Sea This!

Time for another port wrap-up, finally! In my last post we did a couple oddball “one week” cruises, and now we’re back to doing our regular Mediterranean season. All of these ports I have been to at least once, but for most of them I still found some neat stuff to do. Remember the number in brackets (or as the British call them – square brackets) represents how many times I have been to this port, including that day.  Going to skip Malaga, Spain. Nothing too exciting happened in either place. Basically I sought out internet and a random protest was going on.

Barcelona, Spain (June 10) [3] – I decided it was time to explore Barcelona with someone who actually knew the place, so I tagged along with the Port Lecturer on the ship. It started off raining (boo!) but it turned out to be sunny later in the day (yay!). We went to La Pedrera (the Gaudi house) and poked our head in the Cathedral. Around the corner was a really awesome Comic Book shop called “Continuara”, which means “To be Continued”. Isn’t that an awesome name? We also just walked around the city. It was nice to be with someone who actually studied Barcelona. The guy would point out things I would never notice, like the Gaudi inspired lampposts.

Monte Carlo/Monaco (June 11) – This is the only place I hadn’t been to yet. We were supposed to go a couple cruises ago, but we went to Cannes instead. I went out with a purser buddy of mine and we explored. We went all around the town. Went to a random mall (which turned out to be nothing special), found a random Japanese garden, and eventually made our way into the Casino. It was a bit pricey to get in, and he was happy looking at it from the outside, so we split off and I went inside. Everyone would be so disappointed if I went all the way to Monte Carlo but didn’t go to the casino.

The casino was nice, but small. I was worried they would kick me out because I was wearing a tank top and shorts, but they didn’t. The table games had way too high of a minimum for me to play, but the slots weren’t bad. I put five euros in a machine and wasted a half an hour playing it. There was another part of the casino I wanted to go into, but it didn’t open until 4 (the Casino itself didn’t open until 2). Even though it was cutting it close, I decided to wait until 4 to go in. It was a nice tall room with stained glass windows and even higher table limits. And then beyond that room was another room with even higher table limits that you had to pay another 10 euros to get into – so that I just admired from the outside. It was a nice place and I’m glad I can say that I went. Too bad I couldn’t take pictures (but I got plenty from outside).

Nothing too exciting happened in Civitavecchia/Rome, Italy. I was going to take the train but was worried about protests, so I just stayed nearby. It was my 3rd time going, and I would be back plenty more.

Naples, Italy (June 13) – This was actually my first time docking in Naples; we were scheduled to go a month ago, but because of rough waters never docked. I was debating whether I should just stay in Naples or do an excursion, but I decided to spring for a tour. I went to Sorrento and drove along the Amalfi Coast, which was absolutely gorgeous. I posted a picture in an earlier entry. We passed by the town of Positano but couldn’t stop because our bus was too big. Still debating whether it’s worth it or not to try and go. We did stop at the town of Amalfi though, which was also quite picturesque. I definitely want to go back to this area and spend a few more days, sometime.

Nothing exciting happened in Corsica, France, either. I think I just used the Internet and went around the market.

Gibraltar (June 16) [3] – Didn’t do a whole lot here, either, but I did walk a whole lot. I also saw monkeys somewhere else other than the top of the rock. Tried to get a picture with them, but I’m still too scared to get too close to them.

Skipping Southampton, as well, since nothing exciting ever happens there. I wish I had more time to do something, but it’s tough since I have to get back to my boat pretty quickly and I also have to fight against incoming cruise traffic. Boo.

Photos amalfi coast, barcelona, gibraltar, italy, monaco, monte carlo, naples, sorrento, spain

So I’m sure a lot of you saw this already, but if you didn’t, I finally uploaded pictures of the first two months of my ports onto Facebook. It’s public, though, so if you’re not my friend you can still see it (lucky you).

Also, expect a port wrap up soon.

Photos, Ports facebook

Amalfi Coast, originally uploaded by gadgetive.

While the city of Naples isn’t anything to write home about, there’s
so much to do from the port. I’m very fortunate that we go there three
different times so I can have time to do everything I want. We were
supposed to go to Naples a month earlier, but because of rough seas we
had to miss it. Boo!

A couple months ago (June 13, to be exact) I had the pleasure of going
to Sorrento and driving down the Amalfi Coast. I had heard the Amalfi
Coast was the best scenic drive in the world, and at times the
scariest – and both statements were correct! If you are not a fan of
heights (or of very narrow roads) I wouldn’t recommend it, but luckily
we had a professional so I wasn’t too worried. It’s amazing how the
towns along the coast are carved into the hilltop.

One thing that amazed me was that it was quite a far distance from the
road to the shore, but there were beaches scattered along the way. So
to get to the beaches, you had to climb quite a long flight of stairs.
Italy really makes these people work for these beaches, eh? For lunch,
we stopped at this hotel that overlooked the coastline, which is where
this picture was taken.

We drove past the city of Postiano, but we couldn’t stop there since
you can only go with a small vehicle (and we were in a bus). We have
one more stop in Naples and I’d like to try and go next time, but I’m
more interested in going to Pompeii. I’d like to try and do both, but
we’ll see if that’s possible. Either way it’s going to be hot.

The following month, I made my way to Capri which was also gorgeous.
It’s amazing how much there is to do in Italy and how lovely the area
around there is.

Photos

Dutch Pancakes in Sweeden, originally uploaded by gadgetive.

I actually wrote a picture entry description for this picture, but my
computer ate it – so here it goes again! It’s never as good the second
time around, is it?

This is a picture of me in Helsingborg, Sweden that stuck out for me
through all the hundreds of other pictures I’ve taken. Maybe it’s the
different angle, the fact I’m slightly left of center, or that I look
kinda skinny. Either way, I like it

While there, I met up with a group of American passengers and we
wandered around together. They just happened to be having an
international food festival that weekend so I took full advantage. In
my hands I have some Dutch pancakes with chocolate sauce and
strawberries. Yum. You have to eat them with a tiny little fork, but
they are quite portable.

Underneath that is a bag with a huge ham and cheese pretzel from
Germany. Germany is one of the few countries I don’t go to, so I
figured I would support their food. Soft pretzels aren’t too hard to
find, but how often do you find one with ham and cheese? Don’t worry,
though, I didn’t even come close to eating the whole thing.

Also in my hands is my trusty large bottle of Aquarius Spring Water. I
go through these bottles fairly quickly, especially as it gets hotter
out and I’m wandering around more. You can also see my camera bag
slung around my shoulder.

What’s funny about this picture is that even though it was taken in
Sweden, there’s absolutely nothing Swedish about it. You can’t even
see anything Swedish in the background. I remember it being tougher
than I thought to find a Swedish restaurant around – even though every
other nationality was represented. It was still a fun day, although
hotter than I expected, as you can tell from my rolled up jacket
sleeves.

Photos

Scavenger Fun in Seville!, originally uploaded by gadgetive.

I’m very behind on my pictures, but I thought I would share one from a
while ago. This picture is from my first visit to Seville, Spain (I’ve
now been there twice). While on a guided tour, I was approached by
these four girls who were on a scavenger hunt for school. The goal was
to find one of each nationality. They needed an American so I was
happy to oblige. They asked me pressing questions like – What is your
favorite food? What is your favorite country? I tried to answer in
Spanish, but eventually I gave up and answered the rest in English.
Afterwards they wanted a picture, so they took one with their camera
and I asked for one with mine.

This is actually in the main square of Seville right by the Alcazar.
Somehow I was able to break away from my group, answer these important
questions, and get right back to my guided tour as though nothing
happened.

A month later, I would be approached in Barcelona by another group of
girls on a similar scavenger hunt. So apparently, these things are
very popular in Spain!

Photos

Finally finished uploading all of my Scotland pictures to Flickr. That only took a month. It’s harder to find good upload speeds than download speeds, unfortunately. Click below to see the full gallery.  I had to do it in stages

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fork/sets/72157623920765990/detail/

I’m in the process of uploading my Ireland pictures, although there are quite a lot of those, too. I think what I may eventually do is pick a few “highlight” photos and upload an album of just that. Whenever I have time, though. For now I’d like to work on just getting my photos uploaded. Hope you all are enjoying them.

Photos, Ports scotland

Pressed Penny Success!, originally uploaded by gadgetive.

When I went to Land’s End in England (as mentioned in the previous entry), I
found something marvelous … I found a pressed penny machine! Those that know
me well know that I love pressed penny machines. They have them everywhere
in the states. For those who have never heard of them before, a pressed
penny machine takes a penny (and your two quarters) and pressed a design of
wherever you are into the penny. They are really my favorite souvenir to get
because they are cheap, small, and abundant. I have several books filled
with pressed pennies that I’ve collected from various places.

I was disappointed to learn that pressed penny machines are almost
non-existent in Europe. However, when I went to Land’s End and I was
browsing the gift shop, I found a familiar face. It was a machine hidden in
the corner. I actually had to turn it around so I could see it in its full
glory. I have no idea why someone was trying to hide it in the first place.
At first I thought it was a mirage – but it really was a pressed penny
machine – complete with a wheel to turn and everything! It even had
instructions in several different languages. I didn’t have correct change,
so I went into the store with my five pounds to get some. I had no idea what
I was doing, so I told the lady, “Show me whatever I need to get a pressed
penny!” I felt like I was back in grade school learning how to count my
money.

Eventually, I got my money in the machine and decided on my design – the
infamous Land’s End sign post that marks how many miles it is to New York
(3147, if you forgot). I turned the wheel and out popped the oh-so-familiar
pressed penny. It’s a little larger than it is in the States, but I’ll take
it. I was so excited, I asked a nearby unsuspecting shopper to take a
picture. I haven’t found another machine since. Land’s End may have been
extremely touristy, but it was touristy enough to have a pressed penny
machine to make me happy!

Photos

Instead of writing a detailed report about my misadventures in Cobh, Cork, Ireland, I thought I would say it with pictures.

I’ve created a mini-photo album on Facebook that details all the excitement and adventure. Go look!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2569773&id=5102860&l=3b51939c23

Photos, Ports cobh, cork, ireland, mishaps

Trapped in the (Water) Closet!, originally uploaded by gadgetive.

As I mentioned on Facebook, I was locked in the terminal bathroom in
Barcelona for 30 minutes. I was on my way to catch the bus with my friends,
but thought I would stop in the bathroom very quickly. It was a handicapped
stall, and the lock was tricky, but I locked the door just in case. I did my
business, and when I went to leave .. the door wouldn’t open. It was the
scariest thing in the world.

I started banging and pounding on the door. Since I was in a corner, I
wasn’t even sure if people could hear me. The worst part was, everyone spoke
Spanish. I know a little bit of Spanish, but I didn’t know how to say “Help!
I’m trapped in the bathroom and can’t unlock the door,” so I hoped my
yelling would suffice. So many things went through my mind: Has the bus
already left? How long will I be trapped in here? Why are Spanish locks so
frustrating? Also, I couldn’t help but think of an internet video that I saw
few months ago about a guy who was trapped in an elevator for 24 hours. I
was hoping that wouldn’t be me, because then I would miss my ship! All I
could do was thank my lucky stars that I had a faucet and a granola bar
available to me just in case.

Eventually, a lady (I presume the custodian) heard me and said “uno
memento”. She tried to jiggle the lock without much success. I heard her
leave and eventually come back with what I believe was security or the
general manager. I didn’t care – whoever could get me out of the bathroom.
After a lot more jiggling, the door finally came open – SUCCESS! I yelled
out “Muchas Gracias!” and ran to find my group, who was long gone by then.
But at least I was out of that darn bathroom.

Anyway, when I came back with my passenger buddies, I took a very
disgruntled picture by it. Another interesting thing about this picture is
I’m getting a weird reflection from my belt. While I could take this out
using Photoshop (and it would be very difficult, too!), I kept it in because
I found it kind of odd. Plus, you can still see my anger and the bathroom
clearly enough.

Photos

Goodbye cruisers!, originally uploaded by gadgetive.

I had a great time on my first cruise on the Grand Princess. I have to
admit, though, that I was a little spoiled. I got to know a lot of the
people before I even stepped on the ship, thanks to the wonderful website
CruiseCritic.com. I was fortunate to have an active thread of people who
were excited to get to know me. This time, however, I won’t be so lucky and
I’ll have to get to know people on my own. Darn.

But I met SO many people through that website and I am eternally grateful,
because they made the transition from land life to sea life much easier.
Thank you to Bill and Stephanie for joining me for dinner a few nights and
encouraging me. Thank you to Kathy for keeping my spirits up. Thanks to Cory
for being a frequent classmate. Thank you to everyone else too who I don’t
have the chance to name.

I do have to give a special shoutout to one person in particular, though -
Hillary. She had the guts to come on a ship on her own, and since I was by
myself as well, we bonded instantly. She’s one of those people that even
though a lot of bad stuff has happened to her in the past, she keeps smiling
and keeps it positive. I’m really grateful to have known her and I KNOW we
will keep in touch and see each other again – maybe on another cruise. We
had such great adventures with each other. She put up with my incessant
picture taking, Cobh misadventures, and hearing the same story about my job
night after night, among other things. Thank you Hilary for being so
awesome. It’s going to be really hard to not have her with me the rest of
the cruise . The downside of befriending passengers. This picture is the
last night we had together with our celebratory drinks.

So thank you to everyone – especially Hillary – for making this cruise
awesome. I can only hope the passengers are as awesome as the rest of you
all.

Photos