Day 12 - Lisbon
This is how we know where our stateroom is.
Today we went to the old historic part of Lisbon that was not destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. It killed over 100,000 people. We started walking up the hills and meandering lanes. We were never going to navigate the tiny roads going in every possible direction, so we hailed a passing TukTuk. It was a good decision. Nice young man that took us to more places than we could possibly walk to that day.
This 1st few pictures we took from the deck of the Oosterdam.
25 de Abril Bridge.
25 de Abril Bridge, again.
Castle of St George.
Cristo Rei
Outside the Cathedral.
We are in the TukTuk.
Inside the Cathedral.
Day 13 - Another Sea Day Due to Strike
This kind of sums up the day. Another port day canceled because of the transportation strike in Portugal. That's ok, tomorrow, we will be in Tangier.
Day 14 - Tangier, Morocco
Our day in Tangier, Morocco. Most of the buildings in Tangier are painted white. The streets are narrow and winding. Good thing we had a guide to navigate us through them. Not as bad as Fez, though.
The walls of the old city.
Cap Spartel lighthouse, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean.
The left side of the lighthouse is the Atlantic, the right side is the Mediterranean.
A squadron of javelinas suddenly apperated.
The King is not here today.
The only entrance to the Casbah.
Casbah walls.
Nice door.
A mosque.
Down by the port.
Jewish Synagogue.
Sok.
Casbah Museum.
Down by the port.
Jewish Synagogue.
Day 15 - Another Sea Day
Dau 16 - Valencia
Today in Valencia we went to the Old Town. We had visited other places in Valencia, previously. Today was the 700th anniversary of Corpus Christi (Body of Christ) at the Cathedral. The mass was amazing; a cardinal, bishops and priests, choir, and many dignitaries, including us😀. We, primarily, went to see the Chalice from the Last Supper. Of course, that chapel was closed today due to Corpus Christi. There was a big parade after mass, though.
Lots of performers walking the streets before the parade,
The Cathedral looks like three different churches, but they are all connected.
This is all we got to see of the True Chalise from the last supper. The chapel was closed. This was quite elaborate.
We took some good videos in Valencia. Our blogger doesn't like videos.
Day 17 - Last Sea Day
The usual sea day stuff; games, deck walking and wind. Our last sea day!! It was Orange Day on the ship. Both Cathy and the sun were showing their orange. Cathy was by far more beautiful than the sunset.
Day 18 - Valletta, Malta
Our 1st day and 1st time in Valletta. Amazing place. We've had great weather this entire cruise. Today we focused on the Co-Cathedral of St John and the Grand Master's Palace. The Cathedral was the most ornate we have ever seen. The Palace was huge; like Versailles inside. Tomorrow we are still in Malta.
Lots of massive walls here. Pictures from the ship.
Inside the Co-Cathedral, So ornate.
The grand Master's Palace. Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette, hero of Malta against the Moors.
On the streets.
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Day 19 - More Valletta, Malta
Our 2nd day in Valletta, Malta. We set out on a scenic drive to see as much as possible of this island that traces its history back 6,000 years. We visited the three cities inhabited by the Knights of St John in the 1500s, all Valletta to us.
Pictures from the other side of the harbor.
We finished the day with the Malta Experience, an audiovisual documentary that enhanced our understanding of the island, its people, and the places we visited. We really know a lot about Malta now!
Day 20 - Messina
We had a port call in Messina today. It was added as a stop after Cadiz was canceled twice. We went to see the Cathedral and the Clock Tower. We climbed the 250 steps to the top of the Clock Tower. It had a great view of the city. We stayed for the noon show. It is the most complex astronomical clock anywhere, but it is very, very slow. Then we went to the crypt, which was pretty weird, stuff of nightmares.
Entering the harbor, we were faced with the question, what did Odysseus do, left or right?
Some pictures from the ship. Everything is pretty close.
Inside the Cathedral.
Fountain outside the Cathedral.
The bell tower "climb."
View from the top.
In the crypt.
Dinner leftovers in a swan.
After dinner, we cruised around Stromboli Volcano. It was definitely one of the cruise highlights. Unfortunately, the skies clouded up, and we missed the pyroclastic explosions that occur ever 15 - 20 minutes on one of the world's most active volcanoes. Still, it was amazing and amazing sunset!!!
Day 21 - Amalfi (Salerno)
Our 2nd stop in Salerno, we went to Amalfi. Good choice!! The water taxi was close to the ship. Another trip highlight, cruising down the coast to Amalfi. Beautiful coastal towns along the way. Of course, we went to the Cathedral.
Departing Salerno on the water taxi.
Beautiful little towns on the way to Amalfi.
The Monumental Complex of St Andrew in Amalfi. We started in the crypt. Then to the main church.
Day 22 - Civitavecchia
We are back in Civitavecchia, the port city for Rome. We did a walk-about in the city center. It's just a short walk from the ship. Some interesting sights.
Fort Michelangelo from every view.
Entrance to the Fort. It was closed.
On the waterfront.
Day 23 - Back to ATL.
Protect the Rhinos.
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