Today we are boarding the Azamara Quest for our 7 adventure of sailing the French and Italian Rivera. Our first stop tomorrow Portofino, Italy. This picture is Nice, France where we are boarding the Azamara Quest. … [Read more...]
Wine tasting in Valencia region
Our next port stop was Valencia. A group of us went wine tasting. We went to the region called Utiel Requena which is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) for wines located in the province of Valencia. It is renowned for the predominant use of the Bobal grape variety. I had never heard of this grape varietal and it was very yummy. The Bobal grape variety occupies over 75% of the vineyards. The pulp of the Bobal grape is colourless and meaty; the hard skin of the round medium-sized berries is intensely and brightly coloured, the smell is fresh, original and fragrant. The taste is pleasantly acidic and tannic. The average bunch is of medium-large size, compact, with an irregular cone shape. The wines produced tend to be fruity, low in alcohol content and high in acidity. … [Read more...]
AzAmazing event on Azamara Quest.
St Michael's Cave (Spanish: Cueva de San Miguel is the name given to a network of limestone caves located in the Upper Rock Nature Reserve of Gibraltar, at a height of over 300 metres above sea level. The largest of the chambers, named the Cathedral Cave, currently serves as an auditorium. It was converted due to the chamber's natural acoustic properties, which according to experts, enhances and blends tones into a uniform and faithful rendition of sound. It is equipped with a concrete stage and has a seating capacity of over 100. Your browser does not support the video tag … [Read more...]
Semana Santa – Holy Week in Seville
Holy Week in Seville (Spanish: Semana Santa de Sevilla) is one of the most important traditional events of the city and also the most important Holy Week in Spain. It is celebrated in the week leading up to Easter (Holy Week among Christians), and is one of the better known religious events within Spain. This week features the procession of pasos, floats of lifelike wooden sculptures of individual scenes of the events of the Passion, or images of the Virgin Mary showing restrained grief for the torture and killing of her Son. Some of the sculptures are of great antiquity and are considered artistic masterpieces, as well as being culturally and spiritually important to the local Catholic population. During Holy Week, the city is crowded with residents and visitors, drawn by the spectacle and atmosphere. The impact is particularly strong for the Catholic community. The processions are organized by hermandades and cofradías, religious brotherhoods. During the processions, members precede the pasos (of which there are up to three in each procession) dressed in penitential robes, and, with few exceptions, hoods. They may also be accompanied by brass bands. The processions work along a designated route from their home churches and chapels to the Cathedral, usually via a central viewing area and back. The ones from the suburban barrios may take 14 hours to return to their home churches. The processions continue from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday morning. The climax of the … [Read more...]
Thailand the “land of smiles” – March 2013
We started our sailing adventure in Langkawi, Maylasia which is a duty free island and the booze is cheap cheap cheap. 1st stop was a busy bay on Koh Lipe where we had a lovely Thai meal on land. Next stop we went to my favorite spot Rok Nok, a Marine National Park. Rok Nok is a protected wildlife habitat. An amazing array of coral gardens and brightly-coloured fish are literally right underneath the boat - one could snorkel for hours in the tropically warm waters! Most of the clear underwater photos were taken here. That night we went onshore and had a massive BBQ along side the monitor lizards and hermit crabs. After a very long sail we stopped at Koh Muk for another lovely Thai meal and hanging out at Charlie's beach swimming pool for a cocktail in the afternoon, then it's early to bed as we were headed to The Lost Lagoon - an old pirate hangout. To find it, we swim through a winding, pitch-black sea tunnel (it's ok, we do have waterproof lights!). It's a spooky and thoroughly exciting feeling, especially when one emerges the other end into a "Lost World" in the center of the island. Next stop the lovely Koh Lanta with the infamous Why Not Bar where there is fire spinning on the beach and cold beers. An early morning start, and a short hop to Phi Phi Li (Little Phi Phi), whose recent claim-to-fame is the Leonardo DiCaprio's movie "The Beach" . It's a spectacular little island - dramatic limestone cliffs, pure white sands and unbelievably bright turquoise … [Read more...]
2 sea days and then cruising in Milford, Dusky and Doubtful Sound
2 lovely sea days upon the Celebrity Solstice saw dolphins off our deck. Cruising the Fjords was amazing. Reminded me if Canada and Alaska. … [Read more...]
Melbourne, Australia 1st port stop.
Wonderful day visiting Melbourne. Took the tram into city center walked around to the Markets, hopped back on the free city circle tram for an overview. Then walked down by the Yarra river watching the crew practice their rowing. Also walked by the arena where the Tennis Open was taking place and where Serena Williams just won her match. … [Read more...]
Solstice leaves Sydney
Thursday 17 Jan 6.30pm. It was a balmy Sydney late afternoon as the Solstice left the harbour for its 12 night Australia and New Zealand Cruise. The cruise will continue onto Melbourne before heading to New Zealand. Stops in New Zealand include Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga and the final port Auckland. … [Read more...]
Opera house and Sydney
Great day sailing on Sydney Harbour. … [Read more...]
Sydney Harbour Bridge
We walked up the pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and had fantastic views. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the world's largest (but not longest) steel arch bridge, and, in its beautiful harbour location, has become a renowned international symbol of Australia. The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney, Australia. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, opening in 1973 after a long gestation that had begun with his competition-winning design in 1957. The Sydney Opera House was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 28 June 2007. It is one of the 20th century's most distinctive buildings and one of the most famous performing arts centres in the world. … [Read more...]
