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

[DeeniEncinitas]

5 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Thanks - I’m not using Verifly either.  May do it for the ship - but I doubt there is any benefit for Barcelona - they are just plain slow.  Neighbour in front of me on the plane said it was no better than it used to be.

 

 

Thanks It’s been a long day.  I left at 10 am my time and now it is 11 my time..  I knew what I was getting into though.  My sisters and BIL’s are staying at a different hotel than I.  they have a great one - but it’s not an area I like.

And I know I will need to decompress, I’m pretty sure.  It will all be good, I hope 🤞 

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Jacqui,

So happy your sisters and BIL’S are all going to be with you!!!! Been thinking of you also all day! Have a hopefully relaxing flight ✈️ and on to BARCELONA 👍👍
This is a well deserved and beautiful trip for you and so glad you have your siblings (family) with you!

Can’t wait for all you will write us and photos in future! Take care Jacqui remember take TIME TO RELAX AND ENJOY THE MOMENTS GOD GIVES YOU AND KNOW YOU ARE LOVED BY ALL!

🌺Denise☺️

[Seasick Sailor]

16 minutes ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Jacqui,

So happy your sisters and BIL’S are all going to be with you!!!! Been thinking of you also all day! Have a hopefully relaxing flight ✈️ and on to BARCELONA 👍👍
This is a well deserved and beautiful trip for you and so glad you have your siblings (family) with you!

Can’t wait for all you will write us and photos in future! Take care Jacqui remember take TIME TO RELAX AND ENJOY THE MOMENTS GOD GIVES YOU AND KNOW YOU ARE LOVED BY ALL!

🌺Denise☺️

 

Beautifully said Denise. Jacqui wishing you a blessed flight and cruise.

Xx

[DeeniEncinitas]

2 minutes ago, Seasick Sailor said:

 

Beautifully said Denise. Jacqui wishing you a blessed flight and cruise.

Xx

😘 

[Seasick Sailor]

4 minutes ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

😘

 

Denise, email me at abohemiangirl at gmail

[sailingdutchy]

2 hours ago, kazu said:

 

 

 

 

Thanks Tony.  the bear is with me 😉 ♥️ 

 

Lisbon I’m using the same company I did last time as we were so happy with them.  We are going outside of Lisbon to see amazing spots - it SHOULD be amazing (I hope).

 

Madeira is Daniel of course.  I have all of his vans and Malaga is Laura whom you know well.

 

 

 

Thanks very much for that I was hoping you would do that in Malaga and Madeira , those are our favourite people we love to spend our day with , Laura and Daniel please give both of them a big , big hug from Tony and Martha , we miss them .

 

If you have not yet ask Daniel to take you to Henriques & Henriques at the end of the tour for some Madeira wine tasting  , he always takes us there before we go back to the ship and in Malaga have some delicious tapas and wine  or is it Wine and Tapas !? 

[erewhon]

@kazu  Wishing you a wonderful trouble free holiday, am pleased that you have family members with you.

 

[Retiredwineladys]

Have a safe trip. We are on day 4 in Madrid. head to Barcelona on Monday

[kazu]

Good morning from Barcelona.  Have arrived here safe & sound.  Barcelona Customs wasn’t the least bit interested in my proof of vaccination nor Verifly.  Just my passport 😉 

Ironically my sisters & BIL’s were through Customs before (even though I was one of the first off the plane).  They lucked out and got fast tracked.  When I got to the baggage carousel, they were already there and had their luggage.  We had to wait for mine (good thing it had that priority tag because I was biz 🙄).

 

But all our luggage was there - I half expected my bag not to come with 2 connections - the amount of luggage being lost at Pearson is pretty astounding.

 

However they did manage to lose my luggage tag 😔 DH always had me pack a couple of extra in case and we never needed them so guess what I didn’t pack this time? 😉 😬 

Shared a cab with one of my sisters & BIL - he dropped me off at my hotel and they went to theirs.

 

Have a few pics from the flight but sadly, my phone’s battery is too low so they won’t upload/stream to my Ipad.  I’ll have to wait until I get my room to get the charger and European connector out & charge it up.

 

In the meantime I’m chilling at the roof top terrace - need to get stuff in the safe before I am going anywhere 😉 

 

[grapau27]

9 hours ago, rafinmd said:

Have a tolerable flight.  Hopefully, having sisters and BIL with you will make things a bit easier in Barcelona.

 

Roy

Barcelona is a lovely city but there are lots of pickpockets.

It is best to use taxis and avoid public transport.

[LouChamp]

Love Barcelona especially the Hotel Arts. As said beware of pickpockets but that is true for any large city.  All the best!

[kazu]

16 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Barcelona is a lovely city but there are lots of pickpockets.

It is best to use taxis and avoid public transport.

 

Thanks - we’ve been here many times (not just pre-cruise) and never been robbed yet 🤞 including when DH was on conference for a week & I was on my own during the day.  A bit of common sense and a watchful eye goes a long way 😉 

 

Hopefully my ‘luck’ holds 🤞 

[kazu]

3 minutes ago, LouChamp said:

Love Barcelona especially the Hotel Arts. As said beware of pickpockets but that is true for any large city.  All the best!

 

Thanks!  And agree on the large city 😉 

[grapau27]

6 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Thanks - we’ve been here many times (not just pre-cruise) and never been robbed yet 🤞 including when DH was on conference for a week & I was on my own during the day.  A bit of common sense and a watchful eye goes a long way 😉 

We also have been very fortunate to avoid pickpockets having stayed in Barcelona many times and you are correct that common sense and a watchful eye is the best way.

They tend to work in groups using distraction tactics.

I always wear shorts with zip pockets and we leave jewellery in the hotel safe.

The ship terminals are close to the city centre.

Malaga,Cadiz, Lisbon and Madeira have lots to see and explore.

If you use credit cards in Europe it is best to pay in Euro's as you get a much better exchange rate from your own bank.

I'm looking forward to following along and wish you an amazing cruise.

Graham.

 

[Nodakboiler]

We are currently on the Oosterdam and look  forward to you joining us in Barcelona for the return to Florida. Enjoy your time in Spain this week!

[JudyjudyjudyS]

We are joining you on this cruise and look forward to meeting you.  Safe travels!

[kazu]

4 hours ago, grapau27 said:

We also have been very fortunate to avoid pickpockets having stayed in Barcelona many times and you are correct that common sense and a watchful eye is the best way.

They tend to work in groups using distraction tactics.

I always wear shorts with zip pockets and we leave jewellery in the hotel safe.

The ship terminals are close to the city centre.

 

As long as you can dock there 😉 too many ships in LIsbon and I fear wwe won’t be at Appalonia.  Can’t see terminals on the LIsbon port site.

Hopefully for Cadiz we are.  They are showing us there now but I have warned those joining me on our private Flamenco show that if it changes - be prepared for a call from me and to meet earlier.  It’s an easy short walk IF we dock at the normal terminal.  I never wear jewelry exploring.

Since I won’t be on a BHB for a week I bought a cheap watch to wear in Barcelona.  If they want it, they can have it.  I can get another $10 one on the ship most likely 😉 

 

4 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Malaga,Cadiz, Lisbon and Madeira have lots to see and explore.

If you use credit cards in Europe it is best to pay in Euro's as you get a much better exchange rate from your own bank.

 

I was on a video call with my sisters and bought their Sagrada Familia tickets for them and told them the same thing.  Always pay in the country of origen’s currency - I’ve never seen the opposite way work better.

 

4 hours ago, grapau27 said:

I'm looking forward to following along and wish you an amazing cruise.

Graham.

 

 

Thanks

 

4 hours ago, Nodakboiler said:

We are currently on the Oosterdam and look  forward to you joining us in Barcelona for the return to Florida. Enjoy your time in Spain this week!

 

Keep the ship in good shape for us please 😉 

But hey you haven’t joined our roll call.  If you can see signatures you will see the PDF is that is our converted spread sheet.  We are having a Sail a Way get together on embarkation day and a Meet and Greet (aka Meet and Mingle - I”m old fashioned) on our first sea day (Nov. 10th).  I even finagled the Crow’s Nest (aka Explorations whatever they call it now)

 

We’d be happy to have you join us.  I think I have enough invites - if you email me your cabin number - I’ll deliver an invite to you.  We have 126 registered, I think - what’s two more 🙂 You are more than welcome 🙂 

[grapau27]

24 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

As long as you can dock there 😉 too many ships in LIsbon and I fear wwe won’t be at Appalonia.  Can’t see terminals on the LIsbon port site.

Hopefully for Cadiz we are.  They are showing us there now but I have warned those joining me on our private Flamenco show that if it changes - be prepared for a call from me and to meet earlier.  It’s an easy short walk IF we dock at the normal terminal.  I never wear jewelry exploring.

Since I won’t be on a BHB for a week I bought a cheap watch to wear in Barcelona.  If they want it, they can have it.  I can get another $10 one on the ship most likely 😉 

 

 

I was on a video call with my sisters and bought their Sagrada Familia tickets for them and told them the same thing.  Always pay in the country of origen’s currency - I’ve never seen the opposite way work better.

 

 

Thanks

 

 

Keep the ship in good shape for us please 😉 

But hey you haven’t joined our roll call.  If you can see signatures you will see the PDF is that is our converted spread sheet.  We are having a Sail a Way get together on embarkation day and a Meet and Greet (aka Meet and Mingle - I”m old fashioned) on our first sea day (Nov. 10th).  I even finagled the Crow’s Nest (aka Explorations whatever they call it now)

 

We’d be happy to have you join us.  I think I have enough invites - if you email me your cabin number - I’ll deliver an invite to you.  We have 126 registered, I think - what’s two more 🙂 You are more than welcome 🙂 

This is where we docked in Lisbon on P&O Iona in March.

Just behind the yellow building with the red roof In my first photo is a big square and the beginning of a long pedestrian street up to the centre.

The second photo shows the cruise terminal.

Our ship shuttle bus dropped us off outside Starbucks at the far end of that long street.

Edited October 29, 2022 by grapau27

[kazu]

Well, I HAD to go shopping today - plugged in my portable Waterpik to the european gadget and smoke came out of it.  Ugh.  Pretty sure it is dead and I can’t ignore things for 3 week so off I went on a hunt for one.

Took a few places but finally what was going to be my stop if the others didn’t pan out had it.  She looked at me like I was crazy until I said I saw they had it in stock on line.
 

I won’t say the price.  Ridiculous or should I say ridiculoso But beggars can’t be choosers and it’s a requirement for me now to do it.  I couldn’t go without for 3 weeks.  

 

Staying at the Casa Camper and so far it seems very nice.  I got a tour and explanation of the hotel when I arrived.  Breakfast is included with the stay and once breakfast is over they turn the room over to a semi-snack room with sandwiches, salads, etc.  they have a terrace on the roof top - no pool - but an honesty bar.

 

 

 

Any non alcoholic drink and all the snacks are free.

 

 

you just sign for the alcoholic beverages and it is added to your bill.

 

For the chocaholics out there like @RuthCand a pile of Daily- ites, there are also chocolates.

 

 

And to add to the chocolate addiction - I was gifted a bottle of red wine because I was staying so long (and it was a good one) but as some may know, red and Kazu always don’t get along so I returned it.  So they gifted me with chocolates. 

 

 

They may be re-gifted 😉 

 

 

 

 

 

[SusieKIslandGirl]

Just received an update on the Memories page. We were in Montserrat one year ago. We went there after reading your descriptions from your previous trip. And I had wild dreams last night after you mentioned Daniel. 😳 I loved the whole island tour but those narrow, one lane roads were a little hair-raising. Good luck on the Lisbon port. Not sure where we were but it was a long ride into the center of town.

You wondered about what the 3rd pitfall was going to be but now you’ve 4 so that’s more than enough!! Fingers crossed for a smooth journey onward.

[kazu]

So, before I forget back to the flight and a tad of food porn and the only picture of me you may see.

I was flying biz class - thanks to points.  It really helped as I HAD to have an extra bag for the ashes and of course I HAD to buy maple sugar cookies for our people in Malaga & Cadiz 😉 I was burdened down - the joy of biz.  None of that will be coming home so I won’t be bogged down.

When I got on the flight in Montreal to BCN somehow the flight attendant knew I was carrying ashes.  She extended her condolences and asked if I would like a pic taken.  I said no and she said “when else will anyone take one of you - let me take a pic”.  But that wasn’t good enough - she wanted a big smile even though I wasn’t feeling like smiling.  I acquiesed.  Remember I had been through two flights already and thanks to a major delay in Toronto was tearing to get to the gate in Montreal.  (See the mask next to me?  Yes, I was using it)

 

 

Service on our flight from YSJ to YYZ was impeccable.  For that Mickey Mouse plane to have such good service was amazing.  She couldn’t do enough for the 16 of us!

 

 

And for me the meal was so so - but I saw the others cleaning their plates.  Since I wasn’t thrilled, I didn’t take pics

 

the meal was excellent on the Biz class from Mtl to Bcn.  It was definitely in the Spanish tradition with things like cod, cheeks and octupus.  

 

I heard a lot of people turning down the octopus - not me 🙂 

 

 

 

I did get the cheeks and it was pretty dam edible (the cod was gone to choose from and I was in the 2nd seat - LOL.

 

 

good options for dessert and sorry to those that love chocolate but I took the cheese plate.  😉 

 

 

 

Nothing like making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear 😉 

 

didn’t take the phone out today for the bit of walking I did - nervous of roaming charges - hotel is giving me a hot spot to carry with me so I don’t incur them 👍 

[bennybear]

Glad you’ve arrived safe and sound!  Interesting menu, I enjoy octopus.   
enjoy! 

[Dunmore2]

That’s a fine picture of you. I looked at the menu we’re being served on AC’s Monday flight to Frankfurt, looks the same as yours. 
Wow, lucky you, Amatller chocolate, delicious. We may tour the Casa Amatller this week.

[rkacruiser]

6 hours ago, kazu said:

I heard a lot of people turning down the octopus - not me

 

It is an interesting choice for an appetizer on a Business Class flight, but, I would try it.  I have had Baby Octopus as part of an Antipasto and I did like it.  Thank you for posting your menu on your flight.  

 

6 hours ago, kazu said:

I HAD to buy maple sugar cookies

 

I wish I had some of these goodies!

 

 

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Enjoying very much reading your travels. Thanks.

[garlictown]

@kazu Jacqui,

👍I'm so happy that you are enjoying your time in Barcelona! 

Katie

P.S. We'll be there in November with Auntie! 😊