Lisbon to Barcelona, Windsurf, April 19 – Roll Call.

We enjoy good company and like to share excursions ‘on our own’ in various ports. If any of you are interested in joining us and have ideas you like to share, please do so. Here is the itinerary and our tentative plans:

1. Lisbon (an extra day for us to take the train to Sintra, etc)

2. After a day at sea, we arrive in Tangiers. I have been in contact with a local tour guide who will take us to various places around Tangiers. His price (last time I emailed him the price was $35pp) is very reasonable compared with the ship’s, which costs $99 pp.

3. Malaga. Because of the short time in port and the distance involved, we decided to spend the bucks for a ship’s tour of the Alhambra.

4. Alicante. We want to take a cab to the palm gardens in Elche. Anyone want to join us or have better ideas??? Ship tour again is $99 pp.

5. Palma. Any suggestions? I am tentatively thinking of renting a car to drive around part of the island.

6. Tarragona. Need to do some research. Any suggestions?

7. Barcelona. We will be there for a couple days but love to join others who are doing the same.

Thus far we have had no one respond to the Roll Call for this trip.

At first I wondered why. Then our TA called and mentioned that we could upgrade for a small fee. Does that mean we will have the ship to our own???

Actually, if that were the case, I would prefer a smaller sailboat.

I don't know if you remember but we spoke about your cruise a while back. I live just outside Alicante.

I will not be on your cruise but I hope to come into Alicante on the 23rd to see the Wind Surf (have cruised on her many times). I was thinking of contacting Windstar to see if we could come aboard to see the crew that we know. I am not sure if they will allow this.

I thought there were going to be 2 ships in that day (Surf and Spirit) but it seems it is now just going to be the Surf.

When you have been to Alicante, and possibly visited Elche, please let me have your opinions. It would be good to get an outsiders views.

We will be in Elche on Wednesday. That is where we have to go to get our annual car inspection (called ITV in Spain and MOT in UK - don't know what it is called in US).

I hope the weather improves in the next few weeks as it has not been very good here just recently. Today has improved a little. It is still cloudy but the temperatures are a little higher (22C - 72F here today).

Hope you enjoy your visit to my home town.

I don't know if you remember but we spoke about your cruise a while back. I live just outside Alicante.

 

We will be in Elche on Wednesday. That is where we have to go to get our annual car inspection (called ITV in Spain and MOT in UK - don't know what it is called in US).

Yes, indeed I remember you. In fact, it was your suggestion to go to Elche that made us decide that route. Thank you in advance.

The ship will be in port only from 2:00pm until 8:00 at night (14:00 to 20:00). So, considering that we probably like to be back for dinner, that gives us only about four hours or so.

The ship's tour to Elche would cost $99 per person. I thought a cab ride, even if it is only for the two of us, would be better. I assume there will be taxis available where we dock and when we want to return to the ship.

Any suggestions where to get a cab or would they come to the dock?

Car inspections in California only involve a 'smog test', a check that the engine runs well and does not put out more carbon, etc than is allowed. That check happens ones every few years. However, if a policeman should see something wrong with a vehicle, he can site you and have you take it to a shop for repairs.

I will let you know how our trip went and what our impression of Elche was. Thanks again for the advice.

I don't know if there will be any cabs at the dock. Alicante cruise terminal is not often used. We don't get many ships in.

I would think that local taxis would know when one is due and would go to the ship.

If there are none at the ship you can take a short walk (or a shuttle bus if one is provided) to the port gates. There are 2 hotels right by the port gates. One is the Melia Alicante and there are usually cabs near there.

If you are going to the Huerto del Cura (Priest's Garden) you can probably ask them at the ticket office or gift shop to call a cab.

One other piece of information, I don't know if you are interested or if you will have time. But there is currently a special exhibition on at the Archaeological Museum in Alicante (MARQ). The Discobulos of Myron statue (the discus thrower) is on loan from the British Museum.

More information here

http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_20753.shtml

Whatever you decide to do - enjoy

If there are none at the ship you can take a short walk (or a shuttle bus if one is provided) to the port gates. There are 2 hotels right by the port gates. One is the Melia Alicante and there are usually cabs near there.

 

If you are going to the Huerto del Cura (Priest's Garden) you can probably ask them at the ticket office or gift shop to call a cab.

I looked at Google Earth and noticed the location of Hotel Melia Alicante. Depending on the exact berth of the Wind Surf, it would be a nice walk along the yacht harbor water front.

Even on the way back it might be a nice diversion to stop there again and have a cocktail or glass of Spanish wine with a nice view of Playa Del Postiguet before walking back to the ship.

Thanks again English in Spain.

Do not bother to go into the hotel bar.

Just before you enter the port area, near the Hotel Melia, you will see the new casino (all the locals hate the way it has been designed - too glitzy - so out of keeping with the area). Just behind the casino are lots of bars and restaurants around the yacht marina.

This would be a nice place to stop for a drink before returning to the ship.

I recall that you had some great suggestions about this port. Here are some excerps of what I copied and it sounds just like the thing we want to do.

"You can visit the Huerto del Cura (Priest's Garden).The garden features a large variety of palm trees and cactuses as well as other typical Mediterranean species, such as lemon and orange trees, pomegranate trees, carob trees and jujube trees along with other subtropical species gathered throughout the years to create a stunning collection of plants from the most unexpected places. The garden’s focal point is the magnificent eight trunked ‘Imperial Palm’ .

The entrance fee to the garden is €5.

You can get a taxi at the port to go to Elche. I am not sure how much it would cost as I have never had to use the taxi. You can always ask the taxi driver.

Explanada de España.

This palm tree lined promenade is composed of 6.6 million colourful marble tiles and is a lovely walk. One point though, there will be repair works to the paving tiles this summer. I do not how much disruption this will cause.

If you want to eat or have a drink before returning to the ship there are lots of bars and restaurants around the Yacht Marina (behind the new casino)."

btw. The wavy pattern of the explanada looks like something in South America???

Only a few days to go Lair Bear. When do you actually leave home?

Have a wonderful cruise. I am green with envy.

Only a few days to go Lair Bear. When do you actually leave home?

 

Have a wonderful cruise. I am green with envy.

We are leaving here in California this coming Thursday, spend two nights in Lisbon before boarding the Wind Surf on Sunday.

Did you have any luck trying to get a tour of the ship when it is in Alicante? I wonder if it might help if you were our 'guests'? Send me an email (see our web site) if you want me to check.

Just one more question about Palma. We are planning to just relax, walk around town etc. The ship is in port only from 1:00pm until 8:00 pm. Do you happen to know if we can easily walk from the dock into town or do we need to take a taxi? Any specific points of interest?

I do not know a lot about Palma. We have been there twice (on Wind Surf in 2007 and on Navigator of the Seas in 2008).

We walked into town when on Wind Surf but it was quite a long walk (and not really that interesting) so we got a taxi back.

When on Navigator they provded a shuttle bus into town.

I think there is also a regular bus service but I do not know the details. Try looking on the 'ports of call' page.

Be sure to visit the cathedral it is lovely. There are also some good shops in the town if you are into shopping.

I have not contacted Windstar about possibly visiting the ship. I don't know if they would allow it or not.

We have done 3 Wind Surf cruises (plus 3 Wind Song). I am sure they will remember us on the Surf as on our last cruise (October 2007) Bob, my husband, had to be taken off by ambulance in Amalfi. We re-joined the cruise later in Sorrento.

I will email you our email address.