DAY 141---PORT AT MOTRIL FOR GRANADA, SPAIN

        We arrived here a little late this morning.  Motril is the port city for Granada.  It is 65 degrees and cloudy here for our arrival.  By afternoon it was mostly sunny and 75.  Great day but looks like rain showers building further inland.

Historical/Background Info:

        This is another new port for us.  Motril is a port town on the Mediterranean coast.  It is the second largest town in the Granada province with a population of 60,500.  Greenhouse agriculture is important here.

        I assume this port of call is for tours to the city of Granada (population of 232,000) which is about 60 miles to the north in Spain’s Andalusia region.  Granada is the capital of the Granada province and lies at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains.  One of the most visited of Spain’s tourist sites is here, the Alhambra, a medieval citadel and palace.  The Granada area produces wheat, sugar cane, tabacco, olives, oranges, lemons, figs, almonds, and pomegranates.  Vineyards and wines are also a significant contributor to the city’s economy.

LAST EVENING

Terry Bishop is an incredible talent with his song writing, guitar playing, and production shows.

                                Terry taught a ukulele classes and they are part of tonight's show.

     The star of the show!  Marcia's poem was incredible and she is so talented to have composed it

                         Andrew, asst cruise director , and Ross, residence pianist, doing a number.

          Amaresh, Corporate Procurement Manager, joined us for dinner in Prime 7.  Ameresh began his career 27 years ago when he started as an assistant waiter.  He left the ships several years ago and moved to the corporate side of cruising.

                                               Our meats were not as good as usual tonight.

             Decadent 14 layer cake also not as good tonight.  Getting too picky so time to go home.

TODAY

        It is Sunday so I headed down to Compass Rose at 8am for my large order of caviar and eggs benedict.  I then stopped by to ask the Luggage Forward representative a few questions.  He had just come on board and wanted to take a shower so I had to wait a half hour while he freshened up.  Got my questions answered.

                                     This shot taken yesterday evening as the sun was setting.

                       The port at Motril is a commerical port with pier space for cruise ships.

        After my hour fast walk on deck 6 promenade I showered and took this shuttle to downtown.  Of course everything was closed as it is Sunday.

        The bus driver said he was not staying long before returning to the port so I jumped out and took these photos.  Above are interesting looking trees.  Not much to see or do as everything was closed on Sunday.  Most all the ship's tours headed up to Granada.

                    I wanted to get closer for a better shot of this cathedral but not enough time.

        I was back to the ship a half hour later.  Rebecca had started packing 1 or the 2 remaining pieces of luggage.  We headed up to La Verenda at noon for lunch.  I had chicken wings for the last time.  They were the best yet.

        After lunch we finished packing that bag she had started.  So now only one bag left to pack and we will wait until tomorrow for it.  She wants to workout again tomorrow morning so can't pack those shoes until after that.  They have to go in the bottom of the bag.

        So it's 2pm now and she is streaming last Friday's soaps.  I'm finishing the blog post and thinking about what I want to pack in my carry-on bag.

        There is to be an interdenominational church service at 5pm but is it a repeat service so we have decided not to attend.  The ship is sailing again at 5pm for Alicante, Spain, which is just 228 nm away.

        At 6pm is the last Krew Kappers show of this world cruise.  We will be attending for sure.  This crew has treated us so very nicely the past 141 days.  

        This is tonight's CR menu.  We will be dining here as I have requested fried calamari for our appetizer.  

        Tonight's headliner entertainers is the return of The 4 Stations for their second show.  We enjoyed their first show so will be attending.

   
 

DAY 140---SAILING IN THE ATLANTIC OFF THE COAST OF MOROCCO

 

 

        Our position at 1pm today.  It was overcast with passing showers this morning but weather improved this afternoon.  It is a pleasant 70 degrees this afternoon but we won't be going out.  Busy packing today.  Last night we put our clocks ahead another hour.  This will be our last time change.  So now it is 4pm Saturday here and 9am Saturday in Dallas.

LAST EVENING

    Me, Joan & Charlie Davis, Lana and Dick Breakie, Rebecca.  We had a great time with these friends.

                            The 4 Stations show was very good.  Sang most songs in Spanish.

TODAY

        We jumped on the treadmills earlier today as today is packing day.  We both hate to pack.

        We started today with one bag already packed as it had our safari stuff in it.  So that left us with 7 more bags to get packed.  It is now 3:30 and we have all 4 of our bags packed that Luggage Forward will be shipping from Barcelona to our house.  That was included in our cruise fare.  Plus we have 2 of the 4 bags we'll take with on the airplane packed.  So just 2 to go!  We will be in Granada, Spain, tomorrow and we aren't taking a tour so can finish packing tomorrow.

        This afternoon the bridge spotted a rubberize boat ahead of us.  So we slowed down to see if they needed assistance.  They had life preservers on and their outboard engine was working.  Maritime law requires vessels to render aid if in distress.  They did not wave at us or come toward us so it appeared they were ok.  Our Captain notified authorities shoreside.  It appears we are proceeding again on our way to Granada.

         We will be passing through the Strait of Gibraltar from 10pm to midnight so we won't be able to see anything unfortunately.

        At 5:45 this evening there will be an "End of the World (Cruise) Show" in the theater  organized by the talented Terry Bishop.  Our good friend, Marcia Rector, has written poem about the cruise and will be reading it.  We certainly will be there.

        Here is tonight's CR menu.  However we have 7pm reservations in Prime 7.  Joining us tonight for dinner is Amaresh Kirtikar.  He is the Corporate Procurement Manager and joined the ship in Tenerife and will be on until Barcelona.  We first met him back in 2012 when he was an assistant Food & Beverage Director.  Since then he had went up the ranks and is now a corporate manager.  Amaresh is the guy I contact to make our special wine requests.  We spoke with him briefly last evening at the bar so really looking forward to visiting with him tonight.

        Tonight's headliner show is featuring the second show of comedian, Jeff Stevenson.  We may try to go as we have heard lots of good comments about his first show.

        We are scheduled to be docked in Granada by 7am tomorrow.

DAY 139---AGADIR, MOROCCO

                 

         We were docked here by 7:30.  So far this morning it is overcast and 63 degrees.  Later in the afternoon it is sunny and 74.  Perfect day here.

Historical/Background Info:

        This is another new destination for us.  Last night we sailed to the northeast about 225 miles to Agadir on the southwest coast of Morocco.  Morocco is a North African country (population 37.3 million) boarding the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.  Morocco’s capital is Rabat but its largest city is Casablanca.  Islam is the predominate religion.  It has the fifth largest economy in Africa.  Services accounts for half of it GDP, with mining, construction, and manufacturing adding another quarter.  Tourism, telecoms, IT, and textile industries have the highest growth.  Agriculture employs 40% of the nation’s workforce.  The rainy northwest raises wheat, barley, and other cereals.  On the coast plains olives, fruits, and wine grapes are grown.

        We are docked at Agadir which is a resort destination, known for its golf courses, beaches, and seaside promenade lined with cafes, restaurants, and bars.  The city’s population is near a half million.  Agadir’s economy relies mainly on tourism and fisheries.  Agadir has one of the biggest souqs in the country.  I went to this souq (market) today.

LAST EVENING

        We were invited to help one of our "bar-fly" friends, Pat, celebrate her birthday.  The party started with cocktails/champagne in Stars Lounge.  It was reserved for her party.

                                 This is Mary, another bar fly.  See was on my tour bus in Agadir.

                        There were 12 of us total and I was the only man.  I had quite a harem!

                               This is Nicole (social hostess) and Pat, the birthday girl.  (on right)

                                                                     A very happy Pat.

                               Next was a dinner in Chartreuse which Pat made the menu for.

                                                             Komang was our sommelier.

                                                         Six courses with wine pairings.

                                                           Mushroom soup was yummy.

                                                          More champagne to start with.

                                  Lobster, scallops, crap, caviar in a lime creme fraiche.

                                                We each had quite a few wine glasses.

                                                            A second French white wine.

                           Seared duck, fole gras, banana bread, and candied pineapple.

                                                                      Pumpkin ravioli

                                                                      Lots of glasses.

                                                            Italian brunello-my favorite.

                                                                     Chilean sea bass 

                                                               Another French red wine.

             The entree was a macadamia crusted veal loin lamb loin AND a small fillet of beef.

                                             The Chartreuse chef came out to take a bow.

                                             Our waitresses.  Sorry I did not get their names.

L to R:  Daniella (maitre'd), Joleza (head sommelier who just came on), and Maricel

TODAY

                                   View this morning from our balcony.  Buses are ready for us.

                                                                                My bus

                                                                       My tour name

                                                                           Our guide

        Mary is sitting just behind me.  Someone beat me to the back row of seats so I asked the guide if I could sit next to him on front row.

             Heading down one of the main streets a Agadir.  Great roads and very clean city.

        Our first stop was 30 minutes after departing the pier.  This is "Agadir Fantasia".  Here we watched a show.

                                        Above were photos of some musicians and acrobatics.

        We could have either sweetened or unsweetened tea as we entered.  There were also some small cookies.

                                  These horsemen did some riding at times throughout the show.

                                                      Small combo with 3 dancing ladies.

                     The horsemen fired their old rifles and it sounded like cannons going off.

                                                       Then acrobatic guys entertained us.

                                                            Last was this snake charmer.

                                                                   Back on the streets.

                       Next stop was at this small souq (market) that sold authentic souvenirs.

                                                 Next stop was the HUGE Souq Al Had.

The market was one of the biggest I've ever seen.  It would take all day to walk down all the alleys.

                                      Every thing you would ever need was sold in this souq.

                                     I only spent 15 minutes in it then retired back to the bus.

        Now heading to our last stop which was an old Portuguese fortress in the 16th century.  They call it The Kasbah.  It was the sight of the old Agadir but an 6.1 earthquake destroyed in in 1960.  12,000 to 15,000 killed and another 12,000 injured.  After that the new city of Agadir was developed below and the Kasbah was abandoned.  The walls were recently restored but you cannot go inside.

                                You could have your picture taken with a camel (for a price)                      

                                                  You can see our ship just right of center.

     Sardine fishing fleet tied up below.  They are tied up twice a year for 2 months each time.

 

                                                              Better view of our ship.

                                                            Siesta time for this camel

                                                      Better view of Agadir's beach.

        I returned to the ship at 1:30 and headed up to La Veranda to get some pizza after washing my hands.  I ate the pizza back in our suite.  It is now about 3:30 and finishing up with this post.

        Rebecca said she took the shuttle into town at the Amal Square just to say she has been here.  She did not get off the bus just rode in and right back.  Our friend, Patti, apparently got off but came right back on as she said the taxi drivers were hounding her.

       We will be having cocktail hour in Mariner Lounge as usual.  This evening we are to have dinner in Compass Rose with Joan & Charlie Davis and Lana & Dick Breakie.

        Tonight's headliner entertainers are "The 4 Stations".  Four young men from Spain I believe.  Rebecca said she heard them practicing this morning and sounded very good.  We will probably attend their show.

        We will be sailing again at 6:00pm and tomorrow will be a day at sea.  We will be packing!!!