Carl & Judy's Ultimate Adventure

A two-fer today.   Our day will begin with a trip to Blarney Castle. And the Stone.   Later this evening we visit the Jameson distillery for a wee bit of spirits.   It is Ireland, after all. As we pull into Cork Bay, it is easy to see why they are called the “Emerald Isle”.   Under grey skies, we slowly drift between luscious banks.   The variety of plants is impressive. The bus ride today is short by comparison; just under an hour.   We drive through a lovely countryside and quaint villages, finally arriving in Blarney. The castle, well maintained, looms ahead.   It is not an imposing castle.   Size-wise, it does not compare to some of the castles we have seen on this trip.   It is dominated mostly by its tower.   As with every castle, it is built on a hill with a dominating view of the countryside.   Most of the surrounding lands have been converted to gardens and beyond, cow pastures. We of course have to kiss the stone despite J...

If you are Roman Catholic, Fatima holds an especially emotional hook into your soul.   The appearance of the Blessed Mother to the three children is still debated because of the three prophecies given the children ... the third of which is still unknown.   Those that know Judy know there was no way I was getting out of this pilgrimage. After docking in Porto, we embark on our two hour coach ride to Fatima.   The ride is through lovely countryside, despite being on a freeway.   It is not the congested, Mediterranean village feel that was Lisbon; much more SoCal.   Arriving in Fatima, we find a quaint, well kept tidy town.   It has a very Southern California vibe to it.   Shortly, we arrive at the shrine, Santaurio de Nossa Senhora do Rosario de Fatima (Sanctuary of our Lady of Fatima)comprising two basilicas with an enormous plaza between them.   The contrast is striking!   90 minutes goes by quickly. The newer basilica is round and modern. ...

Two “sea days”, one manufactured the other for real, have recharged the batteries.    Did not realize how much we both needed the down time.    In port today in Portugal’s capital and ready to go explore. Despite 35 years since my last visit, Lisbon looks very much as I remember it.   Lovely thing about the Mediterranean is that the basic impression of all their smaller cities, whether Spain, Greece, Italy, France or Portugal, is the same: lovely pastel colored stucco houses/buildings with terra cotta roofs. We cancelled our “Highlights Tour” of Lisbon on the expectation that we would dock on the waterfront promenade.   The bet paid off and we are off ....” The center part of town is just a few blocks off the cruise pier.   We begin walking through the maze of old streets.   Lisbon is built, like Rome, among several hills ... in Lisbon’s case, seven.   That means that not only do you need to navigate narrow winding cobblestones streets, but a...

Casablanca.   The Casbah.   After several delays, we are finally in port and ready to start our day. Although I should know better by now, we start with preconceived ideas of where we are going and what we will see.   The first stop throws us for a loop ... The Museum of Moroccan Jews (Not a typo).   I’m not sure what the messaging in this choice was meant to be.   A small affair, barely three rooms, it contains pictures of normal Jewish life and a couple of artifacts on display.   Attached to the museum is a small active synagogue.   OK.   No guide ... just left to wander on our own. 🤔. Are you trying to communicate tolerance?   Since there is a mosque later in the tour are you trying to create the contrast?   Not sure.   But it leaves us with an unpleasant karma about this excursion. We next walk about parts of the new “old” city!?!?!   OK.   This tour seems haphazard.   A walk past the Royal residence (where the k...

Another beautiful Spanish port city.   Of all the countries we have visited the past seven months, Spain has consistently had the most accessible and attractive ports.   In the approaches into the harbor and in the modern port and terminal facilities usually right in the city.   The importance of tourism to this country can only grow and they are certainly making the investment to succeed. Our today is a “City Tour”, which generally means a bus tour .... mostly.   You still end up walking over 5 miles with all the “short” walks off the coach.   Our first stop today is the hill of the Castle of Gibralfaro, the garrison of the original Arabic city.   As with almost all cities in Southern Spain, they must be viewed by their different eras:   Indigenous (Phoenician), Carthaginian, Roman, Visigoth, Arabic (Moorish Muslim), and finally Christian.   The promontory provides an overwhelming view of the city and surrounding areas.   Their is a hotel on...

We continue to work our way down the eastern coast of Spain.   Having departed Valencia last evening, we have sailed the short distance to Cartagena. Cartagena has been inhabited for over two millennia, being founded around 227 BC by the Carthaginian military leader Hasdrubal as Qart Hadasht, the same name as the original city of Carthage. The city reached its peak under the Roman Empire, when it was known as Carthago Nova (the New Carthage) and Carthago Spartaria, capital of the province of Carthaginensis. Much of the historical significance of Cartagena stemmed from its coveted defensive port, one of the most important in the western Mediterranean. Cartagena has been the capital of the Spanish Navy's Maritime Department of the Mediterranean since the arrival of the Spanish Bourbons in the 18th century. As far back as the 16th century it was one of the most important naval ports in Spain. It is still an important naval seaport, the main military haven of Spain, and is home to a la...