New Years Eve in Funchal

So this ship is not due to dock today, but sit out in the bay near Funchal and use the tenders to get ashore.  Trouble is, the weather is crummy, and they can't get the tenders ashore to start off with.  Visibility was poor, it was miserable, foggy drizzle over on the island and swell caused all sorts of problems.

Low clouds over Funchal in the morning.

As the day progressed, several announcements kept us up to date with progress.  To start off with, they could only use the larger tenders, on the port side, but eventually the smaller ones came into play, and then one of them got damaged due to the rise and fall of the swell. 

We sat in Scott's bar, making use of Peter's mi-fi (a really neat gizmo which has made using the internet much simpler for us this trip), and waited our turn. As we waited, I could hear the other passengers complain.  I sort of feel sorry for the crew, they have to listen to these complaints all the time. 

We finally got our tender after lunch, and after 30 minutes, we were on dry land again.  We know the main streets of Funchal reasonably well, and immediately aimed for the centre, where we knew the Christmas stalls were set up.

The stalls set up to make a speciality bread that's obviously very popular

And soup

Christmas costumes for the girls around the stalls. 

Moving on past the stalls, we eventually got to the Ritz, a wonderful little street cafe which serves the most delicious cakes and icecreams.  Unfortunately they'd run out of vanilla, which meant we settled for drinks on this occasion.  

Right across from the Ritz is a wonderful little park, which is pleasant at anytime, but especially so this time of year because they fill it up with wonderful little story book houses

The little park is set up like Santa's grotto

It's a wonderful place for kids to explore.

Eventually it was time to go back on board ship to prepare for the evening's festivities.  It's a formal night, and Peter is all dressed up in black tie.  He always looks good.  Looking out from the rear deck, Funchal looks quite gorgeous. 

The ligts from Funchal in the evening were quite wonderful.  

So now we're sat in the Palm Gardens all dressed up and ready for the main events.  11pm is the "Horn Chorus" - I think that's when all the ships let loose and make a racket.  And then of course at midnight we are due to see a firework spectacular spread right across the island.  Time for another cocktail I think.  

Santa Cruz, Tenerife

"Who are you, and what have you done with my wife?" said Peter, as once again, I suggested that we make an easy morning of it in Santa Cruz. 

We'd already had a late start, the day was creeping on, and we had to be back on ship by 12ish so that we could have lunch and get ready for Peter's classes.  It was another beautifully sunny day, and it didn't seem worth chasing around the city in the short time we had.  Last time we came to Tenerife, we found the opera house a little way down from the port, so we decided to go visit it again.

So we got off the ship and turned left, following Commercial Avenue for about 30 minutes.  On the way, we came across the exercise area that we'd found before, complete with the laughs we'd had the first time around as we tried out the difference pieces of equipment.

We weren't disappointed when we got to the Opera House either, it's an amazing piece of architecture, and not something we could get bored of looking at.

We enjoyed a cold drink in the restaurant there before taking a short wander in the surrounding area.

Then back along Commercial Avenue to the commemorative lake near the port, and several photographs trying to get the images of the reflections.

For the shopping lovers, there is a lovely craft fair near the lake.  There were a few items I would have really loved to take home with us, but I resisted temptation.

Back on board, we ate lunch and set up the conference room ready for Peter's classes.  The ship set sail at 2pm,  the sun high in the sky.   I'm not sure how people stayed out on the back deck, it was burning hot out there. 

The sea decided to gift us with a bit of a swell again this afternoon, so the ride out to our next stop, Madeira, isn't as smooth as we'd hoped. We'll get to Funchal in the morning, the ship will anchor out in the bay, because their won't be any space in the dock, and we'll get tenders into the city. The high point of the day will be at night as Madeira is known for its New Year firework display. Bring it on.

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

It's a lovely sunny day, the ship is parked in dock on one of the lovely Canary Islands until nearly midnight, and me and himself don't have any tours to escort or classes to run.  We can do whatever we like.

Usually, when we find ourselves in this position, we are off as sooning as we dock, looking for the the interesting places, visiting cathedrals and monuments and trying to see as much as possible in the time we've got.  But today we decided to have a lazy day.   An exceptionally lazy day.  We didn't rush to breakfast, we didn't hurry off the ship and we didn't dash across town.  We just ambled 

We spent most of the morning on the beach, just a 15 minute amble to get to, on the other side of the peninsular from where the ship was docked.  The bay there is sheltered by a line of rocks which act as breakers against the waves of the sea, especially when the tide is out.   I went for a dip - delighted to see a shoal of large silver fish in the crystal clear water.  I wish we'd brought the goggles and snorkels now.  Wonderful.

A lovely couple of hours on th.e beach

Sand Sculptures the beach at Les Cantares

We enjoyed an Italian lunch, and then took a leisurely amble along the promenade noticing that the tide had come in now, and that the waves had risen above the natural breaker, turning the calm bay into something a little more adventurous.

Just like Scarborough, but with sun!  

We were looking for ice cream, and found a really good ice cream parlour at the end of the beach.  And I mean REALLY good.  We're going to remember that for our next visit.

Ambling on a little further, we found some lovely natural coves, full of foam and crashing waves.

We were beginning to flag by now and headed back through the city to the ship, stopping on the way to buy a necklace.  The chain part was made by twisting and lacing thick cotton in a way to make an attractive almost lace like collar using different colour threads.  I'd watched the men making them sitting by their stalls.   Very clever.  With a stone added, it is a lovely and unique little momento of our beach day.

The last thing to mention about today was Ross Robert's cabaret in Scott's Bar at the end of the day.  He has a wicked sense of humour and gave a brilliant show.  My favourite line had to be when one of the waiters happened to walk across the stage area behind Ross at the beginning of the act.  "It's OK," said Ross, "I've got his cabin number, I'll go walk through it one night when he's performing!" I nearly fell of he chair laughing.  The waiter looked suitably embarrassed. 

So that was our visit to Grand Canaria. Tomorrow we're in Santa Cruz, Tenerife. It'll only be a half day and we have no tours, but we like Tenerife. Class eh?

Lanzarote and the Fire Mountains.

At least the sea was in a good mood this morning as we made our way to the island of Lanzarote.  We were due to dock at lunch time, and spend half a day in Arrecife.  Once again the sky was blue with promise, and Peter and I spent a good half hour looking out from the rear deck, enjoying the fresh air.

Peter and I are escorting.  We've done the Fire Mountain tour before, about five years ago, and I remember nearly all of it.  It's something we really enjoyed, which is why we wanted to do it again.  According to our tour guide, it's the most popular tour of Lanzarote.  According to the tour description - "During the 18th century, more than 100 volcanoes erupted creating a curious lava landscape".  It's breathtaking, and it's what we are going to see. 

So Peter and I took a bus each and off we went.

First we visited the green lake "El Golfo" - I'm led to understand that it is fed with sea water which it gets underground via lava tubes.  It's gone green due to the algae.  Personally I wasn't that enamoured with the lake, but the landscape around it was quite spectacular.

El Golfo is the green "lake".

The next part of the tour was a photo stop of Los Hervideros.   This place is quite incredible. As the lava ran down into the sea, it cooled into some quite amazing caves and shapes.  The sea hits the cliffs with such force it seems as though it is boiling, crashing upwards in huge foaming waves and fountains.  I would have loved to have more time here.

Los Hervideros

Then we were taken to the Timanfaya National Park

View of Timanfay National Park from the park centre

The first part of the visit involves three demonstrations to prove the heat of the ground beneath our feet.   This starts with gravel being lifted from about 20cms underground and being put into our hands.  It's hot!   The second demonstration involves a hole about 2 metres deep.  We watched as grass spontaneously caught fire inside because of the underground heat. The final demonstration involved deeper holes and water.  The resulting geyser affect made everyone jump.   We were then shown how the restaurant at the park centre cooks for large groups (they were expected later).

This barbecue uses the heat from the volcano below to cook the food, 

The second part of the park visit is the drive through the park itself.   The place is amazing - described as an alien landscape or like being on the moon.  Beautiful.

We got back to the ship as the sun was setting and enjoyed a cup of tea on the rear deck.  I learnt how to take selfies on my phone, so my aim is to try and get one and included Nureyev.  The evening's guest act were a couple of magicians Evans plus Evans.  I really quite enjoyed the show.

So that was our day in Lanzarotte day. Tomorrow it's Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. No tours, but we've been here before and plan to have a lovely relaxed day. Class.

Boxing Day plus one - a sea day on the Marco Polo

Just to let you know that today started well, and then ended up with the ship feeling like a bucking bronco.   OK - maybe it wasn't quite that bad, but............

As I said, it started well.  Well enough for passengers to explore the back deck and enjoy a bit of sun.  Peter's classes went well and I spent my time reading.  But as the day progressed, a swell built up that that just got  worse.  The sky grew dark,  drizzly rain washed the decks and everybody huddled inside.

I was feeling quite proud of myself because I wasn't feeling ill despite the rise and fall, but I wasn't hungry at dinner and the up and down got steadily worse. We were still looking forward to the evening's pantomime, Cinderella....  we'd been promised a new twist. 

We sit at the very back of the show lounge which is at the front of the ship. (So we are the closest of all to the front end.) The ship was pitching up and down like a see-saw as the swell lifted us higher and higher, each time just dropping us several metre.  My stomach tried several times to leap out of my mouth.

The pantomime was very funny, as much because of the mistakes as the script and it kept me distracted while the ship heaved, but as it ended, I couldn't wait to get downstairs.  As usual - straight for my bed, to stay there until morning.

So that was our sea day. Tomorrow afternoon we reach Arrecife, Lanzarote. Peter and I are on tour to the Fire Mountains. Cool

Boxing Day in Lisbon.

It's difficult to tell whether it's night or day in our cabin at the moment because the deadlights are still covering the port holes.  They've opened them on Deck 5 above us, but disappointingly we've been left in the dark for now.  I'm hoping they open them soon, it's quite depressing.

But Peter sets his alarm, so we were up around 8.30 and in the Bistro a little later for a relaxed breakfast.  We had a tour in the afternoon, so decided to have a short walk into Lisbon in the morning, relishing the opportunity to stretch our legs and enjoy the spaciousness of the city.   We didn't venture far.  We first walked along the waterside to Commercial Square, enjoying the view of across the river and listening to a busking guitar player before walking across the square to watch skaters on a pop up ice rink (by that, I mean a temporary one.  Most of the skaters were obviously first timers, their antics as they tried to stay upright on the ice made me laugh out loud.  We wandered through the town, checking out a few stalls before eventually made our way back to the ship for lunch.

Looking across the river Tagus from the entrance steps into Commercial Square

Commercial Square Lisbon

Pop up ice rink in Commercial Square, Lisbon

Tuk Tuks

Beautiful old trams

And fountains

Both Peter and I were acting as escorts for  "Lisbon Highlights and Estoril", in the afternoon, so we got a bus each.  It was a pleasant little tour, with quite a few photo stops.  It helped that the sun was out and the air was warm too.

A commerative fountain at the monument at the top of Edward VII Park in Lisbon.  Peter doesn't like it. 

The beach at Estoril.  It seemed like a really nice little tourist area, but the main attraction here is the casino - 2000 slot machines!

Belem Tower

Back on the ship we waited for the last tour bus to return and watched the other ships in port prepare to leave.  Alongside the diminutive Marco Polo were P & O's Ventura and Cunard's Queen Victoria.  Both hold a couple of thousand passengers and both seemed quite massive in comparison to us.  Peter calls them "floating blocks of flats", and to be honest, the Ventura fitted that description very well, although the Queen Vic was a little prettier.

Both ships left before us, the Ventura first.  We watched as she moved away from the dock to make her way down river.  As she did so, her captain blasted the Ventura's very loud horn.  Then he did it again, and again.  The Queen Vic answered with an equal number of very loud blasts, and so the Ventura had another go.  Much to the amusement of everyone on the rear deck of the Marco Polo, it turned into a game of  "My horn's louder than your horn".  I don't know if there is any language in it, but the ships seemed to be sort of out calling each other.  Naturally,  our ship was far too well mannered to join in, (either that or the captain thought the Marco Polo didn't stand a chance against those two).  Instead, her passengers stood on the rear deck and laughed at the antics of the bigger ships.

Back in the cabin, we noticed with disappointment that the port holes were still covered.  We got ready for dinner, which was very nice, as Loverly Jubbly cooked chicken noodles to order for us.  So nice in fact we had to go back for seconds. 

And after dinner we enjoyed the guest act in the show lounge, Al Brown.  He's a comedian and I found him very entertaining, really making me giggle.  Very enjoyable. Ross, the Cruise Director did go on to steal the show at the very end  though.  He came on to make the usual evening announcements about what else was happening on the ship, telling us that we could go and join in the quiz in this lounge, or the cabaret, or listen to .....  and finished with "or you could get up and leave the room whilst I'm still talking to you".   Both Peter and I were in stitches, although I suspect it was wasted on those it was directed at,  oblivious, they just carried on making their way out of the show lounge.

So now it's the end of the day, the ship is moving steadily towards Lanzarote and the sea is relatively calm. Tomorrow is another sea day. Peter has to work of course, but I don't (hee hee), so I'm looking forward to a nice relaxing day.

Christmas Day on the Marco Polo

OK - so I've not written a blog post for a few days for a couple of reasons.......  waves and nausea!

Although the ship missed the worse of the Atlantic storm I mentioned in my last post, we have still spent quite a bit of time in rough seas.  The first day was the worst, and I adopted my usual position when the ship starts to pitch back and forth, which is led down in bed.  The travel sickness tablets that I take make me sleep..... so I did......  for a day and a half.  The weather did start to improve yesterday lunchtime, so I managed to make it out of bed in the afternoon, and spent Christmas Eve enjoying the ships entertainment and even partook of a couple of alcoholic drinks.  My Christmas holiday was just beginning to start.

And then today started off really well with a flat(tish) sea and a lie in.   It's Christmas Day,  Yippeee!

We enjoyed a leisurely cup of tea in the cabin, opening the few presents we'd brought with us before going upstairs for breakfast.  By now it was quite late, around 9.30 and breakfast in the Bistro was due to finish at 10.   It seems every other passenger on board had the same idea and the Bistro was packed!

Everyone seems to be in a good mood, partly because it's Christmas Day, but mostly because the sea has calmed down.  Passengers that have been locked in their beds have finally been able to emerge, groggy and disorientated, to breathe the fresh air on the back deck and bathe in a little bit of sunshine.

And the good mood carried on throughout the day.  Passengers and crew wore Santa hats and flashing Christmas badges.  Christmas jumpers were in abundance and the lounges were overflowing with people full of the Christmas spirit.  The entertainment team went into overdrive, adding Christmas party fun to the day's activities and the Cruise Director, Ross Roberts added to the fun resplendent in his Christmas suit (a bit like a Christmas tie, but all over).

And the day continued in that mood.  Peter's classes went well, and we were completely relaxed as the day moved on to the main event:- Formal Night, the Captain's Cocktail Party and Christmas Dinner.  Peter and I didn't take part in the cocktail party, but we did dress up for the evening.  Peter always looks good in black tie, although he hates wearing it.

The evening show kept the mood with loads of Christmas classics including, of course, The Twelve Days of Christmas.  It culminated in the show team singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and then being joined by all the ships staff, officers and crew (who were able to), filing in along the sides of the show lounge.  The passengers were all quite moved and cheered and clapped in appreciation.  Very much a different attitude from  the last couple of nights, when everyone has been miserable and fed up with the weather and the rough seas.

Tomorrow we will be in Lisbon, and like everyone else, I can't wait to feel solid ground under my feet. As Peter say's "Bring it on!"

Back to sea on a cruise ship...... Or maybe not - First day of our Canaries Cruise on the Marco Polo

So today is Tuesday 22nd December.  Peter and I have travelled from our home in Richmond, Yorkshire all the way down to Bristol to board the Marco Polo and set off on a cruise to the Canaries.

We had a good clear trip and made good time.  The only problem we encountered was the wind, which buffeted the van around good n proper on the way down.  O oh I thought,  looks like I'll be taking me travel sickness tablets and spending a day or so in the cabin, until I find me sea legs.

We arrived early and offloaded our bags before Peter parked up.  Then, it was time to make our way through the embarkation process.  As soon as we arrived Peter was recognised.  First Olga, the Customer Services Manager, and then by Susan, the Shorex Mgr.  As a result, we were whisked passed the queues and more or less straight on board.  It was brilliant. So many of the crew recognised Peter (and sometimes me), it was quite heartwarming.

We've got one of the cabins in the bottom deck again, which has it's good points and it's bad points.   The good point is that it is lovely and spacious with loads of room for our stuff.  It's nice and clean, but with the standard "twin beds that cannot be moved together".   The bad point is that it's in the bowels, and the deck where they close all the port holes at the first sign of trouble.  And guess what?  Yep!  The port holes were covered, and the deadlights are battened down.  Humph!

Nureyev looks different - he's been sprayed gold.  He used to be a
dull grey green colour

I unpacked, Peter slept.  Then we decided we were hungry, so went for a quick lunch in the Bistro.  The chef and a couple more of the waiting staff recognised Peter, so more greetings, smiles and  handshakes before food.  My position on the table looked out at the miserable weather on the back deck.  I thought Nureyev looked a little different and then I realised why? He's been refurbished!

A wander around the ship after lunch proved that many other areas of the ship have been given a bit of a brush up. Peter hadn't really noticed, but then he doesn't.  The Captains Club and the Columbus Lounge have been refurbished they look the same, but different with new chair covers and carpets.  There are new covers on the soft chairs in the Bistro, and new carpet along the connecting halls.  It's all really quite nice.  I did try to get a couple of photo's for those that are interested, but there were too many people about.  I'll try again later perhaps.

Peter "demonstrating" the shop area of the Marco Polo

We tried to go  out on deck, but hurriedly ran back inside.  It was blowing a gale out there, and hurling drizzly rain at us.  Completely miserable.  If that's a taster of what it's like here in port, I'm dreading what it'll be like out at sea.  Peter and I discussed me going to bed as soon as we left Bristol, dosed up with travel sickness pills.

Fire drill was due at 3pm, the ship was due to set sail at 4pm and Peter had a meeting with Cruise Director planned at the same time.  3pm came and went, passengers were still boarding at 3.30pm, and it became obvious that things weren't going to plan.  At 3.45ish - the captain's voice came over the tannoy system and we knew there was trouble coming.  (It's always the same, whenever there's bad news, they stick the captain on, cos people will accept it from him).  My comment about the weather out of port was spot on it seems. Aapparently it is flamin' 'orrible out there.  So bad in fact that CMV had decided to delay the ships sail time until 2.30 am tomorrow morning in an effort to avoid an Atlantic storm.  And because we are leaving late, it will change our itinerary, ports are being moved around and it looks like we will end up with an extra sea day. But hey, if we miss the bad weather I am very happy with that.  (If you look back at our blogs for this cruise two years ago, you'll understand why).

So we've done our fire drill and been to see the Cruise Director, (a new guy called Ross, he seems cool), Peter's sorted out his classes and we've drunk several cups of tea.  Now we're downstairs in our roomy cabin, just chillin'.  We'll change for dinner in bit, and maybe go and see the evenings show later.  All very relaxed.

Tomorrow is a sea day and Peter will be running two art classes, one in the morning, one in the afternoon.  Depending on whether the captain has indeed avoided the storm, I will either be helping him or in bed feeling ill lying prone in bed moaning about bad weather and ships. Eventually I will find my sea legs, but it always takes at least a day.  (Why I can't keep them between one cruise and the next baffles me).

So, our little Canaries adventure begins.........   Or it will do in a few hours time.