz again – guess what I will be having.

I found the architecture to be really interesting   - Moorish, Baroque, Neo – Classic styles.

There were various excursions offered by the cruise – but we opted to do our own walk about – you will see and find so much more.

We were all pretty exhausted after our full day in Cadiz and we still did not get to see everything.

Next stop Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain – spent the next day the 5^th December 2010 at sea.

MSC Melody Cruise

My Trip 2010 Part 5

To recap - left Genoa the afternoon of the 1st December - Spent the evening organizing my Cruise Card and table sitting. Retired early and had a good nights rest  - we were to dock in Barcelona the following afternoon at around 13h30.

Woke up bright and early on the 2nd December and as always could not wait for my first cup of coffee - as the Early-Bird Coffee is served between 6h00 and 7 - did a bit of exploring outside - weather  - cold and wet.

 

Met up with the the guys at breakfast and made plans for our excursion for later that afternoon. Decided to walk from the docks into Barcelona and our main aim was to get to the Cathedral. We arrived just after 2pm.

Once docked we disembarked and off we went - walked from the docks into the heart of a busy city.

  

As Micheal had been to Barcelona before he was our tour guide - we walked up La Ramba - it is paved walk way through the city.

Architecture was amazing - as we were in a bit of rush - not much time to get to our destination as we had to board by 18h00 as we were departing by 19h00 - so not much time available to really take in the sights - which was a pity - would have liked a full day - so much to see.

Managed to take some pics along the way.

Eventually got the Cathedral after many twists and turns up and down roads and street. Not to sure what to say about this "Church." Personally I found it a bit overwhelming. You be the judge.

Its a work in process.

We decided that as we were now running out of time, the best and quickest way to get back to the MSC melody was by taxi. Made it in good time, boarded and we departed on time at 19h00.

Our dinner sitting was the late one, we met in the Blue-Riband bar for cocktails.

Then off to dinner.

Pretty exhausted by now. Next day was a full day at sea. This was going to be interesting. Temperature predicted for the 3rd December Min 3 Max 14. 612 nautical miles from Barcelona to Cadiz our next stop.

That and more all coming up soon.

Chris