Big worldwide trip "bon voyage!)

[BruceS]

Wonderful! Nothing like a communal bog house!!

[Dot]

We did in fact find something along these lines in Ephesus Turkey in the form of public toilets. Notice how much larger (and deeper) the channels under the stools.

[generdawg]

Barcelona October 9

Even if I've mentioned it before, it is absolutely worth repeating; the most enjoyable part of our sightseeing experience was through our own “self guided” tour efforts. You set the pace and direction, when to rest and when to move on. Admittedly, this is best achieved in towns where the attractions are within walking distance or inexpensive easy to use and access transport is available and is obviously difficult when the sight is a great distance away and/or you do not know the story behind your destination.

Many of our organised tours were by bus and these have proved to be frustrating when you see something that catches your interest, but there is no planned stop. Sometimes the driver knows there is interest and will endeavour to drive by as slowly as traffic permits or even stop if possible, but it is a fleeting glance often though dirty bus windows at best.

Such was our trip, but in fairness, how much did I really want to see of a bull ring turned into office space?

_DSF1431.JPG

Sometimes you get lucky with a bend in the road or a traffic light that works in your favour.

_DSF1426.JPG

I'm sure I could have managed a better angle of the weird houses designed and built by famous Spanish artist, now turned into tourist attractions, but then again – yawn.

_DSF1438.JPG

[generdawg]

Barcelona October 9

The tour guide drew an outline of the building we were viewing across a pond from a kids recreation park. Then he drew a line representing the line of spectators that vanished out around the building and explained that the line was three hours long just to get to the ticket window. The inference was that even though you've come all this way to Europe, surely you do not wish to stand in that long line just to see this.

_DSF1452.jpg

No need preaching to the converted as I've seen my fill of ornate churches.

Barcelona is proud of it's eccentric artist Dali, Gaudi and Picasso – really proud, so much so that work on this Gaudi designed church which lay dormant for many years was resurrected by donations from the public! It was massive and so was the work.

_DSF1449.JPG

Even the letter boxes are unusual.

_DSF1506.JPG

[generdawg]

Barcelona October 9

Our guide took us to a square that had remnant of an old Roman aqueduct pictured here.

_DSF1476.jpg

Just a short walk from there was three distinct eras of architecture within twenty metres of each other. The aqueduct stands at the end of the "BARCELONA" sculpture at the square. Our guide in red started every speech with, "And now my dears..."

_DSF1477.jpg

I would need a 360 panorama to show them, but here is the Roman one.

_DSF1481.jpg

[generdawg]

As I said, they really love their eccentric artist - Gaudi, Picasso and Dali.

_DSF1469.JPG

_DSF1554.jpg

_DSF1480.jpg

[Dot]

What was your favourite food Brad?

[generdawg]

What was your favourite food Brad?

Self initiated shore meals were a rare event mostly because of time constraints or because most paid tours started and finished at the dock. However, we had cervesa and tapas once in Cadiz (great) and in Malaga (so so). Alfresco twice in Turkey (Kusadasi and Antalya) and once in Greece. The food was great the second time in Turkey and the zucchini dish in Athens was fantastic.

The two tours in Israel included lunch at a kibbutz. The first was horribly overcooked and the second was fantastic.

But here is the absolute surprise; NOWHERE did we like the wine (some of it was not worth washing your feet in - cheap or costly), with the exception of Israel. Jewish wine was/is on par with Oz- white or red, just superb. We are noway out done, as quality wine in Oz is dirt cheap compared to OS.

Another surprise; while dinning in London at a nearby Indian restaurant (the best Indian I have EVER had), Kingfisher beer was recommended. If ever presented the opportunity to sample this Indian beer, do not pass it up. Comes in half litre bottles and I would purchase this beer by the cases if available in Oz.

In chatting with others, most were quite surprised when they found out our cruise was 41 days. Either because they couldn't imagine being camped up that long and/or because they couldn't imagine putting up with ship food that long. Towards the end, I suffered food fatigue. Not that the tucker was bad, just the monotonous routine of it all and I was ready for almost any variety other than ship food. I reckon the better option is a cheaper cruise fair and a restaurant type tariff for food on-board, as I would eat far less in frequency and amount and be far better off for it too.

dawg

[Dot]

Hhmmmm what is the basis of those foods Brad? beef, cat, camel, dog, goat, human??

[generdawg]

Hhmmmm what is the basis of those foods Brad? beef, cat, camel, dog, goat, human??

You get a false sense of security in towns with lots of cats and dogs (and there were many), as they were loose, they couldn't possibly on the menu - could they?

dawg (I do like cat, but couldn't possibly eat a whole one. I've heard that camel isn't too bad, but that's just hear say )