Funchal Madera

We arrived at the port of Funchal Madera at 0650 after a very bouncy night at sea, I am glad we skirted the storms,,, as this was some of the biggest seas I have been in! It was still dark and sun rise wasn't until 0852 because of the manner that they set their clocks. The clouds were gone and the sun came brightly to invite us to the island. It is truly beautiful!!! Since it was Saturday, we decided to spend the day shopping the many markets of the city including the large fish market where they were dressing the large tuna and other game fish. It was fascinating. The vegetable and flower markets were also interesting with their world wide variety, also the varieties of plants that will grow on the island. The city of 100000+ people was very clean, there are many sights to see (simply beautiful), excellent golf courses, friendly welcoming community, and the infrastructure was excellent. Everyone agreed this was to be a future destination again! I would love to come back, it reminded us of Hawaii, before it got so populated.

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When we were back in our room, the replica of Christopher Columbus's ship the Santa Maria was sailing past our deck.

Now that we were all aboard again, it is on to our seven sea days back to Ft Lauderdale, heading southwest to avoid the seas left behind by the hurricanes and tropical storms.

Day 2

Once again we awoke early, and now it was on to getting things ready for leaving the Locanda Orseolo and embarking on the Ruby in the afternoon. After completing packing we enjoyed another beautiful breakfast.
The morning was bright and the streets were lively. After having a full day on Monday we decided to take a gondola ride this morning. Cindy and I have been coming to Venice since 1972 and each time have not been in a position to take a ride. This time we took the time. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL
We then went to the hotel Europa for late Bloody Mary's.. We returned to the hotel where they had held our bags until our arrival to pick them up. The water taxi arrived at the window and we bordered it through the window with our bags. What great fun! Almost like Harry Potter. Arrived on the Ruby at 1530 to begin our journey.

We got back from our shopping, . our bags were still not at the cabin, so we went to get some liquid refreshment. Then on to dinner, every one was there, except John and Ilene, but and we still had a lively a conversation.
When we got back to our room, late our bags were there, so it was on to unpacking, Ed was not feeling well, and we thought it was just fatigue, but it proved to be food poisoning! He was one sick puppy for the next couple of days.

The next morning Ed was still not doing well, but he made a valiant effort to go on. After breakfast, The group immediately decided to walk to the co-op to purchase wine for the cruise. Cindy enjoyed the trip since see had never experience the general market store.

We invited everyone to our room for sail-away, as we are the only ones with a balcony. We have a nice size balcony, but the cabin steward Jirasin (J for short) opened the door for the service balcony next door, so we would have a lot more room. He is a great steward!
The group arrived at our cabin at 1330 to ready for sail away from Venice, once again it was beautiful and the weather cooperated pretty much, and once we cleared the barrier islands we made our turn for the heel of Italy

Sea Venice we set alarm for 0700 and requested room service at 0730. Unfortunately they never came,, not sure what was going on. The morning events included the Cruise Critics group get to together (meet and greet) nice group over all, followed by the gift exchange. Not sure where the time goes, but very soon it was time to dress for formal night and time to round the group up for cocktails. As usual all the preparation paid off and all was in place for formal night.
We had a good time, but Ed was sick, he left early, poor man.

Naples, we set our alarm for 0600 and again requested room service for 0630. This time they showed up 0530 with half the order. Not good! We met Val & Jim at the international coffee bar for an egg muffin and go ashore and begin our tour of the Amalfi coast and a visit of the Herculium ruins. The weather was not too cooperative as it rained as we preceded down the coast with Jim taking pictures through the rain drops. As we hit the bright spots the vistas showed their beauty and as we stopped at a village the rain would stop. What fun! We finally pasted Amalfi and joined the UNESCO heritage site road to the outer most villages where we had lunch at a family restaurant on the hillside. Our driver was telling us that his father's first job was leading donkeys along the old donkey trail to carry water back to his village, the travel time was three hours each way along the cliffs. The only village water was that brought in by his donkey group. After a great lunch with wine and water for 11.5 Euros each, we headed back for a guided tour of Herculium. The skies cleared and we even got a good shot at Mt Vesuvius. We returned to the ship onetime with Ed's pedometer reading 11572. And Ed was feeling human again, but I think he lost 10 lbs as all his clothes are loose now.

Casablanca, Marco

Casablanca,,,

We set the alarm for 0515 but awoke at 0500 and ready for our arrival in Casablanca at 0630. Our tour began at 0655, but we sat around waiting for the tour to go until after eight, then we briefly toured Casablanca (second largest city in Africa) and then on to the ancient city of Rabat it took us about an hour and a half to get there. We toured the outside of the Royal Palace, and on to the Oudaya Kasba, and we were suppose, to stop for sweet tea, but there was a mix up, and all we got was a potty stop, that was ok as it was a western toilet! I think Ed was the only one who had ever been to Africa, I was not impressed. This country is still half in the third world, toilets were few and far between and most of them were two foot prints and a whole!

When we returned to Casablanca we asked the bus driver to let us off in town; we hopped a couple of taxis and were off to RICK's CAFE! Jack had made reservations for all eight of us, what a treat! It is dressed out like the movie, and although expensive the food was pretty good. As we ate, the clouds moved in and the rain poured down. So after lunch at Rick's we hoped taxies back to the ship.

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When we returned we were notified that our next port had changed to Madeira moving our Atlantic crossing track further south because of hurricane Rafael. Ed had warned us a few days ago, that we might have something like this happen, in fact he asked the Commodore about it at the chefs table when he met us, and he had said they were watching it. So it's off to Madeira tonight! This is exciting we have never been there

On our way to Casablanca

Sea day journey to Casablanca,,,,

We slept in until past 0900 even with a time change with the clock being set back one hour. We gathered ourselves together and went to the wheelhouse bar for British Pub food! Bangers and mash or fish and chips with a variety of beers and ales, great way to start the day, when you get up late, and who knows what time it is any way. We decided to make reservations at Sabatini's for dinner and relaxed the remainder of the day, until we readied ourselves for dinner.

We went through the Straits of Gibraltar, tonight, we had good weather so we got some good photos

We had a great dinner, and then it was off to early bed, as tomorrow was a very early wake up.

Canne

Canne, the lazy sun didn't rise until 0755, and the clouds were hanging around but it appeared it would clear and it did. We took the Princess Nice city tour and enjoyed a leisurely stroll and a visit to the Nice Flea market with antiques and such! Just a couple of purchases, but Ed found a big gold ring on the sidewalk, by the beach, we looked around to see if anyone was looking for it but,,, nothing! It was an interesting morning, we could have spent more time in the market that is for sure, but like all tours they had other plans.
The took us on a little train around the old city, and up to the top of an overlook of Nice, it was cute. Then an hour and a half back to the ship, but where we were dropped off there was nothing to see, our ship was parked in an alternative anchorage away from the main section of Canne and therefore no shops or cafes in the immediate area.. we returned to the ship about 1400, pedometer reading was only 7245. This was a small hint of events to come!

As we weighted anchor, Capt Speaking noted that the harbor master had located us at this anchorage because of high winds in the future! Guess what Lee and Colleen, this was an evening event like 2009 with the highest wind at 74 knots and seas running between 15 and 20 feet from 1730 until 0330 with us running a full speed and a roaster tale behind us. Another French - Mediterranean adventure! Well, we arrived in Barcelona about 20 minutes late this time, so we must have deviated around to some extent.

Livorno, Florence

Livorno, the third day of the Italian gullet and again up at 0600 and breakfast at the International cafe we gave up on room service, we were to meet the van by 0800.

The sun was just slithering above the horizon as we boarded our van and the clouds that had followed us up the Italian coast line began to part. GOOD! We headed directly to Pisa to visit the leaning tower and take lots of photos. Half of our group had never been here. So we did that and then our driver that the Verrazano winery was closed and indicated he would locate another winery for us to lunch at. Definitely a communication problem! Well we thought we sorted it out, as he said we could still see the castle, so he drove us on to the Verrazano wine sales location and did buy wine, only the estate was also closed and that by going there we would now miss our reservation time for the museums in Florence. Not Good!

Well, we made it clear that lunch was not important and that all the museums and churches were. So we were off, the sun was in full bloom and the air was fresh at 70 with a gentle brisk breeze! Excellent for walking and taking pictures. The rest of the group, were able to get into the Accademia, and see David, so they were now happy.

Later we found a small pizzeria for sandwiches and Cindy and I split one and had a beer each, and the others had pizza. On to the Ponte Vecchio where Val bought some nugget candy that she Haden's had sense she was in England. Then we drove up to the top of hill that I can't remember the name of and got some great shots of Florence.
At the end it was another wonderful adventure and the sun was gently setting on the Med. my pedometer reading was 12647. Once aboard Captain Speaking (Yeomans) the evenings sailing to Canne, France. A cold front would lay across our course and the seas may be a bit bumpy! Well, about 0030 there was a large large bang as the lightening hit very close by and we were treated to a beautiful light and cloud show out our stateroom window our the stern of the ship. Absolutely beautiful...