Aspects of Wonder and Wander

11.22 and 11.23 in the Canary Islands

No canaries spotted on this archipelago of islands – all very volcanic and out in the middle of the Atlantic, quite isolated. Apparently they were named after the canines/canaria (or perhaps seals that act like dogs?) seen by the first Europeans who landed there…regardless, there are no canary birds on these islands! We spent a day in Arrecife on Lanzarote and then the next day in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Our excursion on Lanzarote was quite the tour – visiting a cacti garden with over 1500 species of cacti. The islands get about 5” of water a year and their zero scape is beautifully kept lava gravel. There are no natural trees tho’ we saw a few palm trees as decor. That said, the clouds are very low in the area and thus also drop a mist as well as creating a lot of humidity. The guide was excellent and offered a lot of information about life on the island being very communal and everyone taking care to keep the island and life very friendly amongst the 150,000 living on the island. Other than the black gravel in the yards there were boulder fields of lava along the road and then plots of cactus plants to produce a parasite they collect to make the natural red dye in everything we use or consume – from make up to food coloring. The houses are lovely white with either green or blue shutters and trim.

It really felt like a chill kind of place – where everybody knows your name – where everyone was welcome, and a sort of anything goes (including a nude beach) as far as creativity and artwork kind of place.

**This is a cochineal – a parasite bug from the prickly pear cactuses**n – they grow these cactus as a resource to produce the red dye.

**All the cars are about this size… this was in a parking lot!**

A couple of the the only trees we saw…

The landscape around the island but for the volcanoes and dark volcanic pebbles in peoples yards, neatly raked.

Prickly Pear fields of cacti to sell and harvest the red dye from the tiny bug on the plant.

The second part of the tour took us to an amazing lava cave…Jameos del Agua, a complex area of lava rock, tunnels, and caves where the owner had created a restaurant, theatre, beautiful grounds above the cave/tunnels and it included a tidal pool with tiny little crabs. The stairs and ground were a bit of a trek due to the uneven blocks of lava but well worth the visit.

This is the volcano that produced the cave we visited. The volcanoes seem to be dormant BUT one can still put one’s hand into the dirt and feel the warmth about a foot down. I wonder if it’s just a light sleeper volcano? They are expecting more islands to appear in time.

The main walk way in the cave and the tidal salt water lake with the blind crabs.

The little white specks are the crabs in salt water.

Our second day was in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and it is the most populated island with a lot of vibrant culture, typical European squares, eating outside and people out for a meet up with neighbors and friends in the evening. We took a late afternoon excursion for a walking tour through the city to hear about historical buildings, architecture (the Opera House much like the one in Sydney, tho much smaller), etc. Residents are strongly Catholic and celebrate Three Kings Day in January and the city was amass with holiday decorations and a delightful park with a holiday video showing for families on a Friday night. We took the tour to hear about all this but sadly the guide, as much as he tried, was not up to any standard for guiding…the other part of the tour was for some wine and tapas tasting – both of which we did but again, sadly, with no info or explanation, With this rather disappointing experience we still had a delightful evening with some people we’ve met on board…good laughs and stories!

A few pictures of Tenerife. The photos have been nearly impossible to upload.

After the Canary Islands we had two fun sea days…they have picked up a pattern of breakfast in the restaurant, Bridge class, lectures (all excellent), lunch, rest time and then mid-afternoon needlepoint with a beverage and lots of chatter in the Observation Deck Lounge… yesterday we did see a couple of humpback whales thanks to our Captain letting us know… one of those scenes where everyone on the boat runs over to the port side deck to watch. Typically we meet again at 6:45 with our Solos group and have dinner together – always with lots of frivolity…

The day before today, we had a letter informing us that we are entering a “high risk area” for pirates starting tonight as we sail towards Dakar Senegal. Specifically The ship will be in constant contact with the International Task Force and navel forces assigned to protect merchant vessels – this is all controlled by a United Nations mandate. We had a “pirate drill”… all lights off, curtains pulled shut and we go to the hall way and sit down…if the ship begins to list, as in trying to create a wake, then we are to lie down. Whilst doing all this during the drill I couldn’t help thinking of the people in control watching cameras and laughing as we all were going to need to get up off the floor…that said, only Alix was on the floor, doing puzzles on her phone. The rest of us were talking and our neighbors across the hall agreed we may need snacks and champagne if necessary so that’s all planned. Apparently, while here in Cape Verde (tomorrow’s update) there will be special forces coming on board for our voyage to Senegal. We’ve also been told there are “water cannons” on board to deter any attack… I rather imagine there is more to all this but thankfully we have only been told not to worry as what would pirates want with a bunch of old people. They want the oil from them merchant ships. That said if there is a passenger onboard of high value (apparently they don’t realize who Alix and I are…) then that could create more of target. And of course I have noted we are nearly at a full moon so even as dark as the ship will be while sailing tonight…the shimmer from the moon on the water will still be there.

Last night we set the clocks back another hour so are eight hours ahead and tonight we go forward so back to seven hours…that’s one day of eight hours and during the night, the crew worked very hard and now the ship is all decked out for the holiday…They have done a great deal to ensure this is a wonderful trip – no complaints from us!!

A few fun pics from our days…canapés in the room after a big lunch in the cave, dessert from the French restaurant, the pool area, and a beautiful sunset to come… More soon as we discover West Africa.

A morning arrival…

11/21/23…Sea Day

We were to be stopping in Casablanca but earlier this past month Regent wrote saying it was cancelled out of an abundance of caution due to the war in the Middle East. Disappointing but understandable and both Alix and I have visited Morocco and other Muslim countries (I was just in the UAE, Jordan, and Turkey this past spring).

We had a relaxing sea day… we both took Bridge class, rested, she went to a lecture and I then played Bridge that afternoon.

As “solo” travelers on this trip the Social Director, Kelly, organizes a lot of nice extras. One is meeting in the bar on the Observation deck at 6:45, have a beverage, and then anyone interested goes for dinner. It’s really quite fun and we have a great group of solos. One night Kelly ate with us and another night Olly and Jackson hosted dinner – one a dancer , whose mom was a Radio City Rockette, and the other a singer, both with the entertainment crew. Delightful young men…we went to the show last night to see them after being requested to sit in the front row… they said it helps to see friendly faces!! Two nights ago Kelly and Ugo (the general manager) joined the solos for dinner – he hosting with two excellent bottles of champagne as a treat with dinner. Needless to say we are enjoying the extras of being solo and getting to meet those running the show, in one way or another! The frivolity at dinner is quite fun. We choose to share a table at the specialty restaurants and have thoroughly enjoyed that as well…sharing tables in Europe is a norm, and can be a lot of fun. I wonder if Americans will ever move into a more inviting behavior as such.

The speakers have been good and other guests are very friendly sharing stories of past cruises or an excursion. We are enjoying our suite life with periodic canapés, a full bar, and truly anything we might request. Will add a few more pictures of the suite…it’s called a Voyager Suite. About 650 sq. Feet and 1.5 bathrooms. No complaints!

Some mornings we eat in the suite and others we wander out to the many other options. Last night after a late lunch out in a cave (will post that excursion tomorrow!) we just had canapés in the room and then drinks with our little group, before the show. Tonight our excursion has us going ashore in Santa Cruz for Tapas tasting – a Thanksgiving first!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and time with family and friends.

Cadiz…the only city on both the Atlantic and Mediterranean due to the Strait of Gibraltar.

Cadiz sits on the south west corner of Spain and has a rich history. One of the many pleasures of travel is exploring places one would not necessarily go to on one’s own. We spent the day at two uniquely different venues, both equally interesting and fun. We visited the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, had a city tour of Cadiz, and then went to the Gonzalez Byass winery historically known for its sherry.

Alix has been taking a photo like this each morning…quite fun.

Winding streets, beautiful old buildings, and a delightful day in Cadiz.

Cadiz in the early morning as we were pulling in.

We visited during a practice session so no fancy dress for the dressage. We did meet an instructor who had been a medal winner for Spain in the Olympics. Four to six students are admitted each year, so quite competitive and an honor.

One of the most beautiful streets in Cadiz is part of the winery. There is a restaurant and a small boutique hotel.

Apparently having mice in your winery keeps rats (who would eat the barrels) away…the el guardian of the barrels put down this dear little setting for the mice and would watch at night periodically capturing one sipping!

Tio Pepe…meaning Uncle Joseph…was the symbol for this winery – quite entertaining.

Not quite Siesta Key but a beautiful setting and beach!

A very high storks nest – we saw several of these nests.

Wandering while wondering…where in the world is Alix’s luggage?

We can’t say enough about apple air tags and were able to follow her luggage to Newark and eventually across the North Atlantic – a day and hours later to Barcelona and hours later to our hotel. The luggage tag placed by United at check in was useless as United used someone else’s tag…Virgil Holmes, tag on her bag, with apparently a sticker that matched someone named Christine. We spent countless hours on the phone with United with only one person confirming she understood and we had to trust that and the little lone apple tag to tell us the bag was on the move. Shopping (just in case) in Barcelona was fun…and the bag arrived at dinner time Friday…all is well.

Over all, we had a couple of fun days in Barcelona, a first time for me, and nice that Alix had been there a number of times. Beautiful city, so European…which I have missed! Saturday morning was transfer day to the ship – seamless and easy. We are on the Regent SS Voyager, a smaller ship, and not full, though when we booked two years ago, there was a waiting list for anything. While in the lounge in Newark, Arnold Palmer, my Regent agent, called and suggested an upgrade to a larger suite for a very good price, so we took that and are now enjoying an elegant space, our own butler, and may be spoiled for life. For a month, it’s nice to have the extras and room!

We met a bunch of “solo” travelers yesterday and had dinner with them. The cruise line helps to organize this. Delightful! Today, we will be hanging out with the bridge players as it is a sea day. We are sailing our way over to Cadiz, Spain at the moment and can see mountains afar. Calm, quiet seas…breakfast in the suite, and thoroughly enjoying everything.