December 21st 2012 St Barthelemy

Arrived outside the port city of Gustavia on the French island of St Barthelemy. So many  yachts that the tender ride is longer than normal. We are on our way in to this island which was fought over by the Brits, French, Swedes, the Knights of Malta, and finally held by the French. Supposedly the most expensive of the Caribbean Islands. Now in the Bar de l’oubl St Barth for connection to wifi. Prices are not so bad in the grocery store along a long string of expensive clothing and jewelry stores. Very chic shopping area. Took hike to top of Gustavia overlook and light house. Strolled back for sandwich lunch along the wharf and over to Shell Beach. Looked at home listings.  Found the one we would like and another that we could afford.

Arrived outside the port city of Gustavia on the French island of St Barthelemy. So many  yachts that the tender ride is longer than normal. We are on our way in to this island which was fought over by the Brits, French, Swedes, the Knights of Malta, and finally held by the French. Supposedly the most expensive of the Caribbean Islands. Now in the Bar de l’oubl St Barth for connection to wifi. Prices are not so bad in the grocery store along a long string of expensive clothing and jewelry stores. Very chic shopping area. Took hike to top of Gustavia overlook and light house. Strolled back for sandwich lunch along the wharf and over to Shell Beach. Looked at home listings.  Found the one we would like and another that we could afford.

Arrived outside the port city of Gustavia on the French island of St Barthelemy. So many  yachts that the tender ride is longer than normal. We are on our way in to this island which was fought over by the Brits, French, Swedes, the Knights of Malta, and finally held by the French. Supposedly the most expensive of the Caribbean Islands. Now in the Bar de l’oubl St Barth for connection to wifi. Prices are not so bad in the grocery store along a long string of expensive clothing and jewelry stores. Very chic shopping area. Took hike to top of Gustavia overlook and light house. Strolled back for sandwich lunch along the wharf and over to Shell Beach. Looked at home listings.  Found the one we would like and another that we could afford.

Arrived outside the port city of Gustavia on the French island of St Barthelemy. So many  yachts that the tender ride is longer than normal. We are on our way in to this island which was fought over by the Brits, French, Swedes, the Knights of Malta, and finally held by the French. Supposedly the most expensive of the Caribbean Islands. Now in the Bar de l’oubl St Barth for connection to wifi. Prices are not so bad in the grocery store along a long string of expensive clothing and jewelry stores. Very chic shopping area. Took hike to top of Gustavia overlook and light house. Strolled back for sandwich lunch along the wharf and over to Shell Beach. Looked at home listings.  Found the one we would like and another that we could afford.

Arrived outside the port city of Gustavia on the French island of St Barthelemy. So many  yachts that the tender ride is longer than normal. We are on our way in to this island which was fought over by the Brits, French, Swedes, the Knights of Malta, and finally held by the French. Supposedly the most expensive of the Caribbean Islands. Now in the Bar de l’oubl St Barth for connection to wifi. Prices are not so bad in the grocery store along a long string of expensive clothing and jewelry stores. Very chic shopping area. Took hike to top of Gustavia overlook and light house. Strolled back for sandwich lunch along the wharf and over to Shell Beach. Looked at home listings.  Found the one we would like and another that we could afford.

Arrived outside the port city of Gustavia on the French island of St Barthelemy. So many  yachts that the tender ride is longer than normal. We are on our way in to this island which was fought over by the Brits, French, Swedes, the Knights of Malta, and finally held by the French. Supposedly the most expensive of the Caribbean Islands. Now in the Bar de l’oubl St Barth for connection to wifi. Prices are not so bad in the grocery store along a long string of expensive clothing and jewelry stores. Very chic shopping area. Took hike to top of Gustavia overlook and light house. Strolled back for sandwich lunch along the wharf and over to Shell Beach. Looked at home listings.  Found the one we would like and another that we could afford.

December 20th 2012 Virgin Gorda

Miriam took the tour to the Baths and enjoyed great views atop the hills of the island. She walked among the large boulder-sized rocks. The ride in the open vehicle apparently provided some excitement. 

An early start today.  I left the ship at 7:30 for a two tank dive off of George Dog and Sandy Dog Islands, named for the sound of the monk seals that used to inhabit this area. Early sailors thought the barking was from rabid dogs but Columbus determined that they were from the seals. Sailors started slaughtering them for food until they exterminated the species here. Diving was great with colorful coral and large variety of fish. We saw turtles, lobster, green morays, huge school of blue tangs among many other fish.

Everyone was transported to another barbecue on Prickly Pear Island. Many water sports were available including kayaks, paddle boards, hobie cats, sailboats and diving platform. 

Back to our boat now for afternoon entertainment and dinner.  Deborah Boily again gave a concert of broadway tunes. Following dinner we enjoyed a staff variety show with a mix of music and comedy. Upon returning to our room we found a bottle of napa/sonoma cabernet with an apology from the hotel director responding to my complaint about noise from late returning tender. Crafts had been raised on to the ship at 1am immediately next to our cabin.

December 19th 2012 Jost Van Dyke/Virgin Gorda

We arose early today in order to take the tender to a catamaran for our sailing and snorkeling voyage to two small islands, Sandy Cay and Diamond Cay. The first was more of a leisure swim whereas the second provided an array of tropical fish. The cat was one of many found here built in South Africa. Our crew was a couple from South Africa though Adam was born in England and Kelly in Kenya. On our return we saw several dolphin. Back on board it was time for a small lunch and a nap. The day was nice and sunny having made the visibility good on our snorkeling but a bit murky. Barbecue meal was served on the top deck with great band playing oldies. Everyone was dancing.  The Asian crew members gave several performances. Miriam and I took a night tender to the Bitter End resort town (seen here) just 5 minutes away. 

December 18th 2012 Antigua

We could have either gone to the water sports deck for kayaking, mini hobbiecat  sailing or swimming off of the rear platform or take the tender into Falmouth Harbor. We chose to go into the port for wifi access at a local cafe. After updating the blog and checking emails we took the 10 minute walk to the Nelson Dockyards for look at the many expensive yachts, talk with crew members and quick walk through of the Nelson Museum. Miriam bought a light weight island dress and then we hurried back to the dock to catch tender to our ship. Departed Antigua at 1pm heading for Tortola BVI. We joined our new friends, David and Arlene in their suite, four times the size of our cabin, for drinks then to dinner. The entertainment that evening was provided by a vocalist. Deborah Boily, who  specialized in french songs culminating with those by Piaf.

We could have either gone to the water sports deck for kayaking, mini hobbiecat  sailing or swimming off of the rear platform or take the tender into Falmouth Harbor. We chose to go into the port for wifi access at a local cafe. After updating the blog and checking emails we took the 10 minute walk to the Nelson Dockyards for look at the many expensive yachts, talk with crew members and quick walk through of the Nelson Museum. Miriam bought a light weight island dress and then we hurried back to the dock to catch tender to our ship. Departed Antigua at 1pm heading for Tortola BVI. We joined our new friends, David and Arlene in their suite, four times the size of our cabin, for drinks then to dinner. The entertainment that evening was provided by a vocalist. Deborah Boily, who  specialized in french songs culminating with those by Piaf.

December 17, 2012 Half day in Antigua

We took the tender from our ship passing many very expensive yachts including the Falcon, owned by former venture capitalist, Tom Perkins. The yacht was purported to cost between 150 and 300 million dollars.  It was later sold in 2009 for 60 million euros. We stopped at Seabreeze internet cafe to update our blog then walked around the harbor. A major yacht race is held here in April. 

December 16, 2012 Antigua

Arrived in Antigua at 7am. After breakfast we gathered our snorkel gear from the acquatics deck and caught the tender to the dock near Nelson Boat Dock, a former British naval post where Admiral Nelson had spent his years as a junior officer. Searching around we found another couple from the ship, Gregg and Arena,  looking to share a taxi to Long Beach.  The cabbies recommended snorkeling at Long Beach which turned out to be very nice with quite a nice variety of tropical fish. Local spear fisherman came out of water with two spiny lobsters and assortment of fish.  

Sunset from rear deck

Captain and Miriam

Our return trip took us by a drug rehabilitation center for musicians established by Eric Clapton. Back on board we moved to the rear deck for glass of wine and view of colorful sunset. Dinner in main restaurant consisted of veal cordon bleu and ginger chicken. Stopped to visit with the British captain of our ship. Worn out from swimming and sun, we retired early. We were awakened at 1:30 by the sound of a late tender being loaded back on the ship. Wind was whipping the tender against side of our ship. 

December 15, 2012 St Marten to Antigua

Following breakfast, we took a swim, but belatedly learned there was one of the best snorkeling sites on the island just past a rock jetty.  We needed fins and snorkel but had no time.  Sharing a cab with new friends, David and Arlene, we arrived at our ship, Wind Surf, docked next to a much larger ship, Carnival Victory, and the sailing ship Wind Jammer. We were happy to find a nice bottle of Moet champagne compliments of Mike Welch. After checking in and having lunch aboard we strolled over to a very large private yacht with its own helicopter. A crew member told us this belonged to a British man who has it positions all over the world according to where he wanted to board it. The boat was about to leave for passage through  the Panama Canal. Back aboard our ship we left at 7 pm for Antigua. After seafood dinner we enjoyed listening to a 70s style band from the Philippines.  

December 14, 2012 St Marten

Local Children getting swim certified

Gizmo

Devi Beach Area with our room in background

December 14, 2012

We left SFO at 10:20 pm for a red eye on U.S. Air.  No entertainment on board so the crew dosed the light and we drifted off to sleep for most of the four and a half hour flight to Charlotte, South Carolina.  After a two and a half hour lay over we were on our way to St. Martin. A forty minute shuttle ride took us to our abode, a large resort complex., Devi Little Bay.  The layout is along a beautiful beach where we had a late lunch of Mahi Mahi, french fries and cole slaw. A friendly parrot named Gizmo wanders around and frequence the Beach Front Bar where we ate our dinner. They say she blew in during a start and now thinks she owns the place. The bar is actually named after her. After adjusting to our flight we retired for the night.

September 23, 2012 Sunday Barcelona

this is a test

this is a ttest

Our last full day in Spain. Miriam and I walked down the quiet street of Ramblas, only quiet because everyone in the city slept in due to late night celebration of the Old City. We toured the Palau Guell, built for this very wealthy industrialist and designed by Antoni Gaudi. Another unique 6 story home built with horse stables below and colorfully design chimneys above. Later we took the local bus to the Parque Guell where Gaudi started a housing development which only resorted in a few colorful houses being built. The park is designed with many pillars, mosaics, and cactus plants. Passed by the Sagrada Familia (the Gaudi designed cathedral) which we had toured during our previous trip to Barcelona.

September 22, 2012 Saturday Barcelona

Took the metro to the Passeig de Gracia for the two hour train ride to Figueres, the former home town of Salvador Dali. We had no time to buy breakfast before boarding the local train which made nearly a dozen stops. After a needed respite in the town with coffee, ham and cheese croissants we passed by the farmers marker and a short walk to the museum. This is the site of the Dali Museum which houses thousands of the artist's paintings, drawing, sculptures, murals and other works. The museum and the quaint town are well worth the trip. Our afternoon meal was at a fabulous restaurant with french influenced cuisine.  Back on the train we returned to our hotel and a stop for dinner at a buffet restaurant, Fresh, much like the Fresh Choice chain in our country. We finished the night walking through small plazas and atop the Havana Hotel.

September 21, 2012 Friday Barcelona

Walked with our luggage to the train station for five hour trip to Barcelona. Passed many  wind turbines in very barren lands then saw many olive and various other fruit tree farms. After checking in to the Granvia Hotel (a former palace), having lunch along the Passe de Grace we strolled by two of the Gaudi designed houses. Finished our walk to narrow streets avoiding the large crowds around the Ramblas packed in for Old Town Festival Week .

September 20, 2012 Thursday San Sebastian

After breakfast in the old town of San Sebastian we took the walk up to the top of Mount  Urgull with the statue of Christ.  This is a major park with beautiful forest and great panoramic view of the city. An extensive museum provides a history of the city which has been a major port for imports and exports to and from the new world as well as a major manufacturer of ships producer of whale oil and timber.The French and English had laid seige to the city on separate and occupied it for many years. The museum is free and provides visitors with audio units in several languages. Down to the old town for lunch then to drop off our car. Took public bus for 1.4 Euros.

September 19, 2012 Wednesday Off to St Sebastian

Departed Bilboa after our usual coffee and croissants for Guernica for tour of the Peace Museum which memorialized the bombing raid by the German Luftwaffe in 1937. Franco had given Hitler permission to test their blitzkrieg bombing techniques on this Basque capital city. Very moving exhibits and narratives of the aftermath. A copy of  Picasso's famous painting depicting the event hangs in the museum. A very curvy drive through beautiful forests and mountains with dozens of round-abouts and we stopped for late lunch in the fishing village of  Lekeitio on the Gulf of Biscay. It was only due to the use of the Albon's GPS that we are making it through this country. Further on we settled in at St Sebastian, a beautiful coastal city on the Bay  of Concha. The Spanish Film Festival will be held here the day after we leave on Friday. 

September 18, 2012 Tuesday Off to Bilboa

Left Santillana del Mar to visit the Altamira Caves Museum, the site of 14000 year old cave paintings. The site is a replication of the actual cave which is only open to archeologists now in order to preserve them. Moved on to Bilboa for tour of the Guggenheim Museum with displays of the art forms of David Hockney and Richard Serra.  The structure of the museum is the real masterpiece although we were greatly impressed by the massive collection of Hockney's works. After a very nice dinner at the Gorbee Restaurant of fresh fish , we missed the last streetcar back so took a cab. Just another case of not knowing what the locals know.

September 17, 2012 Monday Picos de Europa

Monday September 17, 2012 Picos de Europa

Leaving Oviedo for drive part way through the Picos de Europa. First stopped at an old church built in 800 AD originally a castle. Our drive took us through many small colorful towns and streams up to the Basica de Covadonga and adjacent caves. Stopped in town of Covadonga for excellent meal including traditional fabada (beans and sausage soup), breaded chicken or beef. Back along the coast to the very old town of Santillan Del Mar for overnight stay in hotel originally the home of the Marques de Santillana dell Mar.  

September 10, 2012 Wednesday

Took the Renfe Train to the walled city of Toledo, once the capital of Spain.  Toured the magnificent Cathedral and many colorful twisted streets. 

September 15, 2012  Saturday Ovieto
A better result today at the Davis Cup.  The Bryan brothers won an exciting four setter from the Spanish team of Lopez and Granoliers.  Fantastic shot making by both teams. Before the match we spent a couple of hours walking around the old parts of Gijon and the city's beach walk. Back to Ovieto  for dinner in the old town section in one of the few italian restaurants in the city, Taormina.

September 13, 2012 Thursday Train to Oviedo

September 13, 2012 Thursday

Caught the train from Madrid to Oviedo. The rail company RENF needs to spend some money to repair the rails but the trip is quite pleasant. The town is where the movie Vicki, Christina, Barcelona was filmed.  It is this location where Javier Bardem had flown the two women to spend the weekend in northern Spain. There is a bronze statute of the director Woody Allen which sit adjacent to the Paseo de Bombe. The cathedral and many classic buildings here are well worth the walk around this pedestrian friendly city. A music concert is going on tomorrow which we hope to attend after the first day of Davis Cup Tennis in Gijon which is about 20 minutes drive from here.

September 14, 2012 Friday Davis Cup Tourney

September 14 Friday

Browns and Sedens rooting on the team USA

Bryan Brothers and members of US Davis Cup Team

Ferrer and Querry

Captain JIm Courier

Today after a nerve racking effort to find our way driving out of Oviedo we made it to Gijon for the first day of the Davis Cup Semifinals between Spain and the US. Sam Querry played a competitive match against David Ferrer but lost in four sets. We expected Sam Eisner to walk over his opponent Almagro but the match went back and forth with Sam losing in five sets. The matches lasted till dark and it was only due to the GPS that we borrowed from our neighbors, Sue and Rod, that we found our way back to our hotel. Every restaurant and bar was filled to capacity, so much for rough times in Spain.  We finally found a diner with traditional northern Spain cusisine. Then, it was off to bed for a needed long nights sleep.

September 12, 2012 Wednesday Toledo

Our travels are to the walled city of Toledo, only a 30 minute train ride south of Madrid.  The highlights were the massive cathedral high atop the fortified city. Having taken 280 years to complete, the structure impressive with its massive columns and gold laden altar and choir. The Alazar (the fortress) is still closed for repairs. The streets are windy and pictureques with cobblestone streeets.