NO NAPTIME FOR YOU

April 25, 2019


We had a fun time ashore today in Malaga, wandering around, looking in shops, getting some gelato and going to the Alcazaba (pronounced like the C is a K).  We can’t decide if we’ve visited the Alcazaba or not.  There is one at Cartagena, so maybe that was it.  It is a palace-fortress built when the Moslems ruled the city.  There are several walled precincts and the building winds up the side of the hill which overlooks the harbor.  The steps in some places are long and sloping and in others are very steep and narrow.  And there are no handrails.  So we were very careful.  It is neat wandering around in a building that was built in 1050 A.D.

When we got back we went up to the Lido. We’d already had tapas ashore – small Spanish menu items. Mine was Russian Salad (tasting just like the ones we had in Samara, but needing just a little more smetana).  Hers was spicy potatoes, and I tried one – they were spicy.  We shared a Coke, then bought a couple more Cokes to bring back.  Up on the Lido I had a cup of coffee and Mom had a glass of ice for her Coke.  She likes the ice – it is like the ice at Zaxbys.  I did a couple of Sudokus and she read the Lying New York Times and did a crossword puzzle.

Back in the room it was naptime.  Yours truly being very tired, I hopped onto the bed while she was still folding the ponchos (it rained a little ashore today – the Captain said it rained 50 days a year in Malaga, and today would be one of the 50.  It was).  About 15 minutes into the nap the ship’s alarm sounded with a real emergency.  The Captain came on to tell us smoke had been seen in the aft section of the Lido and teams had been dispatched.  Back to napping, and 5 minutes later the Captain came back on to tell us there was a belt on an elevator that was slipping and all was well.  It had been repaired.  Back to napping and 15 minutes later the laundry called to tell us our bag full which we sent out this morning said there was one undershirt in the bag, but they found no undershirt.  I told them to clean what they had and gave up the nap.  No naptime for you!

We were back at Table 129 tonight, the third or fourth time we’ve been there (anytime dining means any table) and folks we’ve eaten with before and enjoyed – Bob and Judy, and Buddy and Mary – joined us.  We were thinking we would be alone at a table for 6 tonight because folks were slow coming into the dining room.  I don’t often share my meals with you, but tonight was Chicken Marsella with mushroom cream sauce.  Excellent.

This is the day for emergency response teams.  The fire department was called out for smoke on the Lido, and the medical response team was just sent to Deck 10 Cabin 020, Port Side.  Hopefully it is not serious, but then the medical response team was called, so it has every possibility of being so.

Tonight’s entertainment in the Showroom at Sea was Trovatori, an acoustic opera duo.  It was neat hearing classical songs, and some standards we knew, accompanied by excellent guitar work.  And beautiful, trained voices.  They met on the set of the James Bond film “Quantum of Solace,” and they told us the scene where Bond climbs over the stage at the opera is where they were performing.

Okay.  Time for Bonnie to blog.

TTFN

Yes, it rains only 50 days a year in Malaga and today was one of the fifty. It was not a
poring rain but light showering. So it was put on the poncho, take it off, put it on and take it off. Fortunately after removing it the second time I did not have to put it back on again. We didn’t hurry getting up because we were in Malaga till 4:30. So we slept in till the cruise director announced we could go ashore at 7:50. We showered , etc then we had a leisurely breakfast, returned to the cabin and  gathered our stuff to go exploring. The walk into the town is a rather long hike so we took the 5 euro shuttle. Arriving in the town near the large Ferris wheel , like the London eye, we headed off toward the cathedral which we have visited before. It is huge and beautiful and always amazing to see. It is a mere 5.50 euros for old folks. After that we found a nice gelato place and I had chocolate and cherry in a cup. Very nice.  Then, we walked by the Picasso museum, which we have visited before. The line ran down a very long winding staircase and out into the street for a long way. It was a nice place to visit  but we didn’t want to go there again. You have to get there early to not have to wait. We had bought tickets on line when we went and didn’t have to wait in the line.

Then, we went to the Roman theater which was free and then up to the Alcazaba, cost 1.50 euros each for old folks. It was very many steps and most were up rocky narrow steps and paths. But we managed and it gave you amazing views of the city. We could even see the ship. We didn’t take a tour to the Alhambra, which is supposed to be awesome. It is a long bus ride and the cost is $180 each. Maybe next time. That tour sold out fast and there are not a lot of tickets. You have to have an appointment to visit and it isn’t easy to go on your own.

The Tapas were okay. We had a coke in a glass bottle that was smaller than an 8 ounce bottle in the US. We shared it because it was over 3 euros. We bought a couple of little things. Nothing much. We did stop at a very nice candy store where they were giving out free samples in the open doorway. We both tried one called creme brulee and he tried another flavor. I wound up buying some sugar free milk chocolate and he got a package of the creme brulee. Amy, maybe he will let you have a piece. He will share I am sure. They put it in a very fancy bag to carry home. I will have to bring the bag home.

After our trip to the Lido, the small fire in a belt on the Lido, and the laundry call and the failed nap we got dressed and went to supper. By this time everyone was on board and we were sailing towards Cartagena.

Supper tonight was a fantastic shrimp taco, Caesar salad, and vegetarian chow mein with egg noodles and nutella cheesecake. All, very good. Then, off to the theater for the show. It was okay but most of the songs were words I don’t know. I appreciate there voices and talent with the guitars. It was an enjoyable show.

Tomorrow is a short stop only till 12:30. It is gala night and the show is the singers and dancers, followed by an “orange party”.  I didn’t bring orange but maybe we can find something ashore tomorrow. I do have an orange outfit at home and I shall bring it for our October trip as they always have an orange party and I forgot this time.

Well, it is time for pills and nightly stuff. Love you all. Only 3 more days and we will be off to Rome for 3 days and then flying 11 hours home. Well, at least on the flight we are in a row of two seats only, ours, a window seat and an aisle. 
Mom, Granny and Bonnie