November Escape

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Another Great Escape from miserable early winter weather at home.

First to Munich, Germany for a very brief look then on to Barcelona (which we had not visited in our 6 weeks in Spain 2 years ago.)

Then the Transatlantic repositioning cruise to Puerto Rico, 16 days.

Stops included Palma de Majorca, Malaga, Cadiz, Funchal Madeira, Santa Cruz & Arreciffe Canary Islands, 5 days to cross the Atlantic, then Tortola BVIs, St. Thomas US Virgin Islands and finally Puerto Rico.

Enjoy as we relive it here.

The panoramas at the beginning scroll through at a leisurely pace.

1. Barcelona waterfront and marinas.

2. Funchal Botanic Gardens, Madeira.

3. Tenerife, Canary Islands. Norwegian Epic, our ship, is to the right.

4. View off the stern.

5. The picturesque harbour of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

6. View from the old Spanish fort which protected Puerto Rico.

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Photos

Our route
7 hours heading east. 16 days to get back.

Bavarian Palace
The region of Bavaria around Munich has always been wealthy and powerful. It shows in the architecture and trappings of wealth. 40% of the city was destroyed in WW 2 but has been completely rebuilt.

Sun dial
Not too efficient, unlike everything else in Germany.
You are right Garry, it functions as much more than a sun dial, but we couldn't figure it out for ourselves.

Walking Man
Outside a university school of anatomy.

BMW offices
Built in the shape of their 4 cylinder engine.

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona.
The genius of architect Gaudi is on full display here.
He saw just a small section completed before his death in 1926. It is slated for completion in 2026.
In our travels we have visited many, many cathedrals...this ranks as Numero Uno.

inside Sagrada
Flooded with natural light, the simple but awesome interior is a world apart from the usual gloom and threatening interiors, all crammed with pillaged loot glorifying the church, not the religion, that we were used to seeing.

La Pedrera
Gaudi’s final commission before he dedicated his last years to the Sagrada. Quite a remarkable private home, also flooded with natural light, indoor parking and elevators...in 1906!
At the time it was ridiculed, La Pedrera means the stone quarry in Catalan. Now it is recognized as a work of genius.

Sidewalk clock, Barcelona.
There are many quirky little things around this truly wonderful city.

Maritime Museum
Housed in a shipyard over 700 years old (!) this museum has artifacts and recreations from Spain’s impressive maritime history
Here is a recreation of a war galley from the 15fh century, powered by 250 oarsmen.
Apparently you could smell this coming before you could see it!

Market on La Rambla
A tempting array of Spanish pastries.
La Rambla is a beautiful pedestrian avenue stretching from the heart of the city to the waterfront.

Palma de Majorca
Our first stop after leaving Barcelona.

Royal Palace Palma
Still used when Spanish Royalty are passing through, parts of this castle date back to the time of the Moors (1250).

With Stephen in Malaga
It was a very nostalgic return to this beautiful Spanish city that we enjoyed so much for 2 months a couple of winters ago. Here with old friend and resident Stephen at Pimpi tapas restaurant.

Jerez, near Cadiz Spain
These ancient grape vines adorn and shade the roadway.

Funchal, Madeira
This Portuguese territory is very picturesque, laid back and one of our favourite ports on the trip.

Funchal hand laid mosaic street tiles
Many of the narrow streets are for pedestrians only.

Botanic Gardens
A bus and gondola took us high above Funchal to enjoy the gardens and the view.

High above Funchal
That is the Epic docked below.

Tenerife Tapas
Not that they didn't feed us aboard but a day wandering the streets of this Spanish territory in the Canary Islands. deserved a quick bite and sip.

Room 11091
We found the balcony to be our quiet haven as the public areas were so busy and noisy. We were very fortunate to be on the starboard shady side especially once out of the Mediterranean and into more tropical weather.

Bow on, Tortola
Norwegian Epic: 6000+ including crew, 155 000 tons and 1000' long. 20 elevators, always packed tight....just too many people and too big for us.
Fortunately we never had to tender ashore...it would take 1/2 a day. Each of the 20 lifeboats held 250 people!

Priscilla! Queen of the Seas!
Just kidding...it was the Desert version.
Marlene with 2 cast members after the spectacular show.

Burn the Floor
Another very impressive stage performance.
I suppose the trade off on a big ship is the quality and variety of entertainment available.

Oh No!
Black Friday has found its way to isolated little Tenerife.

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Looking out from the old fort.

Comments

[Lin]

Fab
Wow you have certainly travelled some far off places. Enjoy every minute. Thanks for sharing