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Barcelona, Goudi and the Familia Sargada

Ok wow.  That someone could think of much less design such a fantastic building over a 100 years ago is just incredible.  Ate breakfast in  the hotel and took a bus into Barcelona.  Toured the basilica and climbed the towers.  The light inside is fantastic.  Took a taxi back to the hotel and am heading for one last afternoon on the beech.  All checked in on flight 0743 US Airways for tomorrow.  Alas we will be saying goodbye to Europe but my bet is that we will return.  I will try and add pics later.  The Hotel has stable if slow wifi so we are contactable by email.  Although, we will spend every minute we can on the beech between now and take off.  We expect to be back in the states by 1pm tomorrow and home in our own beds by tomorrow night.  We are sore of feet but happy of heart.  Good trip had by all.

Barcelona and the end of stage 3

Goodbye NCL Spirit you have been av good ship and have allowed us to accomplish so much of our travels.  Bon voyage. We move to the 4th and final stage of our travels this trip... Barcelona and the journey home.
Took a taxi to our hotel aparmentos Marfina in Castelldefels west of Barcelona. We are presently to find a very clean cheerful inn. It is right on the beach and provides beck toys including kites chairs a windsurfer and sea canoes. Had lunch and dinner in two different tapas bars. Played in the sea (cold but warmer then the Atlantic). Not much in the way of tides or rideable waves but a sand bar and great sun. There is a kite club next door and they put on a kite surfing exposition for us with over 24 surfers. Ian made it out to the sand bar on his own. And Mark made a sand castle to defend the beech from the light ride. Castelldefel's is an interesting town. Either it is a resort town before the rush or is haunted by echoes of to many restaurants and not enough people.  Either way it is perfect for us to ease our way back to landlubber status. Tomorrow Gaudi's La Familia Sargada, Barcelona and our last full day of this fabulous trip.

Naples and Pompeii

Awoke early to see mount Vesuvius come into view. To hidden in clouds. Why do so many people live in the shadow of a killer volcano? Navigated Naples in our own. Walked to bus stop. Train to Pompeii. Almost got took by a squirrelly tour company but bailed out at the last minute. Hooked up with a decent enough waking tour. Pompeii is breathtaking. The horror the grandeur. Fantastic streets, waking stones, hitching holes in the curbs, the mosaics, the Carma Sutra frescoes , the floor tiles, the gardens in the houses. Wow. We got to sit in the amphitheater. Little pebbles from the eruption everywhere. Molds of the deceased in their last poses.
Lunch at a quiet little pizzeria.  Took the train back to Naples. Ian  sat with a boy from England and played go with him on the train. Weather was damp for the first time but tolerable. Graced with a rainbow when we were setting sail. The pilot was fun to watch. Stormy seas tonight. Sat in the bow and listened to the ship get pummeled by waves. Sounded like a giants bass drum. Time tomorrow for Ian's B- day. Looking forward to the coliseum, trevi fountain and st. Peters. Not going to make it to the Sistine chapel not enough time. Ah well have to come back.

Pisa not pizza

Landed in Livorno. Off to Pisa. We were joined with one of Ian's friend on the bus. 45 minute ride. Gorgeous scenery and fun ride. Miracle square was peaceful. Walked up the leaning tower and videoed the entire way up. Checked out the seismographs. Took some great pictures. Enjoyed some gelato. And learned about how the tower, cathedral and baptistry are all leaning in different directions. Back on board we had a great chat with a Scottish couple. Off to Toulon tomorrow for our only visit to France. Cruise ship report mechanical problems (down to 3/4 propellers) resulting in decreased speed and early departure from Toulon tomorrow. Ian and his kids club pals poor on a show for the entire boat. He completed a trick with the devil sticks. A very proud Ian indeed.

Toulon bon jour

A calm day. Got to Toulon and we slept in. Got up after the crowds had left and meandered through the old Town. Then we caught a water bus to Subelette beech. Fantastic little beech with almost nu one on it. Everyone on our boat either went to Marseilles or just stayed in town due to the shortened day.  Ate some wonderful kebobs on French bread. Beech was a treasure trove for sea glass and  sea weed. Blew out my flip flop sinking knee deep in sea weed and wet sand. Made it back to the boat with 30 minutes to spare. Iran and his kids club pals put on a show for the entire boat. Ian did a trick with devil sticks and was very proud.  

Rome....amen

Off to the eternal city. Ians bday today. He got seranaded by the entire bus while he ate a marshmellow on a stick birthday cake
  Took a bus ride from Ciccivechia to Rome. Started out at the Trevi fountian in the rain. Had to buy number shoots from the East India crap trading company. Threw 2 coins into the fountain with wishes attached. Even in the rain the fountain impresses.  Ian got a gladiator costume cmpleye with chest plate, hat, shield and short sword. Then off on a  walking tour of the Roman forum in the rain.   Ended up in the coliseum.  Iran in his full outfit.  Very impressive.  Lunch provided by the tour in a cute Italian restaurant. Of to the Vatican (gladiator suit remained in the bus). Nearly started a riot in the line for st. Peter's cathedral. Tour guide led us to a shortcut line because we had reservations. Unfortunately the line ended at a choke point the required cutting into the long line waiting without a reservation. Had to tell Mark to hop a barrier and lifted Ian over behind him. Then used my sternest gave to convince a group if Asian tourists that yelling at me was not the best idea.  Mare it into st. Peter's without further ado. Crowds were oppressive. Managed to see the Pietra and 2/5 interned popes and got a glimpse of some of the fantastic art before leaving through the door of the dead. No time for the Sistine chapel this time. Did manage to get pictures of Bernini's wind sculpture near the Egyptian obelisk. Drove by el passage and got a glimpse of Gandolpho before returning sore of foot to the boat. All in all a busy bday for Ian.