Travel is more than the seeing of sights. It is a change that goes on, deep and permanent , in the ideas of living. Miriam Beard Agadir

Today is October 29th and the four of us spoke about the fact that we boarded October 10th and have been calling this sailing ship our comfortable home for 18 days.   The time has gone by like balloons floating to the sky.  We see them lift and marvel at the currents that swirl and carry them and then with longing and appreciation for their unique beauty we watch them disappear.  Yes today I worked for over two hours putting together in my blog for Agadir.  I always feel a sense of completion like you do when you clean house or mow the yard; you know what I mean.  You complete tasks and then step back and admire the effort.  Well as I have done many times I closed my phone with the app open.  Then I went to the jewelry making class.  Side note to that we often have 135 folks attending including men.  It’s called Arts and Crafts but Betsy and I only do the jewelry which has been a challenge for us both with united effort for each other!!  After the class we were headed to the Ocean Bar to meet a few new friends for Happy Hour.  I decided why not go ahead and publish the blog.  It probably only needed a concluding sentience.  You guessed it….. it was gone!!! I searched for hours going to every form of google help I could find and tried reloading you name it.  I slept poorly last night but had to resign myself to the fact that I would be starting over.  So I may miss a few things I wanted to share but I’m behind having too much fun with old and new friends so here it goes .

I attended the port history talk which is excellent on this ship.  It’s Jeremy and he is well traveled and has a good sense of humor.  Here are some snippets I found interesting. 

A Mosque is a place to meet each other and get information about ones religion it is also a social gathering.  Moslems pray up to 5 times per day. Those who  believe on Mohammad, have a period during the year where they fast during day time for 30 days ; they believe in helping poor people.  Most Muslims make once in their life  going to Mecca.  The  Mecca is in Saudi Arabia.   It is very expensive like 8-10,000 dollars per person to travel their.    Mosques are open all day but open and close doors at certain times of the day.  Doors are made of beautiful cedar wood.  Marble and granite along with Mosaic wood is typical in the construction. Our first stop on our tour this day was the Mohamed V Mosque.  We could not go in but we’re able to admire the beautiful architected from many angles. 

 Next we moved on to an argan oil store. This tree is only found in Morocco.  Goats go under tree and eat the grass which makes it easier for women and children to find the nuts and gather them. The women and children break the husk but not the nut.  Two kinds of oil olive are produced on the island along with olive oil. and argan.

A pressed for paste  of the oils can be used for cooking and for skin. Pressing coldly 

gives us product more vitamins and minerals. No chemicals are used here.  Everything is organic.  Trees grown here are endemic to southern Morocco.  Every other year the tree produces fruit.  Women pick the fruit after it drops off trees. They congregate and work together making it a social time of sharing.   The berbers have been making it since the 1500s.  Kernels are ground with a stone mill.   It takes a day to make 1 liter of oil.  There is No smell to pure argan oil.  If it’s oily it’s not pure.

Our guide on our van rides a while with us then transfers to another van.  He doesn’t use a microphone so it is hard to hear.  The country is very poor and trying to restore things is almost at a standstill.  The worst part of our tour was the horrific amount to garbage everywhere.  In fields, around homes, piled high along roadways. We asked about it and he said the hover is aware but can’t find a way to get people to pay for the service so the throw garbage everywhere.   All the holy areas are littered too.  

Many people left the area after the earthquake happened se real years ago and never returned. The government tried to provide free apartments but that was t too successful either.  Currently there are about 380,000 inhabits.  Agriculture ,fishing and tourism are their livelihoods.  These are their riches.  

At the Mohamed Mosque V which is being restored inside so we are only allowed outside to view. It’s high atop the city of course for protecting the port.  

It’s massive.  Camel owners try to sell you a ride or a photo 

It’s a hot humid day here. 

Dan sure loved this guy.  We paid him a dollar for the photo and handling!! 

If you know Dan he is in his element. 

The country is dry flat rocky and lacks much shade

More mosques which are operational but at this time we can not enter only marvel at the our side beauty and architecture 



Our fellow farmers and workers bring fresh crops to market and send off a cheery wave liking to be noticed on camera. 

The Argan oil store visit was brief and strictly for purchasing. We tried a few things but no purchases. 


Most cafes saw only men sitting, drinking and smoking. No women.   Although our diode said women here have freedoms religiously and politically. They can divorce, choose their dress and are not criticized. 

Honey Rum 6 Euros a Bottle!

Our stop on October 19th was in Lanzarote, Canary Islands.  This island is a moonscape with 320 volcanic cones. It’s white adobe type homes resemble Santorini.  The influence came from Cesar Manrique a German artist and architect.   They say blue front doors are painted on homes by the sea, green doors are paired by homes around the city and brown doors are painted by homes in the country.  Grapes that are grown here are grown in a circle where they are wrapped around and the water puddles.  A large unique cactus garden is here with over 4500 species from over four countries.  Another product garbed here is aloe for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.  The island of Lanzarote is 35 miles long.  The climate seems almost perfect.  Power is produced by wind turbines, solar and then diesel generators.  Desalination plants provide water but people are extremely conservative.  Many still collect what little rain water that falls.  From this port we are 150 miles to Morocco.  

The word Lanzarote means “reef”.  The town most definitely has a Mediterranean feel to it; surrounded by a lagoon or Charco as they call it. A lovely waterfront allows one to stroll and take in the serenity and beauty.  The pedestrian walkway is the Calle Leon y Castillo or Main Street.  Often you will hear tourists refer to this destination as the Venice of the Atlantic.  A Unesco geological area is situated here with the longest volcanic tunnel in the world!  It is slightly longer than 4 miles long.  (Cuerva de Los Verdes). Another attraction to visitors is the Timanfaya National Park which is  part of the biosphere park being 20 sq miles.    The Fire Mountains can  bubble with temperatures up to 1100 degrees Fahrenheit. Another major resort area is Playa  Grande along the southern coastline whic boasts of more amenities.  As might be expected the 

main employment here is tourism.   

Plans for this port stop were Snorkling with the Lanzarote Dive Center.  Our tour leader was Ruth Macy but she tested positive for COVID and therefore had miss the tour and choose another leader.  The information we received said we would snorkel from a boat and have a beach available to us plus a buffet lunch.  Note to self: really investigate what is promised.  Our good traveling companions Chuck and Betsy bowed out on this trip as they weren’t feeling well.  So we had about 12 people.  The pickup point was outside the direct port area.  It was a bit confusing.  Eight people went in taxis and then four of us in a smaller van with the instructor.  She was a very nice German lady who trained as an interpreter and taught previously at the college level.  She told us she raised her two children here on the island as a single mother coming 30 years ago.  She had owned a scuba company but recently sold it and now just helps out. As we drove with her the moonscape of the area was stark.  Very few trees or plants were to be found.  The area was very clean and well taken care of. Our instructor told us the people are very progressive and broad minded and that fit a single woman it was the perfect place to live and a paradise for raising children.  

We were able to pull right in to the dive center but the taxis left the others about half a mile away.  We soon realized we would all have to wear wet suits because the water is not warm.  This is not the place to dive in our estimation.  Imagine 12 older folks struggling into wetsuits!  Not a pretty picture at all. Further more there was no boat to take us out on.  And no beach! We walked a half mile to a rocky rough area with no and, just boulders and gravel.  Many folks were challenged to get into the water.  Dan helped me and with our full face masks we did fine.  We stayed together and saw a few fish but the waters were murky.   We were never to far from the shore and stayed within the suggested barrier. 

After about 45 minutes of Snorkling we headed back to the center to strip off our suits with lots of help from others and then have a snack …. Not really a buffet :).  The highlight I think of the day was tasting the Honey Rum!!!! It is local and made in the Canaries.  It’s very smooth like tequila with no burn.  And a deal at 6 Euros a bottle!!!  I’ll be looking for that back in the states an you should too 😎.  

Starting the wetsuit challenge!

Hard to see but we are half way up with suits!

All the white homes which mostly are rentals for tourists. 

I think I’m going to make it!!

Our instructor with Dan who is loaded with our “stuff”.   

 

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page. St Augustine

Funchal, Madeira  is an island belonging to Portugal.  There are mountain slopes, rain forests and very scenic areas in this island.  Madeira is known as the floating garden with so many lovely garden and park areas.  They are famous for Madeira wine.  The ship arranged for us to a have free

shuttle service at this port and all other ports where it is needed.  This is new for us because on the Grand Asia there were several ports where we had to pay for shuttle service.  When they announced this in the theater the audience clapped and cheered!  We opted for a private tour through Viator.  The tour operator told us there would be 6 of us in an open wired 4 x 4 vehicle and we would not be crowded.  To our dismay there were 

8 of us with one couple being very large and having issues with walking and getting in and out of the vehicle.  We sat on the sides of the back area so our knees touched.  Not very comfortable.  The captain had told us that we would have a little rain in the morning but it would then clear.  We kept hoping for clear sunny skies to open the top but it never happened.  Instead we experienced several downpours.  The canvas top leaked if we didn’t push it up with our hands.  As they say travelers must be flexible and not expect perfection!  Our first stop was Camara de Lobos which is named for what they call sea wolves or sea lions.  We never saw any of them but possibly in the past when the villages were settled they were present and more of a problem. 

We came into port when it was still dark. Sunrise was at 7:30!! 

The port is very commercial but the walls are covered with paintings from all the different container companies and cruiseship logos.  The workers said that people from the ships paint the logos. 

This was our open air jeep and guide. 

Beautiful bougainvillea were everywhere.

Our first stop was the Sea Wolves area with cute cafes and colorful small fishing boats.  

Winston Churchill visited this cafe hitch makes it a very unique spot!

A photo from the past in the cafe. 

  The town was a cute fishing town with quaint restaurants, outdoor eating venues and a view of the marina and the sea. Betsy and I found a small shop with many unique hand made items so of course we found items to purchase.  

After that stop we traveled on to Nuns  Valley which follows a very curvy and twisty road up to the mountainous area. To our dismay it was totally fogged in and pouring buckets of rain.  Chuck Story and I were the only who ventured out to the skywalk which is a small curved see thru area.  We ventured over to the side and were able to see the coastline below.  It’s called Nuns Valley because when the pirates would invade the island the nuns would take the gold and treasures and resort to this hide away.   Our guide took us over a few four wheel drive roads where we tended to slip and slide down the slopes.  They were really not much of anything but he did talk of the invasive eucalyptus trees, showed us chestnuts which grow in abundance and found a bit of wild mint.  

Rain totally fogged us in. 

Entrance to the sky walk. 

Chuck and I were the only fools to brave the rain shower and look over the side.  

Onward we traveled to try the Poncha, their local alcoholic beverage.  It was a cute small shop which had a bar on one side and a small grocery store in the other.  Items were very pricey but I guess if you need it you buy it. We watched the bartender make the Poncha which is always made fresh.  He pounds and juices lemons, lime, mango’s, oranges. tangerines along with sugar and rum.   After ponding and juicing he blends it in a mixer with the rum.  It is very strong to alcohol and even a small glass packs a punch!!!  Betsy and I both threw back the shots and were a lot happier for it!!

Sometimes in port they have four cruise ships.  But today only we are here. Banana plants are everywhere planted up the hillsides and in every available space.  They are exported.  Some plants produce 250 bananas which are small.  They export to Spain. 

These are napkin holders. So original!!

After the tour we took the free shuttle bus to town and saw this on a bench. 

Beautiful fountain in a roundabout…

We found the banana/pineapple fruit delicioso.  Chuck bought one and the market lady showed us how to eat it.  Very sweet and good.  

Can you see the face in the metal sculpture along one of the side streets?   

All the streets are tiled and very intricate.  Everything is very clean. 

Oldest street in Funchal. 

A snack of pizzas and a chocolate brownie… all for $7 and Chuck treated us!!

Four Star Accomplishment!!

As I write to you from my stateroom it is another night that we turn the clocks ahead one more hour.  We are now 6 hours ahead of our time in Buckeye, AZ.   The seas are still pleasant even though we had dark threatening clouds to our north. Last night our clocks remained constant so I slept in till 9 this morning. It is still dark at 7:30 am.  Dan was up at 7 and made the trek up to the Lido for our coffee.  He keeps mine hot in a thermos until I get up :).  A real keeper he is!!  Our entertainment last night was a cellist who played an electric cello.  He had some of the Zaandam band members accompanying him. He is originally from Poland and still speaks with a heavy accent. He told us he trained with the wooden cello but now prefers his electric “partner” as it travels much easier.  Although he really was very talented his choice of musical selections wasn’t for me.  Many songs were loud and dissonant.  My favorite was the Flight of the Bumble Bee which he coined the Flight of the Boogie Bunble Bee.  He will entertain us one more night. 

Betsy and I have kept busy with the craft class.  Neither of us are much into “ crafts” but our instructor, Nancy and her helper Mary, are fantastic.  Before we attended the classes we both thought it might not be our thing but someone posted a link on Cruise Critic with photos of all the items we would be making. The classes are at no cost to those on Grand Voyages.  After perusing the photos I was pretty certain I wanted to at least make the jewelry and we have not been disappointed.  The classes are full to over flowing.  At first the instructors had two sessions. Folks were almost fighting over getting a seat.  She hosts the classes in the Lido around 2:30 to 3.  Betsy is taking a Creative Writing class that meets for an hour at 1:00 so I go about 1:15 and hold a seat for her.  Sometimes Dan and Chuck come and join me.  We play cards or a tile game until Betsy comes. Then they leave and go walk or read or nap!!  

Betsy has been wearing her patches for motion sickness and it’s working.  A few days ago we all had to self test for COVID.  They left small paper sacks with our testing materials along with explicit directions for the administration.  We were to perform the tests in the morning, take a photo of the test results with our names, date and room number and then share the results with our steward.  Thankfully we both tested negative. Folks who are positive have a pink dot on their cabin door. We overheard someone say there are about 24 with COVID.  We don’t know if that’s rooms or people but masking is still in force.  E ergo e masks except in the dining areas.  We know we will periodically get tested through the trip so we are still very cautious. 

The sea days have been lovely.  A little rain now and then but mostly sunny and warm.  Tomorrow is our first port day in Funchal.  We have a private tour I arranged with Viator.  It was about $80 per couple for a 4 x 4 jeep tour up into the mountains, seeing the Nuns Valley and a few other places.  We plan to ride the gondola and then take the sleds down.  We also plan to drink Poncha the local drink and taste the banana/pineapple fruit that is grow here.   

So far my subscription list is up to 67 readers!!! Many are from Cruise Critic members who may be taking this voyage in 2023 or those who at the last minute were unable to come along due to health or personal reasons. 

We see much fewer scooters or wheel chairs this voyage.  The average age still seems to be 80.  We have seen no children or young couples which is what we expected.  Service is wonderful and the waiters love to visit with us and share about their home, families and plans.  

I will attach a photo of the rose we got upon embarkation.  It’s lovely and is still looking beautiful in our cabin.  We have now become four star cruisers which means to us free laundry!! Ha ha.  So far they have not contacted us to give us new cards but they did leave a HUGE umbrella in our cabin. We assume it is for reaching this new level but what a weird gift.  There is no way we can pack it home as it doesn’t collapse so…. It may go to our steward.  There was no note just an umbrella .   

A map of the time changes…. We are now 7 hours later than Buckeye, AZ. 

Instructions and kit for our COVID testing. 

Our results…

Our outside room fall decoration. 

One of our daily activity programs

One of our pillow gifts. 

Our huge umbrella!

All our flower arrangements are real and exquisite!!!

Our embarkation rose.  

The 


The library and game place. 

Games a little picked over. 

This was our jewelry kit yesterday: tiger eye with mother of Pearl.  

Two fun friends we met, Rinehart on the left and John on the right.  They make us laugh!

Masked bandits!

This mornings rainbow from the third floor walk around deck.