Genoa

Sailing into Grnoa was very different from the other ports. It is a busy industrial city with lots of Cargo ships being loaded. Interesting but not particularly scenic. We docked close to the Maritime Terminal and considered taking a Hop On- Hop off bus. Aaron wanted to walk so we agreed...and made our way on a busy harbor side road to a steep road that led us to the main city with a lovely park area with a monument and main train station.  We spent the morning wandering through narrow streets and passages and just getting a feel for the city.  

We all agreed that, while not a clean city, Genoa was interesting and gave us a different feel from that of typical tourist and historic sites.  We walked back along the waterfront and with Aaron as our tour director, made it back to the ship for lunch and a relaxing afternoon.

Pictures are in no particular order but do show the things we saw along our unguided tour :)

Cannes

Bummed about poor ( or non- existent) satellite Internet connection and poor service in Internet Center, so saving draft blog posts and will post whenever I can

Had a lazy morning, leisurely breakfast and relaxing on deck as we anchored in Cannes.  The boys watched te 'futball' game at the Casino Bar last night so were- bit slower to get started.  After they had breakfast, we used our priority Tender passes to board the next Tender to Cannes. Beautiful day. We spent a few hours walking along the beach front and exploring old town ( with lots of hills and steps which I handled well :)).  

       

  

Returned to the ship for lunch, pool time, and R and R (and my discussion about extraordinary slow and inconsistent Internet service with an uninterested I Center employee).  

We had such a nice dinner experience last night that I reserved the same table with the same wait staff for tonight.  This is our first positive experience with Select dining.  Looks line they have ironed out all of the kinks and it is working well.  

Embarkation

After a very busy day of arrival, the boys slept very well ( Aaron for 14 hours and Carson a bit less ( watching soccer).  After a light breakfast and a trip to the pier in heavy traffic and road construction, we were happy to see that the taxi fare was much less than we had been quoted.  The joys of having Elite staus on Celebrity...we sailed through the embarkation process and the requisite cruise boarding pictures and were drinking Champagne and Mimosas in a lounge area onboard before noon.   

The Buffet was not yet crowded and we found a table with a view of Montjuic (which we had learned all about the day before).  As we finished lunch, the announcement that cabins were ready came.  And luggage arrived earlier than ever before.  Afternoon spent unpacking, touring this very beautiful ship, muster drill, and drinks at the Sunset Bar as we sailed out of Barcelona Maritime harbor. Yes, Ellen and Mike, that are real drinks in Carson's hand. 

Update to Day of Departure - Barcelona

And First of all, the date should have been July 3rd.....forgot to change the date when I continued the post.

We had a lovely :) afternoon hanging out in the Charlotte airport with a change of gates and multiple changes of departure times followed by thunder and lightening. Finally boarded at 7:30.  Our M and M treats for the flight attendants were well received. It is really amazing how a simple kind gesture can brighten someone's day.  

Finally got out of CLT near 9 PM.  Dinner at close to 10.  Pretty good...both the pasta choice and the barbecued chicken.  The complimentary wine helped Art and me, too.  Bummed that our plans for a morning in Barcelona are shot but looking forward to our afternoon walking tour.  Entertainment system in seat backs kept Aaron and Carson happy ( Chess, TV shows and movies).  Sleepy time soon after dinner ( knowing that at 1030 Charlotte time, it was early morning in Barcelona).

Arrival in Barcelona:

Arrived on time but had a long wait for luggage.  Easily found a van sized Taxi that accommodated all of our luggage and had a brief tour of the Exiemple district of the city on the way to our hotel including passing the Soccer Arena.  By then it was almost 1:30 and we were booked on a 3 PM walking tour.  

Only one room was ready on arrival so we left the boys to take a short nap and Art and I headed to the Spa for showers....typical for Europe...lots of good towels but limited place to hang dry clothes while we showered ( getting water all over the floor without a shower door or curtain). But we certainly felt better clean and in fresh clothes.  Woke the sleepy boys and headed to La Ramblas...the main drag of touristy Barcelona.  Sunny, warm and VERY crowded.  Clearly summer is very different from October when  we first visited.  With one minor mistake, we found the Travel Bar in the Bari Gotic ( the oldest section of Barcelona).  It was a crowded, noisy place full of mostly young expats.  We found the person who organizes these free tours ( you tip the guide what you think it was worth  - usually 10-15 Euro.

Waiting for the guide at the a Travel Bar

Our guide was a young woman ( can't remember where she was from but not Spain).  She did an excellent tour of the old city.  We begged off before the end due to fatigue and hunger!  She pointed us to a local restaurant a bit outside of the main area around La Ramblas ( Colum Restaurant).  Clearly my priorities were food not names :).

Our tour group

Results of bombing during the Spanish Civil War

Cathedral of Saint Eulalia of Barcelona

During the Spanish Inquisition, the Jewish Cemetery was destroyed and Tomb Stones used for building. Some stones were not turned to the inside. Thus Hebrew names were seen on the walls

Building built around Roman ruins

Picasso original

We introduced the boys to Tapas( we had 6 kinds) and Paella and shared a half liter of Sangria?  

                       

On the way back to the hotel, we walked through La Boqueria Market - one of the best in the world

And then off to bed...dreaming of Sailaway tomorrow!

 

On our way!

Off to the airport with luggage for 4 plus carry- ons causing serious crowding in our vehicle.  Parked offsite due to extraordinary construction at airport and pre- holiday traffic.

Our plan - to have plenty of time to get through TSA ; late lunch in the terminal and, perhaps, chatting with Ellen ( if our International Gates are close to each other) who is on her way to Madrid with 40+ teenagers for a Soccer Tournament.  Odd coincidence for us to be traveling on the same day.  

Got to the airport in short order, excellent parking space at Park n Fly lot and quick shuttle ride to the terminal.  Immediately ran into Ellen and her Carolina Rapids Soccer group!  Fast hello and hugs ( she was working :)), easy check- in and NICE TSA agent.   Lunch at the same restaurant where we ate before Aaron's graduation trip to Ireland...this is becoming a habit.  And now for a 2 hour wait before boarding!

Well, we did have Pinkberry's frozen yogurt while waiting!  Cell phones, books, and iPad fill time well.