Around the world in Photos

[Gettingwarmer]

The last time we docked at Gibraltar with P&O in 2019 we did a tour across the border to Spain to a cork farm. The owner had been to school in England and we were shown around the buildings of his farm as he explained his business and we ended with sherry, ham and cheese.

 

[DamianG]

A half day in Gibraltar: A walk across the runway just for a unique experience, going as far as the Spanish border then returning to have a look around the cemetary (which is far more intersting than it sounds!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 5, 2021 by DamianG

[DamianG]

A dolphin display for our sailaway:

 

 

 

 

Edited March 5, 2021 by DamianG

[Aulanis]

Botanical Gardens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Eddie99]

Well, it’s not my favourite place at all, tho’ I have to say we’ve had some nice times there.

Part of my dislike, I’m sure, is the walk into town along the ‘mole’, which always seems to feel noisy, crowded and smoky, as the smokers get their off-ship fix.  Another thing is that it always seems to be a short stay.  How can you relax and enjoy a place when you’re constantly checking your watch?

Having grumbled, some nice memories are our first visit, on Oceana, when we took the classic introduction tour of botanic gardens and apes on the rock.  The captain, with his wife,  was on our bus (captain Vigo or something like that?). We had exemplary service!  
On other calls we have explored the Trafalgar cemetery, which is fascinating, and last time we were there was on a repositioning, so we had a long time and we walked around to the beach near the airport.  Very relaxing and very pleasant - though the traffic was awful, as usual.

Somebody mentions that one reason people have a downer is because reaching Gib is a sign your cruise is drawing to an end - I think there is something in this

[Ardennais]

5 hours ago, Gettingwarmer said:

The last time we docked at Gibraltar with P&O in 2019 we did a tour across the border to Spain to a cork farm. The owner had been to school in England and we were shown around the buildings of his farm as he explained his business and we ended with sherry, ham and cheese.

 

Would you recommend that excursion, because it’s one that I have considered in the past as something different to do. 

[Ardennais]

3 hours ago, Eddie99 said:

Well, it’s not my favourite place at all, tho’ I have to say we’ve had some nice times there.

Part of my dislike, I’m sure, is the walk into town along the ‘mole’, which always seems to feel noisy, crowded and smoky, as the smokers get their off-ship fix.  Another thing is that it always seems to be a short stay.  How can you relax and enjoy a place when you’re constantly checking your watch?

Having grumbled, some nice memories are our first visit, on Oceana, when we took the classic introduction tour of botanic gardens and apes on the rock.  The captain, with his wife,  was on our bus (captain Vigo or something like that?). We had exemplary service!  
On other calls we have explored the Trafalgar cemetery, which is fascinating, and last time we were there was on a repositioning, so we had a long time and we walked around to the beach near the airport.  Very relaxing and very pleasant - though the traffic was awful, as usual.

Somebody mentions that one reason people have a downer is because reaching Gib is a sign your cruise is drawing to an end - I think there is something in this

We’ve been there with Princess and had a full day, but the past few years it’s been a half day with P&O. We had a full day when we went over the border to Marbella which was most pleasant. 

[Aulanis]

OK here are a few more - no apes no town centre  no mosque or churches.

I see we were lucky going in 2011 it was a year trial when buses were free.

Now just free for locals.  Ship is /was Thomson Destiny - still sailing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Celestyal_Olympia

It was odd to see the Narcissi flowering - it was mid november.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ann141]

1 hour ago, Aulanis said:

OK here are a few more - no apes no town centre  no mosque or churches.

I see we were lucky going in 2011 it was a year trial when buses were free.

Now just free for locals.  Ship is /was Thomson Destiny - still sailing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Celestyal_Olympia

It was odd to see the Narcissi flowering - it was mid november.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great photos but I don't like the look of that snake!!

[grapau27]

Some fabulous photo's.

The only time we docked in Gibraltar was on Norwegian Gems maiden voyage in October 2007 and Pauline's late mam perked up when she saw M&S.

Paulines late dad took bad on the ship leaving Gibraltar and had a catheter fitted in the ships medical centre.

[Gettingwarmer]

12 hours ago, Ardennais said:

Would you recommend that excursion, because it’s one that I have considered in the past as something different to do. 

That is exactly why we went. It is a bit of a faff getting across the border, you take one coach and get off to cross the border then get on a different one on the other side. The owner was very good with his talk as you wandered around his grounds. You then moved to another place where you had the snack and drink.     It’s not something I would repeat but it made a difference to staying on the ship. 

[Gettingwarmer]

Docked in Madeira, next Barbados.

Edited March 6, 2021 by Gettingwarmer

[Eddie99]

I absolutely love Madeira, or I should say Funchal, because no matter how many times we tell ourselves we must see more of the island we’ve never got bored of the capital and wanted to leave it

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s pictures 

I’ll return with more wittering later and I think I may have one or two pics myself

[bee-ess]

 

Madeira

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Izzywiz]

Madeira is a stunning island and I would love to explore a bit more. We are not city people so have only passed through Funchal on our way out into the countryside but it seems to be a very nice place.

The sail-in was beautiful...

 

On our first visit in 2013 we went across the island and stopped at the glass viewing platform....definitely not for the faint-hearted...

 

 

We travelled along the coast....

 

 

 

and then went west across the mountains to the little resort of Porto Moniz...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 6, 2021 by Izzywiz
spelling mistake

[Izzywiz]

Our second visit was in 2015 and we did a tour of the north east of the island where we, unfortunately, had very poor weather. Our friends went to the west and had glorious sunshine!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dermotsgirl]

We’ve been to Madeira about 5 times, as the island is popular in both Canary Island and transatlantic cruises. We would have been there last year for the Four Freds in Funchal event. All 4 FO ships in port at the same time 

 

These photos are from 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[purplesea]

We have only been to Maderia once on our trans-altantic in November 2009. 

Edited March 6, 2021 by purplesea

[DamianG]

We've been lucky enough to visit Funchal several times and fingers crossed we go there again in 2022. I'm going to have to pretend we've got an extra long stay as I found it hard to choose my favourite experiences and photos.

 

First of all the adult only visit with an excursion exploring the Levada walking trails. We've been on more expensive, activity-crammed excursions but this remains my all time favourite. It was peaceful, not too easy, not too strenuous, genuinely interesting and the time flew by:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 6, 2021 by DamianG

[Grumpycruiser60plus]

Hello Everyone,   Madeira, we first arrived on Britannia OCT17  & said we would return for a longer stay, We did the following year & should  have returned last year, But you know the rest. Hopefully as we have vouchers for flight etc we maybe will get there again very soon...................Meanwhile some of my pics of Funchal, Botanical gardens, Cabo Girao, & Camara De Lobas.  and one of our favourite restaurants from our hotel stay, with its sharing plater. last pic of pasta de nata & cider as a photo tribute to my life long mate, who has recently passed away, he had been to Madeira & enjoyed the gardens in same spot.

[DamianG]

Now the family day out. An expensive drive to Santa Cruz (near the airport) courtesy of the fastest taxi driver in Funchal Jose Manuel Gouveia for a few hours at Aquaparque Madeira. It's a lovely, family friendly lido but despite our best efforts there is no way we could have got there on public transport.

 

After that we made a quick call into the mall followed by a superb late lunch at Restaurante Marina Terrace overlooking the cruise port:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 6, 2021 by DamianG

[Grumpycruiser60plus]

Just found a few more pics of  boat trip to see Dolphins & a view of Cabo Girao from below!!

[ann141]

31 minutes ago, DamianG said:

We've been lucky enough to visit Funchal several times and fingers crossed we go there again in 2022. I'm going to have to pretend we've got an extra long stay as I found it hard to choose my favourite experiences and photos.

 

First of all the adult only visit with an excursion exploring the Levada walking trails. We've been on more expensive, activity-crammed excursions but this remains my all time favourite. It was peaceful, not too easy, not too strenuous, genuinely interesting and the time flew by:

 

 

 

 

 

I have considered doing the Laveda walk excursion previously.The paths look fine.Are they all like that? I don't fancy having to scramble down banks etc!!

[DamianG]

14 minutes ago, ann141 said:

I have considered doing the Laveda walk excursion previously.The paths look fine.Are they all like that? I don't fancy having to scramble down banks etc!!

 

It was back in 2008 but I imagine the format hasn't changed. It was definitely a stroll along paths (rather than a hike) and no climbing or scrambling involved! Coach to the start then it picked us up at the end of the trail after a brief refreshment stop.

 

Which reminds me, as typical Brits we all queued up and paid for drinks at the refreshment stop at a small cafe, then the tour guide told us the drinks were included so we all queued up again for refunds! The cafe owner nearly got away with a good payday.

Edited March 6, 2021 by DamianG

[ann141]

25 minutes ago, DamianG said:

 

It was back in 2008 but I imagine the format hasn't changed. It was definitely a stroll along paths (rather than a hike) and no climbing or scrambling involved! Coach to the start then it picked us up at the end of the trail after a brief refreshment stop.

 

Which reminds me, as typical Brits we all queued up and paid for drinks at the refreshment stop at a small cafe, then the tour guide told us the drinks were included so we all queued up again for refunds! The cafe owner nearly got away with a good payday.

Thank you.That sounds ideal, apart from the queuing bit!