A Day on the Lovely Mediterranean Sea

Between Mallorca and Sicily, we had a day at sea.  Chrissy and I tend to like to get massages when we're traveling together, so this was the day to do that.  We had breakfast on the lido deck and headed to the spa to see what was available.  The earliest time they had available was during our dinner seating, and the last thing I wanted was someone pushing and beating on me on a full stomach.  So we got the  massages during dinner and decided to eat at the buffet on the Lido deck afterward.  As part of the sale they had running, we got use of the spa facilities for the day.  So, we went back to our cabin where Chrissy did the bulk of her homework for the week, and I did a little work, and then we headed back upstairs to the spa, where we soaked in the thalassotherapy pool for a while and spent some time drinking tea in the solarium before lunch.  The sun was bright and shining through the glass, but the view really was beautiful from up here.  Water as far as the eye could see.

After lunch, we hung out on chairs on the lido deck for a while, enjoying more views of the water.  A little boat did come by.  She looked so far away from land!  Just a tiny speck on the horizon!

It did start getting a bit chilly out, and the wind started whipping up, so we went into some of the interior rooms.  I found a window seat down on one of the lower decks, where it was somewhat quiet and I could look out the window.  Chrissy went to the cabin for a nap.  There were loads of things on the ship - shows and games and other things, but I just liked basking in the quiet spaces looking at the water. There were so many things going on, that no place seemed crowded, except the breakfast buffet on days in port, when everybody was trying to get breakfast and get ready for their shore excursions.  Anyway, the Captain announced that the wind had picked up, and the waves were cresting at 3 meters.  

My window seat was way down on deck 3, where the piano bar had a guy singing old '80s tunes and almost getting all the words.  He did an excellent job considering I don't think he spoke English, even as a second or third language.  He played well and had a good voice, so even with the unique lyrics, it was enjoyable, and I sang along.  I'm not sure my window seat was really a seat, but it had room for me to put my foot up and lean back and and watch the water.  I was already very relaxed by the time our massage appointment rolled around.

The massage was very disappointing.  Part of it was my fault because I obviously could not let her touch my left foot.  Resting my foot most of the day had done a world of good for it, but touching that tendon still sent me through the roof!  So, I left my left sock on to remind her to leave that foot alone.  Overall, the massage was adequate. I've had worse, but I've had much better for more than 1/4 of the cost, too.  She did something amazing to my left knee, but didn't to the same thing to the right one, so I don't know what that's about.  Where we get our massages together, the technicians have always before recognized that it's not really a "couple's massage".  These ladies didn't quite get that memo, and at the end, they joined our hands together.  That was a little creepy, given we're mother and daughter, but nothing Earth shattering.  The worst part was the hard sell at the end.  The lady that did Chrissy's offered her oils and other products, and thanked her when she declined.  Mine, on the other hand, was pretty insistent.  Every time I declined the products, she got a little more insistent.  When she insinuated that if I didn't purchase the oils, it must mean that I didn't care enough for Chrissy to protect my life from inflammation that is sure to kill me if I don't use those oils, it was too far, and I put a little bass in my voice.  It was a sour ending to an otherwise wonderful day, but dinner from the  buffet was pleasant, and those 3 meter waves just rocked me right to sleep.

Mallorca Made My Day

Our first stop after leaving Barcelona was Palma de Mallorca.  Mallorca is the name of the island, but the magical city was actually Valldemosa.  We took a bus from the ship through town and up into the mountains to the beautiful city of Valldemosa.  Most of the building construction is still stonework, and stone walls make steppes on the sides of the mountains to prevent the land from sliding under the weight of buildings and crops.

When we got to Valldemosa, we were given an hour to look around.  The two main attractions were a pearl shop or the old monastery.  We chose the monastery, obviously.  It was very lovely.  The history is that it started as a monastery, but later, the individual cells were sold to private people as regular living quarters.  These cells are not the squalid, one-tiny-room spaces of lore.  They appear to be multiple room apartments.  As time went on, they were rented out as hotel suites.  That's where Chopin comes in.  He and his wife went on holiday to Valldemosa for a nice, quiet winter, where she could write her books, and he could write his music.  Unfortunately, it was too cold for them, and they left after only two months.  However, the piano that was brought in for them remains, and the cell they leased for the period has been preserved.

Those of you who have only known me for a few years are not aware of my love for piano music in general and Chopin, in particular.  I played piano in my youth, primarily teaching myself, and Chopin was one of my favorite classical composers.  I've played many of his Etudes and Opuses.  My tendon issues started in my hands, and several years ago, I had to stop playing and doing any heavy typing or keyboarding any longer, but I still love listening.  They were starting a concert while we were walking through, and his Etude in G flat major was playing as we were strolling through some of the gardens and were able to hear it.  In the piano room of Chopin's apartments, they had the piano he used while there with a cover over it, books and manuscripts on top of it, and a lady standing by the keyboard making sure nobody took any pictures.  She stopped me when I lifted my camera.  She wasn't able to see me when I got my hand under the cover and actually touched Chopin's baby grand piano, which was so heavy and had been sitting in the same place for so long that the stone floor was chipped around the legs.  Obviously, the concert was being played on a different piano in a different room.

In one spot, there was no one there to stop me, so I did get a picture of one part of Chopin's quarters.

She rounded the corner before I could get off another shot.

Valldemosa is also known for its beautiful and very narrow cobbled streets.  Here are just a few pictures of the monastery and the town of Valldemosa.

After Valldemosa, we descended to the Pueblo Espaniol (Spanish Village), which was absolutely breathtaking.  We walked along the narrow, cobbled streets and explored this small area where all roads lead to the Plaza Majora, so you really cannot get lost.  I did see a couple of parked vehicles, but I'm really not sure how they got there or how they'll get out, as the only apparent way in or out seemed to be up or down a small set of stairs.  Bruce collects squished pennies, so on our way out, we had to stop by the machine.  This time, he gets a squished 5 centimo coin.  The machine doesn't take pennies.  Chrissy had to go back down to the Plaza Majora to get change for a euro.  Here are some pictures from the Spanish Village.  Please take note of the type of terraine I was navigating all over the island of Mallorca in a CAM walking boot.  Chrissy was an excellent assistant for the mobility impaired.

After Pueblo Espaniol, we went on down to the port city of Palma, where we had free time until the last shuttle back to the ship at 4:30.  Since we had plenty of time, we asked our guide to point out a good place for lunch.  He took us to this little alley dotted with tapas bars where we got 2 plates each:  Chicken croquettes, sauteed mushrooms, rabbit stew, and patatas bravas.  All delicious with portions larger than expected!

We knew we were in trouble when she brought out the bread! Unfortunately, we were too busy eating to take pictures of the real food!

After lunch, we spent some time exploring the lower grounds surrounding the Catedral de Santa Maria de Mallorca.  I didn't feel up to all the stairs that would be required for going up, so we stuck to the ground level, spending some significant time just enjoying the plaza and fountain around the church with the sea coming in, being contained as a pool.

We got back to the boat in plenty of time for Chrissy to do some homework before dinner, where we enjoyed this beautiful sunset along with the awesome food prepared by the chef.

Barcelona - The City That Gaudi Built

Chrissy and I decided to take a trip to Europe.  Well, she decided she wanted to see Europe before we went anywhere else.  So, I was able to get a good deal on a Costa cruise around the Western Mediterranean.  As luck would have it, my left peroneal tendon decided to be a little bitchy and swell up just a day or so before time to leave.  Thankfully, I have my own CAM walker boot that I could put on because this is not a first-time occurrence.  We flew into Barcelona to catch the boat.  Wouldn't you know, my luggage enjoyed the layover in Heathrow a little much.  It caught a later flight from Heathrow to Barcelona, so we had to wait for it to catch up before we could head to the hotel.  We didn't need to catch the boat until afternoon, so we had the day to explore Barcelona.

We definitely went heavy on the Gaudi architecture for this day, including staying in the Hotel Gaudi, decorated in the style of Gaudi and right across from the Palau Guell, built by Gaudi.  Sunrise was beautiful.  It got a little uncomfortable when we realized the seagulls on the next roof were mating.  There was nothing really special about their premating ritual to tip us off until it was too late.  The deed was in process when we realized what was going on.  Scarred for life, I tell ya'!  Male seagulls are very loud.

After breakfast, we decided to take the hop on/hop off bus to see the sights.  The walk down to the Mirador de Colon (Christopher Columbus statue) wasn't easy with my CAM walking boot, and I was still having difficulty controlling the pain from the tendon, but I made it.  It was early, so the street performers hadn't set up yet, but there was excellent tree art on the way.  This was done just by selectively peeling off some of the bark on the tree.

We were early enough that we could walk around for a while (after sitting a bit), and I found an angle where the gargoyles at the top of a building looked like they were roosting on the tops of the trees.

Regardless of the issues surrounding Columbus and his part in the anihilation of the indigenous populations in the Americas, he is lauded as a hero in Spain, and the statue in his honor is definitely ornate and detailed.

When the HO/HO bus finally arrived, I was able to sit, for which my foot was incredibly grateful.  There is so much to see – even if you just limit it to Gaudi architecture – that it would take much more time than we had in Barcelona to see it all, So, Chrissy and I just stayed on the buses so we could get an overview and see what we want to focus on when the cruise boat returns to Barcelona and we have another day there.  My battery ran out in my camera, but I got pictures on my phone.  Unfortunately, without being able to stand and take shots, the bar from the bus is in almost every shot.  We did ultimately get to the front of the bus, where I was able to take my pictures out the front window.  Anyway, here are just a few shots from the HO/HO bus.

When we got back to the Columbus statue and began walking back up La Rambla to our hotel, the performers were back.  I needed a restroom, so we didn't spend time (and money) to get them to perform.  We just went to the hotel.

Instead of walking back down to catch the shuttle to the port, we decided to take a taxi to the boat because my foot was hurting.  We had gotten off the bus a few times during the day and walked to an out-of-the way tapas restaurant Chrissy found online, which didn't disappoint, as well as some other side trips, and we were worn out.  Still dealing with jet lag and everything else and knowing that we have another day in Barcelona when the ship comes back, we didn't walk back down.  We'll have more Barcelona another day, and I can play with the street performers then, but clearly, I don't think a week would be enough.