To Malaga and beyond

Boarding the ship is a rather lengthy process as everyone has to go through security similar to that of airport travel. Once we were through that part, we checked in and got our ID cards for the ship. These cards are combination ID/credit cards and DON'T LOSE THEM. Becky nearly lost hers as it was ripped from her pocket in 40 knot winds while she was taking a turn around the deck but Katy found it under a deck chair. The 2 days at sea were rather rough with seas running with 4-7 foot swells. The ship wallowed along with a number of people becoming seasick including members of staff. We, of course, are made of stern Viking stock so we were all fine. (Becky remembers being seasick with her mother on a boat off the Norwegian coast years ago so she slipped Katy a Dramamine and took one herself...just to guarantee they wouldn't embarass their heritage).

Katy and Becky spend some time in the spa where they both had manicures and pedicures, Katy had her hair cut and styled and Becky had a facial. She also spent some time in the thermal rooms in the dry and wet sauna, whirlpool and cold plunge pool...quite bracing! She said she hadn't been this relaxed in years.

We slipped through the straits of Gibralter at 3 am, Greg and Becky were awake and saw the lights along the cost of Morocco, Katy was snoring away.

We landed in Malaga on time at 8:00 am and were part of the crowd on the Alhambra tour from the ship. We got loaded onto a bus for a quick turn about Malaga before heading for Granada and the Alhambra. The landscape looks like Southern California with the same climate and plants. We stopped at a roadside cafeteria for a break where we bought supplies (food) and had a rest break. Then on to the Alhambra which has become rather strict over the years. There are specific times to enter, times to be at certain places and times to leave. One also needs a specific Alhambra tour guide. Once we met our local guide, we began our forced march throught the gardens, medina and main castle of the site. Build by the Moorish who conquered and ruled for 800 years (from the 700s a.d. until 1492 when Ferdinand and Isabella kicked out the final moor. The palace is a wonderful example of arabesque architecture and beautiful and the gardens with water features are also lovely. (as we saw as we ran by to meet the exit deadline for our group).



We zipped back to Malaga and scampered back on the ship. After watching the casting off and backing out of the port, we saw a show and an acrobatic act. However, the most fun was seeing over 50 Gibralter dolphines during our dinner.

Tomorrow is Barcelona!