HOLLANDERS

Hollanders

I don't want to judge an entire nation based on a group of 500, but the Dutch are a very rude and pushy group. 

Now, one of my previous tour guides was Dutch and even though she seemed a bit brusque and standoffish, after a few days I broke her and we had a lot of laughs.

But this group will knock you down just to get on the bus before you. 

Personal space .... They have no idea what that phrase means! I was in line one day to get on the bus and I went to put my hands behind me and BOOM! she was so close to me that I could clean the lint from her belly button! SERIOUSLY!!!! So, being the nice American that I am, I took a step forward. YEP!! You guessed it; I turned sideways and whacked her with my shoulder bag (which isn't very big). Maybe she just wanted to be close to me?

Greeting....good luck. Enter an elevator, six already in, say 'hello' and listen to the echo! UGH!!!!

Listen to a presentation ..., they'll carry on their own, regardless  of who's around and they're not whispering.

Aussies, Brazilians, Brits, Spanish....LOVE THEM!

Never say never, but I will never again take a trip out of Rotterdam.

GIBRALTAR

GIBRALTAR 

Saturday in Gibraltar  is organized chaos.

Since I had was here a couple of months ago I figured I would just take the cable car up to the top and find the monkeys.

Well it turned out instead of paying €18 for the cable car I got a two hour tour in a cab with six other people that was much better.

And our first stop was the pillars of Hercules where we could see Africa – Tangier – just 18 km away.

We continued on to St. Michael's cave; I couldn't do this the last time because I had the boot on my foot. Most impressive! They had music playing so you could hear the acoustical value of the cave and colored lights flashing and changing to the music.

After that we headed up to the top of the rock to see the monkeys. As you're heading up there they were jumping on the cab and one hopped in searching for food. Of course, one of the young girls started screaming, The monkey got excited and ran to the back of the cab, hiding in the boot. When he realize there is no food he left us. Finally got to the top and as we were walking up some steps one of the monkeys jumped on the same girl who started screaming, again, and the monkey tried to bite her. It gave everyone else In the group a great laugh.

Headed back into town and of course were dropped off by the shopping street. My whole goal was to get to Roy's for some authentic English fish and chips.

I don't know if it was because it was Saturday or something special was going on but the streets were loaded with people… Muslim women dressed in their traditional car, choose either going or coming from Temple, a wedding going on and women with their fascinators dressed to the nines. 

And then came a group of soldiers in there beautiful uniforms marching down the street playing the drums! As this within a two block area. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!

Well I finally made it to Roy's after a stop at Pandora, had my fish and chips and headed back to the ship for the Mediterranean buffet. It's a damn shame how much they make you eat on a cruise ships.

I hate to repeat myself but it's so neat when you know what you want to do and where you want to go if you've been to a city in the past.

HUEVLA, SPAIN

Huevla

Most first timers are heading to Sevilla, but since I've been there I'll stay in Huevla and see what damage I can do!

Not the most centrally located city, it was about a 1/2 hour shuttle, but we were greeted by a local band and a beauty pouring the local liqueur at 11 am...I can do that!

Did some damage on the credit card....  But only 3 pair of shoes, a cute winter sweater coat (why?) and some (more) costume jewelry.

Walked for a while and then it was time for lunch.

How incompetent you feel when you don't know the language of the country you are visiting. And Americans are the worst because we feel everyone should know English.

I stopped at Salon de Juegos on Martin Alonso Pinzon for tapas; the menu was in Spanish and the waiter spoke no English. I told him Rioja and tre tapas you pick. Great move! 

Jamon sandwich - motadito  de Jamon Iberico

Potato cheese tart - tortilla de Patates

Crab,pineapple and mayo - Ensaladilla de Cangrejo - They went overboard with the mayo and even though it was KRAB, it was a pretty good selection.

Ok, so I ate the whole thing....plus another glass of vino ... Snd the total cost? 9.10€ UNBELIVABLE!

Waiting for my change I saw a woman across the way with her dog taking a poop. When the dog was finished she bent down...to pick it up (or so I assumed) but she proceeded to wipe the dog's ass and then picked it up!!!!!

Enough of the local color....So I'll head over to the cathedral and then back to the ship.... Seaweed wrap time.

STONEHENGE

STONEHENGE 

We arrived in Southampton and greeted by. Beautiful sunny day.

Southampton is a pretty little town and the second largest port in England. The only problem is that they drive on the wrong side of the street!

The ride to Stonehenge is about an hour but since it's a sunny day...and Sunday...traffic was terrible. We drove through a very scenic forest and small towns and villages, houses with thatched roofs and row houses with the neatest looking chimneys. I really need to come back, rent a car and just drive and stop when and where I choose. Anyone interested in joining me?

We drove through Salisbury which is a very pretty town and definitely needs a revisit. That's the only problem with a cruise... You're in port only one day.

You can walk around the site but can't get close to it because it separated by a low road since there is been vandalism in the recent past.

Anyway, we finally got there....in the middle of nowhere. The drive was definitely worth it. And to realize that it's 5000 years  old makes it even more amazing!

The visitor center has busses that run you up to the ruins. As I said, it's out in the middle of nowhere. But you are struck by the awesomeness of the place. Even though there were hundreds of people it was relatively quiet. You can walk around the site but can't get close to it because it separated by a low road since there is been vandalism in the recent past.  As you're walking around you see the Darkside of stones as the sun is in the background as you come around and the sun is hitting the stones it's a totally different scene.

 Back at the visitor center they have samples of the hits that were used at that time  and replicas of the tools and closing of every day life .

A CORUNA, SPAIN

A CORUNA, SPAIN

Our first stop in Spain is A Coruna which is located on the northwest tip of Spain. It is known as the Glass City because of the fishermen houses facing the harbor that have so many windows. The wrought iron balconies are called gallerias. 

A very well run company, Tours 4 Cruisers, a two hour bus tour with several stops was only 15€. The only downside was that it didn't leave until 11...interrupting my shopping time at El Cortez!!!

A NEW EXPERIENCE!

Another new experience! The Shells (Jane and Ed) and Brenda Greathouse (isn't that a great name) and I went to the Pinnacle Grill for dinner (a fine dining restaurant that charges a surcharge). We had a wonderful evening and then I headed over to the show to see a 'mind reader'. I was part of the show and had a great time. 

Went to bed and about 3 in the morning my stomach went crazy. Was Pinnacle trying to kill me? I was in no shape to go on a tour and tried to cancel but when I mentioned my stomach they told me I needed to go to medical. 

Having had dinner a couple of nights with the good doctor, Ludmilla, I figured no problem, she'd give me a pass and I could get a refund only tour. No such luck. They isolated me in my room for 24 hours. That evening there's a knock on my door. A uniformed officer asked if they could clean my room. In walks two of the room stewards with masks and gloves hands to clean. My bed was stripped put in plastic bags and hauled out. It was hilarious! You'd think I had the plague. Same thing next day.

Finally I was released from my prison to stop more pots and create havoc on the ship!

FROM NARVIK TO SWEDEN AND BACK

Well, I made it to Sweden. The bus brought us through a beautiful portion of Norway outside of Narvik with lakes, cabins, and rock formations formed by the glaciers to Sweden where we will catch the train back to Narvik. The sun was out and the scenery was unbelievable and so clear you could see for miles. The fjord was so clear and seemed to go on forever.

 Hopefully it will stay clear do that I can see more lights tonight.