We did our repositioning cruise a few weeks ago, where we moved our homeport from Amsterdam to Barcelona. This cruise was different then all the rest I’ve done because for the most part, each port I had only one chance to see it all. At first I was really worried that I would miss something, but then I realized it was impossible not to see anything and that seeing anything is better then seeing nothing. I took the time to appreciate each day and love each port and what I was able to see. What a wonderful thing.
Antwerp was a delight for my sense, mainly my taste senses, but the other four got a workout as well. I had three Belgium goals: Belgium waffles, Belgium chocolate, Belgium Beer. Not only did I achieve my goals I discovered that there is so much more to this place, but that enjoying life to the fullest as I had done with my waffles, chocolates, and beer is the main secret to life in Antwerp. The city of Antwerp has an amazing cathedral that dominates the skyline. Once inside the artworks of Reuben are displayed in a marvelous. Walking around the cathedral one really gets the sense of the profound worship and love of God folks in the area share. Upon exiting and entering the main town square one immediately realizes the openness and happiness of the Belgium people. There are smiles everywhere and the people genuinely own their joy. I had a delicious Belgium Waffle topped with fresh fruit and a nice coffee the locals around me shared tales and reminisced in good times. After I left there I walked down a happy little corridor to the “Best” chocolatier in Antwerp, Burie. Not only do they have fabulous, to die for chocolate, they sculpt it in ways that even gives pause to the relentless chocoholic before the jaws clench around the morsel masterpiece. In the window proudly displayed was a chocolate sculpture of Antwerp’s Cathedral. Amazing! After dropping a good chunk of my paycheck, I continued to stroll through the streets in search of The Kulminator. Fine sources told me that this was the place to go for beer. And these sources could not have been more right. Amazing selection of beer with a beer list/menu nearly two inches thick, I was in Beeradise. I had some samples draft beers that were very big for samples, but let me know the I would select was defiantly a good choice. All I can say is, Beer goodness it was delicious. The setting was perfect in this little alcove of a place. It had that dark quality, but did not even touch dingy, it was cozy and friendly, but not pompous and over reaching. The barkeep was a friendly lady in her 60’s maybe who served with a smile. There was a climate controlled room for their vintage selection of bottled beers. As I sat and sipped I took in the day I enjoyed what I had right then and right there. I was one happy traveler.
Next was Dover. The White Cliffs were great to see, but pollution and climate change has made them less white by the day. The castle was quite a sight as well. While I did not get to see the inside I could imagine all the tunnels and secret passageways that makes this one of the most effective fortification ever known. This day, I took a tour to the delightful town of Canterbury, home to Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and the magnificent cathedral there. This little English town was brimming with cuteness and expensive shops. As a strolled through the street to the various town gates, I tried to imagine myself in years gone by. A mere peasant trying to acquire the necessaries for the day. But somehow I have a feeling that a mere peasant such as myself would have had just as much trouble buying the $8 tea back then as I I did that day. Very cute and quaint, but the English elite are the ones to triumph here.
The following stop was in France, Le Havre. But I went to discover Paris that day. Another amazing day! I went up the Eifel Tower and took in the amazing panorama. The city sprawl was immense and romantic. The hustle and bustle down below seemed to take an easy flow as we ascended in the elevator. The wind blew around us at the top and the excitement around us that everyone was feeling was electric. We were all at the top of Paris! After getting down I hopped on a bus tour to through the city. We stopped at the magnificent Notre Dame. This immense gothic cathedral never ceases to impress. The awesome gargoyles and buttresses, the imposing nature of the façade, the detail of the work was all so masterful. Unfortunately, when you only have 4 hours you have to move quick. A delicious French baguette for lunch and moved back onto the bus to take in the many more sights to see. We went by the Arc du Triumph, massive and bold. The Paris Opera House with its ornate and superlative décor. The Louvre on the outside demonstrated the immense nature and to only imagine the massive collection contained within. We covered so much territory and saw so much. This left me with the sense that Paris is a wonderful and exotic town, best left to at least a week, not four hours.
In La Coruna Spain I took it fairly easy. Of course this city on the northwest corner of Spain does not have too much to offer but beach. I strolled around the city along the beach promenade stopping for many photos of Torre Herculeum, which is a Roman Lighthouse. It is believed to be the oldest working lighthouse in the world. This day the sun was blazing and I was feeling so happy. One person did note that it is odd that our photos in July have us in Jeans and Jackets and now our September pictures have us in Shorts and Tank Tops.
