Land & Sea - Live from Barcelona & the Oosterdam Transatlantic - November 5th, 2022

[kazu]

Today we are in Cadiz - one of my favourite spots (and my DD DH’s).

 

I have a private Flamenco show arranged I am getting off this ship by hook or by crook to take my group.

 

I have a suspicion there will be lots of offers to help wheel me. 😉 

 

There’s a shuttle which is not accessible but we are allowed to walk the concierge said and it’s not that far so my sister will walk and I will ride 😉 

My only worry is the little street it’s on.  Don’t think the sidewalk is big enough to do it - might have to hobble.  We’ll see.  🤞 

[kochleffel]

22 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

In reality the colour mean nothing, it is just a way they have to identify the different Gala night menus.  Currently there are 3 different Gala/Dressy night menus, which, I believe operate fleet wide.

 

Thanks. I'm relieved that it's not necessary to wear those colo[u]rs.

 

[kochleffel]

15 hours ago, kazu said:

Dinner is traditionally much later in Spain but there are a lot of places that open earlier understanding of tourists and not turista

 

That's what I found in Greece: restaurants were still serving at midnight, but many were open fairly early  and had tables available.

 

15 hours ago, Hlitner said:

When we have spent time doing driving trips in Spain we managed to adapt to the Spanish dining culture.  It meant going our for tapas about 6, heading to dinner after 9 (the time varies depending on where you are within the country) and then relaxing at a bar until past midnight.  Then late to sleep, late to wake, have a light breakfast, and a long lunch during "siesta time" when most stores are closed, etc. etc.

 

I could adjust to that, as long as there isn't a hotel housekeeper hammering on my door in the morning. But that problem is worst in the United States. Once in the UK, when I was ill and stayed in bed all day, housekeeping just left clean towels outside the door.

[rafinmd]

3 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

 

That's what I found in Greece: restaurants were still serving at midnight, but many were open fairly early  and had tables available.

 

 

I could adjust to that, as long as there isn't a hotel housekeeper hammering on my door in the morning. But that problem is worst in the United States. Once in the UK, when I was ill and stayed in bed all day, housekeeping just left clean towels outside the door.

It seems to me that since the pandemic, housekeeping in US hotels is at a minimum and I'm mostly seeing housekeeping about every 3 days unless specifically requested.

 

Roy

[Hlitner]

28 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

 

That's what I found in Greece: restaurants were still serving at midnight, but many were open fairly early  and had tables available.

 

 

I could adjust to that, as long as there isn't a hotel housekeeper hammering on my door in the morning. But that problem is worst in the United States. Once in the UK, when I was ill and stayed in bed all day, housekeeping just left clean towels outside the door.

There is a lot more to the Spanish daily schedule culture than just a late dinner.  Many parts of Spain still shut down for part of the afternoon (this is sometimes called the siesta).  As a tourist this means that you may find that most of the tourist related things are closed, often from about 1pm until at least 4.  Then things open up again and stay open until at least 7.  The opening/closing hours can vary depending on where you are within the country.    The Spanish folks use those siesta hours to relax, enjoy a long lunch (which is often their big meal of the day), go home, take a nap, etc.  When we do driving trips we will use those afternoon hours for our major driving (as we relocate within the country) or a long relaxing lunch.  It is the same in some parts of Italy (with afternoon closings) although the Italians do not generally dine as late as in Spain.

 

We have often posted suggests, for fellow cruisers/travelers, are best ideas of how to deal with closures.   For example, many cruisers who get a port day in Messina will take a tour or go off on their own to the delightful town of Taormina.  But most of the decent shops/boutiques in Taormina will close before 2pm and stay closed until late in the afternoon.  In that town a cruiser is well advised to do their shopping as soon as they arrive and save some of touristy things such as visiting the Amphitheater to the afternoon (that place is (used to be) open all afternoon).  Those closed hours are also the perfect time to enjoy a relaxing lunch and perhaps finish it off with a cannoli for which the town is well known.  Even in Spain, many museums do stay open all day so this may be a good option (but always check the museum's own web site (in advance) for opening days/times.

 

Hank

[mamaofami]

Jacqui, it sounds like you are having a great cruise despite your foot issues. I'm glad you can get off the ship today. I'm enjoying reading your posts everyday so keep them coming.

[BetsyS.]

Jacqui - I'm sorry to hear about your foot injury, but it's great you can get off the ship today. Thanks for all your posts and pictures. 

[0106]

Although our port was Cadiz we decided to take a tour of Seville with Spanish Day Tours; thank you Betsy @BlackJack2 for organizing.  The bus ride was about 1.5 hours.  First we went to Plaza de Espana near Maria Luisa Park.

Beautiful tile murals.This one is Don Quixote.Next up was the Barrio de Santa Cruz-Seville Old Town (Jewish Quarter). The streets were narrow and looking through some of the doorways we could see into the terraces.

This lead us to the palace.The stone work,

Wood work,

Iron work,

And especially the tile work was amazing.

A quick view of the cathedral 

and it was as time to board the bus to return to the ship.

Edited November 8, 2022 by 0106

[Iamthesea]

Jacqui - Sounds like you are hanging on!  Hope you enjoyed the Flamingo show. 😉

 

I have a question about the Rack of Lamb...my favorite dish anywhere.    I saw on the menu where it comes on Cannellini Beans and Garlic Pearls which do not at all appeal to me.  In your photo, the rack is shown with green beans, broccoli and carrots.  Were those veggies a special request?  Also, I prefer to have plain mint jelly with my lamb, not mint sauce, and especially not the brown gravy shown in your photo.  Can such request be made?

 

Thank you for the recommendation to eat in the Lido.  Freshly cooked steaks and tempura shrimp sound wonderful.  If only I can talk my DH into trying Lido for dinner.  Going to show him your post.  If you have any photos, please post!

 

Sorry to hear of your sisters accident.   You and your family stay safe!!!

[VMax1700]

1 hour ago, Iamthesea said:

I prefer to have plain mint jelly with my lamb,

Do Not ask for mint jelly.  What you will receive is a mound of green flourescent gunge.  It is ghastly.

On Eurodam last year, I was in Lido for dinner and taking some lamb chops back to the table for DW.  I passed a chef as I was walking and he had a bowl of 'that mint jelly'.  He asked if I would like some mint jelly and I smiled and asked "Freshly out of the can, chef?"  Poor guy nearly fell apart laughing.

[Sea42]

@0106 thanks so much for sharing those beautiful photos!

[*Miss G*]

1 hour ago, Iamthesea said:

Jacqui - Sounds like you are hanging on!  Hope you enjoyed the Flamingo show. 😉

 

I have a question about the Rack of Lamb...my favorite dish anywhere.    I saw on the menu where it comes on Cannellini Beans and Garlic Pearls which do not at all appeal to me.  In your photo, the rack is shown with green beans, broccoli and carrots.  Were those veggies a special request?  Also, I prefer to have plain mint jelly with my lamb, not mint sauce, and especially not the brown gravy shown in your photo.  Can such request be made?

 

Thank you for the recommendation to eat in the Lido.  Freshly cooked steaks and tempura shrimp sound wonderful.  If only I can talk my DH into trying Lido for dinner.  Going to show him your post.  If you have any photos, please post!

 

Sorry to hear of your sisters accident.   You and your family stay safe!!!

 

I am not a fan of lamb with beans so I always request no beans but add the veg which appeals to me from another dish.  It’s never a problem.  They usually bring the mint jelly but you can ask for it if they do not.

 

42 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

Do Not ask for mint jelly.  What you will receive is a mound of green flourescent gunge.  It is ghastly.

On Eurodam last year, I was in Lido for dinner and taking some lamb chops back to the table for DW.  I passed a chef as I was walking and he had a bowl of 'that mint jelly'.  He asked if I would like some mint jelly and I smiled and asked "Freshly out of the can, chef?"  Poor guy nearly fell apart laughing.

 

I agree with you on the mint jello.  🤢

[cat shepard]

6 hours ago, 0106 said:

Although our port was Cadiz we decided to take a tour of Seville with Spanish Day Tours; thank you Betsy @BlackJack2 for organizing.  The bus ride was about 1.5 hours.  First we went to Plaza de Espana near Maria Luisa Park.

Beautiful tile murals.This one is Don Quixote.Next up was the Barrio de Santa Cruz-Seville Old Town (Jewish Quarter). The streets were narrow and looking through some of the doorways we could see into the terraces.

This lead us to the palace.The stone work,

Wood work,

Iron work,

And especially the tile work was amazing.

A quick view of the cathedral 

and it was as time to board the bus to return to the ship.

 

Tina

 

Your pictures are amazing. Some of the detail is exquisite! Thank you for sharing. 

[StLouisCruisers]

38 minutes ago, cat shepard said:

 

Tina

 

Your pictures are amazing. Some of the detail is exquisite! Thank you for sharing. 

 

Tina, I agree with Ann.  Just gorgeous, and I bet everyone was so happy they went.

[Iamthesea]

5 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

 

I am not a fan of lamb with beans so I always request no beans but add the veg which appeals to me from another dish.  It’s never a problem.  They usually bring the mint jelly but you can ask for it if they do not.

 

 

I agree with you on the mint jello.  🤢

 

Thank you...good to know!!!

 

5 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

Do Not ask for mint jelly.  What you will receive is a mound of green flourescent gunge.  It is ghastly.

On Eurodam last year, I was in Lido for dinner and taking some lamb chops back to the table for DW.  I passed a chef as I was walking and he had a bowl of 'that mint jelly'.  He asked if I would like some mint jelly and I smiled and asked "Freshly out of the can, chef?"  Poor guy nearly fell apart laughing.

 

Yes, that's why I said "plain mint jelly with my lamb, not mint sauce"...it is disgusting!  

[*Miss G*]

7 minutes ago, Iamthesea said:

 

Thank you...good to know!!!

 

 

Yes, that's why I said "plain mint jelly with my lamb, not mint sauce"...it is disgusting!  

 

I am confused by your wording.  Mint sauce (which is my preference) is the one in the bottle.  Mint jelly is the 2nd pic and is the one they serve on the ship.  Are you referring to something else?  (Sorry.  No idea how to make the pics smaller.)

 

 

[ger_77]

14 hours ago, Iamthesea said:

Jacqui - Sounds like you are hanging on!  Hope you enjoyed the Flamingo show. 😉

 

I have a question about the Rack of Lamb...my favorite dish anywhere.    I saw on the menu where it comes on Cannellini Beans and Garlic Pearls which do not at all appeal to me.  In your photo, the rack is shown with green beans, broccoli and carrots.  Were those veggies a special request?  Also, I prefer to have plain mint jelly with my lamb, not mint sauce, and especially not the brown gravy shown in your photo.  Can such request be made?

 

Thank you for the recommendation to eat in the Lido.  Freshly cooked steaks and tempura shrimp sound wonderful.  If only I can talk my DH into trying Lido for dinner.  Going to show him your post.  If you have any photos, please post!

 

Sorry to hear of your sisters accident.   You and your family stay safe!!!

I’m the one who had the lamb chops, which were delicious!  I dislike the beans and garlic pearls, so asked for steamed vegetables.  I always ask for extra veggies, as you only get a very few with an entree. They are always happy to accommodate special requests.  

[VMax1700]

7 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

 

 

 

Yes that is the stuff they serve.  Has it even seen a mint plant? (plant = herb, not factory!)

It is known by us as 'Soylent Green' 😟

[Heartgrove]

My mother's mother lived with us when I was growing up and did the majority of the cooking. She was Irish and as such we were served a lot of "grey" meat. Yes, she served lamb with the mint jelly that was .... I became a connoisseur of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

 

It took a trip to New Zealand for me to venture having lamb again. It can be prepared properly!

[kazu]

15 hours ago, Iamthesea said:

Jacqui - Sounds like you are hanging on!  Hope you enjoyed the Flamingo show. 😉

 

It was very good - ,more on that later - first a tad bit of catch up

 

15 hours ago, Iamthesea said:

I have a question about the Rack of Lamb...my favorite dish anywhere.    I saw on the menu where it comes on Cannellini Beans and Garlic Pearls which do not at all appeal to me.  In your photo, the rack is shown with green beans, broccoli and carrots.  Were those veggies a special request?

 

 

Yes, ger_77 did a switch - not usually a problem as she said IME as well

 

Finally dear sis had a chance to breathe and shared some pics with me for all of you :

 

Cartagena:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Gorgeous Malaga on the tapas tour.

 

 

Sadly my sister doesn’t take food porn pics - sorry about that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Jan went out to explore Cadiz and make sure of a good way to get me to the Flamenco show.

 

 

Cadiz is one of my favourite stops - so much to see there and so many places not that far away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Cadiz continued….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Cadiz continued…