Autumn On Fire Island

Lots of end of season work to do, but what a beautiful time to be on the island!

Headed Home

We're on board our flight home half way across the Atlantic after a really enjoyable trip. Here are some random photos of some of the fun.

Day Trip To Granada

Our ship docked in Malaga on Tuesday, one of Spain's largest ports. We took an early morning bus ride to Granada to visit one of Spain's two most popular attractions, the Alhambra. The ancient Moorish castle sits high up on hills and covers a huge area. The Mudejar architecture is lacy and delicate, and some traces of blue paint survive on the decorative stucco. The extensive gardens are covered with bright colored flowers and towering Cypress trees. After our two hour tour we had a delicious lunch that included an excellent seafood paella. - Dan

A Trip To Seville

We last visited Seville in 2008. On the current cruise, our ship docked in Cadiz, and we took a bus tour to Seville, about an hour and a half away from the port. Seville is much more crowded now, with tourists from around the world. Our guide showed us the large building Plaza de Espana, built in 1929 for an exposition of Spain and the Americas. Bright colored and painted tiles show important places and events in Spanish history, on this elaborate building, now used as city offices. After a stroll through the Murillo Gardens, we toured the grand Moorish mudehar style palace of the Alcazar, home to the Spanish kings for centuries. After a local lunch, we photographed the vast Gothic Cathedral's exterior, sadly closed early on Mondays. The bus took us back to Cadiz, and on board we had dinner with new friends from Philadelphia. - Dan

Adventures In Lisbon

Sunday morning's tour bus passed by many of the streets and sites we'd seen on the previous night's trip to the Alfama, for the fado show. Our goal was the Gulbenkian Foundation, begun by a famed early 20th century art collector. Highlights included an extensive collection of Islamic art, two Rembrandts, some fine Rubens portraits, a splendid Turner seascape (see photo,) Lalique jewelry, and works by Impressionists like Degas and Monet. Then we took our tour bus to the port, where we had a very authentic Portugese lunch of gambas (or langostinos,) cheese, octopus and wine. The last attraction of Lisbon was the unique Coach Museum, with the coach of Philip II of Spain (16th century,) and many Rococo and 19th century coaches as well. When we returned to the ship, Jim went to the "Splash" party poolside and Dan enjoyed watching the ship pass by the Jeronimos monastery, and Belem Tower on the way out to the ocean. - Dan