Adonia cruise - part 10 and end

Wednesday 3 September - Ferrol

It was Adonia’s maiden call at Ferrol so we were up early for the interesting sail up the Ria or Spanish fjord as Captain Box described it, passing several forts that once defended this town.

 

Pre-cruise research had indicated not much to see in Ferrol itself so we had booked an excursion to Santiago de Compostela – a town both of us had visited before but not with time on our own to explore. We boarded the coach for the one hour drive through Northern Spain – so different from the south everyone normally visits – green and rural.

 

On arrival we were dropped off at the coach station and walked to the main square in front of the Cathedral – sadly clothed in scaffolding! Caryll and I headed in through a side entrance before doing anything else as there were services later and the doors would be closed at that point. It was as I remembered it with the huge swinging sensor replaced by a smaller one for everyday use now.  After exploring the cathedral, we headed off down the small side streets, pausing in souvenir shops while looking for a coffee shop - most of the eating places were proper restaurants or bars. Eventually we found one serving coffee and Santiago cake – a kind of delicious almond cake – eaten at a table outside while watching the world and his wife walk past. We then started a wander back in the direction of the meeting point. I had, as usual succumbed to jewellery - a beautiful pair of silver and three-tone blue enamel earrings!

 

 

Back on the coach we waited around 20 mins for a couple and the P&O tour escort – it seems they missed the underpass and walked to the end of the upper level missing the bus park altogether. All safely back on the board we returned to Ferrol. People who just wandered ashore agreed there was not much there but that the nautical museum was very good so maybe a visit next time. A shuttle bus laid on by the town took passengers to a shopping centre!!!

As it was a maiden call, there had been a ceremony to exchange plaques and now at sailaway we had a bagpipe band (the Celtic tradition runs strong in Galicia) to send us on our way.  As we sailed past one of the forts, an 18^th century re-enactment group fired a rifle salute as we sounded the whistle in reply. 

 

This was our final port of the cruise and a formal night so we went back in to shower and change as it was the Peninsular Party in the Crows Nest that night. We happened to be the first in but were soon joined by another solo. The time came for the Loyalty Manager’s speech and then the draw for the Dartington Glass dish engraved with the P&O Cruises' logo. Captain Box said it was C deck, port side – so far so good! Forward – but I always thought of us as midships so when he read out my name I just said to Caryll, 'You are kidding', and sat there open-mouthed literally! Stephen rushed over and escorted me up to the stage saying I knew you’d win it one day. I can remember Captain Box saying Sharon is being escorted up by our Housekeeping Manager……………. But I was so befuddled I wasn’t even sure which way to turn for the photo! Back at the table I downed a stiff drink again as our table companions congratulated me. After dinner we went up to the quiz only to find that our quiz team companions had won the first sitting prize!  How is that for co-incidence?

 

A lovely end to a wonderful cruise since tomorrow is the last day – at sea.

Thursday 4 September – at sea

Hooray – the shuffleboard court is finally open for business. P&O had had the composite floor redone in teak but it had buckled so contractors were working on it to relay it. I wasn’t keen on the black numbers instead of white but was told the teak would fade so black would show up better. So after a light breakfast al fresco, we had coffee at the solos and headed up to Sky deck. Caryll was playing too as now the quoits court was closed for similar works! I played the very first tournament shot on the new court. Sadly although my partner and I made the final, we didn’t win. 

After making last minute purchases and doing some minor packing we had lunch in the Conservatory and back out to play our second game. By now the sun had been out and it was hot – the court was tacky and useless. I couldn’t make the pucks even reach the far court at all. Hmmmm!

Went in to finish packing and change and put main case out. After dinner we did the quiz for the final time – no luck but we won twice during the cruise so not too bad.

Friday 5 September – Southampton

We had Priority disembarkation so basically could leave when we liked once Adonia had clearance and all luggage was ashore. We waited in the Curzon Lounge till around 9am when we left the ship to wait for our taxi in the arrival lounge. we were back at my friend's flat by 10.30.  I was staying overnight in order to see Astor arrive the following morning but unfortunately there was a heavy low mist that morning and my photos are very poor.

Summary

An excellent cruise with the two disappointments of no shuffleboard and only half a day in Tangier. The highlights – the sail up the Quadalquivir River was spectacular and well worth getting up early for – I was surprised so few had bothered; and Tetouan which was magical and mysterious and so different yet so close to Europe. A wonderful contrast. Adonia is looking good and at last they have some reclining chairs on her so glad I didn’t bother bringing one. She is, in my opinion, a star up on the mainstream P&O ships, and especially their larger vessels. I look forward to cruising on her again in the future.

 

Adonia cruise - part 9

Tuesday 2 September - Oporto

It promised another beautiful day for the sail up to Leixoes, the port for Oporto, in Portugal - the city of bridges as it is called! As we berthed Peter Deilman's Deutschland was also just arriving in port so took photos, but it was very misty.

 

 

Once our lines were made fast, we caught the shuttle into Oporto itself and then boarded the HoHo bus for a drive right round both sides of the river. Oporto is a lovely city with a central old part but also sporting stunning beaches on the Atlantic coast.

 

As soon as we stopped the far side from the main area, we got off for a walk along the waterfront lined with port warehouses, and to take photos across the Douro to the oldest part of the Unesco World Heritage listed city.

 

Then we carried on walking back over the bridge to this area. The river frontage was pretty and lined with bars and cafes so we stopped for a cold drink and to absorb the atmosphere.

 

There was another Uniworld river boat Douro Queen berthed across from us - must have been a lovely cruise. After refreshments we climbed back up the steep hill to one of the HoHo bus stops and got back on board to complete the tour – well worth it for the fabulous views from the top of the opposite bank of the river.

Once back where we started we set off on foot to firstly go inside the most magnificent bookshop ever! Wonderful soaring spiral staircases up to upper levels lined with books as far as you could see – unfortunately no photos allowed (although I did sneak one!). Then up and down the steep streets (watching out for trams). 

After another stop for a drink and pastry, I returned to the ship leaving Caryll ashore some more.  It was once again very hot and I was all walked out. After a snack at the Grill I sat on deck until Caryll returned and sailaway, watching some gulls fight over a strip of, what looked like, plastic!

Adonia cruise - part 8

Monday 1 September – at sea

Phew – at last a sea day and the day of our Baltic Peninsular lunch. This was at 11.45 so we skipped breakfast all but some juice and fruit out on the aft deck.

 

We had an interesting table with Third Officer Callum – who was late due to having to read the noon announcement on the bridge! After a delicious three course lunch with two glasses of champagne and wine, it was sunbathing for me all pm. when I got up at one point there was a huge dragonfly on my towel!

 

As it was a formal night, we had been invited to the suite of a couple on our table for pre-dinner drinks (more champagne!) and nibbles. It was beautiful, with a huge aft-facing corner balcony with a view of the wake.  After dinner I defected from the quiz to watch the pianist who I thought excellent. Bed. Caryll came from the quiz bearing some delicious birthday cake from our quiz team members. I discovered Mark Cook was the pastry chef on board and it showed in the beautiful cake.

Adonia cruise - part 7

Sunday 31 August - Tangier

The prop unit issues in Seville meant we were late in arriving at Tangier – around midday - so we had a leisurely morning at sea. We had chosen to do a tour to Tetouan so had an early lunch following our arrival and then assembled in the Curzon Lounge with all the others on tours. We were called very shortly after and made our way to the dockside and coach. It was only about half full so it was great to be able to get a front seat for a change and take photos as we drove through Tangiers and out into the scrubland.

 

 

 

It was a one hour drive to our destination of Tetouan and worth every minute. The drive took us through arid countryside with Berber men and women carrying shopping or selling vegetables and fruit at roadside stalls all backed by distant views of the Rif Mountains.

 

Every roundabout seemed to have been cleared and had police on duty – I though for us but it was for the King who, apparently had been in Tetouan for his holidays and was returning to Tangiers that day.

 

On arrival we walked a short distance to the entrance to the Medina – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of the smallest medinas in Morocco and is one of the few cities that have been relatively untouched by the outside world over the centuries. There are over 321,000 inhabitants currently living in the Medina. Tetouan has been well preserved and is considered one of the best examples of historical towns from the 8th century. The narrow alleys and stalls reminded me most of the Arab Bazaar in the old city of Jerusalem.

 

Every sense was assailed by vivid colours, the scent of spices and fish, and the chatter of the locals buying their food and other goods.  We walked and walked – through the narrow lanes of the Jewish quarter, past hidden mosques, hammans and more and more stalls, a huge flea market with second-hand everything, to the square with the King’s palace and finally to a café.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we were served with pastries and mint tea before continuing our tour to a gift shop where I bought some silver earrings, and eventually back to the coach.

The drive back was similar to the drive there. Tangiers itself looked more Western and reminded me of Piraeus. At the dockside there were still some traders so Caryll and I set off to barter for a few souvenirs. Caryll was not impressed when the trader thought she was my mother!! I bought a kaftan and we were still looking when Caryll noticed they were starting to dismantle the gangway! As we rushed over the Security Officer said it was OK – we still had eleven mins left!! The scanner had been taken down so we were patted down on boarding.  I truly didn't realise we were so late as in my head I had 5pm for departure - not 4.30!!