A late report on an August dawn cruise.

[drron29]

JP this is the retired persons idea of a lot of activity. i have certainly slowed down a lot over the last 3-4 years. But back to the report.

Even outside the museum there is a lot going on.

 

And then you go inside.

 

The museum was an old Theatre severely damaged by fire but it is where Dali wanted his museum and supervised the renovations as well as the art.

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

This car becomes part of the performance.

 

As well as this amazing flying boat.

 

And when the umbrella goes up it rains inside the car.

 

After his death a Foundation was set up to run the museum and Gala's castle. They needed the Government's help but it came with conditions. Many of his best works had to be moved to Madrid. Still enough to see his vision,

 

When we first saw this painting -Lincoln in Dalivision- we realised as well as being eccentric he had real talent. Far away it is Gala looking out a window but close up it is Abe Lincoln. Hard to capture.

 

 

[drron29]

There is a lot to take in here and these are a small part.

 

And it is not just painting that displays his skills.

 

[drron29]

The last of Dali with different skills.

[drron29]

So we leave the museum and drive back to the ship.

Prickly pear is common in Europe.

 

In Australia it caused havoc and turned farming land into a cactus jungle. Here is what it looked like. It was controlled by introducing an argentinian moth which ate the whole plant. You can read about it here.

https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/prickly-pear-eradication

 

But no such problem here.

 

The area is also famous for it's pottery.

 

We did learn on this day why it is not a great idea to do 2 excursions in a day.The excursion got back to the ship an hour late so straight to our room for a comfort stop and picked up a wrap in the Arts Cafe Which we ate as we headed down to start our second excursion for the day to Pujol Village and Gala's castle.

 

Edited November 4, 2022 by drron29

[Gourmet Gal]

15 hours ago, drron29 said:

We won at trivia that day and I was second in the putting comp.
But some scenes of the surrounding harbour. It was very noticeable around the Med that there are huge numbers of Luxury yachts. Most probably owned by people who like telling other people how to live although they are major contributors to the world's ills.

Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed review.  Can you share with us anything about the Otium concept and if you were able to enjoy any of the benefits?

 

Also, I quoted this remark because I find it puzzling as one who is a bit tired of the demonization of the wealthy.  Do yacht-owners have a monopoly on “telling other people how to live”?  I’ve certainly not encountered that and I also do not know any yacht-owners who seem to be major contributors to the world’s ills.  

[cruiseej]

2 hours ago, Gourmet Gal said:

I also do not know any yacht-owners who seem to be major contributors to the world’s ills.

 

Do you actually know a significant number of luxury yacht owners? 😉

[drron29]

First my limit of pampering is having a manicure and pedicure when staying in Bangkok. neither of us used the spa services on this cruise.

I suppose I should have said mega yachts as they are what I was referring to not smaller true yachts. around the Mediterranean a substantial number are owned by Russian oligarchs. The others by extremely wealthy people who to me represent the evidence of the inequality in this world. I am talking about those worth more than $US 50 million. So it excludes most of us here on CC.

[drron29]

So first a few pics on the way to Pujol. The area is known for ceramics and agriculture.

 

Then we reached Pujol Village.

 

[drron29]

A pretty little village.

 

In the village is Gala's castle. We started with a walk around the gardens.The major features of the gardens are the pool and elephant statues.

 

The elephants aren't to look interesting they are a part of the watering system.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 5, 2022 by drron29

[Gourmet Gal]

5 hours ago, cruiseej said:

 

Do you actually know a significant number of luxury yacht owners? 😉

Depends on your definition of significant.  But the answer is yes, I do know some yacht owners.  Don’t hold it against me. 😉

[Gourmet Gal]

3 hours ago, drron29 said:

First my limit of pampering is having a manicure and pedicure when staying in Bangkok. neither of us used the spa services on this cruise.

I suppose I should have said mega yachts as they are what I was referring to not smaller true yachts. around the Mediterranean a substantial number are owned by Russian oligarchs. The others by extremely wealthy people who to me represent the evidence of the inequality in this world. I am talking about those worth more than $US 50 million. So it excludes most of us here on CC.

So funny.  

[Gourmet Gal]

4 hours ago, drron29 said:

First my limit of pampering is having a manicure and pedicure when staying in Bangkok. neither of us used the spa services on this cruise.

I suppose I should have said mega yachts as they are what I was referring to not smaller true yachts. around the Mediterranean a substantial number are owned by Russian oligarchs. The others by extremely wealthy people who to me represent the evidence of the inequality in this world. I am talking about those worth more than $US 50 million. So it excludes most of us here on CC.

I thought the  Otium benefits extend to in-suite perks as well?

[cruiseej]

8 minutes ago, Gourmet Gal said:

Depends on your definition of significant.  But the answer is yes, I do know some yacht owners.  Don’t hold it against me. 😉

I won't hold it against you; I just want to know why you're slumming it here on Silversea when you could be sailing on a mega yacht, where there should be no questions about cruising in true luxury! 😉 

[drron29]

Now to the castle.

 

Down to the basement where Gala is buried. Dali was to be buried beside her but allegedly changed his mind and is now buried at his museum.

 

[drron29]

So the last from the castle. Fascinating especially the back story. Rumoured that the pair only coupled once. Dali had to ask permission to visit Gala at the castle, She was constantly entertaining "friends".

 

[drron29]

We were now off to the village of Begur. Another Hilltop village. Passed plenty of orchards.

 

We now got to walk around the village. Many villagers in the late 19th century moved to the Spanish american colonies. Many returned as "Indianos" and if successful flaunted their wealth.

 

 

[drron29]

Another delightful village and well worth a visit.

 

Another feature is defensive towers.

 

Some delightful cheeses.

 

We were now given time at our leisure. Posters up everywhere for the 80th Anniversary of an obscure film.

 

[drron29]

We had an ice cream then Rojaan found a seat and I walked some more of the village.

 

It was Sunday and people were turning up for mass so I could take a few photos.

 

 

[drron29]

We were exhausted after 2 excursions in a day both of which ran overtime. We had dinner in Atlantide. Here is the daily specials -

 

The only different dishes we had from previous meals were the salmon tartare.

 

And desserts. The mango trilogy and the pavlova.

 

[drron29]

The next morning we were sailing into Marseille. We would not be alone.

 

[drron29]

After our usual breakfast at the Arts cafe- a cappucino, a cronut and a shared fruit plate we were off to Avignon. Some from the bus.

 

And arriving in Avignon.

 

The Pont everyone comes to see. A bit underwhelming. And the old town walls.

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

Now we walk into the old town.The Palace De Papes. We hadn't booked online and the walk up queue was quite long so we went to the Cardinals Palace which was free.

 

And now for the Cardinals Palace.

 

 

 

[drron29]

We made the right choice. Within a couple of minutes of going into the palace the heavens opened up and those outside queuing for the Papal Palace got soaked.

 

Some displays were down right sadistic though.

Notice the guy being pulled apart by the horses.

 

As we exited there was a last about to be gory painting.

 

The lines were still long for the Popes so we went for a trolley ride.

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

We had to wait for one coming the other way so they decided to cram a few more on.I lost my window seat. Without being on the side it really isn't worth it.

 

Handed the camera to Rojaan so some pics.