Please join us - Spain to the New World on a new ship - LIVE from Oceania Riviera

[LHT28]

LOL! I, too, thought that Kazu had goofed and gone to Ottawa by mistake! Do you know where the other 4 spiders live?:)

 

we saw one in Copenhagen

[1of4]

Well one of the 9 spiders certainly made me do a double take! I can assure you the weather was the clue that you didn't take a wrong turn as we are dark by 5, cold, wet and snow on the way.

 

But here is DS in November 2011 under "our" local Canadian spider:

 

[kazu]

love the photos

is it possible to post a smaller version though ??

have to scroll from side to side to see them ;)

 

 

oh dear, so sorry,

 

I will see if I can re-size. I am not a genius on the Ipad - apologies. The pics work out well when I take them from my Ipad but these were camera pics.

 

apologies, I will see what I can do.

 

I hate it when that happens.

 

they looked o.k. on tapatalk. DAM.

 

Well, we have landed in Madrid folks.

 

I could have spent more days in Bilbao but we have to go to Madrid to get to Barcelona and the Prado awaits us (tomorrow).

 

We are on the terrace of our hotel having tapas & drinks.

 

If POA1 is on, there is Moet & Chandon :)

[retiredkid]

just to let you know, the photos are fine on my computer. I don't have to scroll at all. So, it may just be the settings of LHT28, not yours.... just sayin'

Very much enjoying your trip.

[AZNative2000]

Nice photos Jacqui! I will be following your report closely as we are considering this very crossing in the future.

 

Cheers!

Edited November 13, 2015 by AZNative2000

[cruisingxpert]

Pictures are great and I have no trouble viewing them on my computer or my Ipad.

[NMLady]

just to let you know, the photos are fine on my computer. I don't have to scroll at all. So, it may just be the settings of LHT28, not yours.... just sayin'

Very much enjoying your trip.

 

The photos are fine on my computer too.

[LHT28]

Do not worry about the photo size

I guess I do not have a smart computer that resizes them for me

 

I have a netbook with 10 in screen & DH has a desktop with a 20 " screen the photos fill his screen but he does not need to scroll

the dimensions shown are 1536px x 1152px compared to the photo of the spider at 550 x 400px which is just fine

 

enjoy the cruise

 

Lyn

Edited November 14, 2015 by LHT28

[kazu]

thanks everyone for the feed back on the photos. whew! I feel better.

 

Just a quick update as we have had a busy day in Madrid and have sliped back to the hotel for a bit of relaxation before we head back out for our dinner reservation and Flamenco show so I will update a bit later.

 

Our hearts were saddened with the horrific news in France.

 

Madrid is at alert level 4. The highest alert level is 5 and at that stage the National Guard & army are called out. There are police everywhere. Every major square, monument, cathedral and the Palace guard has real arms on on them. I suspect security will be very HIGH when we go to the airport to fly to Barcelona & did let my roll call know as I think it will be high for arrivals as well.

 

We have been to a LOT of historic Madrid today. The museums will be tomorrow.

 

I got the Madrid card and am now glad since it lets you "skip the lines" at the Palace. Considering it's slow season I couldn't believe how long the line ups were nor how busy it was everywhere! Wow!

 

Madrid is exquisite.

 

Charging the camera battery so will post later.

[buggins0402]

Jacqui, I'm quite interested in your Madrid comments since we will be there on Monday. I imagine we'll find similar security for our train from Seville to Madrid. Here in Seville we haven't noticed any increased security.

 

If you stumble on any good restaurants, please let me know.

[kazu]

Jacqui, I'm quite interested in your Madrid comments since we will be there on Monday. I imagine we'll find similar security for our train from Seville to Madrid. Here in Seville we haven't noticed any increased security.

 

 

 

If you stumble on any good restaurants, please let me know.

 

 

I am more than happy to share. I did find a great little spot today - purely by accident. We ordered tapas and calamari & the plates were HUGE - not standard tapas size. I will post the pic of the restaurant later and the applicable food porn. They had a lovely menu de dia (which we did not do) which was 13.50 pp. The place was loaded with locals and we were chatting with a lovely Spanish couple. We chose to sit outside to soak in the ambience and had a great time.

 

Going to Casa Patas tonight and just finished hand washing - grrr. So, once I am back tonight if I can keep my eyes open I will try to post the pics and my thoughts so far. Otherwise, guaranteed for tomorrow :)

 

thanks so much for following along :)

[buggins0402]

Sounds delightful. Do you remember the name of your lunch spot?

 

If on your wanderings you happen to be close to the French embassy you might consider paying a visit if time allows. The French consulate here had many flowers and vigil candles outside. There was also a place to sign a note of condolence.

 

Marian

[ronrick1943]

What a great trip so far----and Bilbao looks and sounds like a great place for a visit. The photo of the dog art WOW! Love it.

Thanks, looking forward to seeing more.

Rick

[Ivy Blake]

Looks like the fun has begun for y'all! We arrived in Barcelona last evening. I am sorry to say that TSA searched my check on bag and took my Oceania blue book which I had added maps, notes, cruise critic roll call names with tours and envelopes with cash for Jacqui and Roger. Really bummed about this and reported to TSA. Have to fill out forms today! Jacqui anyway to access spreadsheet again? I have tours date/time in my iPhone. Everyday in fact but all that research ahead except for what's in my head gone! It's a pale worry compared to the events in Paris so will shut up about it. Looking forward to our predinner and Thank God I put the address in iPhone! See ya soon!

[sitraveler]

Good morning. Arrived Barcelona.

[kazu]

Looks like the fun has begun for y'all! We arrived in Barcelona last evening. I am sorry to say that TSA searched my check on bag and took my Oceania blue book which I had added maps, notes, cruise critic roll call names with tours and envelopes with cash for Jacqui and Roger. Really bummed about this and reported to TSA. Have to fill out forms today! Jacqui anyway to access spreadsheet again? I have tours date/time in my iPhone. Everyday in fact but all that research ahead except for what's in my head gone! It's a pale worry compared to the events in Paris so will shut up about it. Looking forward to our predinner and Thank God I put the address in iPhone! See ya soon!

 

Oh my heavens Ivy, that is horrible:eek:

 

I am SO sorry to hear this. I hope you can get it straightened out fast.

 

Can you see my signature on Cruise Critic on your phone? If you can, you can access the spread sheet by clicking on the link, otherwise if you scroll up on our roll call I put the pdf attachment in a post that you can access easily. It is in post 632 of the roll call I believe.

Edited November 16, 2015 by kazu

[kazu]

Sounds delightful. Do you remember the name of your lunch spot?

 

 

 

If on your wanderings you happen to be close to the French embassy you might consider paying a visit if time allows. The French consulate here had many flowers and vigil candles outside. There was also a place to sign a note of condolence.

 

 

 

Marian

 

 

 

I always forget names so I have learned to take pictures. This is the restaurant that we ate at ...

 

 

the tapas were very good...

 

 

 

If I see a lot of locals that's usually a very good sign.

 

The tapas were HUGE portions, not standard tapa size and we were stuffed.

[kazu]

So, before I forget, we stayed at the Gran Melia Fenix. It is at Colombe square (As in Christopher Columbus). I am definitely giving this hotel a very HIGH rating. We had the red level which I had read about and since it included breakfast and drinks I thought it seemed like a worthwhile thing to try. Boy, were we spoiled. Fantastic service.

 

Red Glove service (as they call it) means access to a room that has your breakfast in the morning, tapas and drinks of every type including Moet & Chandon Champagne as well as a terrace. There is also a receptionist there to take care of any reservations, questions, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Madrid is an enchanting and beautiful place. The Royal Palace is exquisite. Like many places you can't take pictures inside the actual rooms, so only outside and the magnificent staircase.

 

There is so much detail that you can only envision how much work it all took to build, make and still maintain.

 

 

 

the lamp posts are gorgeous

 

 

 

scenery from the Royal Palace

 

 

[ger_77]

Jacqui, your photos are fabulous. And the food porn . . . . oh yes!

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

Gerry

[Ivy Blake]

Yes I was able to get spread sheet again! Thanks! At least I know what I owe you for Bermuda Sail now! Hope you are enjoying Spain!

[kazu]

Yes I was able to get spread sheet again! Thanks! At least I know what I owe you for Bermuda Sail now! Hope you are enjoying Spain!

 

 

oh glad to hear it. I hope TSA comes good for it. What an awful thing to have happen. I keep my stuff with me, but I am paranoid ;)

[kazu]

Sorry, I lost wifi at the airport and then it was time to board. Now back to the Royal Palace of Madrid...

 

 

we were allowed pictures of the staircase and the connecting passage so I couldn't resist...

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

I couldn't resist taking pics of the statues of the Catholic King & Queen - the Great King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella who united Spain.

 

 

 

 

this is a view inside the palace looking out to the courtyard - taken through a window so it's as good as it's going to get sadly....

 

 

[kazu]

we continued on checking out all of old Madrid as much as we could.

 

The gardens close to the Palace are incredible. There are all these mazes leading to little squares with statues in each one.

 

 

 

 

 

and we continued on...we went from Playa Mayor to Playa Sol.

 

absolutely incredible...