May 9, 2024

  

              Well, your favorite cruisers are one port away from setting a record.   Three ports, three trips off.  One more to go tomorrow in Alicante.  We took the 5 euro shuttle bus from the port to the main street of Malaga and wandered around for 4 leisurely hours, in and out of stores, looking at the different wares.  We saw an ugly pair of sunglasses for 65 euros, shoes for 95 euros that a clown might wear, and then some nice shirts and ladies tops – none of which we bought.  We did select a t-shirt or two, some cards, some pins, no magnets, a grocery bag with a Spanish lady dancing, a bag of Ricola (sing it), and the stuff I have forgotten, my children’s mother will tell you about.  She is becoming quite a good blogger.  Next cruise I may assign the duty to her.

              It was a beautiful day, the temperature suited both of us – a miracle indeed.  It was just like Goldilock’s porridge, not too hot, not too cold.  Malaga is a city we have visited before and enjoy.  There  is a Moorish fort called Alcazaba that we’ve explored before, but opted not to head that way today, instead going to the Cathedral (some pictures will be shared below).  It is an incredibly beautiful house of worship.  There was a sign up that stated the time for Holy Communion, but said Tourists were not welcome.  Hmmmm.  I wonder, most every time we are in one of these old churches, how many of the locals still gather there for worship.

              We did something we’ve never done before in a Spanish city.  We found a Tapas restaurant and had lunch there.  They are considered snacks, or appetizers, but you can make a full meal out of them.  Bonnie had a Spanish potato salad which had as much tuna in as potatoes, maybe more tuna (Michael and Matthew, it reminded me a little of the Olivier salad we used to have in Russia, but the O is better).  I had a spicy shrimp dish that was served in a spicy liquid and still bubbling hot.  We had cokes and the introductory item was the most incredible olives I’ve ever had.  Mom tried it, but pronounced one yuck.  If I could have brought them back on board and legally gotten them to Augusta I’d’ve bought a gallon.  And there was a small loaf of bread that was, as Pappy Carter used to say, “Dee-licious!”   A most enjoyable meal.  Then some more shopping and looking and for dessert – are you ready for it – gelato.  Black cherry for her and Frappuccino for me.  The best this side of Venice.

              In the cathedral we lit candles, as we always do, and prayed for several folks back home, especially Jack’s mother, Jenny, who is slowly making her journey to her heavenly home.  And in the answered prayers thanksgiving, Tate had a bone density scan, was a good boy, and got Chick fil A on his way to school.

              Well, we are 15 minutes away from supper time and I will turn the keyboard over to my Beloved after supper to tell you what really happened.

              Love to all,

              Dad/Pappy/David

              I hate electronic everything!!!! Listen to channel 7 , listen to channel 2 to know when to get off where to get off!!!! YUCK!!!

               Well, today is Thursday. Slept okay. Got up at 1 and 5 but managed to go back to sleep. We finally got up at 7:30. Got ready and headed to the Windjammer for breakfast. Same as every other day: 2 pieces of bacon, an English muffin, and 2 small slices of cantaloupe. We were arriving at the port as we were getting breakfast. There 2 other ships already there: a Norwegian, the dawn and a Cunard, the Queen Victoria. The Dawn is the first ship we ever did talks on many years ago. Well, Captain Frank turned and backed and other stuff till we were docked in front of the other two ships. We were in port again early so we go off an hour earlier than planned. We walked outside to see where we were parked and how far from town. It was a 30 to 40 minute walk. We opted to buy the 5 euro, both ways, shuttle ticket. We gathered our stuff and headed to deck 4 for the gangway. We get ready to out onto the deck and he has forgotten his sunglasses. I waited in the alcove out side the 4^th floor dinning room while he went back up to the room to retrieve them. Having gotten the glasses we proceeded through the port building and out to the shuttle. It was funny but not so funny when the bus driver got to the place where he had to scan his card to raise the bar, his card did not work. He must have tried it 15 times. Finally, some guy who worked at the port came over and scanned his or it would have been a short trip. It happened again at the second gate but fortunately another bus was coming in as ours was going out and our driver borrowed his card to get us out. Off we went to the city where all the shuttles parked. About a 20 minute ride. It is the same place we have parked every time we have been here.

              We could see the large church we usually visit just a short walk off. It is so beautiful and magnificent inside and out. We set off walking toward the church first passing the horse drawn carriages for buggy rides. You have to cross over several very busy streets to get to the street where the church is located. You had better follow the walk lights or you will get run over. They drive fast and there are multiple lanes at each intersection. There are lots of kiosks and small souvenir stores on the way. There are some very high-end stores also. We shopped several of the smaller places and got a variety of things.

              We finally found the entrance of the church, you have to all the way around it to find the entrance. After paying our 9 euros each we spent about 30 minutes looking, taking pictures and lighting candles. It is 20 cents to light a candle. They have electronic candles and you don’t use real candles and matches. We took time to go outside and look at the outside architecture. It is a massive building. There are several pulpits set up around the main stage area equipped with microphones. We wondered if they actually had services there. There is a huge pipe organ at the main stage area. There were many pews with kneelers to set on and just enjoy the sights and sounds of inside. There were several caskets with former priests buried in them. It is so massive inside and the gold things are many. Unfortunately, they no longer enforce the rules of no knees and bare shoulders showing. There were many people wearing shorts, and some were very short, and wearing very bare tops. Most people observed the silence or spoke very softly.

              After the church we walked back to the main thoroughfare we had walked up. It is a very narrow street with businesses on either side and a one lane running through it where there was a steady stream of taxis, garbage trucks, police vehicles and other traffic running some times at a quick speed. We saw one lady who was standing and signing into her phone because she was deaf and could not and did not hear the vehicle that approached her. Some passerby pulled her out of the way.

              We found a small café that was just opening that advertised tapas. Your Dad has always wanted to try some. They had a variety of them listed on the sign. Most I did not know what they were. One said garlic shrimp and he got that. I though Potato Spanish salad sounded safe, oops! We ordered those two things and 2 cokes. The cokes were the old fashioned coke bottles served with a glass and an ice cube and a slice of orange in it. They brought out a small container of green olives, which he loved and I did not, a small loaf of bread and it was delicious. Then they brought out the tapas. His was a boiling bowl with shrimp in it. Mine was a small round mound, about a cup size, which turned out to be tuna salad with some cubes of potatoes, small pieces of carrost, corn, green peppers and onions. It was tasty and I ate about half of it. After paying our waitress, she did not speak English but was very nice, for our lunch we headed back down the street. It was interesting during our lunch that our waitress stood out in front of the tables that were sitting on the sidewalk and was talking to passer -byes to get them to stop and eat. By the time we left all the tables outside and some tables inside were full.

              There was a gelato store just across the street and we stopped. It was fantastic. He finally got some coffee flavored. We each got just one scoop in a cup and stood along the street and enjoyed it. It was about twice the cost of the gelato we had in Puerto de Cruz but very yummy.

              Then we walked back to the shuttles and boarded it to head back to the ship. An uneventful ride. But we did see about 10 or so LARGE luxury yachts parked in the port as we rode back. Off the bus, into the port building and through Malaga security. Then we shopped a little in the cruise building store. He got some Ricola lozenges because he was out.  Then, on to the ship. I went to the room and got my coke cup and back down to get a coke. Then, back to the room for a nap. Napped then got up and went to supper. I had French onion soup, it was okay, cottage pie (hamburger meat a few peas and carrots under a topping of mashed potatoes) and a strawberry dessert. I only ate about half the cottage pie it wasn’t very warn and way too much hamburger and not enough vegetables.

              We went ahead and gave the waiters their tips because on the last night it is so hard to see them because they have so very much to do. Then, I had brought my cup so I went and got a refill. Now we are back in the room and I am finishing the blog.

              Love you all, and miss you! See you soon! Love Mom, Granny and Bonnie  

Views of the Malaga cathedral