Day 2 - Monday 25th to Tuesday 26th November 2024 Aruba - the Caribbean Cruise

 

After our American airways flight we entered Aruba not knowing we needed an ED which is an identification document so the authorities require you to fill in prior to arrival. We did this so at the arrivals terminus, should have paid $20 each which the system would not accept our credit cards and the customs officer tired of waiting for us waived the charge and let us into Aruba.

American airlines flight from Miami

Miami airport

After a Starbucks Matcha Frappuccino and a regular coffee we were ready for our next 2 hours flight to Aruba.  

Day 1 - Monday 25th to Tuesday 26th November 2024 - the Caribbean Cruise

Well I never thought that I would activate internet while flying, I am typing the blog online at 19972m altitude, wind speed 99km/hr and we have 9hrs of a 15hr flight ✈️ to go.

We left Cape Town international at around 12:30, landed in Doha around midnight. Michael bought me the A55 Samsung so we will have an island hopper esimm, the equivalent to a simm card in every island (I hope) enabling us to use Google maps to find out way 🙏

Just finished setting it up, so easy with the ability to tell the A55 to update itself and duplicate my old Samsung Note 10. It will not update to the latest version of Android and imagine it is because Qatar airways draws the line at a 900meg download (fair usage).

Day 1 of Caribbean Cruise, Monday 25 November 2024

We left SFB at 6am to drive to Cape Town. I am very excited to be going to see Holly and everyone, sleep over at Andrew and Amy, and then onto the Airport.

Michael got us again takeout for supper. Most of us had sticky beef with either noodles or rice, so very tasty and the portions are large.

We caught up on Carolyn and Terrances trip to the British Isles, Amy and Andrews offer to purchase on a house in Capri and the general news.

Holly is beautiful, the happiest, most well behaved baby, always smiling. Very strong and already trying to walk. A fun filled afternoon and evening in which I spent most of my time sat on the floor playing with Holly.

Amy's mini me

Day 0 of the Caribbean Cruise - Sunday, 24 November 2024

 

This is the preparation done for the cruise showing the excursions that we have pre-booked on the Insignia, a cruise ship from the Oceania Line. Its the first time we are cruising with this Cruise Line, it is a smaller ship with approximately 1600 pax compared to Princess ships that had 3000+ pax.

So today we are driving to Cape Town staying with Andrew, Amy and Holly and having dinner with Terrance, Carolyn, Andrew, Amy and Holly. Cannot wait to see everyone!!

Flights from Cape Town to Aruba

Flights From Bridgetown Barbados, Back to Cape Town

Day 7 Zurich Airport - 5 hour layover - Wednesday 13th November 2024

 

Darren in his happy place.

We went for breakfast near the Asian market and then visited the market to get some seaweed chips, very tasty, having tried them the previous night, and probably finished Darren's stash, we went and got some more.

Went with Darren to get Zoe's her birthday, house-warming and Christmas present and went back to the flat to drop it off, get my bags and Darren's washing. Laundry day today while Darren is on watch I presume. 

Darren got us a Taxi to his work, the beautiful Jasi yacht, Katie and Patricio were both already at work so I got to meet Patricio as well, who later lent Darren his car to take me to the airport.

Darren took the boat through its start-up procedure, I understood very little but it was great to watch.

Darren with one of the rudders behind him (if I understood correctly, there are two, one on each side.

The view from Jasi's deck.

After the startup procedure, shutting everything down.

At one of the boat containers at STP.

Patricio's Golf, the same as Vovo's.

One of the vessels in the yard.

Left Palma at 15:00, landed in Zurich at 17:00 and flying to Johannesburg at 22:45, I love an airport but this feels long.

Day 7 Rain and more rain back in Palma - Wednesday 13th November 2024

Yesterday, Darren drove us all the way from Soller to the caves of Porto Cristo and then across the island again to Alcudia all in pouring rain, continuous unrelenting rain. 

The roads are good but Darren is a great driver and both Zoe and Darren have been fantastic hosts. I have eaten every delicacy of Mediterranean origin, Just yesterday I started with a croissant of salmon and avocado, lunch was tapas (calamari in a tomato base sauce, tuna salad, pasties of cheese and ham, meatballs), cheese, special iberico jamon, olives and aioli which I need to learn how to make.

The pigs in the picture behind us are Iberian pigs they have dark skin with a sparse coat, a pointed snout, and long, slender legs. The genetic trait of this breed is its ability to store fat in muscle tissue, which is the key to the unmistakable flavour and texture of Iberico jamones. Iberian pigs eat a staple diet of acorns (the fruit of holm and cork oaks), supplemented by wild grasses and berries, and legumes. The actual consumption depends on the animal's weight, although 6 to 10 kg of acorns per animal/day is considered normal, in addition to about 3 kg of grass daily. Because the dehesa pasture ecosystem is limited in size, with no more than 50 holm oaks per hectare, production of Iberian pigs is limited to just over a million head of livestock.

Back in Palma we walked around getting the final presents and the final glass of cava, my new favourite alcoholic drink. No headache (no hangover) and I had to be in Spain to find it, my last,  now second favourite drink,  red wine, I also discovered in Spain during the Camino.

To end a great day yesterday obviously once again great food, cava and some red wine. Different types of olives, game dry wors, cheese, pate, biscuits.

I am now sitting on the bed typing this knowing that I am catching the 15:00 Swiss air flight back to Zurich, Johannesburg and then Port Elizabeth. I have loved every minute of being here in Majorca with Darren and Zoe and will miss them knowing that they are happy. Zoe is moving into her own place which I have not yet seen but hope to visit some time in the future and also a very happy birthday to Zoe for Friday the 15th November.

The Goudie Building in Palma

 

Day 6 Rain and more rain + the old town of Alcúdia - Tuesday 12th November 2024

 

The old town of Alcúdia in northern Mallorca is truly a medieval town. It originated from the Roman settlement of Pollentia, and you can still explore the remains located between the town and the Port d'Alcúdia.

In 1362, under King Jaume II, the romans completed the impressive city wall, with its striking crenelated towers. You can still see parts of the wall, including the well-preserved city gates, Porta de Mallorca and Porta del Moll.

We walked along some sections of the city wall, and the views of the old town from up there were great. It is difficult to get a perspective of the town, unlike the Mdina in Malta where the town is displayed in maps all over the citadel, Alcudia seems to not want visitors as they do not advertise the places to see, nor does anyone have printed maps.

We walked through the narrow streets of Alcúdia and found a bar where we had a variety of tapas chosen by the chef plus the Alioli, olives, traditional bread, cheese and ham. So so good!!

We continued walking in the rain - soooo much rain and saw the Casa Consistorial town hall in Plaça Espanya, which showcases stunning Renaissance architecture. The lovingly restored façades of the buildings reflect both Moorish and Roman influences that have shaped this charming northern town.

Mixture of the old wall and the new highway