tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29984648654309906862024-03-05T08:12:26.508-08:00Cruising the MediterraneanJoost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-63742757771499922202013-12-05T08:58:00.002-08:002013-12-05T08:58:33.175-08:00Noordam 2013 - Highlights of our Mediterranean cruise<div class="MsoPlainText">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the summer of 2013 we cruised the Mediterranean on Holland America's Noordam from Barcelona to Rome. This was the itinerary we were supposed to have. Instead of La Goulette we had a stop in Cagliari, Italy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsl2weC6UX_JiKnVhVFe5az_9llImGBvOV4nAzd4PKMcyBoMVhvv_M6zxKIpFFeyTX-F36ShPIhZ0Lk9qc7cDMK5Ww5AZdEIiVcoHptvFg_1ZCmuUOxU1eIQGrstkSt7uFfQ5NuAQc7mp/s1600/Itinerary+Noordam+2013+EMS311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsl2weC6UX_JiKnVhVFe5az_9llImGBvOV4nAzd4PKMcyBoMVhvv_M6zxKIpFFeyTX-F36ShPIhZ0Lk9qc7cDMK5Ww5AZdEIiVcoHptvFg_1ZCmuUOxU1eIQGrstkSt7uFfQ5NuAQc7mp/s400/Itinerary+Noordam+2013+EMS311.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can read a blog-per-day here at <a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/">cruisemed.blogspot.nl</a>. In this final blog about our 2013-cruise we post some of the highlights. You can click on the links provided to read the individual posts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In <a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/2013/09/noordam-2013-day-2-our-second-day-in.html" target="_blank">Barcelona </a>we were very impressed by Gaudi's Sagrada Familia...</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AHQQe_SCxbBenfOUecJ07-RimUl0isFvkQL7-B_blxHw5A-o6714OJo2aL0rdT-iA0alMr_wHvtPMQcDWkqrT1ITF1wb820npdK3y3lHUOJOKt1seqjQKNrLMyYelcJpOciSdcrQXMNm/s1600/20130721+1+Sagrada+Familia+facade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AHQQe_SCxbBenfOUecJ07-RimUl0isFvkQL7-B_blxHw5A-o6714OJo2aL0rdT-iA0alMr_wHvtPMQcDWkqrT1ITF1wb820npdK3y3lHUOJOKt1seqjQKNrLMyYelcJpOciSdcrQXMNm/s400/20130721+1+Sagrada+Familia+facade.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Sagrada Familia facade" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sagrada Familia facade</span></b></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">... and <a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/2013/09/noordam-2013-day-3-more-barcelona.html" target="_blank">Parc Guel</a>. </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">We loved the beautiful mosaics and the view when you walk up in the park.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5NltL6x05_IwOshXYTCjdNXXzmtPvqQxCVYH38y-rqhfKzR2Cng5eUiodklP6GjqvcfU0BPEtn0VT6_jQBB-rAUQKSCXEW1bh5bAbsTnxIhVMZGa_wwP1aP8PKMP4lXkMpPq5bezph1e/s1600/20130722+1+Park+Guell+(645x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5NltL6x05_IwOshXYTCjdNXXzmtPvqQxCVYH38y-rqhfKzR2Cng5eUiodklP6GjqvcfU0BPEtn0VT6_jQBB-rAUQKSCXEW1bh5bAbsTnxIhVMZGa_wwP1aP8PKMP4lXkMpPq5bezph1e/s400/20130722+1+Park+Guell+(645x1024).jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title=" Park Guell" width="251" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Park Guell</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another highlight, little over an hour from Barcelona, is <a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/2013/09/noordam-2013-day-4-montserrat-spain.html" target="_blank">Montserrat</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BD5ocW-BkeuUfp0RlIWxi0USAmRQo_ztKH-VvtM9iZTRJrYKAaPkRuLzC_GSZeiFN5s-m3TsZf7NQSwMkZkc_rRyXhyGXJ9Q4UQmmuTfG_9lJfz67OM9aekKJWpFiNW1xpsYBuDVmD32/s1600/20130723+8+The+monastry+from+the+mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BD5ocW-BkeuUfp0RlIWxi0USAmRQo_ztKH-VvtM9iZTRJrYKAaPkRuLzC_GSZeiFN5s-m3TsZf7NQSwMkZkc_rRyXhyGXJ9Q4UQmmuTfG_9lJfz67OM9aekKJWpFiNW1xpsYBuDVmD32/s400/20130723+8+The+monastry+from+the+mountain.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="The Monastery seen from the mountain" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Monastery seen from the mountain</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/2013/09/noordam-2013-day-7-palma-de-mallorca.html" target="_blank">Palma de Mallorca</a> is so beautiful. </span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ikSEihBUjcF79Xpu8vmRmrI5Qo9Pq7xdx3Q7LmvmU1CzWiuNhjaViAYf-feVb9QaMeyB526yQqAw7dMW0kI-rPtSDwY6KS2L9fmmd0NWLQcs6qogVVqlcFe4vETUE22jXb3Ri5P6P8L7/s1600/20130726+7+Sa+Llotja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ikSEihBUjcF79Xpu8vmRmrI5Qo9Pq7xdx3Q7LmvmU1CzWiuNhjaViAYf-feVb9QaMeyB526yQqAw7dMW0kI-rPtSDwY6KS2L9fmmd0NWLQcs6qogVVqlcFe4vETUE22jXb3Ri5P6P8L7/s400/20130726+7+Sa+Llotja.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Sa Llotja" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sa Llotja</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcj4pnnxZYANljRpr5dL_lNtW90YHpl8IJxIJl6SHgMofel4dQcqu0NM5e73Iaqd7SfDU_u_3a-zs6ZVn8qz1DfZs6i0Z8nBtaG8hRbKQZ9K1OcDdLIiHfP_mFwOPnfrW3RaFsWuIcmju/s1600/20130726+8+Castell+de+Bellver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcj4pnnxZYANljRpr5dL_lNtW90YHpl8IJxIJl6SHgMofel4dQcqu0NM5e73Iaqd7SfDU_u_3a-zs6ZVn8qz1DfZs6i0Z8nBtaG8hRbKQZ9K1OcDdLIiHfP_mFwOPnfrW3RaFsWuIcmju/s400/20130726+8+Castell+de+Bellver.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Castell de Bellver" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Castell de Bellver<br /></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A favourite in </span><a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/2013/09/noordam-2013-day-9-marseille-france.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Marseille</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> is the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Hospice de la Vieille Charite.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNP-B21YnNLZLXwOOOkXDblY6k8zgiEW7O3dkJaw4eXyli9JSyck12mmeYtLAVteW899aj5ctcBR8z1AcfV5MwVgpFUOsM65lLYRw3yTt2P1wlMX9OQwSKGbnk3yaHovTNaWYp4G51SBm/s1600/20130728+6+Hospice+de+la+Vieille+Charite+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNP-B21YnNLZLXwOOOkXDblY6k8zgiEW7O3dkJaw4eXyli9JSyck12mmeYtLAVteW899aj5ctcBR8z1AcfV5MwVgpFUOsM65lLYRw3yTt2P1wlMX9OQwSKGbnk3yaHovTNaWYp4G51SBm/s400/20130728+6+Hospice+de+la+Vieille+Charite+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Hospice de la Vieille Charite" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hospice de la Vieille Charite</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After missing </span><a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/2013/09/noordam-2013-day-10-monte-carlo-monaco.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Monte Carlo</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> due to the bad weather, we arrived in Italy. Beautiful </span><a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/2013/09/noordam-2013-day-11-livorno-lucca-and.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Lucca and Pisa</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9_gmMW6ME3FPuaVg2hAb29TPfNcA97XRGztGIoHLmWuttGCIvPsb6kkPvEymi9uHU24l78tUfcsFugzsTmdpPo9pDDyXRK_cexbNqEh88mHHsEBnNpSM1jalW2JJd0XmX_0pLtMLjb-Z/s1600/20130730+5+Lucca+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9_gmMW6ME3FPuaVg2hAb29TPfNcA97XRGztGIoHLmWuttGCIvPsb6kkPvEymi9uHU24l78tUfcsFugzsTmdpPo9pDDyXRK_cexbNqEh88mHHsEBnNpSM1jalW2JJd0XmX_0pLtMLjb-Z/s400/20130730+5+Lucca+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Lucca" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lucca</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlm7psACw2_i4sNL53nDCGffM9in8SZJM1wSV1HKTyBVqvq7S6FScrMR4CelhHBX5dWJ-4bnbt6kEpckZ1zcW628O03MYTJ_rB8l69O3-SnmeElk4U0YctJe0v6lmplVewuYTMoAqJq_P/s1600/20130730+10+Piazza+Amfiteatro+in+Lucca+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlm7psACw2_i4sNL53nDCGffM9in8SZJM1wSV1HKTyBVqvq7S6FScrMR4CelhHBX5dWJ-4bnbt6kEpckZ1zcW628O03MYTJ_rB8l69O3-SnmeElk4U0YctJe0v6lmplVewuYTMoAqJq_P/s400/20130730+10+Piazza+Amfiteatro+in+Lucca+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Piazza Amfiteatro in Lucca" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Piazza Amfiteatro in Lucca</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Pisa of we visited the Field of Miracles, but we also walked through the rest of the city to the Piazza dei Cavalieri and the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina.</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nQlL7j-rjOPF8m5abupUJ8u8iZPv3KW5ick_vn8vclbDbMBRwwBFXo8CM0QJepA_5Hdtw1LpI_SEriBpW7nlCizP2pYczAF5CZYMwVmwmUsb9amk8OjLWraUuFCr-N0Fmq2ai6_TncxQ/s1600/20130730+20+Piazza+dei+Cavalieri+in+Pisa+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nQlL7j-rjOPF8m5abupUJ8u8iZPv3KW5ick_vn8vclbDbMBRwwBFXo8CM0QJepA_5Hdtw1LpI_SEriBpW7nlCizP2pYczAF5CZYMwVmwmUsb9amk8OjLWraUuFCr-N0Fmq2ai6_TncxQ/s400/20130730+20+Piazza+dei+Cavalieri+in+Pisa+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Piazza dei Cavalieri in Pisa " width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Piazza dei Cavalieri in Pisa </span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; line-height: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEq8uS8JK3_5oVXxDQbnW-epKDVoFvArgO4p6_AfitERppmSy_9GEXU3HpstNmdd_M0FDTQOOvfnbrMRtrJENQMQowr-KQCURDYPeitmPybkNKL9I4G9_8deo1DVSEkDwYi-dl5w_Wtdq/s1600/20130730+21+Chiesa+di+Santa+Maria+della+Spina+in+Pisa+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEq8uS8JK3_5oVXxDQbnW-epKDVoFvArgO4p6_AfitERppmSy_9GEXU3HpstNmdd_M0FDTQOOvfnbrMRtrJENQMQowr-KQCURDYPeitmPybkNKL9I4G9_8deo1DVSEkDwYi-dl5w_Wtdq/s400/20130730+21+Chiesa+di+Santa+Maria+della+Spina+in+Pisa+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina in Pisa" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina in Pisa</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Great views in <a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/2013/09/noordam-2013-day-13-cagliari-sardinia.html" target="_blank">Cagliari</a>, Italy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; line-height: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPP-xEto5t5t1uSMnQF6dO-j94XCfpJ3hrd5qcWR9E3ASuqydlhgZq9J4rkWaC6V1NYsStK0UEUGECqoQFruRqgYPri6Q1rNhD7nPNwWzJCH5ks52Ix9PxJ0SwyOAWMvznS8FT8D1m2YfO/s1600/20130801+8+Arch+at+Bastione+di+Saint+Remy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPP-xEto5t5t1uSMnQF6dO-j94XCfpJ3hrd5qcWR9E3ASuqydlhgZq9J4rkWaC6V1NYsStK0UEUGECqoQFruRqgYPri6Q1rNhD7nPNwWzJCH5ks52Ix9PxJ0SwyOAWMvznS8FT8D1m2YfO/s400/20130801+8+Arch+at+Bastione+di+Saint+Remy.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Arch at Bastione di Saint Remy" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Arch at Bastione di Saint Remy</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; line-height: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PYFtLGTs5x6Iq_F5B171zFH1TA2r9QYoEQqs5UyYdezGmtC4r95oqCVFCr6rlRr0h1vVqq3XhxvHkPEfXHUp6MPF84F5GqQ7qlpLlQiSRWpKE5Mefq0ae2MZ9WTPQlMt_rJUR00fwDxM/s1600/20130801+9+Bastione+di+Saint+Remy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PYFtLGTs5x6Iq_F5B171zFH1TA2r9QYoEQqs5UyYdezGmtC4r95oqCVFCr6rlRr0h1vVqq3XhxvHkPEfXHUp6MPF84F5GqQ7qlpLlQiSRWpKE5Mefq0ae2MZ9WTPQlMt_rJUR00fwDxM/s400/20130801+9+Bastione+di+Saint+Remy.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Bastione di Saint Remy" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/2013/09/noordam-2013-day-14-palermo-sicily-italy.html" target="_blank">Palermo</a> was nice, but very crowded.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; color: #666666; line-height: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHzV2HZcf1h2VzWeSzWcTeHOGjdJjllnEVEDCi65eW1G5VQB4-xzO514apzqH90DCwIGGfVPDKP6C3pSw0knQ7BdcTTwXObX9TY6nBb-wafekVfNJgzpL5cXEdDSV3aNAAdz22A6fR_8j/s1600/20130802+6+Piazza+Pretoria+(1024x681).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #888888; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHzV2HZcf1h2VzWeSzWcTeHOGjdJjllnEVEDCi65eW1G5VQB4-xzO514apzqH90DCwIGGfVPDKP6C3pSw0knQ7BdcTTwXObX9TY6nBb-wafekVfNJgzpL5cXEdDSV3aNAAdz22A6fR_8j/s400/20130802+6+Piazza+Pretoria+(1024x681).jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Piazza Pretoria" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Piazza Pretoria<br /></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In </span><a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/2013/09/noordam-2013-day-15-naples-italy.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Naples</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> we hiked up mount Vesuvius...</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; line-height: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK1w9AK9BLVlaLbKvWCL44YzT57xKGJrvsAPUluQBcMXwq8BVnxmYvjNlIip1za-bszD9PvjWIDWy0bfJSbfRePV4X5GS3htnS6oplz68ZpBHvVLnxqCFOXosCmzyp4A0CYL9AiL8agG4/s1600/20130803+4+Crater+of+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK1w9AK9BLVlaLbKvWCL44YzT57xKGJrvsAPUluQBcMXwq8BVnxmYvjNlIip1za-bszD9PvjWIDWy0bfJSbfRePV4X5GS3htnS6oplz68ZpBHvVLnxqCFOXosCmzyp4A0CYL9AiL8agG4/s400/20130803+4+Crater+of+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Crater of Mount Vesuvius" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Crater of Mount Vesuvius</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and we enjoyed Pompei</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; line-height: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7Av9sJ7C8eZeyRP_2r7YmOP9nEIdBO947AEj8X-LKb9b1YaMGXSc-YYBW1TTKxvbL34enoYSw33CIw_1DVWw67AqY24bsE3nfWc8JmJ5yy9qSBIulW2jLTn2n4_fqpdwXyBDsDryEIAS/s1600/20130803+13+Pompei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7Av9sJ7C8eZeyRP_2r7YmOP9nEIdBO947AEj8X-LKb9b1YaMGXSc-YYBW1TTKxvbL34enoYSw33CIw_1DVWw67AqY24bsE3nfWc8JmJ5yy9qSBIulW2jLTn2n4_fqpdwXyBDsDryEIAS/s400/20130803+13+Pompei.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pompei" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pompei</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; line-height: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ59tHsJE-GxEgBfxqS9N9lU_M7sC00HwQOZK1dyVWdUx_uN5YbwUHwGDOYwp5IulHGThPNCTbl17QgJe1lFtSoBg0i2qofj1IAIbMy1mhpXJZctP-dKYLzjSu2wRDtT3RsozlBWT8DLX9/s1600/20130803+24+Pompei+Forum+with+mighty+Vesivius+in+the+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ59tHsJE-GxEgBfxqS9N9lU_M7sC00HwQOZK1dyVWdUx_uN5YbwUHwGDOYwp5IulHGThPNCTbl17QgJe1lFtSoBg0i2qofj1IAIbMy1mhpXJZctP-dKYLzjSu2wRDtT3RsozlBWT8DLX9/s400/20130803+24+Pompei+Forum+with+mighty+Vesivius+in+the+back.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pompei Forum with mighty Vesivius in the back" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pompei Forum with mighty Vesivius in the back<br /></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We ended with an couple of days in <a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/2013/09/noordam-2013-day-17-rome-italy.html" target="_blank">Rome</a>.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; line-height: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMzWdRFFvrSQ3n_C4F2WOVtaqISMgpwAce4JgQr6875UL8TL_UIKM4jnTOJbUMUHbuPk9lWU3ttBiKaTFD6xEVeEJF5g7ykzt2OSZWykBpCRhTBx8QLQAJ-mPn_4RLqPc5nrTPYngZeuf/s1600/20130805+6+Inside+the+Colosseum+%2528panorama%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMzWdRFFvrSQ3n_C4F2WOVtaqISMgpwAce4JgQr6875UL8TL_UIKM4jnTOJbUMUHbuPk9lWU3ttBiKaTFD6xEVeEJF5g7ykzt2OSZWykBpCRhTBx8QLQAJ-mPn_4RLqPc5nrTPYngZeuf/s400/20130805+6+Inside+the+Colosseum+%2528panorama%2529.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Inside the Colosseum (panorama)" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Inside the Colosseum (panorama)</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our home during this trip was HAL's ms Noordam</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; line-height: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsxZP6ChC46p69z1vTs6s6uEwLrWKrmvI4ljCPw459ZVGSHqvYLp24z2fooy1YvvZ_hI0rvPDoFkLl4JeOsJADDwKRsW3jcazOZBVhpZqPb2_lmHYXM59GumU4u4aeMwfqxqCxY1WLQXJ/s1600/20130728+17+Noordam+in+Marseille+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsxZP6ChC46p69z1vTs6s6uEwLrWKrmvI4ljCPw459ZVGSHqvYLp24z2fooy1YvvZ_hI0rvPDoFkLl4JeOsJADDwKRsW3jcazOZBVhpZqPb2_lmHYXM59GumU4u4aeMwfqxqCxY1WLQXJ/s400/20130728+17+Noordam+in+Marseille+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Noordam in Marseille" width="400" /></span></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 11px;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Noordam<br /></span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-87939636393662658132013-09-29T06:25:00.000-07:002013-09-29T06:25:01.840-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 19: The journey home<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We got up at 5 am. It was not as crowded at the
breakfast buffet as the other days. No wonder, who gets up this early when on
vacation. Well, we do because our flight leaves in a couple of hours…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>So this is going to be our last post for a while. If you want to read our whole blog, please do so at <a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/">cruisemed.blogspot.nl</a>. We blogged about the <a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/2013/08/noordam-2013-preparing-for-11-night.html" target="_blank">preparation</a>, <a href="http://cruisemed.blogspot.nl/2013/08/noordam-2013-day-1-traveling-to.html" target="_blank">the first day in Barcelona</a> and the rest of our cruise on the Holland America Noordam.</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The same driver that brought us to the hotel was there
to pick us up. We were a bit early, the luggage drop-off was not open yet. We
had to wait quite some time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JuurZka7BPz_Y9dqj3kAgrpLRvC5IQyli8PApfwfuq8t7XGisLH_NfjMWVdA6RGBc0eZDE8iNbng_PFs1zED1cJuJA4qbERldL8D3g1HCBtZREhE5cCDuIHKptvT3e_phFMp2IpeHDzt/s1600/20130807+1+Waiting+at+the+airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JuurZka7BPz_Y9dqj3kAgrpLRvC5IQyli8PApfwfuq8t7XGisLH_NfjMWVdA6RGBc0eZDE8iNbng_PFs1zED1cJuJA4qbERldL8D3g1HCBtZREhE5cCDuIHKptvT3e_phFMp2IpeHDzt/s400/20130807+1+Waiting+at+the+airport.jpg" title="Waiting at the airport" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Waiting at the airport</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were on the plane with a lot of nuns from Cameroon.
They were touring Europe. Finally we also saw a familiar face, a colleague of
Joost was on the same plane.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we arrived in Brussels we were very disappointed
in the weather. Only 17 C (62 F) while we left Rome at almost 30 C (86 F). And
it was raining, something we had not seen since Monte Carlo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brussels has a great airport. When we arrived at the
luggage belt, our suitcases just arrived. We walked to the car that was parked
just outside the terminal. Before we knew it, we were on our way home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We hope you enjoyed reading about our cruise and the
days before. More to come, next cruise !<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlczUg-7Dyd0TAYYi0XZFdLPZlmAIuMNegdF-WV8_E1WQ8emX39uqPTRfgqbIZ5dAHRSPME_8BImzxA2OFKStm91X4iyGzXl8rKApYX4yuPKXwnMdeqj-2ze1AorJHvSQiEikPpcECAUi/s1600/20130807+2+Joost+and+Jolanda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlczUg-7Dyd0TAYYi0XZFdLPZlmAIuMNegdF-WV8_E1WQ8emX39uqPTRfgqbIZ5dAHRSPME_8BImzxA2OFKStm91X4iyGzXl8rKApYX4yuPKXwnMdeqj-2ze1AorJHvSQiEikPpcECAUi/s400/20130807+2+Joost+and+Jolanda.jpg" title="Joost and Jolanda" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joost and Jolanda</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxUPzZmdyK1_5jtjs-wqX4Imdi7lDD4aVPx3bPkmhibYW8smUk6KlCESqzWRjwbQdL3hprjezAxVqQy0L4T43unPbt2uAVttOoKLFmnv2CC-9vahe5Fuz4bK4JZnJ0DxON8DYOIUWqz7W/s1600/20130807+3+Kim+and+Rhode.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxUPzZmdyK1_5jtjs-wqX4Imdi7lDD4aVPx3bPkmhibYW8smUk6KlCESqzWRjwbQdL3hprjezAxVqQy0L4T43unPbt2uAVttOoKLFmnv2CC-9vahe5Fuz4bK4JZnJ0DxON8DYOIUWqz7W/s400/20130807+3+Kim+and+Rhode.jpg" title="Kim and Rhodé" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kim and Rhodé</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-56417177538960216212013-09-29T06:20:00.002-07:002013-09-29T06:20:42.107-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 18: Our last day in Rome, Italy<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">We started our day with preparing for the flight
home. Our flight only leaves tomorrow, but we checked in already so we could
get the seats that are marked green (the better seats) at </span><a href="http://www.seatguru.com/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">Seatguru</span></a><span lang="EN-US">. We printed our
boarding passes and are all set to fly. But still a full day in Rome left to
enjoy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The public bus brought us to the Forum Romano. <a href="http://www.ricksteves.com/" target="_blank">Rick Steves</a> has a great podcast tour in the Forum. Of course you sometimes see only
the lower 10% of some pillars that once were a temple, but nonetheless great to
see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkTKfE5ZXhaUpHWR4KWwNS4ZWtmItGw8TQAczp5YB-a3hI-btjxrxpynHGU7tpM_P2zJLn4mq_hVQ30osa-mP5h2BMy6N4jwQ7oiNCdVpybXYav4j4OSsCfc5F0y5FIDGVBztW7s9Takt/s1600/20130806+1+Forum+Romano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkTKfE5ZXhaUpHWR4KWwNS4ZWtmItGw8TQAczp5YB-a3hI-btjxrxpynHGU7tpM_P2zJLn4mq_hVQ30osa-mP5h2BMy6N4jwQ7oiNCdVpybXYav4j4OSsCfc5F0y5FIDGVBztW7s9Takt/s400/20130806+1+Forum+Romano.jpg" title="Forum Romano" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forum Romano</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvaThIwjaSU90dxT6GHZ-Np5bUFkfXZ1WlN6dlRE6uYRhufpSR93I62OG2U0cPpFI8VwC9GtS53H6rp7bl02gnJFd-aKKO_2CGLLEQ4Ae4OMX2uDyI-KQJl4fjZ1uuZGWcq1C_V31aBD_/s1600/20130806+2+Forum+Romano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvaThIwjaSU90dxT6GHZ-Np5bUFkfXZ1WlN6dlRE6uYRhufpSR93I62OG2U0cPpFI8VwC9GtS53H6rp7bl02gnJFd-aKKO_2CGLLEQ4Ae4OMX2uDyI-KQJl4fjZ1uuZGWcq1C_V31aBD_/s400/20130806+2+Forum+Romano.jpg" title="Forum Romano" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forum Romano</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjzIHSvNwIQLwPaLUH6fXZxpP0aIaIeWLdsW7BbLjCwBpDigHEeMZTi4umbbokwAvO47SWiv7axFLn_7wmyPXNqrbsD2esjzgiu6J11PdH7Tjqj_1DpuZhoIhC5cTbwzHIV8t_kMI6IbT/s1600/20130806+3+Forum+Romano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjzIHSvNwIQLwPaLUH6fXZxpP0aIaIeWLdsW7BbLjCwBpDigHEeMZTi4umbbokwAvO47SWiv7axFLn_7wmyPXNqrbsD2esjzgiu6J11PdH7Tjqj_1DpuZhoIhC5cTbwzHIV8t_kMI6IbT/s400/20130806+3+Forum+Romano.jpg" title="Forum Romano" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forum Romano</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0S0WAfYPFGEgpDxMc16gxrw9zIvGaBz7nEhIpFrpZ92tQIqD_quzHFyexfrnrWxys-Opb7rnw27JRmyec9cMKnAefEkTdG_YdlmOUwHBtf2lYYhsXQdoChrhS2At0XldBGvtWleTzUo4/s1600/20130806+4+Forum+Romano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0S0WAfYPFGEgpDxMc16gxrw9zIvGaBz7nEhIpFrpZ92tQIqD_quzHFyexfrnrWxys-Opb7rnw27JRmyec9cMKnAefEkTdG_YdlmOUwHBtf2lYYhsXQdoChrhS2At0XldBGvtWleTzUo4/s400/20130806+4+Forum+Romano.jpg" title="Forum Romano" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forum Romano</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrGqUO9dS-6i880loVTdNuF_nKQ3ZAiz4hEpX7OQ0rPfhPT_uDyiMcAUOxy12jmrAOeQ7yrNrFb_m6KsxxV_J3L7jFsO_bI8hDpRCU5ZN9DluMNPyWhKXQMqg3Qa_KDwVxuz7tM59EfFy/s1600/20130806+5+Forum+Romano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrGqUO9dS-6i880loVTdNuF_nKQ3ZAiz4hEpX7OQ0rPfhPT_uDyiMcAUOxy12jmrAOeQ7yrNrFb_m6KsxxV_J3L7jFsO_bI8hDpRCU5ZN9DluMNPyWhKXQMqg3Qa_KDwVxuz7tM59EfFy/s400/20130806+5+Forum+Romano.jpg" title="Forum Romano" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forum Romano</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcumYphzpN_STeaqvoKD_OdGqlNUL38JRXOJzUPbIeO7CO2lV7sn4hyphenhyphenOx1oVbuRJEPYBuRrJRNEq_ZXhJpj1Fxs_OF5Z7iMbtRzf0sLd8G73NFRxkGQQHAKPhRZvJ-wJVaJqNpqXS3x0_/s1600/20130806+6+Forum+Romano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcumYphzpN_STeaqvoKD_OdGqlNUL38JRXOJzUPbIeO7CO2lV7sn4hyphenhyphenOx1oVbuRJEPYBuRrJRNEq_ZXhJpj1Fxs_OF5Z7iMbtRzf0sLd8G73NFRxkGQQHAKPhRZvJ-wJVaJqNpqXS3x0_/s400/20130806+6+Forum+Romano.jpg" title="Forum Romano" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forum Romano</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end of the Forum is the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arch of Titus. It is built by </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jew slaves and dedicated to the end of the Jewish state in 70 AD. We never realized how
long the Jews were actually stateless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71_spRmiHNzdVPa2ufQ1vexmDCtTVy8XdmaarlNZaZwNjGkSyfKXm7NfFXafZER68F7CsKAKpLG7iEKCxyvtasEV-x_3DsdiHKzMmN0SzQOfRzTpTndTg608RpzpyTCK8tFf9oH2Jscop/s1600/20130806+7+Arch+of+Titus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71_spRmiHNzdVPa2ufQ1vexmDCtTVy8XdmaarlNZaZwNjGkSyfKXm7NfFXafZER68F7CsKAKpLG7iEKCxyvtasEV-x_3DsdiHKzMmN0SzQOfRzTpTndTg608RpzpyTCK8tFf9oH2Jscop/s400/20130806+7+Arch+of+Titus.jpg" title="Arch of Titus" width="258" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arch of Titus</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Forum connects to Palentine Hill. Nice buildings
and a remarkable number of trees and bushes. Really beautiful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeoPXQ2-o-DPCZ1yDDlkRRc6lv3_B4ReRFN1uMVUywo-oiKy4vhDbl-HFsootio3QVM_8SejZGewZo5UXADpCAXQ2xHkggfCTa5axjhHT4Tmkjj8wot5nffGnbTqLi-8zhoef-xEboqVP/s1600/20130806+8+Palentine+Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeoPXQ2-o-DPCZ1yDDlkRRc6lv3_B4ReRFN1uMVUywo-oiKy4vhDbl-HFsootio3QVM_8SejZGewZo5UXADpCAXQ2xHkggfCTa5axjhHT4Tmkjj8wot5nffGnbTqLi-8zhoef-xEboqVP/s400/20130806+8+Palentine+Hill.jpg" title="Palentine Hill" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Palentine Hill</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0LPLPoExt_XMHH3wzK5wBTfDGWObHdKbVvnTXEWOCBCKi4tpFe8Oba9Kml-K-muhqbv-okSYNwVIfz7JzJaKT566h9ACLwRPBzvpzZEtM1WJ_QCK90yEHeCvocWxIbBN9uxfWClOtPxU/s1600/20130806+9+Palentine+Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0LPLPoExt_XMHH3wzK5wBTfDGWObHdKbVvnTXEWOCBCKi4tpFe8Oba9Kml-K-muhqbv-okSYNwVIfz7JzJaKT566h9ACLwRPBzvpzZEtM1WJ_QCK90yEHeCvocWxIbBN9uxfWClOtPxU/s400/20130806+9+Palentine+Hill.jpg" title="Palentine Hill" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Palentine Hill</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nIiliN4QNsMwkWgdXNpDxSwprIWowSTsXanToE1si7vfQzZ3SrxzFVFnSBeO6A-_p8u3krhbq9Ndn8FuTqq_5MNJSjY-U2Zn-zW6KX24HFpNXOLthMY_0Z-ALPmfvrt2YFstP88G3zwG/s1600/20130806+10+Palentine+Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nIiliN4QNsMwkWgdXNpDxSwprIWowSTsXanToE1si7vfQzZ3SrxzFVFnSBeO6A-_p8u3krhbq9Ndn8FuTqq_5MNJSjY-U2Zn-zW6KX24HFpNXOLthMY_0Z-ALPmfvrt2YFstP88G3zwG/s400/20130806+10+Palentine+Hill.jpg" title="Palentine Hill" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Palentine Hill</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While we walked
there, we heard Kim scream. A bug had found her, probably some bee or worse. We
tried to suck the poison out immediately, but it still left a large red bump.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A bus brought us from Palentine Hill to the Mouth of
Truth (La Bocca della Verita). Legend says that when you put your hand in the
mouth, it will bite your hand off if you lie. We saw a lot of honest people, no
accidents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFlg5HiP-Pww3e1Nm73TRKjUqyeWl7Ht-WSzeGUKVHndsEjpNn3A1hgyWTRz9gToGHTfWBSSav3v2BaZWOIvgZD3g6frT5GVFaHY3mB6_ubjJCgni5NnHWtw8vdJ5dsZsDOrx2Dbp1VAB/s1600/20130806+11+Mouth+of+Truth+%2528La+Bocca+della+Verita%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFlg5HiP-Pww3e1Nm73TRKjUqyeWl7Ht-WSzeGUKVHndsEjpNn3A1hgyWTRz9gToGHTfWBSSav3v2BaZWOIvgZD3g6frT5GVFaHY3mB6_ubjJCgni5NnHWtw8vdJ5dsZsDOrx2Dbp1VAB/s400/20130806+11+Mouth+of+Truth+%2528La+Bocca+della+Verita%2529.jpg" title="Mouth of Truth (La Bocca della Verita)" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mouth of Truth (La Bocca della Verita)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Across the bridge over the Tiber is the Jewish Ghetto.
A giant synagogue is at the entrance. On the other side of the street a church,
with an aim to convert the Jews to Christianity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWRAj5ELYtk4Sh6KP-ILiNjB9RcnKvWqz2_qnJlO-LqsEoZxU9wvEGjJH_O-kslBVduWItcJUEiZc4O0IubkffHoMNgDpNyQh_m8yCNq3E7ZNLUPFps7dEpEYDyyzZhmoLAnCRUuBye2M/s1600/20130806+12+Jewish+Ghetto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWRAj5ELYtk4Sh6KP-ILiNjB9RcnKvWqz2_qnJlO-LqsEoZxU9wvEGjJH_O-kslBVduWItcJUEiZc4O0IubkffHoMNgDpNyQh_m8yCNq3E7ZNLUPFps7dEpEYDyyzZhmoLAnCRUuBye2M/s400/20130806+12+Jewish+Ghetto.jpg" title="Jewish Ghetto" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jewish Ghetto</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW1zjepn6Yi7PWSQYAqyrLZb8oIlIxRYMkrCq3BVp20ErrS4nhyphenhyphenXECkvd76rpQRV6p6EIzwjqlJtNF0_-KinWKwIesNQPZ_4wrqm0Ct1R5JmF_RAUMU_RxCm4cl-VBfBUXOsSeDEWZTlH/s1600/20130806+13+Jewish+Ghetto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW1zjepn6Yi7PWSQYAqyrLZb8oIlIxRYMkrCq3BVp20ErrS4nhyphenhyphenXECkvd76rpQRV6p6EIzwjqlJtNF0_-KinWKwIesNQPZ_4wrqm0Ct1R5JmF_RAUMU_RxCm4cl-VBfBUXOsSeDEWZTlH/s400/20130806+13+Jewish+Ghetto.jpg" title="Jewish Ghetto" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jewish Ghetto</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnN7AoXdmPl-snxqrcA-aVPRBdfp4VTrs_nleyBAblWQ0JpP-3nUA6C6j5gbHx43gWbVCyqarBCVOBsRjFmNPxYEVVXdCw7gKKrhgQ3-hmeAvCc0oy31BKMCdzPxkTTnHzvHoubgpjFsH/s1600/20130806+14+Synagogue+in+the+Jewish+Ghetto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnN7AoXdmPl-snxqrcA-aVPRBdfp4VTrs_nleyBAblWQ0JpP-3nUA6C6j5gbHx43gWbVCyqarBCVOBsRjFmNPxYEVVXdCw7gKKrhgQ3-hmeAvCc0oy31BKMCdzPxkTTnHzvHoubgpjFsH/s400/20130806+14+Synagogue+in+the+Jewish+Ghetto.jpg" title="Synagogue in the Jewish Ghetto" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Synagogue in the Jewish Ghetto</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">After a drink in the Ghetto we walked to the Area
Sacra del Largo Argentina. From the looks of it just another excavation and not
even the best one. But if you walk down the stairs you see what it really is: a
refuge for street cats. The volunteers take care of some 250 street cats. Their
main goal is making sure they are sterilized. But if an injured of ill cat is
brought in, they take care of them as well. We played with the cats for a while
and were impressed by the excellent care the volunteers give them. They also
have some cats with a neurological disorder. They walk like they are drunk. They are so cute. If you are in
Rome, do visit the cat forum. You can check them out (or even better: donate)
at </span><a href="http://www.romancats.com/"><span lang="EN-US">http://www.romancats.com/</span></a><span lang="EN-US">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2U64bJBeDlPIhnSNRzEX2r9ZzhKQeG9xsV5Rw61C8Vo5OV5N8XZug1ps5yQZFdIMfoqOZTf5rhPrvvgn8rPqWIs5aIQpdsuMdZefd5kKRKOIfkzxHaLahIL_kH9Ah4qerNLxnbVdVNgCR/s1600/20130806+15+Cat+Sanctuary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2U64bJBeDlPIhnSNRzEX2r9ZzhKQeG9xsV5Rw61C8Vo5OV5N8XZug1ps5yQZFdIMfoqOZTf5rhPrvvgn8rPqWIs5aIQpdsuMdZefd5kKRKOIfkzxHaLahIL_kH9Ah4qerNLxnbVdVNgCR/s400/20130806+15+Cat+Sanctuary.jpg" title="Cat Sanctuary" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cat Sanctuary</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Close to the Pantheon we had our daily pizza.
Afterwards we visited the Pantheon. We were there last time, but this time we
take a little more time. We saw the graves of Rafael (the artist) and the first
two kings of Italy (that only exists as a country since 1870). The third king
is not burried in the Pantheon. He collaborated with Mussolini in WWII and had
to leave Italy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9omVNuohsRuh1Jzr5AI8GOicpMhS5JKyZz0hk3xCI5WLKXKPTPSykZ91KdOi6w1aCULM1gdQH9rvAvHcBfz2peFwkkJpEEO4J40PeMnN4XaddIsv_hk4chcifAwdVY0sIHZQ4_-Ma9K7/s1600/20130806+16+Pantheon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9omVNuohsRuh1Jzr5AI8GOicpMhS5JKyZz0hk3xCI5WLKXKPTPSykZ91KdOi6w1aCULM1gdQH9rvAvHcBfz2peFwkkJpEEO4J40PeMnN4XaddIsv_hk4chcifAwdVY0sIHZQ4_-Ma9K7/s400/20130806+16+Pantheon.jpg" title="Pantheon" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pantheon</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30uOUSXQ-eDzlFC67O5x7wCd8t4Z1EEyVEPa9HjHlAkB8sgIn4bKs-YTZOEnZq1bS92MXoaYVzTpuaUt4Gn0n3b2ZNd80QHzr_mXEIaaEBOokq-AfuT5Uxc0oBN7TRVn9z7nkl-rU7kC-/s1600/20130806+17+Pantheon+%2528panorama+of+the+inside%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30uOUSXQ-eDzlFC67O5x7wCd8t4Z1EEyVEPa9HjHlAkB8sgIn4bKs-YTZOEnZq1bS92MXoaYVzTpuaUt4Gn0n3b2ZNd80QHzr_mXEIaaEBOokq-AfuT5Uxc0oBN7TRVn9z7nkl-rU7kC-/s400/20130806+17+Pantheon+%2528panorama+of+the+inside%2529.jpg" title="Pantheon (panorama of the inside)" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pantheon (panorama of the inside)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7C_06k18bT1D49VK1gUFQGdL4kJc6fls_u09VUWRCx8021Hf58LI6O0CAC1bDtPydupouq0ysJl1PIpAkSfSjbZ3iFnzJRlSmcifNg8Msv2EwQCsE2KW9i-d59tE0sphKL5IT0ichLsa/s1600/20130806+18+Obelisk+opposite+the+Pantheon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7C_06k18bT1D49VK1gUFQGdL4kJc6fls_u09VUWRCx8021Hf58LI6O0CAC1bDtPydupouq0ysJl1PIpAkSfSjbZ3iFnzJRlSmcifNg8Msv2EwQCsE2KW9i-d59tE0sphKL5IT0ichLsa/s400/20130806+18+Obelisk+opposite+the+Pantheon.jpg" title="Obelisk opposite the Pantheon" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Obelisk opposite the Pantheon</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We walked to Piazza Navone with the beautiful fountain
from Bernini and the great church of Sant' Agnese in Agone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist79jfmg6tDpULf8067d9tZ2X-I3sWdK4eQy3Bbd0b8wq7OlSvz5E-Y9s08-SrRpnLmoBwvRvZ_neb8btpnob0nQcxxEoCFetMYITr_ZUOs9IVl8I-XGiwyK3OIE7IBYI4HrLjjRS8eGN/s1600/20130806+19+Piazza+Navone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist79jfmg6tDpULf8067d9tZ2X-I3sWdK4eQy3Bbd0b8wq7OlSvz5E-Y9s08-SrRpnLmoBwvRvZ_neb8btpnob0nQcxxEoCFetMYITr_ZUOs9IVl8I-XGiwyK3OIE7IBYI4HrLjjRS8eGN/s400/20130806+19+Piazza+Navone.jpg" title="Piazza Navone" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piazza Navone</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that we have been visiting several sites from Angels & Demons, we took the bus to Santa
Maria della Vittoria (just opposite the street of Fontana dell'Aqua Felice). Amazing how many beautiful churches there are in Rome.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UMGfxYIyTuD4wAAsaKVfHpu4OQ_mY0IO2H367Cg_ntfW-R45mUt86xW7bW6B9eVYium3S7qfPk43ACJzGLQ4scc6x-l3UvOOeYVvuuQOeqxhzKZ0gU5a1qVwdGxXqxqwWloKc569HXLg/s1600/20130806+20+Fontana+dell%2527Aqua+Felice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UMGfxYIyTuD4wAAsaKVfHpu4OQ_mY0IO2H367Cg_ntfW-R45mUt86xW7bW6B9eVYium3S7qfPk43ACJzGLQ4scc6x-l3UvOOeYVvuuQOeqxhzKZ0gU5a1qVwdGxXqxqwWloKc569HXLg/s400/20130806+20+Fontana+dell%2527Aqua+Felice.jpg" title="Fontana dell'Aqua Felice" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fontana dell'Aqua Felice</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEXbDi9xkOtIUWI3fwcfUZ6HGFDKgIJCpjF8L2qHsj0gexWuXGnUvntYLk3y_5uAjimNaXV54mPi3-Y-ebMCBuMVYy41IVekhufRddwG2Z8Prr3rR1tRkQbq0iKy9qTJfR2SIJUogWY5g/s1600/20130806+21+Inside+Santa+Maria+delle+Vittoria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEXbDi9xkOtIUWI3fwcfUZ6HGFDKgIJCpjF8L2qHsj0gexWuXGnUvntYLk3y_5uAjimNaXV54mPi3-Y-ebMCBuMVYy41IVekhufRddwG2Z8Prr3rR1tRkQbq0iKy9qTJfR2SIJUogWY5g/s400/20130806+21+Inside+Santa+Maria+delle+Vittoria.jpg" title="Inside Santa Maria delle Vittoria" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside Santa Maria delle Vittoria</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bus and metro took us back to the hotel. We loved
Rome, but tomorrow we fly back home… </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-3012580815548200662013-09-28T01:49:00.001-07:002013-09-28T01:49:26.539-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 17: Rome, Italy<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We slept in this morning. No need to get out early.
Our hotel won’t sail away if we don’t return in time. We enjoyed our buffet
breakfast and took the bus and metro to the Colosseum.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First we visited one of Rome’s many Basilica’s: San
Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains). The church has also a statue of Moses and
of course the Reliquary containing the chains of St. Peter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTttOp245gXpqXgeTtH0XMiCcYs4hyphenhyphenZ_gO61-wNlRYWB_CUw5QJEV3OGFq_njqIla8qVlvTQVuSWnLLLlElOpdLIV-tYrUcY3SeX06ntYlsrNnrP8Rp9ON9-2j-L3YpovWnxJVSbsUhr7I/s1600/20130805+1+Inside+Basilica%25E2%2580%2599s+San+Pietro+in+Vincoli+%2528St.+Peter+in+Chains%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTttOp245gXpqXgeTtH0XMiCcYs4hyphenhyphenZ_gO61-wNlRYWB_CUw5QJEV3OGFq_njqIla8qVlvTQVuSWnLLLlElOpdLIV-tYrUcY3SeX06ntYlsrNnrP8Rp9ON9-2j-L3YpovWnxJVSbsUhr7I/s400/20130805+1+Inside+Basilica%25E2%2580%2599s+San+Pietro+in+Vincoli+%2528St.+Peter+in+Chains%2529.jpg" title="Inside Basilica’s San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains)" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside Basilica’s San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was a long line at the Colosseum. The tip you
read on the internet is not to buy your tickets at the Colosseum, but on the
other side of the road at palatine Hill. However we saw a giant line there as
well so we just joined the line at the Colosseum. We should have bought tickets online. However,
it was not even that bad. We only waited for half an hour. During the waiting
time we could see the stacked stones that the outer part of the Colosseum is
made of. We were impressed to read that in ancient times 50.000 people could
enter and leave the Colosseum in just 15 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t6Sl1lrCsGbaYlXZiUx31A_RPwCvUNZ_e0ZJ-SUoKoXnJo-b4mdEOh4aVGTkK-IRuPNFzOS5wDG2_TiIMqB4oxSF5ApkQfUbuRkeEdcZYcI1pobnaoUqsxFrojqSdJpNYXWDzH055_sG/s1600/20130805+2+Colosseum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t6Sl1lrCsGbaYlXZiUx31A_RPwCvUNZ_e0ZJ-SUoKoXnJo-b4mdEOh4aVGTkK-IRuPNFzOS5wDG2_TiIMqB4oxSF5ApkQfUbuRkeEdcZYcI1pobnaoUqsxFrojqSdJpNYXWDzH055_sG/s400/20130805+2+Colosseum.jpg" title="The Colosseum" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Colosseum</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhQ5viNl2w5XJHJivCXAq8oiLaaQmROW-TzkllI-0wWfiCv3KGAW8IZjKdtD_b4L7odWKMvBmHVGL9vDwz04o4iXiy3YpMbpBFTVEBsxMNFdEDHeAT_RabzOqmYikmPfv7zfk4uC7Rp7j/s1600/20130805+3+Inside+the+Colosseum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhQ5viNl2w5XJHJivCXAq8oiLaaQmROW-TzkllI-0wWfiCv3KGAW8IZjKdtD_b4L7odWKMvBmHVGL9vDwz04o4iXiy3YpMbpBFTVEBsxMNFdEDHeAT_RabzOqmYikmPfv7zfk4uC7Rp7j/s400/20130805+3+Inside+the+Colosseum.jpg" title="Inside the Colosseum" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside the Colosseum</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0oehuEB7PnWqTkuUVF9j84vjlCqbwJI7i93bOL2QYOAvpELqvf00n36kZpDAvOpxFF0QHlQxcVGpLOphSZUvyiLvr-JKuWTp8RC_Q741kxUblkyEK3sssvht4lsRdKnxoMWBEHihylHL/s1600/20130805+4+Inside+the+Colosseum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0oehuEB7PnWqTkuUVF9j84vjlCqbwJI7i93bOL2QYOAvpELqvf00n36kZpDAvOpxFF0QHlQxcVGpLOphSZUvyiLvr-JKuWTp8RC_Q741kxUblkyEK3sssvht4lsRdKnxoMWBEHihylHL/s400/20130805+4+Inside+the+Colosseum.jpg" title="Inside the Colosseum" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside the Colosseum</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNITQGfcN9hjMgqKmmEkjFfnbFQz2hBjDLBe_RgiarIR_z64YcbPpJNN4d0TyNW26Fqf0x03o6c4_fE9OYTGGnaxjSEt5wX74NiZwES33zx9ixlIfdd7UAEbaW0TJi8-rUUe1UKSYJlr7/s1600/20130805+5+Inside+the+Colosseum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNITQGfcN9hjMgqKmmEkjFfnbFQz2hBjDLBe_RgiarIR_z64YcbPpJNN4d0TyNW26Fqf0x03o6c4_fE9OYTGGnaxjSEt5wX74NiZwES33zx9ixlIfdd7UAEbaW0TJi8-rUUe1UKSYJlr7/s400/20130805+5+Inside+the+Colosseum.jpg" title="Inside the Colosseum" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside the Colosseum</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMzWdRFFvrSQ3n_C4F2WOVtaqISMgpwAce4JgQr6875UL8TL_UIKM4jnTOJbUMUHbuPk9lWU3ttBiKaTFD6xEVeEJF5g7ykzt2OSZWykBpCRhTBx8QLQAJ-mPn_4RLqPc5nrTPYngZeuf/s1600/20130805+6+Inside+the+Colosseum+%2528panorama%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMzWdRFFvrSQ3n_C4F2WOVtaqISMgpwAce4JgQr6875UL8TL_UIKM4jnTOJbUMUHbuPk9lWU3ttBiKaTFD6xEVeEJF5g7ykzt2OSZWykBpCRhTBx8QLQAJ-mPn_4RLqPc5nrTPYngZeuf/s400/20130805+6+Inside+the+Colosseum+%2528panorama%2529.jpg" title="Inside the Colosseum (panorama)" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside the Colosseum (panorama)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once inside we were impressed by the size of it. Of
course the intent of the Colosseum was a bit bloody. However, very impressive.
From the top ring you have a good view on the Forum Romano.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm_KVB07jMdURZ_56x-IGjxmpaleo92NKmvJCOB5mBOhUi9HUvkNcfOG_b3FcBtzvrOy0CJFRlbEqqaRFBm5NVZThMUxGHmqMHJxYhoZI0545guwQf4gnW1wHbG8qB0xdwybd_iWYqndA/s1600/20130805+7+View+on+the+Fomum+Romano+from+the+Colosseum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm_KVB07jMdURZ_56x-IGjxmpaleo92NKmvJCOB5mBOhUi9HUvkNcfOG_b3FcBtzvrOy0CJFRlbEqqaRFBm5NVZThMUxGHmqMHJxYhoZI0545guwQf4gnW1wHbG8qB0xdwybd_iWYqndA/s400/20130805+7+View+on+the+Fomum+Romano+from+the+Colosseum.jpg" title="View on the Fomum Romano from the Colosseum" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View on the Fomum Romano from the Colosseum</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYvOh-ESaKALZ_ffBIC_VwCH_orcaixQ8LjqiSLHD6FNDzEyfUR9SyZdRuS4S8pjnaXgjqgd4b6DhynSm6V-9mgTnF2jeh6YFwbLxky1WfznjTYT1WSWzKn9JNPN8IlAhbVrMpAfInQ3e/s1600/20130805+8+View+on+the+Fomum+Romano+from+the+Colosseum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYvOh-ESaKALZ_ffBIC_VwCH_orcaixQ8LjqiSLHD6FNDzEyfUR9SyZdRuS4S8pjnaXgjqgd4b6DhynSm6V-9mgTnF2jeh6YFwbLxky1WfznjTYT1WSWzKn9JNPN8IlAhbVrMpAfInQ3e/s400/20130805+8+View+on+the+Fomum+Romano+from+the+Colosseum.jpg" title="View on the Fomum Romano from the Colosseum" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View on the Fomum Romano from the Colosseum</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeMZnCvJU1hYKXkPR8dyfFf3A-5l9wgw34AdAF0bIMSCKw9s0wjy55dZ3RqBLeB_2BZjz73eI-tUkEiJNnHqbVNEfdzHGpjIufQpHrAd4ebu2eWnOrnmEO0otrPkBR_PujTU_jWjm1913/s1600/20130805+9+Colosseum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeMZnCvJU1hYKXkPR8dyfFf3A-5l9wgw34AdAF0bIMSCKw9s0wjy55dZ3RqBLeB_2BZjz73eI-tUkEiJNnHqbVNEfdzHGpjIufQpHrAd4ebu2eWnOrnmEO0otrPkBR_PujTU_jWjm1913/s400/20130805+9+Colosseum.jpg" title="The Colosseum" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Colosseum</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After exiting the Colosseum we took advantage of our
bus tickets. It is not a very long walk to the Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II,
but since we enjoy unlimited use of all metros, trains and buses we just took a
bus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXl81x1UDFze6XmZy7OUK-sYHdI_5AnKf_LNNdapl_JGSTw4lA02jUhEkXCIBD73EMdJhelYvazOVJpRdxMV6lCFju20OcvnwyR-cQLzfOObsEjR5sOsykQJ4qFnGnOAXQLE92TmE-bd7/s1600/20130805+10+Monument+a+Vittorio+Emanuele+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXl81x1UDFze6XmZy7OUK-sYHdI_5AnKf_LNNdapl_JGSTw4lA02jUhEkXCIBD73EMdJhelYvazOVJpRdxMV6lCFju20OcvnwyR-cQLzfOObsEjR5sOsykQJ4qFnGnOAXQLE92TmE-bd7/s400/20130805+10+Monument+a+Vittorio+Emanuele+II.jpg" title="Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lunchtime, so we tried to find a restaurant. This time
we were luckier than yesterday. We had the best pizza ever at Bar Rudi, just
opposite the monument. We ate in a back room, decorated with pictures from
paintings of Monet.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II was supposed to
have an elevator to take you to the roof. So we followed the sighs to the
elevator. We walked one staircase after another. We thought the elevator was a
joke and they made us walk upstairs. The elevator did exist, but only after a lot of
steps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk0vGX2QSeru0zZK1xm0bF6wUcXc7FexcsIl8TkE7_JtddcV-eCNs5oXZQ5acpOvAW7wq2AJXE33993SZnsUlrKkyHBX-KQtQqNajoesF3qjbljMCNvmOLpzovXEAmgE85H3M-QO0YX-l/s1600/20130805+11+Statue+on+top+of+the+Monument+a+Vittorio+Emanuele+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk0vGX2QSeru0zZK1xm0bF6wUcXc7FexcsIl8TkE7_JtddcV-eCNs5oXZQ5acpOvAW7wq2AJXE33993SZnsUlrKkyHBX-KQtQqNajoesF3qjbljMCNvmOLpzovXEAmgE85H3M-QO0YX-l/s400/20130805+11+Statue+on+top+of+the+Monument+a+Vittorio+Emanuele+II.jpg" title="Statue on top of the Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Statue on top of the Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The view after you get out of the elevator is very
rewarding. The monument is probably the highest point in the city, so you get the very best view from here. We love the eternal city!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLO9RfdbZDCvyO5LljohhnG7sZFVN0gAWblNyoyVhCqqgE8GS0-H9B5GaHHZj9ed2stl_EAf6nASjZg959vmCXR-ROTzoP7Hz5jAgJVtIuGsAL7WpMWyWKBVg37Jj2xP60D7fWoQ-AhX-/s1600/20130805+12+View+from+the+Monument+a+Vittorio+Emanuele+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLO9RfdbZDCvyO5LljohhnG7sZFVN0gAWblNyoyVhCqqgE8GS0-H9B5GaHHZj9ed2stl_EAf6nASjZg959vmCXR-ROTzoP7Hz5jAgJVtIuGsAL7WpMWyWKBVg37Jj2xP60D7fWoQ-AhX-/s400/20130805+12+View+from+the+Monument+a+Vittorio+Emanuele+II.jpg" title="View from the Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from the Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOmZxA8RE9oLaEFtCoW7cEqNF9Qf3GNQNBy4qyZ2Zk28WdFdRZCU3SRV30qTR53EZARzH4Hf1sMN0Kz688QMDkn7J7jjubtNZfX2ngtt-zKOTilZj68nH39Ybx6AoH2XjieLGJLOojkni/s1600/20130805+13+View+from+the+Monument+a+Vittorio+Emanuele+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOmZxA8RE9oLaEFtCoW7cEqNF9Qf3GNQNBy4qyZ2Zk28WdFdRZCU3SRV30qTR53EZARzH4Hf1sMN0Kz688QMDkn7J7jjubtNZfX2ngtt-zKOTilZj68nH39Ybx6AoH2XjieLGJLOojkni/s400/20130805+13+View+from+the+Monument+a+Vittorio+Emanuele+II.jpg" title="View from the Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from the Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJmYBVBqR7FB4gH9zVbl3y9SzvAYzZStd2XbrzCxHuxMIBm_09H4h5aFPDWXNPMZyvJO1SSrRZwCdwruKrlFdqWwLQnR1ojxizLpuD0DnKnBUom3cRhK_5VVZ5EPyXsSxAEMrMbAiDrt6/s1600/20130805+14+View+from+the+Monument+a+Vittorio+Emanuele+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJmYBVBqR7FB4gH9zVbl3y9SzvAYzZStd2XbrzCxHuxMIBm_09H4h5aFPDWXNPMZyvJO1SSrRZwCdwruKrlFdqWwLQnR1ojxizLpuD0DnKnBUom3cRhK_5VVZ5EPyXsSxAEMrMbAiDrt6/s400/20130805+14+View+from+the+Monument+a+Vittorio+Emanuele+II.jpg" title="View from the Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from the Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcQ4R3CFwI-WoW30C6R_tUxOs9k1Z4MQ426OAuoFkiAtvQd3sDxAGMNqgdHtmnAf4W-oxCfvGHYKMAszZD7D8JTXCKRom9F501hC2DOKAIPmJK95kvmghN0i-fI2LA5sSw76_dlqt0RIo/s1600/20130805+15+View+from+the+Monument+a+Vittorio+Emanuele+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcQ4R3CFwI-WoW30C6R_tUxOs9k1Z4MQ426OAuoFkiAtvQd3sDxAGMNqgdHtmnAf4W-oxCfvGHYKMAszZD7D8JTXCKRom9F501hC2DOKAIPmJK95kvmghN0i-fI2LA5sSw76_dlqt0RIo/s400/20130805+15+View+from+the+Monument+a+Vittorio+Emanuele+II.jpg" title="View from the Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from the Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO94_QbeuQNNC3_Fdn4sXaw9YHiwd2Br8WbeAIetZjpsR1PKwXBWgCTaUvF9o8HMd3RrlG40zV6UbUMfnicRHSg1iHxddzZoiFsCjv-WPI8D5agDI8xuzRScsVj67fvroHa3eXX-ZUTUg/s1600/20130805+16+View+from+the+Monument+a+Vittorio+Emanuele+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO94_QbeuQNNC3_Fdn4sXaw9YHiwd2Br8WbeAIetZjpsR1PKwXBWgCTaUvF9o8HMd3RrlG40zV6UbUMfnicRHSg1iHxddzZoiFsCjv-WPI8D5agDI8xuzRScsVj67fvroHa3eXX-ZUTUg/s400/20130805+16+View+from+the+Monument+a+Vittorio+Emanuele+II.jpg" title="View from the Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from the Monument a Vittorio Emanuele II</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We took even more stairs down and had ice-cream at Vacanze
Romane. We remembered the excellent quality from the last time we were here. It
is close to Bar Rudy, so we have our favorite pizza and ice-cream conveniently
close to each other.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our next destination was a short bus ride away, but
the tram would follow a nicer route so we took the tram in order to change on another tram. Unfortunately the
other tram was substituted by a bus, so we had a far lesser interesting route
instead. But we did get to see the ancient Pyramid.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We ended up at Basilica San Clemente. The church is
built in the 11<sup>th</sup> century AD. In it is the choir from the older
church from the 6<sup>th</sup> century AD. That older church is underneath the
current church and was destroyed in 1084. They excavated it and we visited it
too. You could even go deeper in the Roman ground, even lower than the level of
the groundwater. Underneath is a residence that was also used as part of a
temple of the cult of Mithras. At this level there are also remnants of a
clandestine church from the time before 313 AD when Constantine declared freedom of
religion. So there are actually three churches on top of each other: the
clandestine church, the first basilica and the current (second) basilica.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple of minutes walking from the basilica is
another basilica: San Giovanni in Laterano. This is the church of the Bishop of
Rome. The bishop of Rome is none other then the Pope. Once again a beautiful
church.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJYLXLioqApGSYKGzLYArF5oTx-IiKlr9D1Qu6sPNk8TgmRDt1UBjnCMGGZJLpktHD1kiGqf1VMgXCPC-3-1pnSHqunIsxCNBaGIlNVQb3TpcgHZjsfQkQV9OEY7ejDBSGdTBMEpdQRbR/s1600/20130805+17+Basilica+San+Giovanni+in+Laterano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJYLXLioqApGSYKGzLYArF5oTx-IiKlr9D1Qu6sPNk8TgmRDt1UBjnCMGGZJLpktHD1kiGqf1VMgXCPC-3-1pnSHqunIsxCNBaGIlNVQb3TpcgHZjsfQkQV9OEY7ejDBSGdTBMEpdQRbR/s400/20130805+17+Basilica+San+Giovanni+in+Laterano.jpg" title="Basilica San Giovanni in Laterano" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Basilica San Giovanni in Laterano</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the other side of the street is the Scala Santa
(the Holy Stairs). Pilgrims climb the stairs on their knees while praying.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A long but great day in Rome. Tomorrow our last (full)
day in Rome.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-71101113128892505302013-09-26T08:17:00.003-07:002013-09-26T08:17:57.990-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 16: Disembarkation in Civitavecchia and the first day in Rome<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our last Noordam Eggs Benedict, French toasts and Waffles
for a while. We were in group Brown 2 and around 8 am it was our turn to leave
the ship. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvozogfxwoDsk3KxBksJ9rT4oIRoKbxJSgKEzJSgCrmWM1fSNjL9VJxojv1B653HpNoHqFbNzr6AOsHlB6Z1SzTARl4w6UmhX79_LrcG9cFYjoWsT92Kz9fXtGK-nlrcM8BU1kNW3Gyhu/s1600/20130804+1+Civitavecchia+Cruise+Port.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvozogfxwoDsk3KxBksJ9rT4oIRoKbxJSgKEzJSgCrmWM1fSNjL9VJxojv1B653HpNoHqFbNzr6AOsHlB6Z1SzTARl4w6UmhX79_LrcG9cFYjoWsT92Kz9fXtGK-nlrcM8BU1kNW3Gyhu/s400/20130804+1+Civitavecchia+Cruise+Port.jpg" title="Civitavecchia Cruise Port" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Civitavecchia Cruise Port</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our suitcases were already waiting for us. Our ride with
<a href="http://www.clickairporttransfer.com/" target="_blank">Click Airport Transfer</a> was scheduled at 9 am, but the driver arrived early.
It was Sunday, so not very crowded at the highway to Rome. We asked the driver
to stop at a Rome metro station so we could pick up our 3-day travel cards
(<a href="http://www.rome.info/transportation/tickets/" target="_blank">Biglietto per 3 giorni BTI</a>). He did not only stop, but showed Joost where the
vending machines were. Great guy.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We will stay for three nights at the <a href="http://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/rome/romsp/hoteldetail" target="_blank">Crowne Plaza Roma San Piedro</a> where we stayed two years ago. Bak then we were on the good side of the
cruise, a few days in Rome before sailing with the Noordam. Our room at the
hotel was already available, so we had a whole hour extra in Rome. Our room
overlooks the pool, so that is a safe thought when the girls are swimming.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0w4YCExVKtj0r-Kvl9bbhiDZVrHUcDq49A_RjoNuELbdjwM08SWO6-eypqeCiIs7rVwbjLuw44fgbCdvzZXXPZW6uCjNojSzMkAnAL5Mzkom6T-XdCbxSUK8tUOWPo9IXUO0SrjnjDbh/s1600/20130804+2+Crowne+Plaza+Rome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0w4YCExVKtj0r-Kvl9bbhiDZVrHUcDq49A_RjoNuELbdjwM08SWO6-eypqeCiIs7rVwbjLuw44fgbCdvzZXXPZW6uCjNojSzMkAnAL5Mzkom6T-XdCbxSUK8tUOWPo9IXUO0SrjnjDbh/s400/20130804+2+Crowne+Plaza+Rome.jpg" title="Crowne Plaza Rome" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crowne Plaza Rome</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The hotel offers a shuttle to the city. We actually
used it two years ago, when it was free. Now it is just as expensive as the
public bus stat stops right outside the hotel. With the public bus we have a
direct connection to two metro stations, to St. Peters square and to the northern part
of the old Rome. So we thought that public transport is more flexible and got
our BTI-tickets for three of us. Rhodé is young enough to travel free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We took the bus to the city and got off just at the
Tiber river on the other side of Castel Sant’Angelo. We crossed the Bridge of
Angels (Ponte Sant'Angelo) that goes back as far as 134 AD. The angels are
showing the Instruments of the Passion (like the cross, the crown of thorns,
the holy sponge and many more). <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbovhFwyZxI-YjRtCGjEHZBFQtt4_tgaBdM7kuVQnI4AziyYWesuloY8ribUpSeR-HNVAV2XxM-Menca4CwJMMguyYr5NN2iGYmrQffLL0cNAnDXHuh_5wr0AiiGg6PzXOB-5vo4f8Muv7/s1600/20130804+3+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbovhFwyZxI-YjRtCGjEHZBFQtt4_tgaBdM7kuVQnI4AziyYWesuloY8ribUpSeR-HNVAV2XxM-Menca4CwJMMguyYr5NN2iGYmrQffLL0cNAnDXHuh_5wr0AiiGg6PzXOB-5vo4f8Muv7/s400/20130804+3+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" title="Castel Sant’Angelo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Castel Sant’Angelo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhLgo0UprGyVioec4yDbkPzFUXAlTt2VMYyyviPKvbKVLQWngRo4Jmm_xW-YgEB3UZERgt-vWBGHi-TunvSrOS55Ee_eXMyV8utbfl8JrI1YVlOLPF0GTnQm_9UysTSMEse9JNfhb3nkW/s1600/20130804+4+Bridge+to+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhLgo0UprGyVioec4yDbkPzFUXAlTt2VMYyyviPKvbKVLQWngRo4Jmm_xW-YgEB3UZERgt-vWBGHi-TunvSrOS55Ee_eXMyV8utbfl8JrI1YVlOLPF0GTnQm_9UysTSMEse9JNfhb3nkW/s400/20130804+4+Bridge+to+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" title="Bridge to Castel Sant’Angelo" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bridge to Castel Sant’Angelo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GHEhsd0UJfW-DmEUWojRLsOW-qR5nLAyKn-JXaPyie_dJyZYE14d5txJXgHZmQ3VruBGzqRUY9pmqD3o4HJPhaLzhRyCgO7NcM25YHytqVC1LtmXx9Feb_b8Ye-7GM5NWRlxFCLu3KeQ/s1600/20130804+5+The+Passetto+as+seen+from+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GHEhsd0UJfW-DmEUWojRLsOW-qR5nLAyKn-JXaPyie_dJyZYE14d5txJXgHZmQ3VruBGzqRUY9pmqD3o4HJPhaLzhRyCgO7NcM25YHytqVC1LtmXx9Feb_b8Ye-7GM5NWRlxFCLu3KeQ/s400/20130804+5+The+Passetto+as+seen+from+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" title="The Passetto as seen from Castel Sant’Angelo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Passetto as seen from Castel Sant’Angelo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyn_1Pn-pjBVysfb6VTKEi6zWV-Ryb1arqnlD8NNniTaDWP_Z9n6Sz4nhC7H0DjinXVe0aJqLoIULFH51kLNVHwC63Wu6BKj-yJcMzDghNAkC8GKoM1uxdUTCko3efIZ_DJ33HQsbHMhCb/s1600/20130804+6+Bridge+over+the+Tiber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyn_1Pn-pjBVysfb6VTKEi6zWV-Ryb1arqnlD8NNniTaDWP_Z9n6Sz4nhC7H0DjinXVe0aJqLoIULFH51kLNVHwC63Wu6BKj-yJcMzDghNAkC8GKoM1uxdUTCko3efIZ_DJ33HQsbHMhCb/s400/20130804+6+Bridge+over+the+Tiber.jpg" title="Bridge over the Tiber" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bridge over the Tiber</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Cc0BH3QjBHOlv8wEDhIH9VyVNFMIVndAWzESu6xq7tHT0benG5B9_ez7bLPWDK8rESCh8qVDhidpJORmFpuZp4YZB3satYuDJslf-A6ABQQMUnIPRS9Q4JEeCf_Nhdf2KBhigzZN_MA0/s1600/20130804+7+Bridge+to+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Cc0BH3QjBHOlv8wEDhIH9VyVNFMIVndAWzESu6xq7tHT0benG5B9_ez7bLPWDK8rESCh8qVDhidpJORmFpuZp4YZB3satYuDJslf-A6ABQQMUnIPRS9Q4JEeCf_Nhdf2KBhigzZN_MA0/s400/20130804+7+Bridge+to+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" title="Bridge from Castel Sant’Angelo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bridge from Castel Sant’Angelo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Castel itself is a maze with small rooms, steps
and art. On our way up we saw the Passetto, the wall that runs from the Castel
right to Vatican City. It provides an escape route for the Pope. Of course it
also played a crucial role in the book and movie Angels and Demons, as did the Castel
and a lot of other Rome sights. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-O8xW9BmmPuAZWZZTo1bCyz9CN821-ggdYcOeEXjWqKnJRBqSyBwkfJhc70yy9puJRPeh0fJCmfnZab_MnrBMF7uwv7zouqAHa20npWewfezxvD3JQtJhojkIHJR8Fby3vlpwsvZ0xgd/s1600/20130804+8+Inside+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-O8xW9BmmPuAZWZZTo1bCyz9CN821-ggdYcOeEXjWqKnJRBqSyBwkfJhc70yy9puJRPeh0fJCmfnZab_MnrBMF7uwv7zouqAHa20npWewfezxvD3JQtJhojkIHJR8Fby3vlpwsvZ0xgd/s400/20130804+8+Inside+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" title="Inside Castel Sant’Angelo" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside Castel Sant’Angelo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeJ6MtHhRBaT8eNYWLmVFDedcUkvIKgRKuosw2t_sn537wxqttF-ILd5_j839fc_IYr7Bw9Kg0jasC5rmOsqAEjzevIQEOJ-D7hzJejDowZNY6vgAmoBjTZEy9Cr3Xqkng012V9t288pp/s1600/20130804+9+Inside+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeJ6MtHhRBaT8eNYWLmVFDedcUkvIKgRKuosw2t_sn537wxqttF-ILd5_j839fc_IYr7Bw9Kg0jasC5rmOsqAEjzevIQEOJ-D7hzJejDowZNY6vgAmoBjTZEy9Cr3Xqkng012V9t288pp/s400/20130804+9+Inside+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" title="Inside Castel Sant’Angelo" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside Castel Sant’Angelo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIj5iVHlVWVvdAIgEdp0NSD5QsEdKtdDFtwRuHNtNUCOaOeHbZXCNhlnZYmD38dwX_FsYGzs1S2WQGz8-nrvEdbtPm8rmfOm17-wciAdRiscupLTLyH1hPDXGqsN-bzQiBfp00N4yVqaF/s1600/20130804+10+Inside+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIj5iVHlVWVvdAIgEdp0NSD5QsEdKtdDFtwRuHNtNUCOaOeHbZXCNhlnZYmD38dwX_FsYGzs1S2WQGz8-nrvEdbtPm8rmfOm17-wciAdRiscupLTLyH1hPDXGqsN-bzQiBfp00N4yVqaF/s400/20130804+10+Inside+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" title="Inside Castel Sant’Angelo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside Castel Sant’Angelo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZz9MCm9T2PhotrrjFuTO8-a_TSq5OwYO1FGz5yRWsyrJPPClWxinmacQiX2yWx09coUesnZwnhSxDAh8442H9oBClpF1I_rmnYq379-RLHwWKa33qBEAoO6-YGIQ8Phudo7hI2wVb7bq1/s1600/20130804+16+Inside+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZz9MCm9T2PhotrrjFuTO8-a_TSq5OwYO1FGz5yRWsyrJPPClWxinmacQiX2yWx09coUesnZwnhSxDAh8442H9oBClpF1I_rmnYq379-RLHwWKa33qBEAoO6-YGIQ8Phudo7hI2wVb7bq1/s400/20130804+16+Inside+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" title="Inside Castel Sant’Angelo" width="258" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside Castel Sant’Angelo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMmTYYZ3hRKaB758qwswKM1pb-0b2Xd7avIH7JP9GrICE09gn8I3259oW37ldiwMPb6KupfiDizPxxkl5G1srM6cohwUa1cK6sSzg0CNkWmD0vIIcn5kTzmM0g9F4TqCmF4IPp-NjaIdz/s1600/20130804+17+Inside+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMmTYYZ3hRKaB758qwswKM1pb-0b2Xd7avIH7JP9GrICE09gn8I3259oW37ldiwMPb6KupfiDizPxxkl5G1srM6cohwUa1cK6sSzg0CNkWmD0vIIcn5kTzmM0g9F4TqCmF4IPp-NjaIdz/s400/20130804+17+Inside+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" title="Inside Castel Sant’Angelo" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside Castel Sant’Angelo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KYYXXx5hUre8Vvl0semzCjRTskZsyqVHgzqrmBcSmH0DhvA3fdvUldjOK2JXzU_b260_lsdxU9H8jRv-uUL3D9dHuZL3vMfW1lUgGitpPL1Fj3k48p7SWEZfHVQ4tnv6vaprhRZSEqaf/s1600/20130804+11+On+top+of+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KYYXXx5hUre8Vvl0semzCjRTskZsyqVHgzqrmBcSmH0DhvA3fdvUldjOK2JXzU_b260_lsdxU9H8jRv-uUL3D9dHuZL3vMfW1lUgGitpPL1Fj3k48p7SWEZfHVQ4tnv6vaprhRZSEqaf/s400/20130804+11+On+top+of+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" title="On top of Castel Sant’Angelo" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On top of Castel Sant’Angelo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The absolute highlight for us was the view from
the top. You can see all of Rome from the roof. We are so glad that we are
going to be here for two more days. One short stop from Civitavecchia would have been way too short.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJudomQc3mq00IcMNMNJ3z8Vkrr5OGcGe6iy_rpRZA3Zh0fcx7kx-FNm3VAW3wsMGxEiUsdFPBBlj8ZzeSrUCC7qFUuBCK6cldyUgmG7XyaRZqUumMBva0YJPUWgupOBsAq8BeXs1SKV0F/s1600/20130804+12+Vatican+City+from+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJudomQc3mq00IcMNMNJ3z8Vkrr5OGcGe6iy_rpRZA3Zh0fcx7kx-FNm3VAW3wsMGxEiUsdFPBBlj8ZzeSrUCC7qFUuBCK6cldyUgmG7XyaRZqUumMBva0YJPUWgupOBsAq8BeXs1SKV0F/s400/20130804+12+Vatican+City+from+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" title="Vatican City from Castel Sant’Angelo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vatican City from Castel Sant’Angelo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhwEoMuCcGeoc0fZcgz6ZZ5n0XIaoa65A_OVpB4Q-QHQ0eSaUBuKF4ms3hKL1Ed6LgMwiE_twbh7XFU7PLZDAapDyQwU-Hi4tMIqRhx0vWtBsX1Xc-DoTakQZcPszNhxTdK5m3al9Mk8R/s1600/20130804+13+Vatican+City+from+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhwEoMuCcGeoc0fZcgz6ZZ5n0XIaoa65A_OVpB4Q-QHQ0eSaUBuKF4ms3hKL1Ed6LgMwiE_twbh7XFU7PLZDAapDyQwU-Hi4tMIqRhx0vWtBsX1Xc-DoTakQZcPszNhxTdK5m3al9Mk8R/s400/20130804+13+Vatican+City+from+Castel+Sant%25E2%2580%2599Angelo.jpg" title="Vatican City from Castel Sant’Angelo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vatican City from Castel Sant’Angelo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MxDYl151ZeeZYF7ZQbfzUHYz-eepJfI8tqd5rLlFQBqkK5neK5aMwRk2JgqzrLA-OIA3WTEnQfcr9pi2etXHE5C8gxw2gaWJyPSJBRJxp9zkoufhbxcu9QDCKj10npxlCf7Yc2uOMX0j/s1600/20130804+14+View+of+Rome+from+Castel+Sant%2527Angelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MxDYl151ZeeZYF7ZQbfzUHYz-eepJfI8tqd5rLlFQBqkK5neK5aMwRk2JgqzrLA-OIA3WTEnQfcr9pi2etXHE5C8gxw2gaWJyPSJBRJxp9zkoufhbxcu9QDCKj10npxlCf7Yc2uOMX0j/s400/20130804+14+View+of+Rome+from+Castel+Sant%2527Angelo.jpg" title="View of Rome from Castel Sant'Angelo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View of Rome from Castel Sant'Angelo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaj4PyWpUxC993o7FLXkZnaBnXpEvX2xFF59FkXlhlutGYO9q2_jL2oHmJylhDhMHxww_7v7EBupeA1wvvm573BB7FE_Ttz9EMlNDXXwPT3NtBu89P_EZ5jR8IWAxjOkGtpDCpccZBuZZm/s1600/20130804+15+Panoramic+view+of+Rome+from+Castel+Sant%2527Angelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaj4PyWpUxC993o7FLXkZnaBnXpEvX2xFF59FkXlhlutGYO9q2_jL2oHmJylhDhMHxww_7v7EBupeA1wvvm573BB7FE_Ttz9EMlNDXXwPT3NtBu89P_EZ5jR8IWAxjOkGtpDCpccZBuZZm/s400/20130804+15+Panoramic+view+of+Rome+from+Castel+Sant%2527Angelo.jpg" title="Panoramic view of Rome from Castel Sant'Angelo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Panoramic view of Rome from Castel Sant'Angelo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After two hours in the Castel Sant’Angelo we were
thirsty and hungry. No Lido buffet, but lots of restaurants in the city. We found a
restaurant that looked nice at Piazza Risorgimento just north of The Vatican.
Unfortunately the pizza had a hard bite and was way overpriced. We have to
kick-off from cruise food that is inherently great. Better luck next time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tram 19 was waiting for us at Piazza Risorgimento. We took the tram up to the Galleria d’Arte Moderna and walked up the steps to the Borghese
park. At the end of the park we once again had again a great view of the old city.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms0y5r945ipGBGCuLp4KPpGFJkxQYvZD_0SXFKd1QJHE3C0-JLG4LkeOrXZFNsbkEou0SjHVNPnd90NhxkofwzZkCMNd5BkVqD9vbbH_nNkJL7UZCoGUyZJMWLu6zg_k-x-skmIwEWs8M/s1600/20130804+18+Borghese+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms0y5r945ipGBGCuLp4KPpGFJkxQYvZD_0SXFKd1QJHE3C0-JLG4LkeOrXZFNsbkEou0SjHVNPnd90NhxkofwzZkCMNd5BkVqD9vbbH_nNkJL7UZCoGUyZJMWLu6zg_k-x-skmIwEWs8M/s400/20130804+18+Borghese+park.jpg" title="Borghese park" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Borghese park</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg964G2CZi3kUgkSJAJHM8j31khe1xJx1tb1o6K6k_nhif_QHRiDLihE7FA5sDtA-21JYiAZscfLbG0scsLrJVDzfLE1MEI4Xh58dOLDJ_Bya6d53B8-5TK22riVfbFneLGISH-V8FreLV6/s1600/20130804+19+Kim+at+Borghese+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg964G2CZi3kUgkSJAJHM8j31khe1xJx1tb1o6K6k_nhif_QHRiDLihE7FA5sDtA-21JYiAZscfLbG0scsLrJVDzfLE1MEI4Xh58dOLDJ_Bya6d53B8-5TK22riVfbFneLGISH-V8FreLV6/s400/20130804+19+Kim+at+Borghese+park.jpg" title="Kim at Borghese park" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kim at Borghese park</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy137Rg604KAkM7JCpGjsEQ4aQdCISb7sVCwGWQZ6XRj_i85c5Prt4X0rz9tQB_9CkLKjs6oDo57Il47d-Zy_sf8NBYUJG5h9SLjC_AvFW2AeYvsE9tZ9b9FYpkz1w1Zf94SyUWLVnm4t/s1600/20130804+20+View+from+Borghese+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy137Rg604KAkM7JCpGjsEQ4aQdCISb7sVCwGWQZ6XRj_i85c5Prt4X0rz9tQB_9CkLKjs6oDo57Il47d-Zy_sf8NBYUJG5h9SLjC_AvFW2AeYvsE9tZ9b9FYpkz1w1Zf94SyUWLVnm4t/s400/20130804+20+View+from+Borghese+park.jpg" title="View from Borghese park" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from Borghese park</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLzL7mgBrf1b7Kf9Rtv03QdmORTBzrcVBF1HNuPpBClLj2LoJN2YC65WQo_VErxw5vRtr93bJOJyGlaLbGL7z6JBjl_QxTv4NMxFfY3Xb5edlsaRVDJMCgvcldlBHOlXYhiP2Tu4gHSKu/s1600/20130804+21+View+from+Borghese+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLzL7mgBrf1b7Kf9Rtv03QdmORTBzrcVBF1HNuPpBClLj2LoJN2YC65WQo_VErxw5vRtr93bJOJyGlaLbGL7z6JBjl_QxTv4NMxFfY3Xb5edlsaRVDJMCgvcldlBHOlXYhiP2Tu4gHSKu/s400/20130804+21+View+from+Borghese+park.jpg" title="View from Borghese park" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from Borghese park</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The park is a lot higher than the rest of the city
(hence the tram). That led to another advantage. We did not have to climb up to
the Spanish Steps that were close, but we walked down. A lot easier in the
heat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40kA325ye464xtX6E_fI7ulWknAi191L_u2VjehHFF7oZiyBDi9osL8JepopbR_WqEaUgTstMRs8uBCy3QgDue6geDBk0C5ZAm55tSGLFwWso7O1_msZ-r3INcWIFDjgfX4ZGLMXkHKUD/s1600/20130804+22+Spanish+Steps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40kA325ye464xtX6E_fI7ulWknAi191L_u2VjehHFF7oZiyBDi9osL8JepopbR_WqEaUgTstMRs8uBCy3QgDue6geDBk0C5ZAm55tSGLFwWso7O1_msZ-r3INcWIFDjgfX4ZGLMXkHKUD/s400/20130804+22+Spanish+Steps.jpg" title="Spanish Steps" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spanish Steps</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the Via dei Bobuino we walked to Piazza del Popolo.
We filled our water bottles in the public fountain. The water is drinking water
so no risk there. We love Piazza del Popolo with the twin churches, the
fountain and the obelisk. The famous Santa Maria del Poppolo was still closed,
so we had a refreshing lemon drink (unfortunately not Napolitan Limoncella).
Afterwards we could visit the church and the Chigi chapel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCs7NQOOayHqNpic49g2vZHOOZVBxfE6tGI0bzblQZs2hotqN6dDhiFhRjXDwQ_l7Ku6mLYoL3DaX5dOyIG6T3FSZ72Aua0oddcsFKjoKWnVJV9EuWCXTTozKRuIMi5nUi6YssaopHKbc/s1600/20130804+23+Piazza+del+Popolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCs7NQOOayHqNpic49g2vZHOOZVBxfE6tGI0bzblQZs2hotqN6dDhiFhRjXDwQ_l7Ku6mLYoL3DaX5dOyIG6T3FSZ72Aua0oddcsFKjoKWnVJV9EuWCXTTozKRuIMi5nUi6YssaopHKbc/s400/20130804+23+Piazza+del+Popolo.jpg" title="Piazza del Popolo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piazza del Popolo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4XlhJeFZGXaZnbGkMOaVD4ZHV7anxALyuLv8lJAU-v884YnTMqRxinLJIqqf_hLGdOJHCozifEQfBgEcxaEHLpRoQb9sqnlqwVntHtZMdnZToNEJsTW2fzRCEUFxTwkUkPWO9-HIDTqq/s1600/20130804+24+Piazza+del+Popolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4XlhJeFZGXaZnbGkMOaVD4ZHV7anxALyuLv8lJAU-v884YnTMqRxinLJIqqf_hLGdOJHCozifEQfBgEcxaEHLpRoQb9sqnlqwVntHtZMdnZToNEJsTW2fzRCEUFxTwkUkPWO9-HIDTqq/s400/20130804+24+Piazza+del+Popolo.jpg" title="Piazza del Popolo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piazza del Popolo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a little trouble finding the bus stop to Piazza
Risorgimento, but from the square it was a short walk to St. Peters Square. The
girls had to wind their shawls around their legs because shorts are not allowed
in St. Peters Basilica. We were prepared for that. St Peters Basilica is overwhelmingly great inside.
It was Sunday, so not all corners of the Basilica were open to visit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmoH8yvABSj4iHohZ3eo9OAkO26Sj_vwYdQgwFxIzebzj2Br4oaKRYyJ5PsGbdvv_n5IUGZkfiSehiqfKUu0ne5tFO3SXfK6SpEpSZ03iOW8WLC7YDBFN3Qna22bgQFO_DXmBgvug6OBQ/s1600/20130804+25+St+Peters+Basilica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmoH8yvABSj4iHohZ3eo9OAkO26Sj_vwYdQgwFxIzebzj2Br4oaKRYyJ5PsGbdvv_n5IUGZkfiSehiqfKUu0ne5tFO3SXfK6SpEpSZ03iOW8WLC7YDBFN3Qna22bgQFO_DXmBgvug6OBQ/s400/20130804+25+St+Peters+Basilica.jpg" title="St Peters Basilica" width="312" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">St Peters Basilica</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCt3A0zcuPRvH1SGiK0LLlzWjGDefX3yeLlvStFd1Fv9G3du6ifSgEl4gmy8lyC2esWQSPHnYurN2A-NqXBaFuyxrljQLgVIpXJOtVZpFScBnE2P6LIR_-3jraN36NfZo1NYqVWPzP0d4d/s1600/20130804+26+St+Peters+Basilica+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCt3A0zcuPRvH1SGiK0LLlzWjGDefX3yeLlvStFd1Fv9G3du6ifSgEl4gmy8lyC2esWQSPHnYurN2A-NqXBaFuyxrljQLgVIpXJOtVZpFScBnE2P6LIR_-3jraN36NfZo1NYqVWPzP0d4d/s400/20130804+26+St+Peters+Basilica+door.jpg" title="St Peters Basilica door" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> St Peters Basilica door</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirykD0uerfYvGXZ_pta8kYWTz5UwGOVRyG5CuTWHXICkUIa0Wq5sSvShlTGYhxjouLbH9ncfolcnPCtcMMhwl7hrD7EkHdhXCZ9uYjRzhNOvYmYyq9D5OFtXRUisVjZen-GwFY0KnnsYeL/s1600/20130804+27+Inside+St+Peters+Basilica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirykD0uerfYvGXZ_pta8kYWTz5UwGOVRyG5CuTWHXICkUIa0Wq5sSvShlTGYhxjouLbH9ncfolcnPCtcMMhwl7hrD7EkHdhXCZ9uYjRzhNOvYmYyq9D5OFtXRUisVjZen-GwFY0KnnsYeL/s400/20130804+27+Inside+St+Peters+Basilica.jpg" title=" Inside St Peters Basilica" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Inside St Peters Basilica</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jhPWlOWfPOG5Iur875yi8hQI3jKHmbruthEcXds65oQwNYhimbX7QGZZGiIiXOHOliEAbFsHFqPdlX1n_PFwobdIQD9FDJl9hi0heal4Z6NndiFHEoDzDZlYucNj1GGPhq5R1rw1ddIJ/s1600/20130804+28+Inside+St+Peters+Basilica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jhPWlOWfPOG5Iur875yi8hQI3jKHmbruthEcXds65oQwNYhimbX7QGZZGiIiXOHOliEAbFsHFqPdlX1n_PFwobdIQD9FDJl9hi0heal4Z6NndiFHEoDzDZlYucNj1GGPhq5R1rw1ddIJ/s400/20130804+28+Inside+St+Peters+Basilica.jpg" title=" Inside St Peters Basilica" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Inside St Peters Basilica</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We went to check if the previous Pope was already
named on the list of all Popes, but he wasn’t. Perhaps they do that only after
his death and of course he is still a Vatican resident.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnnZwg1L0l1r0Pr3X_ouDDENkd_HELUnrQKh2Ek_lCW6EaCWPkn6FmQVh_Pif5vO7Y1GbnpTbQqdmHotvnOii2jUgbffowSNCT5fkzhzepFSOOVGbyCCcuAKHv6wCc9qBZ3fIbBQZx5XB/s1600/20130804+29+St.+Peters+Square+from+the+Basilica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnnZwg1L0l1r0Pr3X_ouDDENkd_HELUnrQKh2Ek_lCW6EaCWPkn6FmQVh_Pif5vO7Y1GbnpTbQqdmHotvnOii2jUgbffowSNCT5fkzhzepFSOOVGbyCCcuAKHv6wCc9qBZ3fIbBQZx5XB/s400/20130804+29+St.+Peters+Square+from+the+Basilica.jpg" title="St Peters Square from the Basilica" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">St Peters Square from the Basilica</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After that we were quite exhausted. We went back to
the hotel. The pool was still open, so Kim and Rhodé decided to cool off and
swim. Afterwards we had our diner in the restaurant in the hotel. The
restaurant had a piano man. He was good, but was not even close to the amazing
Stryker at Noordam (that by now will be sailing away from Civitavecchia)…</span>Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-59397403756320128572013-09-22T08:17:00.001-07:002013-09-22T08:17:34.930-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 15: Naples, Italy (Vesuvius and Pompeï)<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here we are, our last day cruising the Mediterranean.
The suitcases are in the hallway to be picked up for debarkation. Always a
strange feeling. aside from some minor inconveniences like cold showers we
loved the Noordam. But first let us tell you about our day in Naples, Italy.
Arguably the best day so far.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxYlgRLg9m6dp1XYrdFrg00g1UoQ1XtaHjKwXCt5fu4oeqeM16_WAEuLC77GIZedmHuCxCZ-MBTnI0AVGeEYQn8ukVB2S6zw8cefZLIfAoYQn7mZFUHtEy8SDbI9zi8JIVCefhxjkEgLq/s1600/20130803+1+Panoramic+view+of+Naples+port.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxYlgRLg9m6dp1XYrdFrg00g1UoQ1XtaHjKwXCt5fu4oeqeM16_WAEuLC77GIZedmHuCxCZ-MBTnI0AVGeEYQn8ukVB2S6zw8cefZLIfAoYQn7mZFUHtEy8SDbI9zi8JIVCefhxjkEgLq/s400/20130803+1+Panoramic+view+of+Naples+port.jpg" title="Panoramic view of Naples port" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Panoramic view of Naples port</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Outside the cruise terminal we took a taxi to Pompei.
At </span><a href="http://www.consorziotaxinapoli.it/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">the internet site of Consorzio Taxi Napoli</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> we had
seen that you can get a fixed price with the driver. A visit to Pompei is 90 euro's including a 2 hour wait at the site. We told the driver that we wanted this
price, but we would pay half at Pompei and the other half after our safe
return. We still had the taxi drivers in Palermo in our minds. The taxi driver
reacted a bit wondered: 'no no, you pay afterwards'. That gave us a safe feeling.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The taxi driver, Nicola, turned out to be a great guy.
He drove like a true Napolitano (as he was one). Indeed as Rick Steves said:
traffic lights are merely suggestions. Nicola asked us if we wanted to go up
Mount Vesuvius. We had thought about it, but it seemed a bit much for one day
to do both Pompei and Vesuvius. We wanted to decide after getting back from
Pompei if we had enough energy to climb Vesuvius. Nicola warned that around
that time the temperature would be really high, making the climb very
strenuous. So we decided to go up to Vesuvius first. So glad we did that. It
was great!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nicola told us everything about Naples and its
surroundings. All the way the road with many, many hairpin-shaped curves led up
to the mountain that buried Pompei almost 2.000 years ago. He dropped us off
at the parking lot of Vesuvius National Park. The next one-and-a-half hours it
was up to us: hike to the crater and back. It is a very steep hike and it took
us little over half an hour so we had enough time to walk along the crater as
well. Of course the way down took less time, and we were back just in time. All
the way up and down we had great views over the Bay of Naples, Sorrento, Capri and
everything in that area. We waved at our Noordam, from here a very small ship
in the far distance. Really a not to miss sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlfYa5pNRKLpnHKVoPvyebruLAG6PzorSF42bS9Nj0MD-5gADdUOPZKhYHjddoo54xA6QQbcH_rqP157TM-SEHweWK25JLVqQ_PNEJ9mAjsw-XYlP4Hjobi_k4SbFj2rT6O82sLMOqsH7/s1600/20130803+2+View+of+Napes+from+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlfYa5pNRKLpnHKVoPvyebruLAG6PzorSF42bS9Nj0MD-5gADdUOPZKhYHjddoo54xA6QQbcH_rqP157TM-SEHweWK25JLVqQ_PNEJ9mAjsw-XYlP4Hjobi_k4SbFj2rT6O82sLMOqsH7/s400/20130803+2+View+of+Napes+from+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" title="View of Napes from Mount Vesuvius" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View of Napes from Mount Vesuvius</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrWRV_hWYiExWaGwC2gjU-J428BHxExdW0BKiLhsoRgEP98VMELuxG9z4vUm6Q2EzaexsTnlcppJL56QHa3ap18N_YV54_X_SJt20X-C_0hJPyEmrXeXLg9n7BxtNNeDMNn01Q8A-mKBk/s1600/20130803+3+View+from+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrWRV_hWYiExWaGwC2gjU-J428BHxExdW0BKiLhsoRgEP98VMELuxG9z4vUm6Q2EzaexsTnlcppJL56QHa3ap18N_YV54_X_SJt20X-C_0hJPyEmrXeXLg9n7BxtNNeDMNn01Q8A-mKBk/s400/20130803+3+View+from+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" title="View from Mount Vesuvius" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from Mount Vesuvius</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK1w9AK9BLVlaLbKvWCL44YzT57xKGJrvsAPUluQBcMXwq8BVnxmYvjNlIip1za-bszD9PvjWIDWy0bfJSbfRePV4X5GS3htnS6oplz68ZpBHvVLnxqCFOXosCmzyp4A0CYL9AiL8agG4/s1600/20130803+4+Crater+of+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK1w9AK9BLVlaLbKvWCL44YzT57xKGJrvsAPUluQBcMXwq8BVnxmYvjNlIip1za-bszD9PvjWIDWy0bfJSbfRePV4X5GS3htnS6oplz68ZpBHvVLnxqCFOXosCmzyp4A0CYL9AiL8agG4/s400/20130803+4+Crater+of+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" title="Crater of Mount Vesuvius" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crater of Mount Vesuvius</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtqBD8eaRCEhjHaA3XbcHYA0ujC3TZTtEYsiHWm9snbsQ9gtfDFmRPDu-gG0mdH_fIkOjQJmVp3_dbwwZb1EgZO00N-ysTNT8puvhHEgt2iJknDt-QS2bxs6nY7KHv_LZ6c1Y2prC4pgT/s1600/20130803+5+Crater+of+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtqBD8eaRCEhjHaA3XbcHYA0ujC3TZTtEYsiHWm9snbsQ9gtfDFmRPDu-gG0mdH_fIkOjQJmVp3_dbwwZb1EgZO00N-ysTNT8puvhHEgt2iJknDt-QS2bxs6nY7KHv_LZ6c1Y2prC4pgT/s400/20130803+5+Crater+of+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" title="Crater of Mount Vesuvius" width="253" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crater of Mount Vesuvius</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaLHERfEuVoI6ZJ1aYGOEok2qa01fkO6hbuWfm9Lzg5Pd0Tb3YnuYwB-LYDsQ95AgXWbYrBK2QXVoWRbC-UJZKsqNhLOfOTP1rj4yWiI0CTCUsuGdHYcwnwivsypxUCDC5JGg7s5FRGns/s1600/20130803+6+Kim+at+the+crater+of+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaLHERfEuVoI6ZJ1aYGOEok2qa01fkO6hbuWfm9Lzg5Pd0Tb3YnuYwB-LYDsQ95AgXWbYrBK2QXVoWRbC-UJZKsqNhLOfOTP1rj4yWiI0CTCUsuGdHYcwnwivsypxUCDC5JGg7s5FRGns/s400/20130803+6+Kim+at+the+crater+of+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" title="Kim at the crater of Mount Vesuvius" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kim at the crater of Mount Vesuvius</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6tRtqTD1CZTgUFtK1-B4HkYwLRmUwWq3csaYuPSKZMb1z3Q0mZWJtUG8nPGFuFWC6CPTGHcpv1BlLuKmsjDgZaToQtMqbdHALhpfpAJ6GB7o_3j8mTQbdaGN1ZsPGssq3LJsVSXxPxDi/s1600/20130803+7+Rhode+at+the+crater+of+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6tRtqTD1CZTgUFtK1-B4HkYwLRmUwWq3csaYuPSKZMb1z3Q0mZWJtUG8nPGFuFWC6CPTGHcpv1BlLuKmsjDgZaToQtMqbdHALhpfpAJ6GB7o_3j8mTQbdaGN1ZsPGssq3LJsVSXxPxDi/s400/20130803+7+Rhode+at+the+crater+of+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" title="Rhode at the crater of Mount Vesuvius" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rhode at the crater of Mount Vesuvius</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOblbGIFaQ3MAXR9CP0MDzfTToMpudoN63hU_mqXScpM14fdcatisLQIqyRB7mUZ1Ux9c505gC0s0nv5rfnUhbNF0pxGhPDVwu87YC8kTI3xyFGNrvTnXCFr8I1JmE4uRuPtIG0D_LLlZ/s1600/20130803+8+Path+along+the+crater+of+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOblbGIFaQ3MAXR9CP0MDzfTToMpudoN63hU_mqXScpM14fdcatisLQIqyRB7mUZ1Ux9c505gC0s0nv5rfnUhbNF0pxGhPDVwu87YC8kTI3xyFGNrvTnXCFr8I1JmE4uRuPtIG0D_LLlZ/s400/20130803+8+Path+along+the+crater+of+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" title="Path along the crater of Mount Vesuvius" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Path along the crater of Mount Vesuvius</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGvccfIy5kin4tg6Q-SscF4jWkpG4M3aw06tToD0jLQmOm-8e-BcuJPwN3e6v1zcCVhlHEeWNNIiWxL5qTLTVkSTdn2LqpP01T2MUQbtMArAzSDQe_Me5dRtdCNmHN-Tg_zC5A2hCac1I/s1600/20130803+9+Path+along+the+crater+of+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGvccfIy5kin4tg6Q-SscF4jWkpG4M3aw06tToD0jLQmOm-8e-BcuJPwN3e6v1zcCVhlHEeWNNIiWxL5qTLTVkSTdn2LqpP01T2MUQbtMArAzSDQe_Me5dRtdCNmHN-Tg_zC5A2hCac1I/s400/20130803+9+Path+along+the+crater+of+Mount+Vesuvius.jpg" title="Path along the crater of Mount Vesuvius" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Path along the crater of Mount Vesuvius</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once we were down we had used all the water we brought
with us. It was very hot. We bought more water so as not to dehydrate. Just a
little pit stop at the Dixie’s and Nicola took us down the mountain. We have had
nice drivers on our travels, but Nicola is the best. He was very nice to the
kids and even made a photo stop… at the highway in the middle of the road. Only
in Naples…</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ai4wqaaceFG2dTYIr1LM1DtYEGAsTrMJWRYSSnL3sxvEDHzXg2oHroJyxHHQ7zuB0ZyYfZkTogTn0NfbJ7I2ROuun-aI1cm5OIuaKhlgvn7AfRSTNLShHv0kBB0MepFkYz2W5RYXSRmW/s1600/20130803+10+Arriving+at+Pompei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ai4wqaaceFG2dTYIr1LM1DtYEGAsTrMJWRYSSnL3sxvEDHzXg2oHroJyxHHQ7zuB0ZyYfZkTogTn0NfbJ7I2ROuun-aI1cm5OIuaKhlgvn7AfRSTNLShHv0kBB0MepFkYz2W5RYXSRmW/s400/20130803+10+Arriving+at+Pompei.jpg" title="Arriving at Pompei" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arriving at Pompei</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We arrived in Pompei at the Porta Marina Inferiore.
Nicola gave us his cell number, just in case we would get lost. Well, we were
lost for a moment. We prepared for our visit to Pompei off course and had maps
and a Rick Steves podcast-tour. What we didn’t know was that Porta Marina
Inferiore is not the same as the Porta Marina Entrance. We entered Pompei at an
Amphitheatre. That was on our map, but this was another theatre then the big Amphitheatre.
So we were lost in Pompei for a while. Fortunately we found our way after a
few minutes and we started halfway in the Rick Steves tour.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjK5E_GlVY3y_FukHeCXdg9z3eVHmZSqbIpVC5N74_YsdS01c7NeCAuHXW5e8Lvn9qX6gJYdsjganbU1KJJqzdZ8xXzBvTj7-3d9iZqSOGrXHLW2r9H8XyzXkfznVi-5w6xMOU0wiy_ax/s1600/20130803+11+Pompei+entrance+at+Porta+Marina+Inferiore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjK5E_GlVY3y_FukHeCXdg9z3eVHmZSqbIpVC5N74_YsdS01c7NeCAuHXW5e8Lvn9qX6gJYdsjganbU1KJJqzdZ8xXzBvTj7-3d9iZqSOGrXHLW2r9H8XyzXkfznVi-5w6xMOU0wiy_ax/s400/20130803+11+Pompei+entrance+at+Porta+Marina+Inferiore.jpg" title="Pompei entrance at Porta Marina Inferiore" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pompei entrance at Porta Marina Inferiore</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCh1TkYNf6fpYvTbgvl3XUO9INH1cL2wZuvyqdAKgr3vZkhyphenhyphenGOXVVm0TlyYUC0ziR4Kjm_pX7KV_iunH6X6RdCRvETg-lrrzgaz8GyPsnr9srXwySEmlAgEWb9_U02YtZzf8kubmAINL2/s1600/20130803+12+Main+road+in+Pompei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCh1TkYNf6fpYvTbgvl3XUO9INH1cL2wZuvyqdAKgr3vZkhyphenhyphenGOXVVm0TlyYUC0ziR4Kjm_pX7KV_iunH6X6RdCRvETg-lrrzgaz8GyPsnr9srXwySEmlAgEWb9_U02YtZzf8kubmAINL2/s400/20130803+12+Main+road+in+Pompei.jpg" title="Main road in Pompei" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Main road in Pompei</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7Av9sJ7C8eZeyRP_2r7YmOP9nEIdBO947AEj8X-LKb9b1YaMGXSc-YYBW1TTKxvbL34enoYSw33CIw_1DVWw67AqY24bsE3nfWc8JmJ5yy9qSBIulW2jLTn2n4_fqpdwXyBDsDryEIAS/s1600/20130803+13+Pompei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7Av9sJ7C8eZeyRP_2r7YmOP9nEIdBO947AEj8X-LKb9b1YaMGXSc-YYBW1TTKxvbL34enoYSw33CIw_1DVWw67AqY24bsE3nfWc8JmJ5yy9qSBIulW2jLTn2n4_fqpdwXyBDsDryEIAS/s400/20130803+13+Pompei.jpg" title="Pompei" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pompei</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6L_9y9y-k5bk8QxM3NIJ-8MFg7pI6-lz_oJXKZF5kZFfgo_iOVaYpkWhWUY3Tv77TlfyoBSLyJxMFtQWJUC84mkWcb8GGIrl8J0HbcDX3l7wVIyTjUwpbyrf2hdXVDIxaenYZXvr0ECau/s1600/20130803+14+Pompei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6L_9y9y-k5bk8QxM3NIJ-8MFg7pI6-lz_oJXKZF5kZFfgo_iOVaYpkWhWUY3Tv77TlfyoBSLyJxMFtQWJUC84mkWcb8GGIrl8J0HbcDX3l7wVIyTjUwpbyrf2hdXVDIxaenYZXvr0ECau/s400/20130803+14+Pompei.jpg" title="Pompei" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pompei</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We visited the House of Faun, old lead pipes used for
water supply, Verri’s house, the Baths, the Aqueduct and the house of the
Tragic Poet. We also saw the famous cases with the remains of two Pompeiians.
When Vesuvius erupted, their bodies were buried in volcanic debris. The bodies
then decomposed. The archaeologists found these hollow spaces. They filled them
with plaster so they recreated the Pompeiians. The plaster is mixed with their
ancient bones. Very impressive.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFYFD_LBK0goxcFQMq33bUWsZk1sJ50EESEZr9Dejhj3gHc29ezA03ACpsQOexJlAd1QQkPAI2Ooh8k6JlcppkGVKQsEenuLY_WRC8Vn6AzOqdqyfQdYRokTa6GIp-9g9aRBuCAxvDpaD/s1600/20130803+15+Statue+at+the+House+of+Faun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFYFD_LBK0goxcFQMq33bUWsZk1sJ50EESEZr9Dejhj3gHc29ezA03ACpsQOexJlAd1QQkPAI2Ooh8k6JlcppkGVKQsEenuLY_WRC8Vn6AzOqdqyfQdYRokTa6GIp-9g9aRBuCAxvDpaD/s400/20130803+15+Statue+at+the+House+of+Faun.jpg" title="Statue at the House of Faun" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Statue at the House of Faun</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CRJvFURNZMXWjw8Y6rBb0aUIQoxWAWOGeL3XNJPHlzUeet7wasV5Zy-4R_Yq7U2eovBq6ThOTLHTL0s5sgM7mxnZgt0aInY8IUDu7ruro68-otx0TKnwp_jSm_xQm8Yxa1eDFspk1GCm/s1600/20130803+16+Pompei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CRJvFURNZMXWjw8Y6rBb0aUIQoxWAWOGeL3XNJPHlzUeet7wasV5Zy-4R_Yq7U2eovBq6ThOTLHTL0s5sgM7mxnZgt0aInY8IUDu7ruro68-otx0TKnwp_jSm_xQm8Yxa1eDFspk1GCm/s400/20130803+16+Pompei.jpg" title="Pompei" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pompei</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLx9UynVrZEIdSSgIgYziD42hjCH4xCg2iuhosHQRtuFSXq0S6CPR890B4_J5WasT979egDJNVp3VsTY820_PT0kkhi2grHSTAciuM7L8uea0Oz4zDkGv9VcGc5SgjzraOJtKCwgRWILHg/s1600/20130803+17+Pompei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLx9UynVrZEIdSSgIgYziD42hjCH4xCg2iuhosHQRtuFSXq0S6CPR890B4_J5WasT979egDJNVp3VsTY820_PT0kkhi2grHSTAciuM7L8uea0Oz4zDkGv9VcGc5SgjzraOJtKCwgRWILHg/s400/20130803+17+Pompei.jpg" title="Pompei" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pompei</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HtQRhWOdP33Y3qWFe9UDLoNvkhVbahqNyJDM-Xk66HGUxpVsa67KEE-bDQrmvhJWkTcnK1UozITY9w6IsEewjSQ3HmRYc_WxioAuEsSJTDVzjbdqQCihY2Fkw_h9jwEmSFWejYE95lAj/s1600/20130803+18+Lead+pipes+in+Pompei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HtQRhWOdP33Y3qWFe9UDLoNvkhVbahqNyJDM-Xk66HGUxpVsa67KEE-bDQrmvhJWkTcnK1UozITY9w6IsEewjSQ3HmRYc_WxioAuEsSJTDVzjbdqQCihY2Fkw_h9jwEmSFWejYE95lAj/s400/20130803+18+Lead+pipes+in+Pompei.jpg" title="Lead pipes in Pompei" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lead pipes in Pompei</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaqJlIscd4uMDeek_12KV6tW4kO0X_O9hAcvpRdIi1R6xuE6TPJs9vikb1_Nts1OqeF__IpXVx_Pqx1Rv6UFFOAECBWblSR_L3ty06sz_DgwIjvThBmS5P3egPf-MusjwyTCsf3ioD32J/s1600/20130803+19+Pompei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaqJlIscd4uMDeek_12KV6tW4kO0X_O9hAcvpRdIi1R6xuE6TPJs9vikb1_Nts1OqeF__IpXVx_Pqx1Rv6UFFOAECBWblSR_L3ty06sz_DgwIjvThBmS5P3egPf-MusjwyTCsf3ioD32J/s400/20130803+19+Pompei.jpg" title="Pompei" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pompei</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNcBlyWUcG0IjBtFTTNn_vbchsorAk9maQEkJyU4w7WPjxWlHPVrykcPI131-ig7CoG0pRydr73E-gEFEU_aFDc-3l3pmLZTtxS-oNpt4oKcgVVecnwzqLIOGneOFuSPeVAuYOxvNliGj/s1600/20130803+20+Kim+in+Pompei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNcBlyWUcG0IjBtFTTNn_vbchsorAk9maQEkJyU4w7WPjxWlHPVrykcPI131-ig7CoG0pRydr73E-gEFEU_aFDc-3l3pmLZTtxS-oNpt4oKcgVVecnwzqLIOGneOFuSPeVAuYOxvNliGj/s400/20130803+20+Kim+in+Pompei.jpg" title="Kim in Pompei" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kim in Pompei</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIVAbXfpXQJbirOYV6iIDc51AHlVaqlc48qBx7QLuDsBRhOuKWLoTMNku-eNkjZzWnTkr2iRVBhrs-vVhsjj7ZZMM_UTUj50L_nUDexMs3KJtsByGSuWhcNMfK62F7ZkIdFxnQkx_7TGW/s1600/20130803+21+Pompei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIVAbXfpXQJbirOYV6iIDc51AHlVaqlc48qBx7QLuDsBRhOuKWLoTMNku-eNkjZzWnTkr2iRVBhrs-vVhsjj7ZZMM_UTUj50L_nUDexMs3KJtsByGSuWhcNMfK62F7ZkIdFxnQkx_7TGW/s400/20130803+21+Pompei.jpg" title="Pompei" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pompei</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKQmA_xLs1C5igegjFi-UN3Q88D-5Ha6LF0TNo8MocSoWwBqnmpCg5YFHke8tFo8cf9WSK_WUqPfcaY5dx2dSFh7HsgutXWZM9FTJGHRtGir37G1IGeX1_favAp8a-0yV1cZnTVbMZxET/s1600/20130803+22+Plaster+Pompeiians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKQmA_xLs1C5igegjFi-UN3Q88D-5Ha6LF0TNo8MocSoWwBqnmpCg5YFHke8tFo8cf9WSK_WUqPfcaY5dx2dSFh7HsgutXWZM9FTJGHRtGir37G1IGeX1_favAp8a-0yV1cZnTVbMZxET/s400/20130803+22+Plaster+Pompeiians.jpg" title="Plaster Pompeiian" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plaster Pompeiian</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were amazed how large Pompei is. We understand
that you can spend an entire day here, even more. The most impressive point was
the Forum. Not only because of its size, but because of the view you get at
mount Vesuvius from there. Just a couple of hours earlier we were on its
summit. Actually just below it because the summit is gone. From down here you
see how mighty the mountain is. You get cold shivers just imagining how the
Pompeiians must have felt. Looking from the Forum tot his giant mountain
spitting lava and ashes…</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxLUTAz433WWrrvD0Do5pmbA3Tb0s-yHluMxDRQGbLQID7yIA0stPtc0XvJ-sAIMgqrVgpV353lZRlGNPURHmusi6mSTRpg1efT02E7Gt1M9fknixHQewQo_3qFocQha_T4441UJddZOW/s1600/20130803+23+Pompei+Forum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxLUTAz433WWrrvD0Do5pmbA3Tb0s-yHluMxDRQGbLQID7yIA0stPtc0XvJ-sAIMgqrVgpV353lZRlGNPURHmusi6mSTRpg1efT02E7Gt1M9fknixHQewQo_3qFocQha_T4441UJddZOW/s400/20130803+23+Pompei+Forum.jpg" title="Pompei Forum" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pompei Forum</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ59tHsJE-GxEgBfxqS9N9lU_M7sC00HwQOZK1dyVWdUx_uN5YbwUHwGDOYwp5IulHGThPNCTbl17QgJe1lFtSoBg0i2qofj1IAIbMy1mhpXJZctP-dKYLzjSu2wRDtT3RsozlBWT8DLX9/s1600/20130803+24+Pompei+Forum+with+mighty+Vesivius+in+the+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ59tHsJE-GxEgBfxqS9N9lU_M7sC00HwQOZK1dyVWdUx_uN5YbwUHwGDOYwp5IulHGThPNCTbl17QgJe1lFtSoBg0i2qofj1IAIbMy1mhpXJZctP-dKYLzjSu2wRDtT3RsozlBWT8DLX9/s400/20130803+24+Pompei+Forum+with+mighty+Vesivius+in+the+back.jpg" title="Pompei Forum with mighty Vesivius in the back" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pompei Forum with mighty Vesivius in the back</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a visit of the Marina we walked on the main
shopping street (at least it was until 79 AD) back through the theatres towards
the gate where we had entered Pompei.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXWoYfqStztZxAT73AIVWCYX8WSKcnQMoclo46fKC6C35oJMWf29W4LOkeZ_hCP7FSAxsXFZGW9a0_DxADfkCck0PPmeG683pQ_VOTRCukB63ytkYh4zRnPAVjls2drKBPHUCTHeSNBKZ/s1600/20130803+25+Pompei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXWoYfqStztZxAT73AIVWCYX8WSKcnQMoclo46fKC6C35oJMWf29W4LOkeZ_hCP7FSAxsXFZGW9a0_DxADfkCck0PPmeG683pQ_VOTRCukB63ytkYh4zRnPAVjls2drKBPHUCTHeSNBKZ/s400/20130803+25+Pompei.jpg" title="Pompei" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pompei</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdY8T2Agh5rkTZjVgODX_3IUi3ZIVr_keKtcu4ONGtx2Ty3ON755Ssnnvwfy5bZZSN3gYRCNCLuDEX84I0_YGMJk-5_dQVK0NxxJUqkOfOK6AhFiOiyR2cNnZb8naqaxefi40iAbdbuQm/s1600/20130803+26+Pompei+theater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdY8T2Agh5rkTZjVgODX_3IUi3ZIVr_keKtcu4ONGtx2Ty3ON755Ssnnvwfy5bZZSN3gYRCNCLuDEX84I0_YGMJk-5_dQVK0NxxJUqkOfOK6AhFiOiyR2cNnZb8naqaxefi40iAbdbuQm/s400/20130803+26+Pompei+theater.jpg" title="Pompei theater" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pompei theater</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQHPnxN5YCjw0ylUwl5NsVIYbKpOavDEnJCxPrpOyHHvAqQFcxuHvlxvIQoyT9h1tZ1HmrRk-kw1DNZqXQLlkUrBLz2ARsTfHp0iMyLXq9hzWqsmZQX2MqzTn9vaC0-2LD30EEd3dRZ9d/s1600/20130803+27+Pompei+theater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQHPnxN5YCjw0ylUwl5NsVIYbKpOavDEnJCxPrpOyHHvAqQFcxuHvlxvIQoyT9h1tZ1HmrRk-kw1DNZqXQLlkUrBLz2ARsTfHp0iMyLXq9hzWqsmZQX2MqzTn9vaC0-2LD30EEd3dRZ9d/s400/20130803+27+Pompei+theater.jpg" title="Pompei theater" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pompei theater</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were a little late. Two hours simply isn’t
enough for Pompei. Nicola walked up to us and said being late was no problem at all.
As a surprise, Nicola took us just behind the tourist shops to a local Limoncello
factory. We got to taste the real Limoncello where it is made. Not only the
classic Limoncello, but also one with cream in it and several other kinds
with chocolate and melons. They were very generous so we enjoyed one drink
after another. Of course we bought some Limoncello to take home and think back
to this perfect day.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZcmzbWUIZ3vT8fN5Vnh8VZe5kTiprtmt8MON7Epk8ppbob_oBnw8KUd9wfUBX5QIsx3lBAJZBUm07ZmFl9wez_5GCY3dv0_n-zY04zJin7ko-DBPCkkQ_iYw5f14fzvTOvNy01hRbgBK/s1600/20130803+28+Kim,+Rhode,+taxidriver+Nicola+and+Joost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZcmzbWUIZ3vT8fN5Vnh8VZe5kTiprtmt8MON7Epk8ppbob_oBnw8KUd9wfUBX5QIsx3lBAJZBUm07ZmFl9wez_5GCY3dv0_n-zY04zJin7ko-DBPCkkQ_iYw5f14fzvTOvNy01hRbgBK/s400/20130803+28+Kim,+Rhode,+taxidriver+Nicola+and+Joost.jpg" title="Kim, Rhode, taxidriver Nicola and Joost" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kim, Rhode, taxidriver Nicola and Joost</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before we knew it we were back at the ship. We said
goodbye to Nicola. He gave us his email address so we can contact him when we
return to Naples. We will definitely return!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just one more dinner separates us from leaving the
Noordam. The traditional Baked Alaska dinner. The baked Alaska was great, but
the rest of the food was a bit disappointing. That was really strange. Perhaps we just had the wrong picks of the menu: egg rolls and very dry turkey breast. We just
thought back at all the great diners we had and enjoyed the Baked Alaska that tasted great.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68lQn3hWklzK-sfcsDzpBjX1X_CAijekkXX-jRFqrK0-Htnt9LmjUAO-jU80gkJTFnRqQiM22HnPV5k0p9CGhxZ-fY7xJZqg7I49BHXA7KX8a_dmMYfo_t52-krqTurVbLLXIAsYujATa/s1600/20130803+99+Kim+and+Rhod%C3%A9+(informal+photo+shoot+HAL).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68lQn3hWklzK-sfcsDzpBjX1X_CAijekkXX-jRFqrK0-Htnt9LmjUAO-jU80gkJTFnRqQiM22HnPV5k0p9CGhxZ-fY7xJZqg7I49BHXA7KX8a_dmMYfo_t52-krqTurVbLLXIAsYujATa/s400/20130803+99+Kim+and+Rhod%C3%A9+(informal+photo+shoot+HAL).jpg" title="Kim and Rhodé (informal photo shoot HAL)" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kim and Rhodé (informal photo shoot HAL)</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photographer John had our package ready, including the
DVD with all our pictures. Then we put our last laundry in our bags and put
them outside… But: still three full days in Rome left!</span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-66151613322518000562013-09-21T04:56:00.002-07:002013-09-21T04:56:32.676-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 14: Palermo, Sicily, Italy<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Around 7 am we docked in Palermo, Sicily Italy. A
little problem again. Not the showers, they were comfortable. But our little
stateroom safe wouldn’t open. Everything we need for going ashore (passports,
camera’s, money, credit cards) is in the safe. The Front Office sent an
International Concierge up right away and she opened the safe for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shane, our Cruise Director, told through the PA that
it would be a hot day. The taxi’s at the port were very pushy to sell city
tours. We hailed a cab in the city. The first one that stopped tried to rip us
off, but the second one was friendlier and just turned on the meter. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We drove in Palermo, a very busy city. They drive like
madmen and preferably very fast. But after a short drive we arrived at the Palazzo
dei Normanni. After the Arabian rulers had left, the Normans came. The result
is a giant Royal Palace with Arabic and Norman style elements. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also saw the church of San Giovanni Degli Eremitti.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPMhcWrR9vErO3s3uScwJ3f62YJyf960n6p46SssnZTOkFqYESHNj6AwvGGPqFhjtKO3_XaTSMclv5JReUNfeZzDJj336ENr-7SKeEAer6FdI0-Cwy8ZDY2iBbFcHtKyfReQ6PR3Yskj7/s1600/20130802+2+Church+of+San+Giovanni+Degli+Eremitti+(681x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPMhcWrR9vErO3s3uScwJ3f62YJyf960n6p46SssnZTOkFqYESHNj6AwvGGPqFhjtKO3_XaTSMclv5JReUNfeZzDJj336ENr-7SKeEAer6FdI0-Cwy8ZDY2iBbFcHtKyfReQ6PR3Yskj7/s400/20130802+2+Church+of+San+Giovanni+Degli+Eremitti+(681x1024).jpg" title="Church of San Giovanni Degli Eremitti " width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Church of San Giovanni Degli Eremitti</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then we walked on to the large cathedral (Cattedrale Maria Santissima Assunta). A giant
beautiful building in terracolored stone. On the inside it was even more
beautiful and a quiet escape from the busy city.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0ntENz-dVmlw6O6-14jPaeORvpECQESErwWPCouXlQPWEJtY7bDUYC3SRbLNNGM6LLDIcipnKlsSVqWqQk0-1k23Lpj_3gXoKLQqjIwKq8seaIDxG83Z1mpjojGar4FLL1WjpJ3FEOWY/s1600/20130802+3+Inside+the+Cattedrale+Maria+Santissima+Assunta+(650x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0ntENz-dVmlw6O6-14jPaeORvpECQESErwWPCouXlQPWEJtY7bDUYC3SRbLNNGM6LLDIcipnKlsSVqWqQk0-1k23Lpj_3gXoKLQqjIwKq8seaIDxG83Z1mpjojGar4FLL1WjpJ3FEOWY/s400/20130802+3+Inside+the+Cattedrale+Maria+Santissima+Assunta+(650x1024).jpg" title="Inside the Cattedrale Maria Santissima Assunta" width="253" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside the Cattedrale Maria Santissima Assunta</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the crossroads of the Corso Vittorio Emanuele and
the Via Maqueda is Quatro Canti (literally meaning four corners). On every
corner there is a statue with a little fountain. Very special, but a bit dirty
and grizzled. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5O1Pjl5E02HcycikpF0yJVLZf3juDMKNer5mEQgnTUh-azP7ZKPPq2l6jau9ehWcUq4iyAUVlXsD7Sc57ht5NGS6QumNBPR3Hkm07BPt9Fgat7H3i_HiguVJgEXIM8T8YPVREZ6XXvlIf/s1600/20130802+4+Quatro+Canti+(681x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5O1Pjl5E02HcycikpF0yJVLZf3juDMKNer5mEQgnTUh-azP7ZKPPq2l6jau9ehWcUq4iyAUVlXsD7Sc57ht5NGS6QumNBPR3Hkm07BPt9Fgat7H3i_HiguVJgEXIM8T8YPVREZ6XXvlIf/s400/20130802+4+Quatro+Canti+(681x1024).jpg" title="Quatro Canti" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quatro Canti</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfjEqTuLrgMeRMD8-0HFIF1xJNPKRu7x4aNqoYmESIIbu_992i9zAiCWzaN24H3wQCINvP5yRPCnSB3iYFLh5vaXEAJ11e13sjpmuxnRu55_IyloKl_ZVkqAHAeCw8gDM9q6yi1PDOJV6/s1600/20130802+5+Quatro+Canti+(681x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfjEqTuLrgMeRMD8-0HFIF1xJNPKRu7x4aNqoYmESIIbu_992i9zAiCWzaN24H3wQCINvP5yRPCnSB3iYFLh5vaXEAJ11e13sjpmuxnRu55_IyloKl_ZVkqAHAeCw8gDM9q6yi1PDOJV6/s400/20130802+5+Quatro+Canti+(681x1024).jpg" title="Quatro Canti" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quatro Canti</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just around the corner was the Piazza Pretoria. This square is
also called Piazza della Vergogna (Square of Shame) because of the abundance of
nude statues around the fountain (Fontana Pretoria).</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHzV2HZcf1h2VzWeSzWcTeHOGjdJjllnEVEDCi65eW1G5VQB4-xzO514apzqH90DCwIGGfVPDKP6C3pSw0knQ7BdcTTwXObX9TY6nBb-wafekVfNJgzpL5cXEdDSV3aNAAdz22A6fR_8j/s1600/20130802+6+Piazza+Pretoria+(1024x681).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHzV2HZcf1h2VzWeSzWcTeHOGjdJjllnEVEDCi65eW1G5VQB4-xzO514apzqH90DCwIGGfVPDKP6C3pSw0knQ7BdcTTwXObX9TY6nBb-wafekVfNJgzpL5cXEdDSV3aNAAdz22A6fR_8j/s400/20130802+6+Piazza+Pretoria+(1024x681).jpg" title="Piazza Pretoria" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piazza Pretoria</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Piazza Pretoria is the entrance to three churches.
We visited one of them, La Mortorana. Inside were beautiful Byzantyne mosaics
from the 12<sup>th</sup> century AD. A real gem in this busy city. Quite
serene.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkd_sWDnlRcYH7xdHZSbGRKPH6TnNzdelOD20S1DjgjxL-txQAKzjRrUUERERANiogtYrl9_4Q-JlMtYhjSBZ8PKX64bOuyoVmmf7lGrVjEX1_d3V2C_ob-e-Ud9BBqxbosyZ-839Rrwbb/s1600/20130802+7+La+Mortorana+(1024x681).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkd_sWDnlRcYH7xdHZSbGRKPH6TnNzdelOD20S1DjgjxL-txQAKzjRrUUERERANiogtYrl9_4Q-JlMtYhjSBZ8PKX64bOuyoVmmf7lGrVjEX1_d3V2C_ob-e-Ud9BBqxbosyZ-839Rrwbb/s400/20130802+7+La+Mortorana+(1024x681).jpg" title="La Mortorana" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">La Mortorana</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHuEDcURV63ikh4eQWEtxCyGbYHFmymjWUBYgjph9QtN7HHEFzd5nQRHZ7IYfb9NI9UahTh1cwC9RAg_rGx4jvjHuw1eB32ko06aFLD_-u9fYxLtsiO9cySTF-AAScToFefQdckQL65lB/s1600/20130802+8+La+Mortorana+(681x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHuEDcURV63ikh4eQWEtxCyGbYHFmymjWUBYgjph9QtN7HHEFzd5nQRHZ7IYfb9NI9UahTh1cwC9RAg_rGx4jvjHuw1eB32ko06aFLD_-u9fYxLtsiO9cySTF-AAScToFefQdckQL65lB/s400/20130802+8+La+Mortorana+(681x1024).jpg" title="La Mortorana" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">La Mortorana</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIoHUrvNNrinbrnumoZdQZmM6-p3l0o_nIvzDfCCYYx9ooJQEGYEhiytsal03-VsTxtzMdQDX6Ni7v4QEznRu2pkVOi7C7PeH9OLLYLln4huNy9BHAvN4LzVOsmjarHSPT6hug0Z1VYHC/s1600/20130802+9+Inside+La+Mortorana+(681x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIoHUrvNNrinbrnumoZdQZmM6-p3l0o_nIvzDfCCYYx9ooJQEGYEhiytsal03-VsTxtzMdQDX6Ni7v4QEznRu2pkVOi7C7PeH9OLLYLln4huNy9BHAvN4LzVOsmjarHSPT6hug0Z1VYHC/s400/20130802+9+Inside+La+Mortorana+(681x1024).jpg" title="Inside La Mortorana" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside La Mortorana</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l3rU3oKA3hTZGQdmWi11KoQ0wMYei4PlCn4vWUwfTnt6ZJEl7KgGt9RsKROZ2HuzChgkQa1HCjjG3PKlyq17vf5ev9f7NisJb71OHJETiJg092vJlggSPyV5yyARsHo5-hedvMQ3IY5q/s1600/20130802+10+Inside+La+Mortorana+(681x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l3rU3oKA3hTZGQdmWi11KoQ0wMYei4PlCn4vWUwfTnt6ZJEl7KgGt9RsKROZ2HuzChgkQa1HCjjG3PKlyq17vf5ev9f7NisJb71OHJETiJg092vJlggSPyV5yyARsHo5-hedvMQ3IY5q/s400/20130802+10+Inside+La+Mortorana+(681x1024).jpg" title="Inside La Mortorana" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside La Mortorana</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a little rest we decided to walk to the Teatro
Massimo. Also a very nice building. After the theaters of Paris and Vienna it
is the largest theater in the world.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDsncfYx6FT7_cziPPWKux2kpExhF0hrwKLfWy2vaHSLGl4wh5vJMJI5hh7_MlJ1ibVSioGZGZRVjXtzouqgdKJRq56yeKG3lT3HKgQZBhz6kberqHWsNYIYoksy-CRpHWud5LbuoNX83/s1600/20130802+11+Teatro+Massimo+(1024x681).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDsncfYx6FT7_cziPPWKux2kpExhF0hrwKLfWy2vaHSLGl4wh5vJMJI5hh7_MlJ1ibVSioGZGZRVjXtzouqgdKJRq56yeKG3lT3HKgQZBhz6kberqHWsNYIYoksy-CRpHWud5LbuoNX83/s400/20130802+11+Teatro+Massimo+(1024x681).jpg" title="Teatro Massimo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Teatro Massimo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We walked back to the ship. We were impressed by the
buildings we had seen, but not impressed by Palermo as a city. Too dirty, too
busy and too much of a difference from the relative quiet in Cagliari, Lucca and
Pisa. Not a repeater-port as far as we are concerned. Guide KK was right after
all.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxmZM6rJofctpoM1287QmtUEtVbUJ4bZETmkv5M0MLNh7yQiHqdu5yv1IIur4VcHfmP0IkXq6qHKGehZxAS2PasymLKnWyELNGqDQ3vegcxSmEJ2XLumQguGGUsn1OzRKMd76IpjD-OBg/s1600/20130802+12+Noordam+in+Palermo+(1024x681).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxmZM6rJofctpoM1287QmtUEtVbUJ4bZETmkv5M0MLNh7yQiHqdu5yv1IIur4VcHfmP0IkXq6qHKGehZxAS2PasymLKnWyELNGqDQ3vegcxSmEJ2XLumQguGGUsn1OzRKMd76IpjD-OBg/s400/20130802+12+Noordam+in+Palermo+(1024x681).jpg" title="Noordam in Palermo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Noordam in Palermo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were in time for the Asian buffet and later in the
afternoon the Indonesian High Tea. Unbelievable how much we enjoy the great
food at the ship. We walk al lot during the days in port, so we hope we can
avoid gaining too much weight.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The disembarkation presentation made it very clear
that we are near the end of our cruise. Of course with the usual show-element
like singing 'Love in every language'. Tomorrow is our last day in port from the
Noordam. So we started to pack the clothes we will be wearing during our three days
in Rome. If we pack smart, we don’t have to open the bags with our dirty
laundry.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The main dining room served surf-and-turf. Great
lobster and filet mignon. We checked out the show with the Noordam singers and
dancers, but we were not very impressed. Instead we watched a movie in the
stateroom and prepared ourselves for our trip in Naples tomorrow.</span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-41857198726217370802013-09-17T07:35:00.003-07:002013-09-17T07:39:16.017-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 13: Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning we enjoyed our nice hot showers. Great to
be able to, after the malfunction of the past days. We even had a visit from
the plumber to check if everything was all right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Cagliari port had arranged for a free bus to take
the passengers to the city. Just a short bus ride later we were very close to
the center of the town. We were immediately impressed by this great port. The
city is built on a hill so we prepared for some climbing. If you want to avoid
that, a taxi to the highest point may be a good idea. So we walked uphill. First we passed the old Ospedale (hospital)
with a nice church close by. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBtAGYocSK-h8MflcF4Lp1JnN_KvPoEORyKobERTsh3pYsE9Y5sG8CVaYaTpE0CETZiuvvQreDRottjH39OlUuKLBAQ5AhtD16cWx-KyY32LGkO8TOI5FGo5MoO1fezzRCzu_3hoMwf5P/s1600/20130801+1+Ospedale+Cagliari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBtAGYocSK-h8MflcF4Lp1JnN_KvPoEORyKobERTsh3pYsE9Y5sG8CVaYaTpE0CETZiuvvQreDRottjH39OlUuKLBAQ5AhtD16cWx-KyY32LGkO8TOI5FGo5MoO1fezzRCzu_3hoMwf5P/s400/20130801+1+Ospedale+Cagliari.jpg" title="Ospedale, Cagliari" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ospedale, Cagliari</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Further up we passed the walls of the Orto
Bortanico (botanical gardens). Unfortunately the walls were the only thing we
could see. That changed when we came up to the old Amfiteatro. Built in 80 AD
it is still in use.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhB-8NIUUn9YwcBruJrCfZPvLfwSBhetG9ASE0I05psui5F_QK3PPxEGR0Qp-HQeqtsuGktVKcOPJsNxS-nVtGayglJMwE1g4TfBCYZmvQhOZ7bVmgQAFgqcmX1zQ4U8-9w3e0oliEs45s/s1600/20130801+2+Amfiteatro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhB-8NIUUn9YwcBruJrCfZPvLfwSBhetG9ASE0I05psui5F_QK3PPxEGR0Qp-HQeqtsuGktVKcOPJsNxS-nVtGayglJMwE1g4TfBCYZmvQhOZ7bVmgQAFgqcmX1zQ4U8-9w3e0oliEs45s/s400/20130801+2+Amfiteatro.jpg" title="Amfiteatro, Cagliari" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amfiteatro, Cagliari</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just a little higher up was the Via Belvedere.
Belvedere means ‘great view’ and indeed, we had a view overlooking the whole
valley behind the city of Cagliari.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqV9WJ3M0sXunrOFk1qNSk-1ONLx_x_3hfnWbAXqM8maIkogRwPnC9Jy07xLBEZGKo64_ZNT8tHmg22-pyNz6VbV4E9Tzi7KtGgwmUSvJxlDCWzn8E4JjSwIdMgfSD3iPaSp4HUhfrDA61/s1600/20130801+3+View+of+Noordam+from+uptown+Cagliari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqV9WJ3M0sXunrOFk1qNSk-1ONLx_x_3hfnWbAXqM8maIkogRwPnC9Jy07xLBEZGKo64_ZNT8tHmg22-pyNz6VbV4E9Tzi7KtGgwmUSvJxlDCWzn8E4JjSwIdMgfSD3iPaSp4HUhfrDA61/s400/20130801+3+View+of+Noordam+from+uptown+Cagliari.jpg" title="View of Noordam from uptown Cagliari" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View of Noordam from uptown Cagliari</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Around the corner we entered the old city walls
of Cagliari. Wow, nice town! Small streets, high houses, squares and churches
like Cattedrale di Cagliari.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSQ18Si7QzeCJo-wujz8xzggPrsAWj5MiaMumr50TApBsX_Lrv5UdipUtp2eaHtoItd1XoLbDml8Yf5WhgMQFIw6XHQCIxVq1j55fT768ePKUxQScuB9rITUPTA0nr-y_o17n7694RAGG/s1600/20130801+4+Cattedrale+di+Cagliari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSQ18Si7QzeCJo-wujz8xzggPrsAWj5MiaMumr50TApBsX_Lrv5UdipUtp2eaHtoItd1XoLbDml8Yf5WhgMQFIw6XHQCIxVq1j55fT768ePKUxQScuB9rITUPTA0nr-y_o17n7694RAGG/s400/20130801+4+Cattedrale+di+Cagliari.jpg" title="Cattedrale di Cagliari" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cattedrale di Cagliari</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU65LjQbKcwx4pPFsMUQCP6fnFrcuExPdXHOk3pvtZKc2wsdHH5TipnAQXjxC1kG3qVmsQUO7tEcWXgdDAmkobKGvRPTgdVFvqZyChVQIfua-NvIAg7mZYx7-DpvumkGPv_xN5rnGakGYE/s1600/20130801+5+Old+town+Cagliari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU65LjQbKcwx4pPFsMUQCP6fnFrcuExPdXHOk3pvtZKc2wsdHH5TipnAQXjxC1kG3qVmsQUO7tEcWXgdDAmkobKGvRPTgdVFvqZyChVQIfua-NvIAg7mZYx7-DpvumkGPv_xN5rnGakGYE/s400/20130801+5+Old+town+Cagliari.jpg" title="Old town Cagliari" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Old town Cagliari</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkReoH0qaIxGvPqpZ6_6t2B6JuZs47EbKtZV1sZCdmGWbc4GndULGyixck3m14eMqWVbzMjv2tJeH6qH-MTm6VvUUaCRBmsDqPZDTZ5vdBNv0RHf55HP8UmoJWVrkmHZopt4v73Qd3ai0/s1600/20130801+6+Old+town+Cagliari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkReoH0qaIxGvPqpZ6_6t2B6JuZs47EbKtZV1sZCdmGWbc4GndULGyixck3m14eMqWVbzMjv2tJeH6qH-MTm6VvUUaCRBmsDqPZDTZ5vdBNv0RHf55HP8UmoJWVrkmHZopt4v73Qd3ai0/s400/20130801+6+Old+town+Cagliari.jpg" title="Old town Cagliari" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Old town Cagliari</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We ended our walking tour at the Bastione di Saint
Remy. Again great views here.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWV4RDMH6h0mXQNH3Sbf10I_LMelZt2wYhXuUV1z2i6BUUxkNGgQMv760Gb9rfFsz8RZr5H1Ef8Y5RYbwmSwZBRT4Nl9oiRmGycu_0XwByTaMnlh4_bm5Xibm7HM_hNX_WFdOIk4sOUppv/s1600/20130801+7+View+from+Bastione+di+Saint+Remy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWV4RDMH6h0mXQNH3Sbf10I_LMelZt2wYhXuUV1z2i6BUUxkNGgQMv760Gb9rfFsz8RZr5H1Ef8Y5RYbwmSwZBRT4Nl9oiRmGycu_0XwByTaMnlh4_bm5Xibm7HM_hNX_WFdOIk4sOUppv/s400/20130801+7+View+from+Bastione+di+Saint+Remy.jpg" title="View from Bastione di Saint Remy" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from Bastione di Saint Remy</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPP-xEto5t5t1uSMnQF6dO-j94XCfpJ3hrd5qcWR9E3ASuqydlhgZq9J4rkWaC6V1NYsStK0UEUGECqoQFruRqgYPri6Q1rNhD7nPNwWzJCH5ks52Ix9PxJ0SwyOAWMvznS8FT8D1m2YfO/s1600/20130801+8+Arch+at+Bastione+di+Saint+Remy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPP-xEto5t5t1uSMnQF6dO-j94XCfpJ3hrd5qcWR9E3ASuqydlhgZq9J4rkWaC6V1NYsStK0UEUGECqoQFruRqgYPri6Q1rNhD7nPNwWzJCH5ks52Ix9PxJ0SwyOAWMvznS8FT8D1m2YfO/s400/20130801+8+Arch+at+Bastione+di+Saint+Remy.jpg" title="Arch at Bastione di Saint Remy" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arch at Bastione di Saint Remy</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PYFtLGTs5x6Iq_F5B171zFH1TA2r9QYoEQqs5UyYdezGmtC4r95oqCVFCr6rlRr0h1vVqq3XhxvHkPEfXHUp6MPF84F5GqQ7qlpLlQiSRWpKE5Mefq0ae2MZ9WTPQlMt_rJUR00fwDxM/s1600/20130801+9+Bastione+di+Saint+Remy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PYFtLGTs5x6Iq_F5B171zFH1TA2r9QYoEQqs5UyYdezGmtC4r95oqCVFCr6rlRr0h1vVqq3XhxvHkPEfXHUp6MPF84F5GqQ7qlpLlQiSRWpKE5Mefq0ae2MZ9WTPQlMt_rJUR00fwDxM/s400/20130801+9+Bastione+di+Saint+Remy.jpg" title="Bastione di Saint Remy" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bastione di Saint Remy</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the Bastione di Saint Remy we walked down to the
port and took the bus to the ship. We were in time for our favorite: the Asian buffet.
A few hours later we enjoyed high tea.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the first time this cruise the captain gave
permission to open the bow so we could see the sailing away from there. We wished it was possible every day. Really a great place to see the
city getting smaller and smaller. Just thinking back about all the beautiful
things you have seen there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0CQHxejqpA-Aovyw2b2Go4yOR9aMeLtu5e_v0hjyhE8Td1EiIM7YIs07HQ-N1KMDPPI4GztKn2UC5zgOorbIbjd1ZMtgoWCj1ba9wvQ0imzj-f0ZhRISezeFHPCTg5QAbF-S6N919fON/s1600/20130801+10+Noordam+bell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0CQHxejqpA-Aovyw2b2Go4yOR9aMeLtu5e_v0hjyhE8Td1EiIM7YIs07HQ-N1KMDPPI4GztKn2UC5zgOorbIbjd1ZMtgoWCj1ba9wvQ0imzj-f0ZhRISezeFHPCTg5QAbF-S6N919fON/s400/20130801+10+Noordam+bell.jpg" title="Noordam bell" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Noordam bell</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2S0T7OWGR2rh2bBZF1PNuUB7A0h64C_e70Ogda7vpF-7qj4SmnQFzPnhcS7ImyDPshwIUio_noeGCsEn7A3XQ5gkQzzDmy7WbfPWEirI-aFtF1CQnWZZcR5MSr6-78Sw07PqZYVC550O/s1600/20130801+11+Sailing+away+from+Cagliari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2S0T7OWGR2rh2bBZF1PNuUB7A0h64C_e70Ogda7vpF-7qj4SmnQFzPnhcS7ImyDPshwIUio_noeGCsEn7A3XQ5gkQzzDmy7WbfPWEirI-aFtF1CQnWZZcR5MSr6-78Sw07PqZYVC550O/s400/20130801+11+Sailing+away+from+Cagliari.jpg" title="Sailing away from Cagliari" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sailing away from Cagliari</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rhodé has discovered Techspert Time. Techspert
Krista teaches computer courses, but from time to time the classroom is open to
work on your own projects. We use this for backing up our memory cards on an USB
stick, just to reduce the chances of losing our photo’s. Rhodé uses the brand
new Windows 8 computers to play games like cut-the-rope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">After dinner we went to photographer Shannon to get
some nice pictures again. We had a guest performer Patrick McMahon, who was
great at imitating other artists. Of course we went to the Piano Bar afterwards. Piano man
Stryker convinced yesterday’s performer Hayden Smith to do a couple of songs
together. That was a great surprise! Stryker had it filmed to be put on his
Facebook page. We will follow him on Facebook and on </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/strykerae" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">Youtube</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-85162523325695711592013-09-16T10:56:00.001-07:002013-09-16T10:56:04.653-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 12: Another day at sea<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today we sail from the Italian mainland to the Italian
island of Sardinia. We were supposed to go to La Goulette, Tunisia. But just a
couple of days ago an opposition politician was assassinated in a suburb of
Tunis. This triggered a series of political protests. Further protests and
strikes are to be expected. So it is not safe and HAL decided to reroute us. Pity
we do not get to see Africa, but we understand and support the decision.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We got up late. Getting some extra sleep was nice
after a long but beautiful day in Lucca and Pisa. A bit of a cold shower when
we got up was… the cold shower. For the second day this cruise we had only cold
water. Not only us, but apparently the whole block (or whatever it is called on
a cruise ship).</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weather is great. Not too hot and a nice breeze. We
saw the coast of Corsica and Sardinia. Rocks in the water, but we pass them at
a safe distance. The onboard guide KK gave a preview of what to expect
in the next ports. She was very excited about Cagliari, Sardinia but she was less
enthusiastic about Palermo, Sicily. We are really looking forward to the
next couple of days.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had lunch in the Lido. For the first time this
cruise (or at least the first time we noticed) the Asian buffet was open. Last
year on the Nieuw Amsterdam we enjoyed lunch at Tamarind multiple times, but
the Asian buffet at Noordam’s Lido deserves a good second place. The rest of
the day we mainly relaxed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tonight is the second (and last) formal night. It would
have been nice to have a shower before changing in our tuxedo and evening
dresses. But still no hot showers. We complained once again at the front
office. When we came back from complaining the hot water was back. Literally.
We tried the shower and it was steaming hot. When we used the faucet in the
sink we found out what caused that. There now was only hot water. Not a drop of
cold water this time. Our cabin steward jokingly offered to fill our bath with ice cubes so we could melt them with our hot
water. Fortunately later in the evening both hot and cold water were working
again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After diner (shrimp, filet mignon and Caesars salad)
we went to the theater. Singer-saxophonist Hayden Smith was really great. Then
on to the Piano Bar for some singing and listening while enjoying a Pina Colada
(and Strawberry Smoothie for Rhodé).</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVRcfe27OrueABIrxEY-1NmflXGNDXkuGGRJWk_E68dqS2r573yryTZTWMjnOdY5qVrh9pYcFdwajsUhsLFJ-9aAHIlw2VCApQ0duINIAD6nfmIjk-K891wYIpK6FDChUcwpt8DmETI_L/s1600/274+F2+STAIRS093+(680x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVRcfe27OrueABIrxEY-1NmflXGNDXkuGGRJWk_E68dqS2r573yryTZTWMjnOdY5qVrh9pYcFdwajsUhsLFJ-9aAHIlw2VCApQ0duINIAD6nfmIjk-K891wYIpK6FDChUcwpt8DmETI_L/s400/274+F2+STAIRS093+(680x1024).jpg" title="Kim and Rhodé" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kim and Rhodé</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBJtSBx4bmrrrQRJomkKemXiWixT3981ZnhVPlPc9ZTPZgx8CWKuT-JCvlJNeNjWy6j4hH2zLK9ryRo1E8PfZ6gq8GQodSrauq4OvhS3pO0PVo_gJMMYMkXNNj6p0YRh5DMLURC2FKs9_/s1600/274+F2+STAIRS092+(680x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBJtSBx4bmrrrQRJomkKemXiWixT3981ZnhVPlPc9ZTPZgx8CWKuT-JCvlJNeNjWy6j4hH2zLK9ryRo1E8PfZ6gq8GQodSrauq4OvhS3pO0PVo_gJMMYMkXNNj6p0YRh5DMLURC2FKs9_/s400/274+F2+STAIRS092+(680x1024).jpg" title="Rhodé (formal)" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rhodé</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-88560706200971022182013-09-14T01:12:00.002-07:002013-09-14T01:12:49.605-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 11: Livorno (Lucca and Pisa)<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Livorno is a large industrial port. Of course a lot of cruise ships dock there, but the priority of the port authority seems to on the industrial side. So it is very hard to get to the city on your own. A shuttle bus can take you to town, but then you are still only halfway.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> So w</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">e were up bright and early because we had arranged
for a driver from <a href="http://www.tourshuttle.com/">www.tourshuttle.com</a> to pick us up at the pier. The driver took us to the furthest
point of our day trip: Lucca. We work our way back from Lucca by public
transport.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The driver told us everything about this part of
Italy. He was very fluent in English. He showed us
the mountain where they got the marble for the cathedral and tower of Pisa. On
the other side of the road was the mountain where the stones for most of Lucca came from. Also
a lot of information on everyday life in Italy and of course the political
situation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We arrived in Lucca at the San Piedro gate. Lucca is a
city with walls dating from the renaissance period. A lot of locals (and
tourists) ride the walls by bike. We walked about a quarter of the walls
overlooking the botanical gardens and a lot of sights we would visit later when
we were in the city itself. The walls are very wide and lined with trees, so
lots of shade. It was a great walk with great views on the city.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZvs2Sn2f8UT1UN2np1I7g2tTGb6O8i8CR7bsSSjk7cdsx27sMFP49U3P1VcWAyw3_iEZL2NLB4qGo-GaRZ0Gxwo8Z8YfXY1lUiR1tT5HyP8UyN6ohAhnOG_uudTF-yFJmkKRxM3G4DUo/s1600/20130730+1+Walking+on+Lucca%2527s+city+walls+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZvs2Sn2f8UT1UN2np1I7g2tTGb6O8i8CR7bsSSjk7cdsx27sMFP49U3P1VcWAyw3_iEZL2NLB4qGo-GaRZ0Gxwo8Z8YfXY1lUiR1tT5HyP8UyN6ohAhnOG_uudTF-yFJmkKRxM3G4DUo/s400/20130730+1+Walking+on+Lucca%2527s+city+walls+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Walking on Lucca's city walls" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Walking on Lucca's city walls</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1yxIoT1wyz9ybDn_ncAhe0ocHoIy5ZBRz49g0Ad8_0lFa4dlBPvYGmd7URgYINQ0sO2EEhnxc80ZKpTz4tilVDqc_3A3putq22REkYerUZ2FtN5iNV2poKF1wCKUnfBZJGsYq9f-yTRb/s1600/20130730+2+View+on+Lucca+from+the+city+walls+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1yxIoT1wyz9ybDn_ncAhe0ocHoIy5ZBRz49g0Ad8_0lFa4dlBPvYGmd7URgYINQ0sO2EEhnxc80ZKpTz4tilVDqc_3A3putq22REkYerUZ2FtN5iNV2poKF1wCKUnfBZJGsYq9f-yTRb/s400/20130730+2+View+on+Lucca+from+the+city+walls+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="View on Lucca from the city walls" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View on Lucca from the city walls</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgputg6eKXLn9xNHEyQSn19XyxJ4pIaJPg3BNMYHMGN1M-oHAQMG3Lkv3GfB5-XzdPhzAz1-AqDR4nlOwWYhiRiY4vSqbULd2yurUteiAb2MaPtXMmAP3xKHzfMPZYVAxlyt5PrEp6ABasY/s1600/20130730+3+Lucca+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgputg6eKXLn9xNHEyQSn19XyxJ4pIaJPg3BNMYHMGN1M-oHAQMG3Lkv3GfB5-XzdPhzAz1-AqDR4nlOwWYhiRiY4vSqbULd2yurUteiAb2MaPtXMmAP3xKHzfMPZYVAxlyt5PrEp6ABasY/s400/20130730+3+Lucca+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Lucca" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lucca</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwgyd7PT-HvMH7M8MoN5JgsJIErrdQB4zbT89WDJFAYbrsfds2RHJ5hk7CjUT7amXDovPdC_MfBY28jYYzqSRPj6PsBJpE_alUTIz1d6EzC8z-FLwNOGVanXkbB3h5pwIXdDqT4dphHiw/s1600/20130730+4+Lucca+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwgyd7PT-HvMH7M8MoN5JgsJIErrdQB4zbT89WDJFAYbrsfds2RHJ5hk7CjUT7amXDovPdC_MfBY28jYYzqSRPj6PsBJpE_alUTIz1d6EzC8z-FLwNOGVanXkbB3h5pwIXdDqT4dphHiw/s400/20130730+4+Lucca+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Lucca" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lucca</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We descended from the walls close to Chiesa di San
Francesco. From there we walked to Torre Guinigi. The Torre Guinigi is one of
the two towers that can be climbed to get panoramic views of Lucca and the
surrounding Apuane Alps. If you see a picture of Lucca with a tower that has
some trees on top: that’s the one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HjvGT8kPfUY7ClZF0NjSMfWU4J3gCFHo9uL80cScoVtm3OP8kteg2cnuIswbAiQafWjMhq8V-8MEWE8nKyipupYM8nQ4eUiU8lj874B6mqAATE9ZxwJd70ASq-lbcx1h-A1K_f9LQl2z/s1600/20130730+7+Torre+Guinigi+in+Lucca+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HjvGT8kPfUY7ClZF0NjSMfWU4J3gCFHo9uL80cScoVtm3OP8kteg2cnuIswbAiQafWjMhq8V-8MEWE8nKyipupYM8nQ4eUiU8lj874B6mqAATE9ZxwJd70ASq-lbcx1h-A1K_f9LQl2z/s400/20130730+7+Torre+Guinigi+in+Lucca+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Torre Guinigi in Lucca" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Torre Guinigi in Lucca</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmUSvozVXwc6kVFq4LXJRs7rgVsaa_Hr9KsfueMqbnit7O39p_xXQsEMhl-AsGnU21tKzj0KHTbWKlc9ISKayI88J3a4BI7bsJ8opTtNDMHiCzLWPp53gNXzPs8CevSCB-6mBleMhdk2I/s1600/20130730+8+View+from+Torre+Guinigi+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmUSvozVXwc6kVFq4LXJRs7rgVsaa_Hr9KsfueMqbnit7O39p_xXQsEMhl-AsGnU21tKzj0KHTbWKlc9ISKayI88J3a4BI7bsJ8opTtNDMHiCzLWPp53gNXzPs8CevSCB-6mBleMhdk2I/s400/20130730+8+View+from+Torre+Guinigi+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="View from Torre Guinigi" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from Torre Guinigi</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOo1dcc6Qxhv4x0U95BImq10DazODTWPDB78AukNoCcn1KETag-JWfx9QeD12IXGtPD5d7DIDPbmnI8l2GamCZR6ZkMiWQNZ1HA6t-r2dzpfr33G61-sNVP_OieUOmkfBQARd78BqQ8aOt/s1600/20130730+9+View+from+Torre+Guinigi+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOo1dcc6Qxhv4x0U95BImq10DazODTWPDB78AukNoCcn1KETag-JWfx9QeD12IXGtPD5d7DIDPbmnI8l2GamCZR6ZkMiWQNZ1HA6t-r2dzpfr33G61-sNVP_OieUOmkfBQARd78BqQ8aOt/s400/20130730+9+View+from+Torre+Guinigi+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="View from Torre Guinigi" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from Torre Guinigi</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lucca is beautiful. Lots of churches, squares and nice
houses that are terra or ocher colored. The streets are quite narrow, so the
public services have adapted: Small buses and a very sportive car for the
mail(wo)man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfhLYpZ6Y-NZBlXcl_r8BbHFOeBG_yLHkdk-hZAS2a9RuzKEttN-SdlbQLm0hyPRX-Gq_Qvg1oiX3uQWkC0oMPm1vCpTOl9XPBWNbobb5osAf3oe5VmjO3hyphenhyphen1DcJCH-Qe4D3LrdXr4zK2/s1600/20130730+6+Lucca+Mail+delivery+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfhLYpZ6Y-NZBlXcl_r8BbHFOeBG_yLHkdk-hZAS2a9RuzKEttN-SdlbQLm0hyPRX-Gq_Qvg1oiX3uQWkC0oMPm1vCpTOl9XPBWNbobb5osAf3oe5VmjO3hyphenhyphen1DcJCH-Qe4D3LrdXr4zK2/s400/20130730+6+Lucca+Mail+delivery+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Lucca Mail delivery" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lucca Mail delivery</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9_gmMW6ME3FPuaVg2hAb29TPfNcA97XRGztGIoHLmWuttGCIvPsb6kkPvEymi9uHU24l78tUfcsFugzsTmdpPo9pDDyXRK_cexbNqEh88mHHsEBnNpSM1jalW2JJd0XmX_0pLtMLjb-Z/s1600/20130730+5+Lucca+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9_gmMW6ME3FPuaVg2hAb29TPfNcA97XRGztGIoHLmWuttGCIvPsb6kkPvEymi9uHU24l78tUfcsFugzsTmdpPo9pDDyXRK_cexbNqEh88mHHsEBnNpSM1jalW2JJd0XmX_0pLtMLjb-Z/s400/20130730+5+Lucca+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Lucca" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lucca</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After almost missing the Piazza Amfiteatro (hidden
behind the surrounding houses) we went to Basilica di San Frediano. It has a
beautiful 12th-century baptismal font. No flash allowed...</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlm7psACw2_i4sNL53nDCGffM9in8SZJM1wSV1HKTyBVqvq7S6FScrMR4CelhHBX5dWJ-4bnbt6kEpckZ1zcW628O03MYTJ_rB8l69O3-SnmeElk4U0YctJe0v6lmplVewuYTMoAqJq_P/s1600/20130730+10+Piazza+Amfiteatro+in+Lucca+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlm7psACw2_i4sNL53nDCGffM9in8SZJM1wSV1HKTyBVqvq7S6FScrMR4CelhHBX5dWJ-4bnbt6kEpckZ1zcW628O03MYTJ_rB8l69O3-SnmeElk4U0YctJe0v6lmplVewuYTMoAqJq_P/s400/20130730+10+Piazza+Amfiteatro+in+Lucca+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Piazza Amfiteatro in Lucca" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piazza Amfiteatro in Lucca</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjV9zGX94OFHEmNCAaVInuT1VhBkLdAzMSp7_O3C0m-qschDdtsSEKeMJY8IT4HDmI2NEEXdl29ICgFDR8a-SaOspQBbd2KHY1ID0l9bAkdd7aTEnOxHDdCQmONz0nLq3AVaQy4csxfEJ2/s1600/20130730+11+Baptismal+font+in+Basilica+di+San+Frediano+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjV9zGX94OFHEmNCAaVInuT1VhBkLdAzMSp7_O3C0m-qschDdtsSEKeMJY8IT4HDmI2NEEXdl29ICgFDR8a-SaOspQBbd2KHY1ID0l9bAkdd7aTEnOxHDdCQmONz0nLq3AVaQy4csxfEJ2/s400/20130730+11+Baptismal+font+in+Basilica+di+San+Frediano+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Baptismal font in Basilica di San Frediano" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baptismal font in Basilica di San Frediano</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From there we walked to Piazza San Michele. The
Chiesa Di San Michele In Foro has a facade looking like a wedding-cake. All the
way on top is a figure of the Archangel Michael slaying a dragon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcASYfLWfLqSaiJn6jTLt4tejuNGvCZ5W_iYagzjtiVQ4F50Ry2SnskEwQG-SWdeXHPHPV3JdfclIFBUxFGJ-gRRoH9jP_LTALVBMNgBMX6MivkMEwDLINjDAeCLUDCTNkc3mbDvNkou59/s1600/20130730+12+Chiesa+Di+San+Michele+In+Foro+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcASYfLWfLqSaiJn6jTLt4tejuNGvCZ5W_iYagzjtiVQ4F50Ry2SnskEwQG-SWdeXHPHPV3JdfclIFBUxFGJ-gRRoH9jP_LTALVBMNgBMX6MivkMEwDLINjDAeCLUDCTNkc3mbDvNkou59/s400/20130730+12+Chiesa+Di+San+Michele+In+Foro+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Chiesa Di San Michele In Foro" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chiesa Di San Michele In Foro</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We passed the Chiesa de San Giovanni e Reparata and
went to the Cattedrale di San Martino. We had a drink and a toilet-break at a restaurant opposite
the cathedral.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXb005MEHeSOQZOEeybVJvUDHzNQwpzD6fW4ZRHcloMM7Fr9-sEJO6AGpKKRoJqlIVCMImyKq3oTMSe-mg67QykhJJQ-shsinKIVkIEA8NqTaeNtHyD5nu6mGGdaVm0u1HY6CB8ad3582/s1600/20130730+13+Cattedrale+di+San+Martino+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXb005MEHeSOQZOEeybVJvUDHzNQwpzD6fW4ZRHcloMM7Fr9-sEJO6AGpKKRoJqlIVCMImyKq3oTMSe-mg67QykhJJQ-shsinKIVkIEA8NqTaeNtHyD5nu6mGGdaVm0u1HY6CB8ad3582/s400/20130730+13+Cattedrale+di+San+Martino+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Cattedrale di San Martino" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cattedrale di San Martino</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Lucca train station is only a 5 minute walk from the cathedral. We
bought a train ticket to Livorno, but that was only our end destination later
that day. We took the train to Pisa. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0-AwOqSqzWjx6ITETS-tpZJbG6THRrjMjaiFl1BgKX3jtmbpzg8of-Mt_FzvnXpaPNzXDIhWRCfWOByOjVN0C55go31sANojV7842VSlh5l877T_jp2srjtWYaNjUGRvXxRnq2-0iLkB/s1600/20130730+14+Train+from+Lucca+to+Pisa+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0-AwOqSqzWjx6ITETS-tpZJbG6THRrjMjaiFl1BgKX3jtmbpzg8of-Mt_FzvnXpaPNzXDIhWRCfWOByOjVN0C55go31sANojV7842VSlh5l877T_jp2srjtWYaNjUGRvXxRnq2-0iLkB/s400/20130730+14+Train+from+Lucca+to+Pisa+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Train from Lucca to Pisa" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Train from Lucca to Pisa</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pisa Centrale is the station where we had
to change for the Livorno train, but we got out of the train one stop earlier
at Pisa San Rosorre. From that station it is only an short walk to the famous Piazza
dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles).</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0vAR38HXvbxtYw-R1ibpLfThrIo0IKKN-toX7P-e5LvEDfU1aa4xaZ9w2I7j7YajL55aq2TAj0P5ON8u0qs0Uld6dHXrUYUf74PV0lA0Z_-uIx_kaP8VXH4BGtLwFT8de56ZQ8GZcF-Y/s1600/20130730+15+Piazza+dei+Miracoli+%2528Field+of+Miracles%2529+in+Pisa+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0vAR38HXvbxtYw-R1ibpLfThrIo0IKKN-toX7P-e5LvEDfU1aa4xaZ9w2I7j7YajL55aq2TAj0P5ON8u0qs0Uld6dHXrUYUf74PV0lA0Z_-uIx_kaP8VXH4BGtLwFT8de56ZQ8GZcF-Y/s400/20130730+15+Piazza+dei+Miracoli+%2528Field+of+Miracles%2529+in+Pisa+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Piazza dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) in Pisa" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piazza dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) in Pisa</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course we had to take the picture where we save the
leaning tower from falling. We didn’t climb the tower. We
read that the eur 15 a person is not really worth it. Instead we bought tickets
to visit the Duomo. When they built this cathedral in 1064, Pisa was a harbor
town like Livorno is now. We were especially impressed by the 14th-century
octagonal pulpit in the north aisle (sculpted by Giovanni Pisano). Way better than
the new altar they put in the cathedral a few years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPMZZg-2e5tf2lAoYh2RNdp5XH72IUu_6_9GDgi_qeN_lKmaG6gz9aaG8yJTwkZmelYBBHhyphenhyphenI6byMU-QfRW-wWYWDSLrVxjVO6FE-y_gi-TiJi7yLO1DNddtwO-9UaXWCnEabsnN5E0TJ/s1600/20130730+16+Leaning+Tower+of+Pisa+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPMZZg-2e5tf2lAoYh2RNdp5XH72IUu_6_9GDgi_qeN_lKmaG6gz9aaG8yJTwkZmelYBBHhyphenhyphenI6byMU-QfRW-wWYWDSLrVxjVO6FE-y_gi-TiJi7yLO1DNddtwO-9UaXWCnEabsnN5E0TJ/s400/20130730+16+Leaning+Tower+of+Pisa+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Leaning Tower of Pisa" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leaning Tower of Pisa</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uuvvc5hanD_ULWOwxxY59eje4DuaewnMXGAGso-Ox5sb-NEgQNBIRoIyY5yQhnpMvo157xiReheDserOHVCl59sfBmK0kNq2ER7_20mqGpF0-Rpv4oKb0OXXsoPBqwvxpEJgtkOP7yPV/s1600/20130730+17+Kim+saving+the+Leaning+Tower+of+Pisa+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uuvvc5hanD_ULWOwxxY59eje4DuaewnMXGAGso-Ox5sb-NEgQNBIRoIyY5yQhnpMvo157xiReheDserOHVCl59sfBmK0kNq2ER7_20mqGpF0-Rpv4oKb0OXXsoPBqwvxpEJgtkOP7yPV/s400/20130730+17+Kim+saving+the+Leaning+Tower+of+Pisa+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Kim saving the Leaning Tower of Pisa" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kim saving the Leaning Tower of Pisa</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzFuk04tpq5yfe7ai-gRQE2TsdnEeLqAISeQQJoR_K9xSq8LPHFe8SjBogCbOMDkEL0KXmglPHPBfE-KCzC8w-_-19xutGHcuRyDH3_ULJG_WxwpS9He-M7r9GSLLFggcf1qjwoecEnU3/s1600/20130730+18+Inside+the+Duomo%252C+Pisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzFuk04tpq5yfe7ai-gRQE2TsdnEeLqAISeQQJoR_K9xSq8LPHFe8SjBogCbOMDkEL0KXmglPHPBfE-KCzC8w-_-19xutGHcuRyDH3_ULJG_WxwpS9He-M7r9GSLLFggcf1qjwoecEnU3/s400/20130730+18+Inside+the+Duomo%252C+Pisa.jpg" title="Inside the Duomo, Pisa" width="261" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside the Duomo, Pisa</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We crossed the street to the Baptistery. Perfectly
round building. Every 30 minutes, a custodian demonstrates the dome’s acoustics and echoes.
The beautiful hexagonal pulpit is made by Nicola Pisano, the father of Giovanni
Pisano that made the one in the cathedral.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahY1MDyJipcsAES61qYcsIx3dewIL76ia_uek-9pRQxiHqPTcFLdqpuvlx8ZGX2egH82KCi3gymlxrKp0De1pHADbLMcaH0KdS5G7ihlMCzK1nO0qS5eMAK8ckCN7HvSajzocKt-ahEIH/s1600/20130730+19+Baptistery+in+Pisa+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahY1MDyJipcsAES61qYcsIx3dewIL76ia_uek-9pRQxiHqPTcFLdqpuvlx8ZGX2egH82KCi3gymlxrKp0De1pHADbLMcaH0KdS5G7ihlMCzK1nO0qS5eMAK8ckCN7HvSajzocKt-ahEIH/s400/20130730+19+Baptistery+in+Pisa+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Baptistery in Pisa" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baptistery in Pisa</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Pisa most people (and most tours) only visit the
Field of Miracles and leave again. We wanted to see a little more of the city.
As crowded as the Field of Miracles was, as empty where the rest of the streets
of Pisa. Soon we arrived at the Piazza dei Cavalieri in the university quarter
of the city. This square used to be the most important part of Pisa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nQlL7j-rjOPF8m5abupUJ8u8iZPv3KW5ick_vn8vclbDbMBRwwBFXo8CM0QJepA_5Hdtw1LpI_SEriBpW7nlCizP2pYczAF5CZYMwVmwmUsb9amk8OjLWraUuFCr-N0Fmq2ai6_TncxQ/s1600/20130730+20+Piazza+dei+Cavalieri+in+Pisa+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nQlL7j-rjOPF8m5abupUJ8u8iZPv3KW5ick_vn8vclbDbMBRwwBFXo8CM0QJepA_5Hdtw1LpI_SEriBpW7nlCizP2pYczAF5CZYMwVmwmUsb9amk8OjLWraUuFCr-N0Fmq2ai6_TncxQ/s400/20130730+20+Piazza+dei+Cavalieri+in+Pisa+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Piazza dei Cavalieri in Pisa " width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piazza dei Cavalieri in Pisa </span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We wandered on to the area around Borgo Stretto, the
city’s old medieval quarters. Just behind the Piazza delle Vettovaglie we
crossed the river Arno (the same river that runs through Florence). On the
south bank is the gothic church Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEq8uS8JK3_5oVXxDQbnW-epKDVoFvArgO4p6_AfitERppmSy_9GEXU3HpstNmdd_M0FDTQOOvfnbrMRtrJENQMQowr-KQCURDYPeitmPybkNKL9I4G9_8deo1DVSEkDwYi-dl5w_Wtdq/s1600/20130730+21+Chiesa+di+Santa+Maria+della+Spina+in+Pisa+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEq8uS8JK3_5oVXxDQbnW-epKDVoFvArgO4p6_AfitERppmSy_9GEXU3HpstNmdd_M0FDTQOOvfnbrMRtrJENQMQowr-KQCURDYPeitmPybkNKL9I4G9_8deo1DVSEkDwYi-dl5w_Wtdq/s400/20130730+21+Chiesa+di+Santa+Maria+della+Spina+in+Pisa+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina in Pisa" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina in Pisa</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had covered enough of the city so we headed to the
train station (Pisa Centrale). The regional train brought us to Livorno
Centrale. Since we would not be able to reach the ship by foot, we took a taxi
back to the port.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we got back to the ship we saw a lot of Dutch
trucks offloading their cargo. Probably the ingredients for our food. Talking
about food: this afternoon they served a great Tuscan buffet.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tonight’s show (with the regular Noordam cast) was not very spectacular. We like the
guest entertainers more. So we went on to the karaoke with the HAL Cats and of course the pianoman Stryker.</span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-14398694719110755762013-09-11T10:30:00.002-07:002013-09-11T10:30:54.219-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 10: Monte Carlo, Monaco (actually NONte Carlo = Sea day)<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We set our alarm clocks at 7 am. We had a lot of plans
while the ship is docked in Monte Carlo, Monaco: Going up to the town of Eze,
see the old town Monaco Ville and check out Monte Carlo. When we opened the curtains we saw the city of Monte
Carlo. For a
short while...</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Soon clouds came in and Monte Carlo went dark. We
could barely see the casino and the grand prix circuit. The city totally
disappeared when huge showers started. We were only 200 meters from the
city, but we could not see anything.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOAcqJ68IJjWELRWm-Lj8PK7yEiAHUoAoV42hkPbU-I11cLjBPIhjV0LnqlX-xdSkXh29yvLee_nCPRRV6pmMQgryRf6brwkC3CQKF-b8hwmFKwdPZBzb5nOIJySZvJEn_HTnA4Ktn7yQ/s1600/20130729+1+Dark+clouds+over+Monte+carlo+(1024x679).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOAcqJ68IJjWELRWm-Lj8PK7yEiAHUoAoV42hkPbU-I11cLjBPIhjV0LnqlX-xdSkXh29yvLee_nCPRRV6pmMQgryRf6brwkC3CQKF-b8hwmFKwdPZBzb5nOIJySZvJEn_HTnA4Ktn7yQ/s400/20130729+1+Dark+clouds+over+Monte+carlo+(1024x679).jpg" title="Dark clouds over Monte Carlo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dark clouds over Monte Carlo</span></b></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfp-p4zArWIddsDANeBs019tWwfPsPear_NKdZcVXogfKVHNnWnoRCUAc39XrQba34Sf2O1TNvChR47XEHP6tXNvn6BP4-5F5ztAm0EgfCYbPOpINKwgnBLZjM9B9Stvr-IGxhIVejZgI/s1600/20130729+2+Day+turned+into+night+at+Monte+Carlo+(1024x681).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfp-p4zArWIddsDANeBs019tWwfPsPear_NKdZcVXogfKVHNnWnoRCUAc39XrQba34Sf2O1TNvChR47XEHP6tXNvn6BP4-5F5ztAm0EgfCYbPOpINKwgnBLZjM9B9Stvr-IGxhIVejZgI/s400/20130729+2+Day+turned+into+night+at+Monte+Carlo+(1024x681).jpg" title="Day turned into night at Monte Carlo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Day turned into night at Monte Carlo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The captain decided to leave Monaco. A pontoon in the
harbor had already been turned by the storm. We could easily break our mooring
lines and drift away, destroying the expensive yachts in port.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8x9HzkQnZZIPEeoBpRA1R7i72OV1I4ZZrVWcBBfOwGnIUXotLoqi4uVVbv_Vik09L0BK0GCMx9kDpklqnA8ENpLxFsNaYww01_GIk9qim-DMlz28dbu_V5gU9MQN08S0fjorNbAYtPzv/s1600/20130729+3+Monte+Carlo+Casino+%25281024x673%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8x9HzkQnZZIPEeoBpRA1R7i72OV1I4ZZrVWcBBfOwGnIUXotLoqi4uVVbv_Vik09L0BK0GCMx9kDpklqnA8ENpLxFsNaYww01_GIk9qim-DMlz28dbu_V5gU9MQN08S0fjorNbAYtPzv/s400/20130729+3+Monte+Carlo+Casino+%25281024x673%2529.jpg" title="Monte Carlo Casino" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monte Carlo Casino</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnH1yQYFe7wyIaxq9DZQie4n5F7_j8BeMB2UIwBeZLTab_-C97G73rvMS4VOGaG_GaNTG8Aa0h7ovz3wNiG6acVICV5o2ur4LaFRRvl0tDxbZI54v5aWGN7ZEe2FIdpQcu_454BeoUiWd/s1600/20130729+4+Monte+Carlo+Port+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnH1yQYFe7wyIaxq9DZQie4n5F7_j8BeMB2UIwBeZLTab_-C97G73rvMS4VOGaG_GaNTG8Aa0h7ovz3wNiG6acVICV5o2ur4LaFRRvl0tDxbZI54v5aWGN7ZEe2FIdpQcu_454BeoUiWd/s400/20130729+4+Monte+Carlo+Port+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Monte Carlo Port" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monte Carlo Port</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY2gf6EYrsHokkpzTSr1Pa9yc-Ln5tG6iDlaGZ_EAL4wKy-gkWmid8nBvK5rZUTYjTqQycPgXP-lks62Xb31utAxrIPPycMpdbZFwurQgQq0-IuE_gAXvhtoCG0CpCoIrgGGf3CkGW55U/s1600/20130729+5+Leaving+Monte+Carlo+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY2gf6EYrsHokkpzTSr1Pa9yc-Ln5tG6iDlaGZ_EAL4wKy-gkWmid8nBvK5rZUTYjTqQycPgXP-lks62Xb31utAxrIPPycMpdbZFwurQgQq0-IuE_gAXvhtoCG0CpCoIrgGGf3CkGW55U/s400/20130729+5+Leaving+Monte+Carlo+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Leaving Monte Carlo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leaving Monte Carlo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWWNKtONMrotczXNyWjswPOaRHptplC0do_xWUzfWKSe0QELZU_mi8YpTjzL2GW7IXLNPN0QvddOcvHBDMydBG3ZdVtCuK_GFAChHvhCDdesk5vFUSb1SuvIJn_71nf8W0z9kYA3Ogkf4/s1600/20130729+6+Leaving+Monte+Carlo+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWWNKtONMrotczXNyWjswPOaRHptplC0do_xWUzfWKSe0QELZU_mi8YpTjzL2GW7IXLNPN0QvddOcvHBDMydBG3ZdVtCuK_GFAChHvhCDdesk5vFUSb1SuvIJn_71nf8W0z9kYA3Ogkf4/s400/20130729+6+Leaving+Monte+Carlo+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Leaving Monte Carlo" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leaving Monte Carlo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were not the
only ship leaving. The Ibero ship that we saw in Marseille yesterday was also
leaving (probably from the port of Villefranche) and in the far distance we saw
another ship sailing back to sea. We understand (and appreciate) the choice for
safety, but… boohoo… we were really looking forward to Monaco.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELt9i5a4ZqV4-0dMML1Pd6y-8etCsyWNQ3HIUPGznPs7qfmMXC_OX6ZttPG2i2ICfyTeEOh1usiQ7VfFZdh9QlXjkMeGdqcM08d7GcLyTqUymv7fkK6jMy1DPYK0_pTOcra61BXVlwxKO/s1600/20130729+7+Monte+Carlo+panorama+%25281024x206%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELt9i5a4ZqV4-0dMML1Pd6y-8etCsyWNQ3HIUPGznPs7qfmMXC_OX6ZttPG2i2ICfyTeEOh1usiQ7VfFZdh9QlXjkMeGdqcM08d7GcLyTqUymv7fkK6jMy1DPYK0_pTOcra61BXVlwxKO/s400/20130729+7+Monte+Carlo+panorama+%25281024x206%2529.jpg" title="Monte Carlo panorama" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monte Carlo panorama</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The captain has tried to get to another port, but no
port could take us safely. So the staff went to work and prepared a new schedule
of activities for an extra sea day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
new schedule didn’t arrive until early in the afternoon. Meanwhile we
discovered that our shower had only cold water. The wind got up to wind-force 8. The ship was rocking a lot. This was the first time that we saw the same bags you get in an airplane. They were in a rack between the elevators. Apparently we were not the only ones who felt their stomachs a bit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was turning out to be a really
bad day... Perhaps not a good time to talk to the future cruise consultant, but we did that anyway. He told us his wife was supposed to get on the ship in Monte Carlo. They hope to see eachother in Livorno tomorrow. Well, maybe we can get to Monte Carlo next year and hope they don't have to substitute it with an unplanned sea day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However failed the day was (hate to say it, sorry HAL), we loved the evening. We had one of our best dinners yet, again
in the main dining room. Photographer Shannon took some great pictures of us at
the informal photo studio. Also, the problems with mooring at Monte Carlo did
have an advantage. Comedian Derrick Cameron and magician Brett Sherwood were
supposed to disembark in Monte Carlo, but couldn’t get off the ship. The cruise
director Shane asked them to perform once again, and they did. Wow, great show. We dare to say that they saved the day, so all is well that ends well...</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After singing-along in the Piano Bar we picked up a
DVD and watched Princes and the Frog with Rhodé. Tomorrow we hope to have a
nice day in Livorno.</span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-78285902873203958202013-09-10T02:19:00.000-07:002013-09-10T02:19:17.052-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 9: Marseille, France<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we woke up we were already in Marseille, France. We
were not alone. The Seaborn Quest was on our aft side and MSC Splendida is on the opposite side. Across the pier two other ships: an Ibero Cruceros ship from Spain and a
French ship with a name sounding something like croissant, probably Croisières de
France. Busy day in port.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We asked a taxi driver to take us to Notre Dame de la
Garde (the highest point on our trip and also the furthest away from the ship).
He refused because there would be too much traffic. On a Sunday? </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A full day taxi tour was possible. No way.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We figured he
would rather get a couple of rides to and from the old port instead. That is the disadvantage on a busy day in port.
You are not the only customer so taxi drivers can pretty much choose which ride
they will take.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we switched to Plan B and walked 10 to 15 minutes to the
bus stop. Public bus no 35 took us to Jolliette, close to the cathedral. Just
over 5 euro’s for 3 of us (Rhodé was free), so quite a bargain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TuxARi8ciTsmEMw8hYcUtr2BdZYLiYR1HDnO2fErIGxcBRnrfyl_LIUE0g7BKGo4K4mVlSccD5WOmFmL8a73dabULLIo3hWzEM27ZcB3ZwUlRBOl6Mbm59soaVzx5LyMQ7-Qt8cfj4aV/s1600/20130728+1+Public+bus+from+the+port+to+the+city+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TuxARi8ciTsmEMw8hYcUtr2BdZYLiYR1HDnO2fErIGxcBRnrfyl_LIUE0g7BKGo4K4mVlSccD5WOmFmL8a73dabULLIo3hWzEM27ZcB3ZwUlRBOl6Mbm59soaVzx5LyMQ7-Qt8cfj4aV/s400/20130728+1+Public+bus+from+the+port+to+the+city+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Public bus from the port to the city" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Public bus from the port to the city</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttUSnMghMmPVuPGvEPwW3q-XlwxYtnRheY7OY59-OoMVBHqXnGfBU3LoMZGdlYIw9g05bTdvNiz2AUO6cLRiyyVmrN00QZxskv1Mmcf_LjLFxxnLAkWT7vkeeTwNo1INUwkp0XZXPyZr1/s1600/20130728+2+Cathedral+%2528666x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttUSnMghMmPVuPGvEPwW3q-XlwxYtnRheY7OY59-OoMVBHqXnGfBU3LoMZGdlYIw9g05bTdvNiz2AUO6cLRiyyVmrN00QZxskv1Mmcf_LjLFxxnLAkWT7vkeeTwNo1INUwkp0XZXPyZr1/s400/20130728+2+Cathedral+%2528666x1024%2529.jpg" title="Cathedral" width="260" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cathedral</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMc8sSnd6Dq8eummWSr_bdVn1vEll67jWjCVzbD1GkBwXJQ2wTLfaxxSzJS73xwtO3-Pta7-3qr9GBYZpz9X1zcEa8QrTHk5AFre8zI7tZYimjctruKy4aFlYr0SoVo0Z8iKslflGJQXm/s1600/20130728+3+Cathedral+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMc8sSnd6Dq8eummWSr_bdVn1vEll67jWjCVzbD1GkBwXJQ2wTLfaxxSzJS73xwtO3-Pta7-3qr9GBYZpz9X1zcEa8QrTHk5AFre8zI7tZYimjctruKy4aFlYr0SoVo0Z8iKslflGJQXm/s400/20130728+3+Cathedral+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Cathedral" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cathedral</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifem5_PjfL4B44oB3Pp80FZzoy4QZ_tQMrQLE6ISVQL-72zxa9EIkyVeYDVBiJCyCN5vUcuqgyeerYZpANe46RVSyUsK7NeLee0GkGZ9_1WNaCeexR8DuLfShf-QQUZpNia1gIMnfqSSxM/s1600/20130728+4+Cathedral+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifem5_PjfL4B44oB3Pp80FZzoy4QZ_tQMrQLE6ISVQL-72zxa9EIkyVeYDVBiJCyCN5vUcuqgyeerYZpANe46RVSyUsK7NeLee0GkGZ9_1WNaCeexR8DuLfShf-QQUZpNia1gIMnfqSSxM/s400/20130728+4+Cathedral+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Cathedral" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cathedral</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After some nice views of the cathedral we walked in through Le Panier quarter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5g7rfJ9G5StTXXJIAop1Arc25sNI7aVzJGriBREeM0xZR58WzJeoB957K60HZOzSkqRWKMI6tOw0Pspid3nu07TCnX6n5uLF04DjdIM3abq80xqF4TlLv_d48jr11vdqCW6W7TDVw12bl/s1600/20130728+7+Le+Panier+district+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5g7rfJ9G5StTXXJIAop1Arc25sNI7aVzJGriBREeM0xZR58WzJeoB957K60HZOzSkqRWKMI6tOw0Pspid3nu07TCnX6n5uLF04DjdIM3abq80xqF4TlLv_d48jr11vdqCW6W7TDVw12bl/s400/20130728+7+Le+Panier+district+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Le Panier" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Le Panier</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We ended up at the Hospice de la Vieille Charite. Now a museum,
but it used to house about 150 families. Three galleries surround the
courtyard.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3C0nBbxrIce4KluuF7Lj0mMZiUzjuQXFadz8UsXXiuf7h4Sxx_28360TlQJqXGJPypBsOZ7LBVCmUO3dmPcNFnHh9Spf0G76_2WWNhv6BcQ6I3WGZgFMcJhIaU_LxZDR9Fxu-aRE6KUr1/s1600/20130728+5+Hospice+de+la+Vieille+Charite+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3C0nBbxrIce4KluuF7Lj0mMZiUzjuQXFadz8UsXXiuf7h4Sxx_28360TlQJqXGJPypBsOZ7LBVCmUO3dmPcNFnHh9Spf0G76_2WWNhv6BcQ6I3WGZgFMcJhIaU_LxZDR9Fxu-aRE6KUr1/s400/20130728+5+Hospice+de+la+Vieille+Charite+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Hospice de la Vieille Charite" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Hospice de la Vieille Charite</span></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNP-B21YnNLZLXwOOOkXDblY6k8zgiEW7O3dkJaw4eXyli9JSyck12mmeYtLAVteW899aj5ctcBR8z1AcfV5MwVgpFUOsM65lLYRw3yTt2P1wlMX9OQwSKGbnk3yaHovTNaWYp4G51SBm/s1600/20130728+6+Hospice+de+la+Vieille+Charite+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNP-B21YnNLZLXwOOOkXDblY6k8zgiEW7O3dkJaw4eXyli9JSyck12mmeYtLAVteW899aj5ctcBR8z1AcfV5MwVgpFUOsM65lLYRw3yTt2P1wlMX9OQwSKGbnk3yaHovTNaWYp4G51SBm/s400/20130728+6+Hospice+de+la+Vieille+Charite+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Hospice de la Vieille Charite" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Hospice de la Vieille Charite</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On our way to the Vieux Port (old port) we passed
Hotel Dieu (now the Intercontinental hotel in Marseille) and Marie de Marseille
(city hall). </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJA8yAeo7uKzQt4TGD1QDy6-yEiE1sqSzNWQc3yynbgTgdi2ZR_TSU4UoEmHeFwE6wCPhGIZaaZTUKt4HhJy6ob-2537FY5iskmG3sVGXrkxvyOxx0ZGYuved-PsaHOlxaoZnKJT3pmaSC/s1600/20130728+8+Hotel+Dieu++%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJA8yAeo7uKzQt4TGD1QDy6-yEiE1sqSzNWQc3yynbgTgdi2ZR_TSU4UoEmHeFwE6wCPhGIZaaZTUKt4HhJy6ob-2537FY5iskmG3sVGXrkxvyOxx0ZGYuved-PsaHOlxaoZnKJT3pmaSC/s400/20130728+8+Hotel+Dieu++%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Hotel Dieu" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Hotel Dieu</span></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was time to buy water and cokes. Marseille is said to have one
of the most beautiful ports and we think it might be true. We enjoyed our drinks with a view on the port.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5lC9LyCFCB0Sg3XTg-ZIM6bfO-eZYBeVgefYRX_1iriLRL8_pZMoZ8XqPxRhBDF-2GjBqndS6cNe_RFcvsE_965TxGkF65d_C4Y-CwiB-XS60fUETS9661LS_doHniCNusqGGij1w8VZ/s1600/20130728+9+View+from+Marie+de+Marseille+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5lC9LyCFCB0Sg3XTg-ZIM6bfO-eZYBeVgefYRX_1iriLRL8_pZMoZ8XqPxRhBDF-2GjBqndS6cNe_RFcvsE_965TxGkF65d_C4Y-CwiB-XS60fUETS9661LS_doHniCNusqGGij1w8VZ/s400/20130728+9+View+from+Marie+de+Marseille+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="View from Marie de Marseille" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from Marie de Marseille</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8xMKPYPsDJufkEzKAwiRCeSZuXvwFWi023zD_qGWVol9KsoPqKlhVQ40oawXhI-VkrWuOInxFIFIc0T3zAtp7jCrHvlNQt56ZKhvahaTUvZgQFExqaIJtwz3lxZOqNTeKCC75ay4TROv/s1600/20130728+10+Dali+art+at+Marie+de+Marseille+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8xMKPYPsDJufkEzKAwiRCeSZuXvwFWi023zD_qGWVol9KsoPqKlhVQ40oawXhI-VkrWuOInxFIFIc0T3zAtp7jCrHvlNQt56ZKhvahaTUvZgQFExqaIJtwz3lxZOqNTeKCC75ay4TROv/s400/20130728+10+Dali+art+at+Marie+de+Marseille+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Art at Marie de Marseille" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Art at Marie de Marseille</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the metro station we bought tickets for the bus.
Only eur 9 voor 3x2 rides. Public bus no 60 took us all the way up to Notre
Dame de la Garde. Way cheaper than with the taxi of course. Their loss, not ours. If you have the time and enjoy to walk: take the bus… In the basilica there a numerous little boats. The basilica is dedicated to the patron of seafarers. Nice to see from the inside. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82kbbSdzrGa72JKQ4i5MairMj9KuOIHAWer2M_FRzC7MYhO4e7wJSrlCPUC1Y_z9GCW1Zrohr1KAfosjvhqSAfUBUqLOeaKFl-YBM7lj3jFj4g64FUH5RMf6eZdyncfb8TsOW1sRAWVQC/s1600/20130728+11+Notre+Dame+de+la+Garde++%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82kbbSdzrGa72JKQ4i5MairMj9KuOIHAWer2M_FRzC7MYhO4e7wJSrlCPUC1Y_z9GCW1Zrohr1KAfosjvhqSAfUBUqLOeaKFl-YBM7lj3jFj4g64FUH5RMf6eZdyncfb8TsOW1sRAWVQC/s400/20130728+11+Notre+Dame+de+la+Garde++%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Notre Dame de la Garde" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Notre Dame de la Garde</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqyGiHCT4XufsUx1fhZU1L95X5Unj2fIYw-uC9zLNKb9Wu4Bw6WmJ91Sl1lGK8rn_ptOdiQp3eFw34kHKvqUBsF8WpfWnH32Bg1D_yBHziQKway84dXnTcRwDqxnRrLyRd0-Pm5wUsGV5/s1600/20130728+12+Notre+Dame+de+la+Garde++%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqyGiHCT4XufsUx1fhZU1L95X5Unj2fIYw-uC9zLNKb9Wu4Bw6WmJ91Sl1lGK8rn_ptOdiQp3eFw34kHKvqUBsF8WpfWnH32Bg1D_yBHziQKway84dXnTcRwDqxnRrLyRd0-Pm5wUsGV5/s400/20130728+12+Notre+Dame+de+la+Garde++%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Notre Dame de la Garde" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Notre Dame de la Garde</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5Y64kYkmSraZlerMSrJpbI4vp58fmdudc6bT_cM3Pi5IM-LbyKsAPWnRofdm5Ww1XTl3GripROcS11zgl7Ioni9z45FaLGFklyoZYVRXHnE36JjeIU0kLarAPsYvL2lv1BMTHWOK6Txh/s1600/20130728+13+Interior+of+Notre+Dame+de+la+Garde+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5Y64kYkmSraZlerMSrJpbI4vp58fmdudc6bT_cM3Pi5IM-LbyKsAPWnRofdm5Ww1XTl3GripROcS11zgl7Ioni9z45FaLGFklyoZYVRXHnE36JjeIU0kLarAPsYvL2lv1BMTHWOK6Txh/s400/20130728+13+Interior+of+Notre+Dame+de+la+Garde+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Notre Dame de la Garde interior" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Notre Dame de la Garde interior</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The view from the basilica Notre Dame de la Garde is
magnificent. Some clouds appeared in the sky and they were very welcome.
Especially combined with a nice breeze. You can also see the two islands Ile de D'if and Ile Frioul and the
two fortresses that guard the port. We could even see the cruise port with all
the ships. So much to see, so little time. We have to get back to Marseille
another time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFA3Ygr8rbeyQhD7o9A5voOhTQtZAWufvm3xgizJxbUrMGTE6JPh4TiH_NQ9sokwFOeDSN_vz3tJ042e9jWBbsyQTWWRk2bNAy-WZzuxr5Ji6fddToDCqpAHNN8_FD3IdNySSMrqrsc91p/s1600/20130728+14+View+from+Notre+Dame+de+la+Garde++%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFA3Ygr8rbeyQhD7o9A5voOhTQtZAWufvm3xgizJxbUrMGTE6JPh4TiH_NQ9sokwFOeDSN_vz3tJ042e9jWBbsyQTWWRk2bNAy-WZzuxr5Ji6fddToDCqpAHNN8_FD3IdNySSMrqrsc91p/s400/20130728+14+View+from+Notre+Dame+de+la+Garde++%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="View from Notre Dame de la Garde" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from Notre Dame de la Garde</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OLxhUsQwUdMIVSiC9la-Kx5fbjn01vR0x-2WGRsr86obLRZiivY9kHw5ikiuatiDHdWo8nP6SFnWWfq5AT0Z3Kx5AlX6-pGdUcWb44bxejlMQRmas2UB56bKxKNSRlk9mSrQHnz81FhS/s1600/20130728+15+Fort+St.+Jean+from+Notre+Dame+de+la+Garde++%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OLxhUsQwUdMIVSiC9la-Kx5fbjn01vR0x-2WGRsr86obLRZiivY9kHw5ikiuatiDHdWo8nP6SFnWWfq5AT0Z3Kx5AlX6-pGdUcWb44bxejlMQRmas2UB56bKxKNSRlk9mSrQHnz81FhS/s400/20130728+15+Fort+St.+Jean+from+Notre+Dame+de+la+Garde++%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Fort St. Jean from Notre Dame de la Garde" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fort St Jean from Notre Dame de la Garde</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW35U1cpSHES0cDC2uY0R_0JaKiieCnqdqMUIJzdd2Q9EMZiCoUabo7IfdZni6yTLrvTdLQo44tXFXzQgLkLFxy6Ov-mcNay_onTv1YwsVofMB6VdkGDv8JRAZXaAlRPMWPLWMTQO5ji8L/s1600/20130728+16+Ile+de+D%2527if+from+Notre+Dame+de+la+Garde++%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW35U1cpSHES0cDC2uY0R_0JaKiieCnqdqMUIJzdd2Q9EMZiCoUabo7IfdZni6yTLrvTdLQo44tXFXzQgLkLFxy6Ov-mcNay_onTv1YwsVofMB6VdkGDv8JRAZXaAlRPMWPLWMTQO5ji8L/s400/20130728+16+Ile+de+D%2527if+from+Notre+Dame+de+la+Garde++%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Ile de D'if from Notre Dame de la Garde" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ile de D'if from Notre Dame de la Garde</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We took bus 60 down to fort St Jean (opposite it's brother Fort St Nicolas) and walked back to Jolliette. From Jolliette we took
the free shuttle bus to the port. We read that the taxi drivers are not very
happy with this service of the Marseille Cruise port. It only runs on Friday,
Saturday and Sunday. For now, but we hope it will run every day and preferably
a little closer to the ships…</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsxZP6ChC46p69z1vTs6s6uEwLrWKrmvI4ljCPw459ZVGSHqvYLp24z2fooy1YvvZ_hI0rvPDoFkLl4JeOsJADDwKRsW3jcazOZBVhpZqPb2_lmHYXM59GumU4u4aeMwfqxqCxY1WLQXJ/s1600/20130728+17+Noordam+in+Marseille+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsxZP6ChC46p69z1vTs6s6uEwLrWKrmvI4ljCPw459ZVGSHqvYLp24z2fooy1YvvZ_hI0rvPDoFkLl4JeOsJADDwKRsW3jcazOZBVhpZqPb2_lmHYXM59GumU4u4aeMwfqxqCxY1WLQXJ/s400/20130728+17+Noordam+in+Marseille+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Noordam in Marseille" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Noordam in Marseille</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The evening was a standard one: Great diner, nice show
(magician Brett Sherwood this time) and afterwards <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StrykerFanClub" target="_blank">Stryker </a>in the Piano Bar.
We are on our way to another highlight of the cruise: Monte Carlo.</span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-90121320109399177022013-09-08T07:17:00.000-07:002013-09-08T07:17:01.395-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 8: The first sea day<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today is Saturday.
We will be at sea the whole day, sailing from Palma de Mallorca to Marseille. <span lang="EN-US">The ship rocked because of the strong winds. We
had ample time to get to the next port, so we sailed quite slow. We had the
feeling that because of this slow speed, the ship rocked a bit more then was
necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The girls were still asleep when we got up. We had
our breakfast in the dining room and we met four nice people from Australia. </span>Afterwards we went to the Dancing With The
Stars dance class. We love to dance and we hoped to learn some new routines. Unfortunately the Queens
Lounge was packed, so we could hardly see the teachers. A lot of people dropped
out during the lesson, but by then the dance class was halfway.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our lunch was the Mariners lunch. We were seated with
another Dutch couple and had a great conversation about traveling. They have
seen a good part of our beautiful world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are lots of activities, but most of them are
quite the same as on our previous cruises. The pool is very crowded, so not a
good place to be. We just relaxed...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">We were getting ready for formal night. </span>The kids joined us. <span lang="EN-US">Of course we started
with a photo session and afterwards a great dinner in the main dining room.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yHmDKaksnLIR_xCuBevWzHRrho-sknR0ViufDdbk3QPuJq55johz5xOlVnSl7j7HdWlIT6hkjbAui1-IcZL9kbw4xg_IRqZ4qfdpAhJYiWWT7AUuvtUAhyuy-2AE1Ax81Evqa5WELM7t/s1600/20130727+274+F1+E+MAT+H012+(717x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yHmDKaksnLIR_xCuBevWzHRrho-sknR0ViufDdbk3QPuJq55johz5xOlVnSl7j7HdWlIT6hkjbAui1-IcZL9kbw4xg_IRqZ4qfdpAhJYiWWT7AUuvtUAhyuy-2AE1Ax81Evqa5WELM7t/s400/20130727+274+F1+E+MAT+H012+(717x1024).jpg" width="280" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">After
dinner the girls went up to Club HAL again. We were invited to a reception for
the Dutch guests, up in the Crow’s Nest. </span>Time for some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitterballen" target="_blank">bitterballen</a>. <span lang="EN-US">We met the (Dutch) Captain Robert-Jan Kan and
talked with him about the ship and sailing in general.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the Ocean Bar the HAL Cats were performing again,
so we went dancing there. They did a great cha-cha-cha. Afterwards we left for the Piano Bar. We love <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StrykerFanClub" target="_blank">Stryker</a>!</span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-83069169655743329582013-09-06T09:58:00.002-07:002013-09-06T09:58:34.126-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 7: Palma de Mallorca, Spain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we woke up, the ships Azipods were turned on to
park the ship in Palma de Mallorca. Our balcony overlooked the sea so we had no
idea what Palma looked like. At breakfast in the Lido we had a view over the
city. That looked very promising. The old fortress (Castell de Bellver) now
really was a must see, just as the giant cathedral. Nice harbor with a lot of yachts.
Also a lot of palm trees. They should name the city after them…</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We left the ship at 10 am. De decided to take the <a href="http://www.city-sightseeing.com/tours/spain/palma-de-mallorca.htm" target="_blank">hop-on-hop-off bus</a>. Usually we are more into public buses or taxis and we avoid the double-decker
bus. This time the hop-on-hop-off bus had some advantages. It was the only
public bus that went up to Castell de Bellver. Since we didn’t know if there
were taxi’s available at the Castell, the bus was a good alternative. You
should however be careful when buying tickets for the bus. We bought them at
the lady at the bus stand, dressed in the right uniform. The people in line
before us had bought tickets from a taxi driver. The tickets turned out to be fakes.
Perhaps the taxi drivers were not very fond of the competition.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">As usual we got off at the point furthest away from the ship and worked
our way back. We will be here until midnight, so no worries about missing the
ship. <o:p></o:p></span>On top of the bus we had a nice introduction to the city. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkEu15lYBX36JeVFOQOHyW6UIocEFjG3wjuFXdUaYcuFIHzbzk2VRez2PbDGWA7e2-HebBuELB2bMKO_u_lmWWoFdh2bwFxsMNOX2jm_tBRcqYQsqm-EwVKe7P9Tybma0MOPvliyAPTKd/s1600/20130726+1+View+from+the+Hop+On+Hop+Off+Bus+at+Av+Jaume+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkEu15lYBX36JeVFOQOHyW6UIocEFjG3wjuFXdUaYcuFIHzbzk2VRez2PbDGWA7e2-HebBuELB2bMKO_u_lmWWoFdh2bwFxsMNOX2jm_tBRcqYQsqm-EwVKe7P9Tybma0MOPvliyAPTKd/s400/20130726+1+View+from+the+Hop+On+Hop+Off+Bus+at+Av+Jaume+III.jpg" title="View from the Hop On Hop Off Bus at Av Jaume III" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from the Hop On Hop Off Bus at Av Jaume III</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We walked on the boulevard towards the cathedral. We
noticed that a lot of flags were half-mast. Probably because a terrible
train-accident the day before. Our first priority was getting some drinks.
Water to increase the fluid balance and cokes for the extra minerals (and the
taste).</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We went to the Palacio de l’Almudaina and the
cathedral La Seu.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqg4DGf1rBVD21fi3j1JafCke6xqHWJCiWy44gm2BM902v4bbiK4cnQOXodHa4eAUIbwbOXSK1xMSlw5XWI0HlN5zwV8PPr5xDGYiwAB_XipE7tEDBkwkxGytCb1sQIZO975mogctZIAz/s1600/20130726+2+La+Seu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqg4DGf1rBVD21fi3j1JafCke6xqHWJCiWy44gm2BM902v4bbiK4cnQOXodHa4eAUIbwbOXSK1xMSlw5XWI0HlN5zwV8PPr5xDGYiwAB_XipE7tEDBkwkxGytCb1sQIZO975mogctZIAz/s400/20130726+2+La+Seu.jpg" title="Palacio de l’Almudaina and La Seu" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Palacio de l’Almudaina and </span>La Seu</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZlZxvlEFMe_ndxbp0iQNEUdKcGm9CeR_rCs2U-ZfKJWq_jxPq3pG383or5UrmqZcrAYDp8z8YNWsG4M3G4-de2nSQbYw1336dWqxynKKl5MLfVZrSUdKJseFHq_7_gEOUJC-RF9AJHEI/s1600/20130726+3+La+Seu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZlZxvlEFMe_ndxbp0iQNEUdKcGm9CeR_rCs2U-ZfKJWq_jxPq3pG383or5UrmqZcrAYDp8z8YNWsG4M3G4-de2nSQbYw1336dWqxynKKl5MLfVZrSUdKJseFHq_7_gEOUJC-RF9AJHEI/s400/20130726+3+La+Seu.jpg" title="La Seu" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">La Seu</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6347U73Kl1gxhyphenhyphenDtVzQgZ4qnb2MXgsaBbGqE6Fvdr0mhVFN122sZ8T3VR8qTzu-VqflGqMMacfezIRd7QLOzSi8XCo1BvSQGG4TDvjmjBgZuKEy5mn1lEUvSFSJ8yTV-KcAukYdJv9FL/s1600/20130726+4+La+Seu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6347U73Kl1gxhyphenhyphenDtVzQgZ4qnb2MXgsaBbGqE6Fvdr0mhVFN122sZ8T3VR8qTzu-VqflGqMMacfezIRd7QLOzSi8XCo1BvSQGG4TDvjmjBgZuKEy5mn1lEUvSFSJ8yTV-KcAukYdJv9FL/s400/20130726+4+La+Seu.jpg" title="La Seu" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">La Seu</span></b></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just north of the cathedral is the old city of Palma de Mallorca. Nice little streets. We encountered a garden with beautiful pink flowers and a little pond with lilies. Very peaceful. Just like all the courtyards we saw with a lot of houses.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_m8eWMeQVUkGKV2uRBEhE1obiZf2Gz7Et6Do4FRde7871ool5qIIpAPL55Qqjg6ZMnuiKvph7_wDgEKcx8TNoVdmm1KCuOu5TyF-ruJrBmgopE1y0HIea1WgZ0njQPOUmX6QS98skdncY/s1600/20130726+5+Garden+behind+La+Seu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_m8eWMeQVUkGKV2uRBEhE1obiZf2Gz7Et6Do4FRde7871ool5qIIpAPL55Qqjg6ZMnuiKvph7_wDgEKcx8TNoVdmm1KCuOu5TyF-ruJrBmgopE1y0HIea1WgZ0njQPOUmX6QS98skdncY/s400/20130726+5+Garden+behind+La+Seu.jpg" title="Garden behind La Seu" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Garden behind La Seu</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the Placa Major we bought some extra water in the
underground supermarket. Then we walked in the direction of the ship. We passed
the Jugendstil hotel Gran Hotel La Caixa Forum, the magnificent building Sa
Llotja and Es Baluard.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJL9XzeFwTi10yeVkSdqqEDzVC32Lne2zKc2S61CD9tRIH9TWyUR2lKKtMKtBnU0209-g2SMcUPlfAUbDmIOLX0-oTrNZYTmBLe6Pir0NBMMd2LdCSIulYjNUvMIm6G77Y0wRgMEs0z86-/s1600/20130726+6+Gaudi+in+Palma+de+Mallorca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJL9XzeFwTi10yeVkSdqqEDzVC32Lne2zKc2S61CD9tRIH9TWyUR2lKKtMKtBnU0209-g2SMcUPlfAUbDmIOLX0-oTrNZYTmBLe6Pir0NBMMd2LdCSIulYjNUvMIm6G77Y0wRgMEs0z86-/s400/20130726+6+Gaudi+in+Palma+de+Mallorca.jpg" title="Gaudi style in Palma de Mallorca" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gaudi style in Palma de Mallorca</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ikSEihBUjcF79Xpu8vmRmrI5Qo9Pq7xdx3Q7LmvmU1CzWiuNhjaViAYf-feVb9QaMeyB526yQqAw7dMW0kI-rPtSDwY6KS2L9fmmd0NWLQcs6qogVVqlcFe4vETUE22jXb3Ri5P6P8L7/s1600/20130726+7+Sa+Llotja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ikSEihBUjcF79Xpu8vmRmrI5Qo9Pq7xdx3Q7LmvmU1CzWiuNhjaViAYf-feVb9QaMeyB526yQqAw7dMW0kI-rPtSDwY6KS2L9fmmd0NWLQcs6qogVVqlcFe4vETUE22jXb3Ri5P6P8L7/s400/20130726+7+Sa+Llotja.jpg" title="Sa Llotja" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sa Llotja</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the bus stop we had to wait quite a long time for
the hop-on-hop-off bus. The temperature reached 39 C (102 F) so every gulp of
water we took in, exited our body immediately. So this time we sat downstairs in the bus
where it was cooler. It was quite a climb and the driver did not really try to
make it a comfortable ride. But we arrived at the Castell de Bellver.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcj4pnnxZYANljRpr5dL_lNtW90YHpl8IJxIJl6SHgMofel4dQcqu0NM5e73Iaqd7SfDU_u_3a-zs6ZVn8qz1DfZs6i0Z8nBtaG8hRbKQZ9K1OcDdLIiHfP_mFwOPnfrW3RaFsWuIcmju/s1600/20130726+8+Castell+de+Bellver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcj4pnnxZYANljRpr5dL_lNtW90YHpl8IJxIJl6SHgMofel4dQcqu0NM5e73Iaqd7SfDU_u_3a-zs6ZVn8qz1DfZs6i0Z8nBtaG8hRbKQZ9K1OcDdLIiHfP_mFwOPnfrW3RaFsWuIcmju/s400/20130726+8+Castell+de+Bellver.jpg" title="Castell de Bellver" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Castell de Bellver</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pC9As8_w8LVd3HHJhtyo2YhoHFQ_TrpsndDFzWi83P8aWNvt8haarNU7lle_fVP59DSv-3tRQZxnk3iAcA69X0DaLZQ19fbYK78UHS7vztKKSOOK3EJ250NmikBRRQDod2q3sLwWr1v_/s1600/20130726+9+Castell+de+Bellver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pC9As8_w8LVd3HHJhtyo2YhoHFQ_TrpsndDFzWi83P8aWNvt8haarNU7lle_fVP59DSv-3tRQZxnk3iAcA69X0DaLZQ19fbYK78UHS7vztKKSOOK3EJ250NmikBRRQDod2q3sLwWr1v_/s320/20130726+9+Castell+de+Bellver.jpg" title="Castell de Bellver" width="212" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Castell de Bellver</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitqN3vMcYj6ME6_rcLZDp0WeMA-Ljz89weFwmPYi_5wHf_D4K4ClvlY1N6NYa_pkjZ7gOWn-DNuotw-2kYn50Oa7w3nNCBYyhxWAjNXttxXtJvfYjw7u3H1ZGczRB7ZkJRNKtS0XG7ETk/s1600/20130726+10+Family+picture+at+Castell+de+Bellver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitqN3vMcYj6ME6_rcLZDp0WeMA-Ljz89weFwmPYi_5wHf_D4K4ClvlY1N6NYa_pkjZ7gOWn-DNuotw-2kYn50Oa7w3nNCBYyhxWAjNXttxXtJvfYjw7u3H1ZGczRB7ZkJRNKtS0XG7ETk/s400/20130726+10+Family+picture+at+Castell+de+Bellver.jpg" title="Family picture at Castell de Bellver" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Family picture at Castell de Bellver</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELLgMamUgkLEwPiCpvCUAiq2TODXTedoQ-c1QiaHbnobgtslDYAvAvFbi8Y3bqN3q-BNs5oMQIsMsYeOupZ5Vu0yG0PmULntLkW74HMbI9tECCNRDKGrQEQ049E5aB99HjdwsAByu2K-B/s1600/20130726+11+Castell+de+Bellver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELLgMamUgkLEwPiCpvCUAiq2TODXTedoQ-c1QiaHbnobgtslDYAvAvFbi8Y3bqN3q-BNs5oMQIsMsYeOupZ5Vu0yG0PmULntLkW74HMbI9tECCNRDKGrQEQ049E5aB99HjdwsAByu2K-B/s400/20130726+11+Castell+de+Bellver.jpg" title="Castell de Bellver" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Castell de Bellver</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The castle has three floors and a tower that is
separated from the castle itself. Up at the castle the views were amazing. We
saw Noordam and Costa Serena in port, but we also had a panorama view on the
rest of the city.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0ItE455X1mCJ7DYBOPGb1cnn1Tf-MCwWt-boAzYKb3pKxxyzK0-gR6q3cwobvt3LAS3Iyqde8PgWq_2T2Sdi-7U_5vppwcUp4sxRqTjBUV9ykYUywxpOVlMHjyt5ROANKycZ_dUU38Yf/s1600/20130726+12+La+Seu+from+Castell+de+Bellver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0ItE455X1mCJ7DYBOPGb1cnn1Tf-MCwWt-boAzYKb3pKxxyzK0-gR6q3cwobvt3LAS3Iyqde8PgWq_2T2Sdi-7U_5vppwcUp4sxRqTjBUV9ykYUywxpOVlMHjyt5ROANKycZ_dUU38Yf/s400/20130726+12+La+Seu+from+Castell+de+Bellver.jpg" title="La Seu from Castell de Bellver" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">La Seu from Castell de Bellver</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIngxMRpfrEiD1hxmcVqUPcudoECSLRi2a8Vm4_Pz7rZaSOiZiHJammZS-3EDWCU69Ah5ED1LZnowxn-uor74rRVs1muPHIxJgGj6F20B-aDu3JW1RWWYo2Zu1AARYN3-0rZJbIuDxrBue/s1600/20130726+13+Noordam+from+Castell+de+Bellver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIngxMRpfrEiD1hxmcVqUPcudoECSLRi2a8Vm4_Pz7rZaSOiZiHJammZS-3EDWCU69Ah5ED1LZnowxn-uor74rRVs1muPHIxJgGj6F20B-aDu3JW1RWWYo2Zu1AARYN3-0rZJbIuDxrBue/s400/20130726+13+Noordam+from+Castell+de+Bellver.jpg" title="Noordam from Castell de Bellver" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Noordam from Castell de Bellver</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the other side of the Castell, just two hills away, we saw a forrest fire.
Lots of smoke. Afterwards we took the bus back to the port. After a short walk
we could freshen up with the cold towels that HAL always has available at the
gangway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-eOolcexQlqLmqyt8JAFOjd_Suy5BKIIE7382jBxTmJFm3RVsXZpEoyp6uSCqeFknGS31scik3UBHdByy7UTrUt2tMWxEqRZDBJfz1vJN_AXf3RlY7RCZBwRWg82fiXcuEU-QOko0pgH/s1600/20130726+14+Noordam+in+Palma+de+Mallorca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-eOolcexQlqLmqyt8JAFOjd_Suy5BKIIE7382jBxTmJFm3RVsXZpEoyp6uSCqeFknGS31scik3UBHdByy7UTrUt2tMWxEqRZDBJfz1vJN_AXf3RlY7RCZBwRWg82fiXcuEU-QOko0pgH/s400/20130726+14+Noordam+in+Palma+de+Mallorca.jpg" title="Noordam in Palma de Mallorca" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Noordam in Palma de Mallorca</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once back on the ship we had a late lunch. Kim and
Rhodé went off to their friends. Our diner was once again in the main dining
room. Lots of fish and shellfish for the adults and roast beef for Rhodé. Kim had her own dinner plans, with her friends after hanging out at The Loft again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After dinner we talked to photographer John (aka Jan
or Carlos). We decided to take a photo package again. Not the cheapest thing on
the ship, but the photographers make great pictures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That evening we danced in the Ocean Bar to the tunes
of the HAL Cats. Nice music, very danceable. The dance floor was a bit stiff.
They probable do that because the dance floor is also used by people walking
through the bar and by the waiters. Not very good for the knees however. Maybe
they can close the passageway, so the dance floor is only used for what it is
made for. We would appreciate that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were looking forward to a nice pina colada in the
bar, but unfortunately not all the ingredients had arrived yet. So we settled for a
margarita instead. Great drink, so no problem with that.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After dancing we checked out the Piano Bar. The
pianoman was </span><a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/c/fr5/artist_1831693?eid=A1831693_18305086_" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Stryker</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Wow, that man can play. He said he had an infection in
his throat, but still he sang really great. He is there every night, so we will
definitely return to the Piano Bar later on in the cruise.</span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-82746294820147232312013-09-06T09:45:00.002-07:002013-09-06T09:45:37.221-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 6: Sail away from Barcelona<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We slept until 8 am. We were doubting if we were to go
ashore to Barcelona one more time. We decided not to. The kids would rather
hang out with their new friends. It was of course not very crowded around the
pool as a lot of people were in the city. We left the ship only to shop in the
cruise terminal. We bought a hat for Rhodé. She is a redhead and she sunburns
easily. From the cruise terminal we saw two other ships in port: the very
familiar Nieuw Amsterdam and the Disney Magic.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXhPnIb7XzAZt7xiNdqSWykNcNiC3JFWDmCfdBtiQapmQllQKOmR-qVgExQaAo9DsB845HPQcyfu5wKpe3ezeCC7n0fXsoF9eJrzv3-gCcUTWGufFuxD4heG4IHj3YLbVxL5Atg2bxhwS/s1600/20130725+(681x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXhPnIb7XzAZt7xiNdqSWykNcNiC3JFWDmCfdBtiQapmQllQKOmR-qVgExQaAo9DsB845HPQcyfu5wKpe3ezeCC7n0fXsoF9eJrzv3-gCcUTWGufFuxD4heG4IHj3YLbVxL5Atg2bxhwS/s400/20130725+(681x1024).jpg" title="Disney Magic" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Disney Magic</span></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rest of the morning and early afternoon we just
wandered around the ship. We noticed one little change compared to 2 years ago: at the Observation Deck
they added some staterooms, just behind the Crow’s Nest. In a way it was a
relaxed day, but after the intensive days of sightseeing in Barcelona it was
also kind off boring at times.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At 3 pm it was time for the mandatory muster drill.
Some guests (like the ones in the stateroom next to us) didn’t ‘show up for the
drill. We later found out that they had to catch up in a special drill.
Fortunately this did not keep us from sailing away at 4 pm. Time to turn the
cell phones off. Blackberries will be roaming. Using the ships satellite
connection for data is quite expensive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">We enjoyed the sailing from Barcelona from our
balcony. Barcelona has a large industrial port, so </span>we could watch the activity on the large container ships. We said goodbye to the
city, to Montjuic with the Castell on top and with a lot of great memories.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A comedian performs in tonight’s show: Derrick Cameron. He was so funny, we went back to see his second performance. We had expected to
get the exact same jokes again, but much to our surprise almost half of the
second performance was different. Great laughs.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rhodé was in Club HAL again. They were doing games on
the basketball court when it was time to go to the karaoke. We saw Kim and her friends at the Queens Lounge. Rhodé
had enlisted to perform ‘Rolling in the deep’ from Adele. Quite some courage
for a 9-year old whose native language is Dutch. Kim and her friends Nica and
Rachel joined in and together they rocked. Afterwards Kim, Nica and Rachel sang 'Move like
Jagger', and Rhodé helped them with that song. Really great to see the kids have
fun.</span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-70157844951139142102013-09-04T23:41:00.000-07:002013-09-04T23:41:00.241-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 5: Boarding Noordam in Barcelona<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">We were all set for leaving the hotel. Of course we
once again enjoyed the breakfast </span>buffet. The hotel <a href="http://www.grupotel.com/en/hotel/barcelona/centro/45Grupotel-Gran-Via-678.php" target="_blank">Gran Via 678</a> is one of our
favorites. Checkout was easy. The cab driver we arranged through <a href="http://www.clickairporttransfer.com/">clickairporttransfer.com</a>
was about one hour early, but we were ready so we left for the port. Nice
driver. Not very fluent in English (nor Dutch), but he used a translate-app on
his cell if he didn’t know the words. Nice way to communicate.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you enter the Barcelona Cruise Port you drive
over a high bridge. That was where we saw her: Noordam. She immediately looked
very familiar as we sailed on Noordam two years ago and on Nieuw Amsterdam last
year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The taxi delivered us right on the doorstep of the
cruise terminal. The porters took our luggage and we proceeded to the check-in.
Barcelona has a great cruise terminal. We were assigned group 6. Because we
were really early (2 hours before the boarding time on our tickets), we had to
wait about one hour. We sat on the couches overlooking the Mediterranean. A lot
of our fellow passengers were sleeping on the couches. They probably flew in on red eye. It reminded us never to do that if we can avoid that. It is not a very relaxing start of your vacation, but they also miss a lot
of the things we saw in Barcelona.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shortly after noon we boarded Noordam. It was like
coming home. We remembered our boarding 2 years ago. Then we had to explore the
ship to get to know all the restaurants, bars, lounges, etc. No need this time, everything felt familiar again. We had our lunch in
de main dining room, the Mariners ‘welcome back lunch’. Shrimp cocktail, soup
and a crispy chicken breast for some and salmon for others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The room however was a bit disappointing. It was the same
room as 2 years ago, but by the looks of it the room was really lived-out.
There were piles of dust in certain places and the door of the closet was broken
(2 of the 3 hinges were out). On the rest of the ship there were also things
just a little bit off. We were wondering if it was us, because after a while you tend to remember the good things. We talked to some staff members we recognised from our earlier cruises.
They told us that the ship had been chartered for multiple weeks before our
sailing. Apparently charters are always a very tiresome period for the crew.
Shorter sailings then usual and guests that are more the partying kind. They
said in a few days everything would be back to normal. Later that afternoon our room was re-cleaned
and the closet was repaired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kim and Rhodé went up to Club HAL to register. Kim
(13) is in The Loft so there was no need to register. We are curious if there
are more kids her age that she can hang out with in The Loft. We did have to
register Rhodé (9) at Club HAL. They have new rules about checking-out. Last
year it was possible for her to check herself out if she wanted to do something
different. She could just write where she was going next but apart from that she was free to go. Now all kids up until age 12 have to be picked up by an adult. Probably
something has happened. It does feel safe, we will see how practical it is. Of
course we will check on her regularely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We didn’t go back in the city. Instead we just sat on
the aft of the ship overlooking the port and te city. This is what we were
looking forward to for so long. Almost an emotional moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUC9_nidC2LhANdio-vor6h1AizRcWNlpUrgbp9h8kaEcxZX43IGMrWdRbFzPWw6TQTe6RRYKj0jiLX3qsmlNWwz6i0G0m7SXekltHqvrVu52wyqX8T79fNG51-RtavXajyg_qAVNrFUw/s1600/20130724+(1024x681).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUC9_nidC2LhANdio-vor6h1AizRcWNlpUrgbp9h8kaEcxZX43IGMrWdRbFzPWw6TQTe6RRYKj0jiLX3qsmlNWwz6i0G0m7SXekltHqvrVu52wyqX8T79fNG51-RtavXajyg_qAVNrFUw/s400/20130724+(1024x681).jpg" title="Barcelona port" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Barcelona port</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After dinner the kids went up to Club HAL. Both the
Tweens and The Loft had a welcome party to get to know the other kids. Because
we have an overnight in Barcelona, a lot of guests will still be ashore. But
they did meet other kids and made friends.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We walked on the promenade deck, just enjoying the
ship again. In the theater they performed a preview with all the artists on
board. The preview was better then we remembered from Nieuw Amsterdam
last year and Nieuw Amsterdam was even better then Noordam before. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looks very promising.</span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-58537463730117256512013-09-04T10:28:00.001-07:002013-09-04T10:28:11.644-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 4: Montserrat, Spain<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just a short metro ride from the hotel is Espanya
station. The R5 regional train goes to Montserrat. The train was quite crowded;
some people had to stand all the way. After little over an hour we arrived at
Montserrat station. From there you have to go up the mountain. There are two
ways to do that. Most people take the cable car (Aeri de Montserrat) that
leaves from the first Montserrat station. We decided to take the rack railway
(Cremallera) instead. The train leaves from the next station. The views are
supposed to be a little less spectacular, but the advantage is that on the way
back you get on the train one stop earlier than most people. That increases the
chances for a seat on the way back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We doubt that the views from the rack railway really
are less spectacular. Wow, the train climbs all the way up alongside the
mountains. Of course you have to make sure you are seated valley-side, but then
you are treated with great vistas.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shortly after noon, after a 2 hour trip from the
hotel, we arrived at the monastery. How does someone get the inspiration to
build a monastery here, stuck against a mountain? But the monastery is there
and is beautiful. It has been destroyed multiple times, but is rebuilt every
time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ksav25B3DEumY9MnSdJjQbLHIhT-qE39Hz0fBwzrJRdR0orj22dNKBrqB8dnFC3EzrvyYFi5wOHpWV3cXxCLrBSCRuYhqDzpjubSz80MiN11lvGFN38l5rRm1dcb57nzeNmP2hRMYy3C/s1600/20130723+2+Monastry+at+Montserrat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ksav25B3DEumY9MnSdJjQbLHIhT-qE39Hz0fBwzrJRdR0orj22dNKBrqB8dnFC3EzrvyYFi5wOHpWV3cXxCLrBSCRuYhqDzpjubSz80MiN11lvGFN38l5rRm1dcb57nzeNmP2hRMYy3C/s400/20130723+2+Monastry+at+Montserrat.jpg" title="Monastery at Montserrat" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Monastery at Montserrat</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We went into the basilica first. There was a long line in front of the door on the right. That was the entrance for the ones that wanted to see and/or touch the
famous black Madonna (La Moreneta). She survived all the times the monastery
had been destroyed. We took the center door, leading in to the church. A choir
was just performing. Not the famous boys choir (they have their vacation in august), but their
temporary replacements sang great.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iySwbhS0vtBJRWqkrQWk_ztxAy4BvHkLkx8D2kXBYT7h21RpigIsfm60vbsd9pT0Dg1bKMBtfj6EISRH8xovMmJgNZdT2s7HOfdW7B0ZOCO2bVsdnW7OjLH-SsVF9DToiTXU4BqN6sKq/s1600/20130723+3+Basilica+of+Montserrat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iySwbhS0vtBJRWqkrQWk_ztxAy4BvHkLkx8D2kXBYT7h21RpigIsfm60vbsd9pT0Dg1bKMBtfj6EISRH8xovMmJgNZdT2s7HOfdW7B0ZOCO2bVsdnW7OjLH-SsVF9DToiTXU4BqN6sKq/s400/20130723+3+Basilica+of+Montserrat.jpg" title="Basilica of Montserrat" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Basilica of Montserrat</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After visiting the basilica we took some pictures at
the old monks' cloister. In front of the cloister are four trees that are planted with
symbolism: A palm for martyrdom, a cypress for eternal life, an olive for peace
and a laurel tree for victory.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNU-iggFcla1hG-RiZndtFbviIq1HrLBF3ZYUHa0tHyCHvn53dguWSOsE5BBCKW9PtJwtLp2b-iRg8xlm9OsCIVgaZs4BD0WuZER5m5Ao9ilQnan4KtwX27s7utSLx7bNCZ6Y6u2Up4B0L/s1600/20130723+4+The+cloister+at+Montserrat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNU-iggFcla1hG-RiZndtFbviIq1HrLBF3ZYUHa0tHyCHvn53dguWSOsE5BBCKW9PtJwtLp2b-iRg8xlm9OsCIVgaZs4BD0WuZER5m5Ao9ilQnan4KtwX27s7utSLx7bNCZ6Y6u2Up4B0L/s400/20130723+4+The+cloister+at+Montserrat.jpg" title="The Cloister at Montserrat" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Cloister at Montserrat</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a sandwich in the restaurant and looked up the
mountain. All the way up was a funicular that was included in our ticket. So up we went. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_Aj-b4rw25d0pIig4fc0WxqlbL0gdy1Kt0NG-YwKQWGns-ZiJQxyRsXJX0cKu6Ad8kpp1ojJEJ8rf4YkLdG6RuCG6uw6MdjB3VBUB622Zd4zboDD5UddqCOxOeRFtCRYOgVOjnvETMfh/s1600/20130723+5+Funicular+up+to+the+mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_Aj-b4rw25d0pIig4fc0WxqlbL0gdy1Kt0NG-YwKQWGns-ZiJQxyRsXJX0cKu6Ad8kpp1ojJEJ8rf4YkLdG6RuCG6uw6MdjB3VBUB622Zd4zboDD5UddqCOxOeRFtCRYOgVOjnvETMfh/s400/20130723+5+Funicular+up+to+the+mountain.jpg" title="Funicular up to the mountain" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Funicular up to the mountain</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The mountains are so special. They look like the Bryce Canyon hoodoos, but white instead of red. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The views on top were magnificent. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was even a nice breeze so even nice to
cool off. You could walk down to the monastery but we took the funicular down.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWc66zYoI_QR-QAadaQX3qELu41seGiRBHyxd6DUypmmxYoJPyeHrEOIW-wgcGMR8bCMMcdaV0U53hQpi1v3Z9td4bryZwsO1JKMbEYAFrsJfvgO4zNUX5VzZC3BKdWe3Ph3e9jyaqMbt/s1600/20130723+6+On+top+of+the+mountain+at+Montserrat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWc66zYoI_QR-QAadaQX3qELu41seGiRBHyxd6DUypmmxYoJPyeHrEOIW-wgcGMR8bCMMcdaV0U53hQpi1v3Z9td4bryZwsO1JKMbEYAFrsJfvgO4zNUX5VzZC3BKdWe3Ph3e9jyaqMbt/s400/20130723+6+On+top+of+the+mountain+at+Montserrat.jpg" title="Up the mountain at Montserrat" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Up the mountain at Montserrat</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsqOD9ooAgGrw-ry9HvXgwzaty18d43RpArvGWn_inQ6q_mmvouXK2DwB6aXo68Ppyq_IOHHtGtmV5joACfFo5jQAQZuPC8qCbSZ3ePBKTD5UE4X7dw0p5ym5gkYTngix73JaG-ADYZIk/s1600/20130723+7+On+top+of+the+mountain+at+Montserrat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsqOD9ooAgGrw-ry9HvXgwzaty18d43RpArvGWn_inQ6q_mmvouXK2DwB6aXo68Ppyq_IOHHtGtmV5joACfFo5jQAQZuPC8qCbSZ3ePBKTD5UE4X7dw0p5ym5gkYTngix73JaG-ADYZIk/s400/20130723+7+On+top+of+the+mountain+at+Montserrat.jpg" title="Up the mountain at Montserrat" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Up the mountain at Montserrat</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BD5ocW-BkeuUfp0RlIWxi0USAmRQo_ztKH-VvtM9iZTRJrYKAaPkRuLzC_GSZeiFN5s-m3TsZf7NQSwMkZkc_rRyXhyGXJ9Q4UQmmuTfG_9lJfz67OM9aekKJWpFiNW1xpsYBuDVmD32/s1600/20130723+8+The+monastry+from+the+mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BD5ocW-BkeuUfp0RlIWxi0USAmRQo_ztKH-VvtM9iZTRJrYKAaPkRuLzC_GSZeiFN5s-m3TsZf7NQSwMkZkc_rRyXhyGXJ9Q4UQmmuTfG_9lJfz67OM9aekKJWpFiNW1xpsYBuDVmD32/s400/20130723+8+The+monastry+from+the+mountain.jpg" title="The Monastery seen from the mountain" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The Monastery seen from the mountain</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the station there was another funicular, but this
one goes down the mountain so you can walk the path to the cave. We took that
one too because it seemed like a fairly nice trail with little climbing. The
path went downhill and we were not really looking forward to climbing up again.
So we walked just halfway.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDYyZ8_XFNXP9Q95elD6SZBmxSncvS8SgCfimEI4RkgZNerqhTKQyReZh66qNOhZOdc-t8C_l0_wW9oCtKM4UKxn6NCZgeUG2nFiuvqBnY4gdo09dJtnnf9Hux3MKPl18lzsIbDmDLHSD/s1600/20130723+9+Statues+at+Montserrat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDYyZ8_XFNXP9Q95elD6SZBmxSncvS8SgCfimEI4RkgZNerqhTKQyReZh66qNOhZOdc-t8C_l0_wW9oCtKM4UKxn6NCZgeUG2nFiuvqBnY4gdo09dJtnnf9Hux3MKPl18lzsIbDmDLHSD/s400/20130723+9+Statues+at+Montserrat.jpg" title="Statues at Montserrat" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Statues at Montserrat</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At 4:30 pm we went to the station so we could take the
rack train back. Each hour there are three or more trains downhill, but only one of them
goes all the way to the train station in the valley. The other ones only go as
far as the parking lot (for the people that traveled by car of tour bus). So we
had to wait some time. At least we were in time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcSrY_CReazlfuQpCuq0avfpHdyy1iLX1wlmGGhn8CWfeABNP3ZXPg7v-Zn-XUwahXFNLjXLOSzx-NW-3uLAF9YegmAimoEDnSmJpKu1UzDnL-YpSO657bZKPhKklgQlgoVBqSf-e3FHD/s1600/20130723+1+Rack+Train+at+Montserrat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcSrY_CReazlfuQpCuq0avfpHdyy1iLX1wlmGGhn8CWfeABNP3ZXPg7v-Zn-XUwahXFNLjXLOSzx-NW-3uLAF9YegmAimoEDnSmJpKu1UzDnL-YpSO657bZKPhKklgQlgoVBqSf-e3FHD/s400/20130723+1+Rack+Train+at+Montserrat.jpg" title="Rack Train at Montserrat" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rack Train at Montserrat</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The advantage of taking the rack train worked out. We
got on the train one stop earlier then the people that came down on the cable
car. We had a seat, a lot of the other travelers had to stand for over an hour.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once back in Barcelona we took the metro and tramway to Port
Olimpic. They built this marina (and the surrounding area) for the 1992 Olympic
games. The taxi driver that took us from the airport recommended dining here.
Indeed a great place to eat on the boulevard, close to the beach. We enjoyed
our dinner very much, after a quite intense day.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Barcelona was great. We have seen a lot of the city in
these four days, but we can easily spend another four days. It is a busy city,
but we never felt unsafe. In a way it is a jovial atmosphere. We will
definitely return here. But for now: time to pack our luggage for boarding the
Noordam tomorrow!</span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-2234007673801517142013-09-02T09:48:00.001-07:002013-09-02T09:48:55.037-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 3: More Barcelona<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a great night's sleep we enjoyed the breakfast
buffet at our hotel. Every day a great assortment of croissants, bread, donuts,
pastries, etc. We really love the hotel <a href="http://www.grupotel.com/en/hotel/barcelona/centro/45Grupotel-Gran-Via-678.php" target="_blank">Grupotel Gran Via 678</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We took the metro to Joanic station. There we changed
to local bus 116: a small bus with a capacity of around 15 persons. The
advantage of this bus: it stops right at the entrance of Park Guell.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At Park Guell you enter in some sort of phantasy
world. Beautiful trees and bushes together with mosaics and other works of art.
It is crowded, but still peaceful. Lots of musicians, even a man with a Hang (a
wok-like dish used to make music). Park Guell was designed by Gaudi to be a
residential area. Instead it became a UNESCO world heritage site.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5NltL6x05_IwOshXYTCjdNXXzmtPvqQxCVYH38y-rqhfKzR2Cng5eUiodklP6GjqvcfU0BPEtn0VT6_jQBB-rAUQKSCXEW1bh5bAbsTnxIhVMZGa_wwP1aP8PKMP4lXkMpPq5bezph1e/s1600/20130722+1+Park+Guell+(645x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5NltL6x05_IwOshXYTCjdNXXzmtPvqQxCVYH38y-rqhfKzR2Cng5eUiodklP6GjqvcfU0BPEtn0VT6_jQBB-rAUQKSCXEW1bh5bAbsTnxIhVMZGa_wwP1aP8PKMP4lXkMpPq5bezph1e/s400/20130722+1+Park+Guell+(645x1024).jpg" title=" Park Guell" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> Park Guell</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We loved the beautiful mosaics and the view when you
walk up in the park. Besides the musicians, who seemed to perform legally,
there are also lots of vendors. The carry their stuff in a white sheet until
they see a police-free place. Just when they have all their merchandise on
display again, some cop shows up, so they grab their stuff in the sheet and
run. Really some never-ending cat-and-mouse game. Interesting to watch, however
irritating it must be for the vendors.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Zrl1ENDlXo84w9_rbhZDTAiDbD2cs1XuGFum0JbwKYjJOHwsehkuZWdpFLQAcMzMKKB2ctl-u-TYgRajUFPwFcr9e4EGpk6aq9nHSWd88dlnnhebTU8zYRzUCfoSee-Ntr16P-qDTJyV/s1600/20130722+2+Park+Guell+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Zrl1ENDlXo84w9_rbhZDTAiDbD2cs1XuGFum0JbwKYjJOHwsehkuZWdpFLQAcMzMKKB2ctl-u-TYgRajUFPwFcr9e4EGpk6aq9nHSWd88dlnnhebTU8zYRzUCfoSee-Ntr16P-qDTJyV/s400/20130722+2+Park+Guell+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Park Guell" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Park Guell</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQIGqT4wP_Rv-RAoP3SYfU8aS420JY-v8ce2AIuDy7qD-zg28Ev3Adwz6_zhYY8AhfK-ncj5pud2tqZgRrePgqY2VqyJ6XeEw35cPBkeMqYfwUTQ7mxBp6nuSfc2eic8VK1H5fu1B77PV/s1600/20130722+3+Park+Guell+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQIGqT4wP_Rv-RAoP3SYfU8aS420JY-v8ce2AIuDy7qD-zg28Ev3Adwz6_zhYY8AhfK-ncj5pud2tqZgRrePgqY2VqyJ6XeEw35cPBkeMqYfwUTQ7mxBp6nuSfc2eic8VK1H5fu1B77PV/s400/20130722+3+Park+Guell+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Park Guell" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Park Guell</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbAbK5CQLfnh3w-yUJdOpSLTTDRuwsQ4V3STkk2C8G900cfSf1Ct14qK2TsLDLwy00MyqbbTvQixCbtZPDe2NpnYXRD1bn_Dmk4uJEqsBcOh0Dfc7NBVq5bT1RMOWNctTM6A74rJQ7Czg/s1600/20130722+4+Park+Guell+%25281024x680%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbAbK5CQLfnh3w-yUJdOpSLTTDRuwsQ4V3STkk2C8G900cfSf1Ct14qK2TsLDLwy00MyqbbTvQixCbtZPDe2NpnYXRD1bn_Dmk4uJEqsBcOh0Dfc7NBVq5bT1RMOWNctTM6A74rJQ7Czg/s400/20130722+4+Park+Guell+%25281024x680%2529.jpg" title="Park Guell" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Park Guell</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a cool drink at a nice terrace overlooking the
mosaic benches, we walked down to the 86 Dorian columns that carry the square
and on down passing the famous mosaic salamander.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yTFC04hgb_rHAcVN8NnNQYF6kRFyL9j1TYpqmDMB2w03w5icgghv7wPZY2b-IzT5lz4POnpSdPJFo8CzZwVz1uOfacBgdlWHBdw5TBIwVe6WDarjtXjSNc7O0ppTXK0DZeaQ8WUQlhVo/s1600/20130722+5+Park+Guell+Mosaic+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yTFC04hgb_rHAcVN8NnNQYF6kRFyL9j1TYpqmDMB2w03w5icgghv7wPZY2b-IzT5lz4POnpSdPJFo8CzZwVz1uOfacBgdlWHBdw5TBIwVe6WDarjtXjSNc7O0ppTXK0DZeaQ8WUQlhVo/s400/20130722+5+Park+Guell+Mosaic+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Park Guell Mosaic" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Park Guell Mosaic</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5jsSv0TTpJhW4IwHBRvVMjraT8c9L5bZxfpVotSOqGkRVyU26fMOsSMCk-InZFEJPq5X6WffeSFNlDXKjEloQUSDkuRb3g2LTE12rc2tb3UqSbFVFKelbLmRr6pjedzMGagQe4ip8yKY/s1600/20130722+6+Park+Guell+Salamander+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5jsSv0TTpJhW4IwHBRvVMjraT8c9L5bZxfpVotSOqGkRVyU26fMOsSMCk-InZFEJPq5X6WffeSFNlDXKjEloQUSDkuRb3g2LTE12rc2tb3UqSbFVFKelbLmRr6pjedzMGagQe4ip8yKY/s400/20130722+6+Park+Guell+Salamander+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="Park Guell Salamander" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Park Guell Salamander</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We caught bus 116 again ending up in metrostation
Lessep. It was a nice metro-ride so we could cool down on our way to Palau
Reial. The only problem was an in-metro karaoke performer that really was so
off-key that he should actually pay us. Well, we had fun… afterwards.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Palau Reial, now a museum but once the palace used by General Franco, was a nice building (again designed by Gaudi), but after all
the other Gaudi-sights this one didn’t really stand out. The surrounding
gardens are nice and peaceful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNi-8CVOSqUhliILuiyLAjkNA9MWn4Lwa7yoRAALJOPjXJ4ccB-9pg9qeUH3om1RnNPwXXW7pNFzXMKkSKYIAaB7RdgqEnnFTsmS4xFdHbbTLEzXWeUSp5TkQUfQk4t8OYA-0-W_MeAvY/s1600/20130722+7+Palau+Reial+%25281024x680%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNi-8CVOSqUhliILuiyLAjkNA9MWn4Lwa7yoRAALJOPjXJ4ccB-9pg9qeUH3om1RnNPwXXW7pNFzXMKkSKYIAaB7RdgqEnnFTsmS4xFdHbbTLEzXWeUSp5TkQUfQk4t8OYA-0-W_MeAvY/s400/20130722+7+Palau+Reial+%25281024x680%2529.jpg" title="Palau Reial" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Palau Reial</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A public bus took us from the palace all the way to
the doorstep of our hotel. Barcelona is a great city to tour by public
transport.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Siesta time again, so the kids went down to the pool.
We checked our emails. We had an email from our travel agent. Due to the unrests
in Tunisia, we will not call there. Instead the Noordam will go to Cagliari on
the Italian island of Sardinia. Pity that now we can’t cross Africa off our
bucket list, but we appreciate that Holland America puts safety first. Of
course we didn’t prepare ourselves for Cagliari, so we used the siesta time for
googling and planning ahead. Seems to be a nice town, so we are looking forward to it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Around 6 pm we decided to walk to the Arc del Triomf. Not
all the way to Paris, but Barcelona has her own Arc at the entrance of Parc de
la Ciutadella. Nice parc, unfortunately also the main dog-walking place for the
locals.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25KxIqocTc4UGRv2YTb4DZXRKw92dW55o2ZUFV-3DNCSVN2uTFwqXyMH7fE11gzmy8y8J68Qjph2lezLIr1RH5Kk4YeXhpbYyw6PqOmE4cyQ4VFSHRB7JoOClkPBq2NcBWRCzwdEd5Uh9/s1600/20130722+8+Arc+de+Triomf+%25281024x679%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25KxIqocTc4UGRv2YTb4DZXRKw92dW55o2ZUFV-3DNCSVN2uTFwqXyMH7fE11gzmy8y8J68Qjph2lezLIr1RH5Kk4YeXhpbYyw6PqOmE4cyQ4VFSHRB7JoOClkPBq2NcBWRCzwdEd5Uh9/s400/20130722+8+Arc+de+Triomf+%25281024x679%2529.jpg" title="Arc de Triomf" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arc de Triomf</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the parc we walked towards Barri Gotic on the Passeig del Born. We
visited the church of Santa Maria del Mar. For now the most beautiful church of
Barcelona, but </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of course </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">only until the Sagrada Familia is to be finished in about 15 to
20 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7LBQKlD4ag-dcSpNJrWZ2A6Ac_VJGwZTrxxDEL1LQd8SEJLEhvwGHzPb_Y4VVuataHZdvLP423YTBQyeWS7BJpFPR74hTxazmCG5TNdQrpN6j77Y7eGVMeYo094I0QM7pjfy792AybT6/s1600/20130722+9+Santa+Maria+del+Mar+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7LBQKlD4ag-dcSpNJrWZ2A6Ac_VJGwZTrxxDEL1LQd8SEJLEhvwGHzPb_Y4VVuataHZdvLP423YTBQyeWS7BJpFPR74hTxazmCG5TNdQrpN6j77Y7eGVMeYo094I0QM7pjfy792AybT6/s400/20130722+9+Santa+Maria+del+Mar+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Santa Maria del Mar" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Santa Maria del Mar</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the main attractions is bubble blowing: giant
bubbles of several meters long. When they pop, you have to watch out for the
soap. In the Barri Gotic we saw a little ice cream shop. Home made ice cream.
Nice…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQivrXStt_HPKR1-_qJoNa74_B_g5LvNaWspZJATwISg7N0_gK9pWM0dPiuqhCwU5ZtaQbHJNzQvHEpoakRwwE7D_eZsS9Cv3c5GE33ZFOxdPqJtgCJEZkGrWf12ggE2DxqyYYax8A7ai/s1600/20130722+10+Barri+Gotic+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQivrXStt_HPKR1-_qJoNa74_B_g5LvNaWspZJATwISg7N0_gK9pWM0dPiuqhCwU5ZtaQbHJNzQvHEpoakRwwE7D_eZsS9Cv3c5GE33ZFOxdPqJtgCJEZkGrWf12ggE2DxqyYYax8A7ai/s400/20130722+10+Barri+Gotic+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Barri Gotic" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Barri Gotic</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tomorrow we plan on going to Montserrat, so we bought
our train tickets on our way back to the hotel. They sell them on Placa de Catalunya,
actually just underneath the square in a very hot tourist information stand.</span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-59210428055881936592013-09-01T05:45:00.000-07:002013-09-01T05:45:17.871-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 2: Our second day in Barcelona<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunday morning, 10 am and we were in church. Not that
unusual, but this time we were in the most beautiful church we ever visited:
Sagrada Familia. And this church designed by Gaudi is not even finished…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AHQQe_SCxbBenfOUecJ07-RimUl0isFvkQL7-B_blxHw5A-o6714OJo2aL0rdT-iA0alMr_wHvtPMQcDWkqrT1ITF1wb820npdK3y3lHUOJOKt1seqjQKNrLMyYelcJpOciSdcrQXMNm/s1600/20130721+1+Sagrada+Familia+facade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AHQQe_SCxbBenfOUecJ07-RimUl0isFvkQL7-B_blxHw5A-o6714OJo2aL0rdT-iA0alMr_wHvtPMQcDWkqrT1ITF1wb820npdK3y3lHUOJOKt1seqjQKNrLMyYelcJpOciSdcrQXMNm/s400/20130721+1+Sagrada+Familia+facade.jpg" title="Sagrada Familia facade" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Sagrada Familia facade</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had arranged for tickets on the website of Sagrada
Familia. There was just a very short line to enter. The outside is already very impressive with
lots of statues. Even more impressive is the entrance door. All biblical words
with the name Jesus </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">emphasized </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in bright gold .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4Y75blFUgwf8Xa8eu_GXPDyxqlpeVXU_fLc2D-ZyvXJbZ2iCGZeYsY4YGBNNKfbvfsTlbeD1WeHNK5OusFVQhZU3oqcJX09bjv8abRJK2OlPVjeSiSb8CQUPv8K5jIhdJ8jqpnoJ_cHH/s1600/20130721+2+Sagrada+Familia+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4Y75blFUgwf8Xa8eu_GXPDyxqlpeVXU_fLc2D-ZyvXJbZ2iCGZeYsY4YGBNNKfbvfsTlbeD1WeHNK5OusFVQhZU3oqcJX09bjv8abRJK2OlPVjeSiSb8CQUPv8K5jIhdJ8jqpnoJ_cHH/s400/20130721+2+Sagrada+Familia+door.jpg" title="Sagrada Familia door" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Sagrada Familia door</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However impressive on the
outside, the true wow-moment is when you step inside. The serene silence and
grandeur are overwhelming. So many colors created by the sunlight through the
stained glass windows. They create a pallet of colors on the pillars that go all
the way up like sequoia trees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovooaaWM15V-fjDijsPwY6NWW4XwD2ccyjtDCYshWIlleI1KcJA99UVbGHjdxUOcwYJpQ7FsIlCF9nPRu6r52hfh93nVpsKgiJv4x3sYtqLe6MpypXO7QAs7dF2pECe5t7LXXc6sdjBEI/s1600/20130721+3+Sagrada+Familia+windows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovooaaWM15V-fjDijsPwY6NWW4XwD2ccyjtDCYshWIlleI1KcJA99UVbGHjdxUOcwYJpQ7FsIlCF9nPRu6r52hfh93nVpsKgiJv4x3sYtqLe6MpypXO7QAs7dF2pECe5t7LXXc6sdjBEI/s400/20130721+3+Sagrada+Familia+windows.jpg" title="Sagrada Familia windows" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sagrada Familia windows</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The ceiling seems to be made up of dozens of flowers.
Organic forms make the balconies very special. Every part of the design adds to
the sacredness of the place. In the middle of it all is the crucifix: all alone
in the middle, tight under the oculus of the dome and above the altar. The
central pillars that carry the church bear the names of the four evangelists.
So impressive, pictures can’t capture it. Even though it has become more
crowded since we first came in, there is still a nice tranquility.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL80ByIKkDLF72PKhnf4_kU_pZ_W54dutGIicYmHt4OUOenmY76Amz74Itoi_FQGme0-sIEfUzHj7u_c8FvnKnNFJ91uzwSJZtC6KVeUd7alrPYxig72JcctLKIc_QbX1in9Unq2doI7J/s1600/20130721+4+Sagrada+Familia+interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL80ByIKkDLF72PKhnf4_kU_pZ_W54dutGIicYmHt4OUOenmY76Amz74Itoi_FQGme0-sIEfUzHj7u_c8FvnKnNFJ91uzwSJZtC6KVeUd7alrPYxig72JcctLKIc_QbX1in9Unq2doI7J/s400/20130721+4+Sagrada+Familia+interior.jpg" title="Sagrada Familia interior" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sagrada Familia interior</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our reserved tickets also </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">gave</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">access to the Naixament
tower. You go up by elevator. From the tower, you look down on Barcelona
through little windows. It is also a great place to see the Sagrada Familia as
a work in progress. We will definitely return here.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the church designed by Gaudi we walked on the Gaudi-street
to the Hospital de Sant Pau. A hospital that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Gaudi died here in 1926 after he was hit by a tram a few days before. Indeed, a beautiful building but we kept looking back to Sagrada Familia. Strange, </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the further away you get </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the bigger the building seems to be.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOUYPvx0CszBMsPsLCsw9gcbC8DC5hbrnpXXJQMXcxjJxWL5oDJNFkXgecSx01eAVrvrK6kFW_WGJ1i2f14-Uny5iC7Kxau-59v1dGnjjf9oDXRc82WTf2j9IhtoldQZHByNfc9tGqeT0/s1600/20130721+5+Hospital+de+Sant+Pau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOUYPvx0CszBMsPsLCsw9gcbC8DC5hbrnpXXJQMXcxjJxWL5oDJNFkXgecSx01eAVrvrK6kFW_WGJ1i2f14-Uny5iC7Kxau-59v1dGnjjf9oDXRc82WTf2j9IhtoldQZHByNfc9tGqeT0/s400/20130721+5+Hospital+de+Sant+Pau.jpg" title="Hospital de Sant Pau" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Hospital de Sant Pau</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just a short metro-ride away was our next destination.
Not the Starbucks where we had some refreshments, but even more buildings designed
by Gaudi or by people influenced by Gaudi. We saw La Pedrera (aka Casa Mila), Casa
Batllo, Casa Ametller, Casa Lleo Morera, Casa Comalat and</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Casa de les Punxes. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNW5Dqx-6I1GL-ZDYXKgFs2KcFBzBhNeAaBI1rHArVzwQwvLK3t_RgW1Kx_gcQh1gBga5EN44MKMObHP_Gc9hLo6w0a_SXfLU2KRWo8VifrDXx-maX8cYTDEslyo-9RdCJjiOKqLv-M6oC/s1600/20130721+6+La+Pedrera+%2528Casa+Mila%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNW5Dqx-6I1GL-ZDYXKgFs2KcFBzBhNeAaBI1rHArVzwQwvLK3t_RgW1Kx_gcQh1gBga5EN44MKMObHP_Gc9hLo6w0a_SXfLU2KRWo8VifrDXx-maX8cYTDEslyo-9RdCJjiOKqLv-M6oC/s400/20130721+6+La+Pedrera+%2528Casa+Mila%2529.jpg" title="La Pedrera (Casa Mila)" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>La Pedrera (Casa Mila)</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErmqUYvTiX8XbtZ9XMxnjmx_WFm7XmFrXxiXrKmlfg-6JL74G2W4p5vS7ZIvmk2I79DzDsWnGLRIN791YtVxPndELTn3Jd1tvm4RvVNzgob0vU1GCEUWPIAUg_fsWpV1gf0_0n-GnwmUA/s1600/20130721+7+Casa+Batllo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErmqUYvTiX8XbtZ9XMxnjmx_WFm7XmFrXxiXrKmlfg-6JL74G2W4p5vS7ZIvmk2I79DzDsWnGLRIN791YtVxPndELTn3Jd1tvm4RvVNzgob0vU1GCEUWPIAUg_fsWpV1gf0_0n-GnwmUA/s400/20130721+7+Casa+Batllo.jpg" title="Casa Batllo" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Casa Batllo</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All buildings are on or around Passeig de
Gracia, one of the most deluxe streets of Barcelona, running parallel to Rambla
de Catalunya. We had a nice lunch in one of the restaurants on Passeig de
Gracia, just around the corner of our hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The locals take their siesta around this time. We
decided to get some relaxation as well. The kids went swimming in the hotel
pool.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Around 4 pm we took the metro to Placa Espanya. Bus
150 took us all the way up to Castell de Montjuic. A great scenic drive and
also a great alternative to the funicular and cable car that also go up to the
castle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The view on top of the Castell de Montjuic made us look forward to cruising, because we looked down on the port of Barcelona. The Royal
Caribbean Liberty of the Seas was already sailing and Norwegian Epic was just
leaving port. She sounded her horns, that strangely enough more resembled a
whistle then the usual robust sound.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the castle and the rest of Montjuic we also had great
views on Barcelona, the harbor and the airport. A nice breeze and a coke helped
cool down, just a little bit.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAB1X6yi_Jbuv7afhkhyphenhyphenM8vRNpwEavV4dVAdEwr04qsfkfI2ObPEeSnNk3KzN_ZwsDAONh9Te6P75_n_Siy6y_rRmlEUgGiS75iOPIhA3h9JYrre4UR4pbTQBbEPz9NKq2YMm0_o3J6Upo/s1600/20130721+8+View+from+Montjuic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAB1X6yi_Jbuv7afhkhyphenhyphenM8vRNpwEavV4dVAdEwr04qsfkfI2ObPEeSnNk3KzN_ZwsDAONh9Te6P75_n_Siy6y_rRmlEUgGiS75iOPIhA3h9JYrre4UR4pbTQBbEPz9NKq2YMm0_o3J6Upo/s400/20130721+8+View+from+Montjuic.jpg" title="View from Montjuic" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>View from Montjuic</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVm7uuPzthgLZv6sy4yjCvM6YF0O0jKf6n30quQHuimMAcc9YASlzVSI_OJ0ItFaB9UccgdA4XMn33QClLHmZSHLweFvNPh_vb0sWIAdXS5VOcbwKo0QUo6Lj5bm4ty-zR9dDYbO6EjkDT/s1600/20130721+9+Castell+de+Montjuic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVm7uuPzthgLZv6sy4yjCvM6YF0O0jKf6n30quQHuimMAcc9YASlzVSI_OJ0ItFaB9UccgdA4XMn33QClLHmZSHLweFvNPh_vb0sWIAdXS5VOcbwKo0QUo6Lj5bm4ty-zR9dDYbO6EjkDT/s400/20130721+9+Castell+de+Montjuic.jpg" title="Castell de Montjuic" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Castell de Montjuic</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsnAlw4Hmx4s0vc1OEpPkgSr37I31je7cD5Z7DQehQsfHfLn9NIbvuy4j5wdrDgt8xnxIk6zkmMPxXRNtYYxXW_AeKKSdZkN7kFmgZsgzd5mOQgwLm5Z9xkwdKi5Lc0SPmWg5eZpd_Szl/s1600/20130721+10+Statue+at+Castell+de+Montjuic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsnAlw4Hmx4s0vc1OEpPkgSr37I31je7cD5Z7DQehQsfHfLn9NIbvuy4j5wdrDgt8xnxIk6zkmMPxXRNtYYxXW_AeKKSdZkN7kFmgZsgzd5mOQgwLm5Z9xkwdKi5Lc0SPmWg5eZpd_Szl/s400/20130721+10+Statue+at+Castell+de+Montjuic.jpg" title="Statue at Castell de Montjuic" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Statue at Castell de Montjuic</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We took the public bus (nr 150 again) back down. We planned
to get out at the stop close to the Palau Nacional. That didn’t work.
Muntjuic is also home to some of the nicest sports accommodations in Europe.
Especially the Sant Jordi swimming pool is very popular these days because the world
championship had just started. A giant group of German swimmers also took the
public bus. I should say buses (plural); besides filling our bus they probable
filled two more. Not a good time to try to get off the bus, so we continued to
the end at Placa Espanya. No problem, from there it is just a short walk on a
partly elevated walkway to the Palau Nacional.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGS_t-2aiE4JPSxdv9wDPsO6RqifajreEtNqyJNPCK8friX8rKtz404AOcVvQMWZcw7pQkKukCnI7uXo0ywh9iYKxWEy-CzuDdjwdRDtZTLwZ7bdz7gJqYgKC04BBUz4lgheNObi_mJ-H/s1600/20130721+11+Palau+Nacional.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGS_t-2aiE4JPSxdv9wDPsO6RqifajreEtNqyJNPCK8friX8rKtz404AOcVvQMWZcw7pQkKukCnI7uXo0ywh9iYKxWEy-CzuDdjwdRDtZTLwZ7bdz7gJqYgKC04BBUz4lgheNObi_mJ-H/s400/20130721+11+Palau+Nacional.jpg" title="Palau Nacional" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Palau Nacional</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a drink and a bite to eat at the terraces
surrounding Font Magica. At 9 pm the fountains there were the place-to-be as
they performed a great sound and light spectacle. The darker it became, the
more beautiful it was. Fairytale-style definitely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytVzlRQj1gkUUAWfJRqpVvtNNtq79z6odgCxBoLhnTNLflPp56GQA-L2hVOtnNopIQPeCPtZJFwd0tcrizhqAE0CXXMkz9ijhUUBrSMuIY5wEq-SunNAh0BtQIAzU0SHLv7WFXyVad8O4/s1600/20130721+12+Font+Magica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytVzlRQj1gkUUAWfJRqpVvtNNtq79z6odgCxBoLhnTNLflPp56GQA-L2hVOtnNopIQPeCPtZJFwd0tcrizhqAE0CXXMkz9ijhUUBrSMuIY5wEq-SunNAh0BtQIAzU0SHLv7WFXyVad8O4/s400/20130721+12+Font+Magica.jpg" title="Font Magica" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Font Magica</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just the place to watch out for pickpockets. The
person standing next to Kim lost her wallet. We always carry our valuables in a
money belt under our pants. Not always very comfortable, but safer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9O4WDga_H_bBhBAM-aUAqizsHb7sy9c4MThY9OPjWDM754GX36AJ8gAXAa4e0_OaP2gY9NOfmTCrhPtjAKFIJnUQ0RqiARFjTeI0BZNtrZuP5tU9nqIVNxcY9sv4aUpqLLcN8uh4Z0KH/s1600/20130721+13+Avinguda+Reina+Maria+Cristina+to+Placa+Espanya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9O4WDga_H_bBhBAM-aUAqizsHb7sy9c4MThY9OPjWDM754GX36AJ8gAXAa4e0_OaP2gY9NOfmTCrhPtjAKFIJnUQ0RqiARFjTeI0BZNtrZuP5tU9nqIVNxcY9sv4aUpqLLcN8uh4Z0KH/s400/20130721+13+Avinguda+Reina+Maria+Cristina+to+Placa+Espanya.jpg" title="Avinguda Reina Maria Cristina to Placa Espanya" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Avinguda Reina Maria Cristina to Placa Espanya</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-68301900189467651422013-08-31T01:03:00.002-07:002013-08-31T01:03:39.516-07:00Noordam 2013 - Day 1: Traveling to Barcelona<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our car was packed with all the luggage for 19 days:
12 days/11 nights on the Noordam and 7 nights in hotels in Barcelona and Rome.
Flying from Brussels Airport has several advantages for us: it is only an hour
drive from our home in The Netherlands. Another advantage: they have a
reservation zone holiday parking just outside the departure hall of the
airport. No bus transfers or taxi’s, just a 2 minute walk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is our first time on <a href="http://www.brusselsairlines.com/" target="_blank">Brussels Airlines</a> as you could
derive from the disappointment with our carry-on luggage we reported yesterday.
But to be honest: We had a great flight. No inflight movies, no free meal or
drinks, but it is not even a 2 hour flight. In Barcelona we used <a href="http://www.clickairporttransfer.com/" target="_blank">Click AirportTransfer</a> to get to our hotel. A great taxi driver with some great additional
tips for sightseeing and restaurants.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Our hotel was the <a href="http://www.grupotel.com/en/hotel/barcelona/centro/45Grupotel-Gran-Vi-678.php" target="_blank">Grupotel Gran Via 678</a>, right on the
Gran Via Corts Catalanes and close to Placa de Catalunya. We had made
reservations for a family room (actually two connecting rooms) through </span><a href="http://www.booking.com/"><span lang="EN-US">Booking.com</span></a><span lang="EN-US">. Great and luxurious
rooms. The girls had a full bath and we had a rainshower. The rooms are
overlooking the (small) pool. That is the quiet side of the hotel, since the hotel is on a
very busy street. The pool looked very tempting, especially for Kim and Rhodé.
But we decided to explore Barcelona.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First it was time for our basic needs, so we bought bottled
water. Since the flight did not include lunch, we headed to a restaurant. We
picked one with mostly locals on the terrace (a tip <a href="http://www.ricksteves.com/" target="_blank">Rick Steves</a> often </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">gives</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> o</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">n his radio show). After dessert we went to nearby
Placa de Catalunya. That’s the square where the tourist information is, where
we bought travel cards so we had unlimited use of metro, trains and buses
(starting tomorrow).</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Travel guides refer to Placa de Catalunya as ‘the heart of
Barcelona’. We liked the fountains, but apart from that it was not as special
as we hoped. So on to Las Ramblas. Seemingly one long street, all the way to
the Mediterranean sea. Actually a couple of successive streets: Rambla de
Canaletes, Rambla dels Estudis, Rambla de Sant Josep, Rambla dels Caputxins and
Rambla de Santa Monica.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Halfway Las Ramblas is the semi-covered market La
Boqueria.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNCFNS8LXfwGL2DgIA5CY2Mu7wjiY9VWa_qNBZ9zTgWk5IaGLrrXyxrVFP3HUTR5SzYLYk4JeNo6n46b32hyYyTL4D0q0U8zh9Zyz2QSvVsqcORxkv6uWwneTJmFd1f-JXAxpmwVmJwQk/s1600/20130720+1+La+Boqueria+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNCFNS8LXfwGL2DgIA5CY2Mu7wjiY9VWa_qNBZ9zTgWk5IaGLrrXyxrVFP3HUTR5SzYLYk4JeNo6n46b32hyYyTL4D0q0U8zh9Zyz2QSvVsqcORxkv6uWwneTJmFd1f-JXAxpmwVmJwQk/s400/20130720+1+La+Boqueria+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="La Boqueria" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nice fruit stands and fish stands. You can buy a pigs leg (for
the ham: jamón). Great colors and smells, apart from the fish-smell.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj806jGORklLj3OM_A4SvQrMkA7DV5eza4R_K1LBjFKCH1DK7M8F3PivD2bZQ9TmHn18bWDruoQ1x6oTuBYou5RhWN_t275muQpb_Ncgull7n5PJKETp3kEW8OrO0xiPdYBiV6JD_BCc6-v/s1600/20130720+2+La+Boqueria+food+stands+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj806jGORklLj3OM_A4SvQrMkA7DV5eza4R_K1LBjFKCH1DK7M8F3PivD2bZQ9TmHn18bWDruoQ1x6oTuBYou5RhWN_t275muQpb_Ncgull7n5PJKETp3kEW8OrO0xiPdYBiV6JD_BCc6-v/s400/20130720+2+La+Boqueria+food+stands+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" title="La Boqueria" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>La Boqueria</b></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We continued on Las Ramblas, passing the beautiful Opera Liceu all the way to Port Veil. At the end is a monument for Christopher
Columbus.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOiS2Pv4xv-pDFnMPj1MVM6SpxPRo4e1jOfmxPjNW3lJ5mWzHGRHftQ2250UhF_9OXxTXhHtfrN4fe5iYz90__D2AL4Dr445WXRkVGLjijQz3Ba6vFPf-6ynQgwu6brgFobMuy68yAIMh/s1600/20130720+3+Monument+for+Christopher+Columbus+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOiS2Pv4xv-pDFnMPj1MVM6SpxPRo4e1jOfmxPjNW3lJ5mWzHGRHftQ2250UhF_9OXxTXhHtfrN4fe5iYz90__D2AL4Dr445WXRkVGLjijQz3Ba6vFPf-6ynQgwu6brgFobMuy68yAIMh/s400/20130720+3+Monument+for+Christopher+Columbus+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Monument for Christopher Columbus" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Monument for Christopher Columbus</span></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nice place to get some
pictures of our ladies. Especially the lions at the base of the Colon were
popular for photographers. Nice square, kind of like Nelsons monument a
Trafalgar Square in London.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time to refill our water bottles and on to Barri Gotic.
That is the old (medieval) part of Barcelona. Mysterious little cobblestoned
streets and beautiful squares. Every window has a small balcony and hatches.
Great part of Barcelona, a must see.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We ended up on Placa Reial with the Fountain of the Three Graces in the middle and lanterns designed by Antoni Gaudi. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7Rp7daUe-iTMW8_TqBs6ihY8uLSRl65wx15cGu9mjnyR8V3Mf3N29QYFCMW0DsjwuRXa95LpzC1cyZCPLIuo9VnqP8abj9G5kYGq2CMU_R7uJ1An-bFH7UpJD81gLUcLQDBtZ2k0-lkG/s1600/20130720+4+Three+Graces+Fountain+(681x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7Rp7daUe-iTMW8_TqBs6ihY8uLSRl65wx15cGu9mjnyR8V3Mf3N29QYFCMW0DsjwuRXa95LpzC1cyZCPLIuo9VnqP8abj9G5kYGq2CMU_R7uJ1An-bFH7UpJD81gLUcLQDBtZ2k0-lkG/s400/20130720+4+Three+Graces+Fountain+(681x1024).jpg" title="Fountain of the Three Graces" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fountain of the Three Graces</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gaudi is the
designer of the most beautiful parts of Barcelona. Also in the Barri Gotic we
visited Placa Sant Jaume with the cute Placa de Ramon Berenguer.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRyDjPOgD6q8hLZpty3cwH06CYm6NhPh5YdvvWnH-5zBh_2IBGsi9WkexW_p0Avqlv4U5Cg7Z4V301bVTtxiBOt8MP3nK-jPAVr5wbtu3ZF3dSQTjSq2LUqqVZRVAFWZTFfbgD6GM3fvf/s1600/20130720+5+Placa+de+Ramon+Berenguer+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRyDjPOgD6q8hLZpty3cwH06CYm6NhPh5YdvvWnH-5zBh_2IBGsi9WkexW_p0Avqlv4U5Cg7Z4V301bVTtxiBOt8MP3nK-jPAVr5wbtu3ZF3dSQTjSq2LUqqVZRVAFWZTFfbgD6GM3fvf/s400/20130720+5+Placa+de+Ramon+Berenguer+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Placa de Ramon Berenguer" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Placa de Ramon Berenguer</span></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Further on to a not to miss sight: La Seu, the
cathedral of Barcelona.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0UT0tNJ5nHjxv4Vz_o6R4kcpWTkw5RvJsedq6UIO3oOhBY4xc-AXxwk_7-qV_N-jTYQ-rnSGXe4PViX8680adsngOY04f4ir_gmg-t7Y_BjGYbKzM5upBdYUM007TCtMLvWhWGHOK8ID/s1600/20130720+6+Cathedral+La+Seu+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0UT0tNJ5nHjxv4Vz_o6R4kcpWTkw5RvJsedq6UIO3oOhBY4xc-AXxwk_7-qV_N-jTYQ-rnSGXe4PViX8680adsngOY04f4ir_gmg-t7Y_BjGYbKzM5upBdYUM007TCtMLvWhWGHOK8ID/s400/20130720+6+Cathedral+La+Seu+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" title="Cathedral of Barcelona: La Seu" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Cathedral of Barcelona: La Seu</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Close to La Seu is the interesting Placa Sant Felip
Neri. You can still see the bulletholes of the executings during the Spanish
civil war.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enough for one day, so we walked back to our hotel. After a long day flying and sightseeing: just the right moment to really enjoy the rainshower.</span></span></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-82639546577045256902013-08-29T10:46:00.001-07:002013-08-29T10:46:07.000-07:00Noordam 2013 - Preparing for the 11 night Mediterranean Explorer on HAL Noordam<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are Joost, Jolanda, Kim (13) and Rhodé (9), a Dutch
family cruising the Mediterranean. Last year we blogged about our <a href="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/2012/08/13/cruise-diary-traveling-to-venice-italy/" target="_blank">cruise on Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam</a>. This year we travel on the Noordam. You will
read about our trip (and the days before and after the cruise) on this blog in
the next weeks. We hope you will enjoy it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is our itinerary:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNPwaCnSAfI20HzWJ_2OCRiKkgsMJDUKeb2hefW9H3cgIyXztDsAyCx5vi-AM73N0FXUll-5qhxGlCI4fVb_4cWLPwfmxKNIaKUZaPCDudJMvt5yTymodNJUXQ7KsUh637plEJerf93Ka/s1600/Itinerary+Noordam+2013+EMS311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNPwaCnSAfI20HzWJ_2OCRiKkgsMJDUKeb2hefW9H3cgIyXztDsAyCx5vi-AM73N0FXUll-5qhxGlCI4fVb_4cWLPwfmxKNIaKUZaPCDudJMvt5yTymodNJUXQ7KsUh637plEJerf93Ka/s400/Itinerary+Noordam+2013+EMS311.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We start in Barcelona, Spain. We decided to spend four
nights before our cruise there to get to know the city. We end in
Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, Italy. After disembarkation we spend three
nights in the eternal city.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is our third cruise. Why do we love cruise
vacations? Actually because of all the advantages that everyone always talks
about: We pack/unpack only once, our hotel travels with us, we like to see
different cities and enjoy the great food and entertainment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">We love to experience the sights in the different
ports. Holland America offers excellent tours, but we seldom book them. We are
more the Do-It-Yourself types. To be honest, the tours may be nice for us
adults, but for the kids they are usually a bit boring. When the guides
explain, the kids sit in the shade waiting to get back on the bus to the
ship. We usually venture out on our own, but we prepare for our visit extensively.
Sometimes even months in advance. Isn’t the internet great with sites like <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/" target="_blank">Tripadvisor</a>?
This year we discovered <a href="http://www.shorebee.com/" target="_blank">Shorebee</a></span><span lang="EN-US">. Great
tips on their site for DIY-trips. So besides writing about our trips, we hope
to provide other DIY-cruisers with some tips for their own shore-adventures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tomorrow we leave for Barcelona. Today we had our
first disappointment. We are flying with <a href="http://www.brusselsairlines.com/" target="_blank">Brussels Airlines</a>. On the e-ticket we
saw something we didn’t count on: carry-on luggage allowance at Brussels
Airlines is only 6 kg (13 lbs). On KLM it is usually 12 kg (26 lbs) and that is
what we were packing: 4 days of clothes in our carry-on for Barcelona. Not
going to happen…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we packed an extra carry-on and stuffed the rest of
the excess luggage in our “ladies bags” that are free to carry-on according to
the airlines website. I wonder if that was what they intended to achieve, even
more bags on the plane.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tomorrow we drive from The Netherlands to Brussels,
Belgium for our flight to Barcelona, Spain.</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-50314557248197838252013-08-11T08:03:00.000-07:002013-08-11T08:03:03.546-07:00Nieuw Amsterdam 2012 - Debarkation and Back to Reality<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4em;">At 6:30 a.m. it was already sunny in</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4em;"> </span><a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/mediterranean-cruises?WT.mc_id=SM_HAB_MED" style="color: #b85b5a; line-height: 1.4em; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Venice</a><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4em;">. We had hoped to see the sailing into the Venice lagoon from our balcony, but we arrived well before the scheduled time. Actually the azipods, used to berth the ship, woke us up. It was a busy day in Venice’s Stazione Marittima. Ruby Princess, Celebrity Silhouette, Costa Fascinosa and Grand Celebration were also docked.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 1.4em;">It was time to leave our temporary home. Our suitcases were already off-loaded. We only had to pack our carry-on luggage. One last breakfast in the Lido and then waiting until it was time for our group to debark. We were scheduled to leave between 9:00 and 9:15 and so we did.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Day-12-The-way-to-the-gangway-1024x757.jpg" style="color: #b85b5a; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Way to the gangway." class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-74891" height="406" src="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Day-12-The-way-to-the-gangway-1024x757-e1346431177164.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" title="Way to the gangway." width="550" /></a></div>
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<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_74890" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 335px;">
<a href="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Day-12-The-sign-we-didnt-want-to-see-754x1024-e1346431214531.jpg" style="color: #1e3666; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="The sign we didn't want to see." class="size-full wp-image-74890" height="440" src="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Day-12-The-sign-we-didnt-want-to-see-754x1024-e1346432085381.jpg" style="border: none;" title="The sign we didn't want to see." width="325" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 11px; padding: 5px 4px;">
The sign we didn't want to see.</div>
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<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_74892" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 335px;">
<a href="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Day-12-We-left-the-Nieuw-Amsterdam-755x1024.jpg" style="color: #1e3666; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Leaving Nieuw Amsterdam." class="size-full wp-image-74892" height="440" src="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Day-12-We-left-the-Nieuw-Amsterdam-755x1024-e1346431249830.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Leaving Nieuw Amsterdam." width="325" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 11px; padding: 5px 4px;">
Leaving Nieuw Amsterdam.</div>
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We met our luggage in the cruise terminal. One of our suitcases had joined another “green” group, so we had to search a little bit longer for it.</div>
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The driver from One-Click Airport Transfer was already waiting for us. It was already very hot outside, but the van was air conditioned. After about fifteen minutes, we were at the Marco Polo Airport. We had already checked in online while we were in Split, so we only had to drop our luggage. That turned out to be easier said than done. The line for the KLM drop-off was huge. We stood in line for at least one hour. Fortunately, we had more than enough time but, already, we could feel that we were away from the great service of Holland America and had arrived in the real world again.</div>
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After one last Italian pizza we boarded the plane. We recognized a lot of passengers on the plane from Nieuw Amsterdam. Some were going back home to the Netherlands like us, but most of them were transferring to their final destination at Amsterdam Airport (Schiphol). At least that’s what they thought…</div>
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We were due to depart at 12:35 p.m. but we had a minor delay because not all the luggage had been loaded, but after 10 minutes we had our push-back to the runway. We had just arrived on the runway when the captain announced we had to return to the gate due to some technical difficulty. It was probably something with the air conditioning because it was terribly hot in the plane. After 20 minutes, the problem was resolved and we waited for the push-back car to get us to the runway again. We waited and waited, but no push-back car came. We could actually see one of those things standing close by, but it was probably siesta time. We just waited.</div>
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We waited for a long time, and all that time the plane was using fuel to keep the air conditioning going. The plane didn’t have enough fuel to reach Amsterdam anymore so we had to load fuel before we could fly. Another half an hour delay. We finally departed and arrived two hours late in Amsterdam (while the normal flight time is way under two hours). For the four of us it was just inconvenient, but almost all the transferring passengers had missed their connections. A disappointing ending of a wonderful vacation.</div>
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Yes, wonderful it was. We liked the cities we visited. We were impressed with the great food on Nieuw Amsterdam. We enjoyed the entertainment on board. Above all we really loved the service provided by the Holland America staff. We hope to return home to one of the HAL ships very soon!</div>
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This is our last post from this cruise. We hope you enjoyed reading about our trip. We look forward to reading your comments, and would like to read your own experiences cruising Holland America.</div>
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<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_74889" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 560px;">
<a href="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Day-12-Family-picture-1219x1280.jpg" style="color: #1e3666; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Family picture." class="size-full wp-image-74889" height="577" src="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Day-12-Family-picture-1219x1280-e1346431823495.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Family picture." width="550" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 11px; padding: 5px 4px;">
Family picture.</div>
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Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-22144618773902542262013-08-11T08:01:00.001-07:002013-08-11T08:01:19.584-07:00Nieuw Amsterdam 2012 - Split, Croatia<span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tonight we have to put our luggage in the hallway, so this morning we selected the clothes we are going to wear today and tomorrow. The rest is to be packed in our suitcases. Only 23 kilo’s per bag, so that took some weighing and repacking. Strange how your luggage weighs more on the way back. All those great experiences weigh a lot.</span></span><br />
<h2 class="headline" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #1e3666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Geneva;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4em;">Around 10:30 a.m., we took the tender ashore. There were some pretty high waves, so it was not a comfortable trip at all. But a good conversation with an Australian former headmaster made up for this. Amazing how many nice people you meet on these trips. The advantage of tendering ashore is that you usually arrive in the heart of the city. In</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4em;"> </span><a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/mediterranean-cruises?WT.mc_id=SM_HAB_MED" style="color: #b85b5a; line-height: 1.4em; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Split, Croatia</a><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4em;">, we walked right onto the Riva Boulevard. Beautiful, with lots of palm trees.</span></span></span></h2>
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<a href="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Day-11-Riva-Boulevard-681x1024.jpg" style="color: #1e3666; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Riva Boulevard" class="size-full wp-image-74807" height="488" src="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Day-11-Riva-Boulevard-681x1024-e1346267005448.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Day 11 Riva Boulevard (681x1024)" width="325" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 11px; padding: 5px 4px;">
Riva Boulevard.</div>
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We then entered the walled city, which is actually the Diocletian Palace. We were a bit disappointed. We were expecting something like Dubrovnik, Croatia. In our opinion, Split doesn’t come close. The city is nice, but really “overshopped.” You can hardly see the sights because of all the booths standing in front of them, all selling junk. In Split, tourism seems to prevail over history. That is not what we are used to at other UNESCO World Heritage sites. Perhaps we were just spoiled by all the beautiful things we had already seen. We checked out Peristyle Square with the St. Duje Cathedral and after that we tried to avoid streets with shops and wandered through the smaller alleys.</div>
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<a href="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Day-11-St-Duje-Kathedral-681x1024.jpg" style="color: #1e3666; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="St. Duje Cathedral. " class="size-full wp-image-74809" height="488" src="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Day-11-St-Duje-Kathedral-681x1024-e1346267477237.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Day 11 St Duje Kathedral (681x1024)" width="325" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 11px; padding: 5px 4px;">
St. Duje Cathedral.</div>
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This way we passed Zvonik sv. Arnira Bell Tower and arrived at the statue of Grgur Ninski (touching his golden toe is said to bring good luck), just outside the Golden Gate.</div>
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Statue of Grgur Ninski.</div>
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We also went up Marmontova street to the National Theater, which is colored bright yellow and a nice contrast to the clear blue skies.</div>
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Marmontova Street.</div>
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National Theater.</div>
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After walking back over Trg Republike we felt like returning to the ship.</div>
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Trg Republike.</div>
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There were nice activities in the Queens Lounge, swimming in the Lido and cocktails in the Crows Nest. Tomorrow at this time we will be back home. After dinner in the Manhattan Dining room, we ventured over to the showroom where Mark Donoghue was performing again. The responses to his first show were very positive, so he did an all new show on the violin, guitar, piano and using his nice voice. Now it’s time to label our suitcases for debarkation. Luckily we are in the “Green” group, leaving the ship as late as possible</div>
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Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-4103226200060896102013-08-11T07:59:00.002-07:002013-08-11T08:18:54.587-07:00Nieuw Amsterdam 2012 - Day at Sea<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4em;">The seas were a bit rough last night so</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4em;"> </span><a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-onboard/NieuwAmsterdam?WT.mc_id=SM_HALBlog_NADM" style="color: #b85b5a; line-height: 1.4em; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Nieuw Amsterdam</a><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4em;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4em;">gently rocked us to sleep. Today is a day at sea, so the list of activities offered on the ship is extremely long. The most difficult part is to choose what not to do.</span></span></span><br />
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Executive Chef Martin showed us how to prepare the soup we loved so much in Tamarind, as well as the filet mignon from the Manhattan Dining room that’s so tasty. The demonstration stimulated our appetite, so afterwards we went up to Tamarind for another excellent Asian lunch. We are so going to miss Tamarind. This venue should really be on all HAL-ships!</div>
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Also famous on every cruise ship are the towel animals. Holland America offers a workshop where you learn to make the animals yourself. That’s where the ladies went after lunch. We don’t have many pictures of the other activities today, so enjoy the pictures of the towel animals that the cabin stewards made for us each day.</div>
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Sunbathing on a sea day is particularly great because there is always a great cooling breeze when the ship is sailing. That makes lying in the sun much more comfortable and less transpiring then while in port. There is one disadvantage. Because of the breeze you might not notice you are actually getting a sunburn. Time for the aloe crème to do it’s job…</div>
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The mandatory debarkation information session was held this afternoon. That is when you actually realize that the cruise is coming to an end. They do try to make it look like a show, but the show element contained the usual jokes like the top 10 stupidest questions asked on a cruise ship. Same jokes as previously, like “what do you do with the ice sculptures after they melt” and “where is the elevator that takes me to the front of the ship”. They should try to make up new jokes at least once a year.</div>
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At 3 pm we went to another highlight: Indonesian High Tea served by the Indonesian staff and so delicious.</div>
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Later that afternoon we changed into our formal wear once again for the final formal night. It was also the dinner where the waiters and kitchen staff performed their goodbye-show. So nice that they are thanking us. However: All the thanks should go to them. They made our cruise fantastic with their great service and ever present friendly smiles.</div>
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Great entertainment tonight. In the Showlounge they performed “Live at the Avalon Ballroom”. Afterwards Cruise Director Dan hosted the wedding show. Really hilarious. It got quite late, but this night we cross the border between Greece and Croatia, so the clock is set back one hour. That means we get an extra hour of sleep before arriving in Split, Croatia.</div>
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Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998464865430990686.post-5608260438596186702013-08-11T07:57:00.004-07:002013-08-11T08:18:36.208-07:00Nieuw Amsterdam 2012 - Santorini, Greece<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4em;">Our phone rang with our wake-up call at precisely 7:30 a.m. After showering and a Lido breakfast we went to the Queens Lounge to get tender tickets. That went really smooth and there was no line so we didn’t even need tickets. We could just go to the tender and then ashore in</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4em;"> </span><a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/mediterranean-cruises?WT.mc_id=SM_HAB_MED" style="color: #b85b5a; line-height: 1.4em; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Santorini, Greece</a><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4em;">.</span></span></span><br />
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Port of Thira, Santorini.</div>
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Just as last year when we were on ms Noordam, there was a giant queue for the cable car to go up to Thira. Last year we hiked up and down the ridge. A pretty strenuous climb. You also have to be very careful because you share the path with herds of donkeys transporting the tourists up. I remember the moment when a donkey stepped on my foot, which wasn’t very pleasant. This year we didn’t go up. We wanted to visit the volcanic islands in the middle of the Santorini caldera. There was no shore excursion from Holland America going there, so we had pre-booked with a local company: Pelican Travel Services. We had some spare time between arriving by tender and sailing to the volcano. We had a drink in the port at the foot of the hill. At 11 a.m., we boarded the Albatross and sailed to the island Nea Kameni.</div>
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<a href="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Day-9-Chapel-in-Port-of-Thira-Santorini-682x1024.jpg" style="color: #1e3666; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Chapel in Port of Thira, Santorini." class="size-full wp-image-74672" height="487" src="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Day-9-Chapel-in-Port-of-Thira-Santorini-682x1024-e1346171542498.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Day 9 Chapel in Port of Thira, Santorini (682x1024)" width="325" /></a><br />
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Chapel in Port of Thira, Santorini.</div>
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Albatross.</div>
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There are seven craters on the island, one of which is still active. Part of the earth you are walking on is just a little over 60 years old, formed by the last eruption. Hot fumes are still coming out of some holes in the crater.</div>
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Nea Kameni crater.</div>
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<a href="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Rocks-on-Nea-Kameni-681x1024.jpg" style="color: #1e3666; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Rocks on Nea Kameni" class="size-full wp-image-74677" height="488" src="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Rocks-on-Nea-Kameni-681x1024-e1346171931917.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Rocks on Nea Kameni (681x1024)" width="325" /></a><br />
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Rocks on Nea Kameni.</div>
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Once we were on top we had a marvelous view over the whole caldera. The guide gave us some free time to look around and check out the craters. We could stay as long as we wanted, but we had to be back at the pier in 25 minutes or the Albatross would sail away. Oh, by the way: walking down takes about 25 minutes. So we had hardly any free time before rushing down. You don’t want to miss the boat. We took some hasty pictures on the way down and arrived at the Albatross in time.</div>
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View from Nea Kameni.</div>
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<a href="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Nieuw-Amsterdam-from-Nea-Kameni-1024x681.jpg" style="color: #1e3666; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Nieuw Amsterdam from Nea Kameni. " class="size-full wp-image-74685" height="365" src="http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Nieuw-Amsterdam-from-Nea-Kameni-1024x681-e1346172180822.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Nieuw Amsterdam from Nea Kameni (1024x681)" width="550" /></a><br />
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Nieuw Amsterdam from Nea Kameni.</div>
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We were in time, but most of the others were still climbing down. So we waited for over 20 minutes before sailing away. I wish we had spent these 20 minutes at the crater instead of waiting on the ship. Unfortunately we were too obedient I guess. After visiting the crater, we sailed to the hot springs on the smaller island Palea Kameni. You could dive from the boat and swim about 50 meters into the “cold” water to the hot springs. The water there is brownish in color because of the sulfur and is really much warmer than the blue water. They say that the mud has healing powers. We’ll see.</div>
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Jolanda, Kim and Rhodé returning from the hot springs.</div>
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At 3 p.m., we were back at the pier and ready to go to the Nieuw Amsterdam by tender. All in all, it was a very nice experience to visit the islands. Especially if you have been to Santorini before. It beats going up to Thira again. But this excursion was a bit too much “hurry up and wait.” I would recommend that Holland America add this excursion to their collection. Then you can leave from the ship without transferring at the port. Also take more time, because three hours is not enough to fully enjoy the magnificent sites. You can easily spend four to five hours. But even though it was a bit of a hasty experience, we wouldn’t have missed this. It was great to be on an active volcano and swim in the hot springs.</div>
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Back on the ship and after showering the salt and sulfur off our skin and hair, we relaxed again with the usual recipe. The kids in the Lido pool, the parents in the Crows Nest sipping piña coladas. Sailing out of the Santorini caldera was beautiful again. They opened the forward bow on “our” deck 5 again — the best spot on the ship. After dinner we went to see the Comedian Tom Sutton. He had a bit of a slow start, but after a while he was absolutely hilarious. Later that evening they had karaoke in the Queens Lounge. A chance to sing together with Shanty and the HALCats. Kim and Rhodé where the first ones to perform. Together with their friends Ella and Kayla, they sang ABBA’s Dancing Queen. Not even that bad.</div>
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Later that evening the chefs presented their famous desert extravaganza that included huge pies and delicious pastries. The event was hosted by Holland America’s Master Chef Rudy Sodamin himself. He is ultimately responsible for the quality of the food on all HAL ships and we must say that he does an excellent job!</div>
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Joost van Driessenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04666643842353829926noreply@blogger.com0