Our stops along the way were to be Madeira-Tenerife-Lanzarote-Malaga before returning to Barcelona.
I had never been to Lanzarote believe it or not and had always wanted to see it . I love Madeira so this would be my third time there.
After departing Barcelona we has two lovely relaxing days at sea so this is where I will commence part 2 :
Gareth and I decided to attend a Q&A with the Finnish Captain we christened him ''Cruising Finn'' . Yes P we thought of you lol...
He answered alot of questions about the ship and also touched on the Costa Concordia disaster being very careful with his words. Gareth asked him some technical questions and got a good response.
After an hour it was time to explore the ship some more. Just as we left and were in the atrium I realised I had lost my iPhone ! I suddenly realised I had left it on the seat in the lounge during the talk. I could feel the sick sensation rising as Gareth quickly ran back to the lounge to see if it was still there. I knew it was very touch and go if I would ever see it again and feared the worst.
Just then Gareth came running back with it and I was so glad . I could now relax again . Thanks Gareth
Plenty of things to do onboard :
Pool BBQ :
Time for a snack
After a lazy day we decided to visit the Moderno for dinner . We were promised a unique dining experience.
Basically it is a Brazillian style steakhouse and they keep coming round with all these different meats. You have a card . One side Green one Side Red. When you had enough you turn it over to Red.
Anyway after doing the meal as much justice as we could it was time to turn the card to red and roll out
We then decided to get some sleep ready for the next days arrival in Madeira .
We arrived early and the port was a familiar site to us as we had ended our last cruise there the previous year.
Gareth and I decided to do our own thing rather then take expensive tours. So we got up had breakfast and made our way off the ship.
We decided to take the cable car first as we knew that would become busy later .
Some previous visitors .
The TAP office :
Lovely views of the ship . We got speaking to a couple who were in the car with us and it turns out he was a BMI Diamond Club member. He said he had alot of miles in his account so we advised him to use them ASAP
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24896 posts, RR: 60 Reply 1, posted (1 year 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 4666 times:
The lovely Botanical Gardens.
One of my favourite photos :
The famous rides but not for us this time , I had done it before anyway .
Time to take the cable car back down .
We had a stroll around the streets and came across this model shop with some very interesting models.
The TAP office again with a very nice model :
Our next task was an idea of mine and it was to take afternoon tea at the famous Reids Palace. So we took a short walk to it passing some nice places along the way .
The imposing building :
Lovely entrance to the hotel :
Lovely terrace with amazing views :
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24896 posts, RR: 60 Reply 2, posted (1 year 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 4658 times:
We decided to start of with some bubbles
Followed by a nice combo of tea and treats :
After a lovely relaxing time at Reids Palace we were offered a free shuttle back to downtown which we accepted.The carnival celebrations were well under way by that time .
We had a look around before walking back to the ship .
Soon it was time to leave Funchal and passing some nice views of the airport as we left :
That night we didnt do much took in a show and dinner then went to get some sleep .
The next port of call was Tenerife
Gareth and I had originally planned a day at the beach but due to bad weather conditions we decided to hop on the bus to TFN to have a look around .
The bus was cheap enough :
Some construction work . Anyone know whats being built ?
Quite a sad sight !
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24896 posts, RR: 60 Reply 3, posted (1 year 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 4656 times:
An interesting route :
After an interesting visit and another Airport off my list it was time to take the bus back to town and head to the ship .
Air Europa heading into land :
Goodbye Tenerife :
That night Gareth wanted to try the Italian restaurant. Im not that fussed of Italian food but enjoyed it all the same. The Tiramisu was the highlight for me
The next morning it was Lanzarote and an old Celebrity ship now kitted out for the Germans.
We had pre booked a hire car for here as we wanted to drive around the Island and visit the Aviation Museum at ACE.
After a while we arrived at ACE :
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24896 posts, RR: 60 Reply 9, posted (1 year 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 4594 times:
That night it was my favourite the steakhouse.
The next day was the end of the cruise and arrival into Barcelona port. We decided to get a transfer to the airport drop our bags then head back into the city. We disembarked the ship early saying goodbye to the crew and other passengers we had made friends with.
The trasnfer to BCN was quick and we dropped our bags at left luggage . We then took the bus to the Plaza Catalunya and we were exploring the city. Somewhere very well known to me .
Samsung were displaying their latest smartphone and they had artists drawing the public then putting them into T Shirts. It was also the mobile world trade fair that week .
A trip to a favourite place of mine :
Then we decided to have lunch at a place I have been to a few times before :
After a while time to head to the Pasage De Gracia to Nespresso where I wanted to buy some things.
You know your in Barcelona
Soon it was time to head back on the bus to BCN :
We arrived at the airport and got our bags in Terminal 2 before making our way to Terminal 1 . There is no left luggage in Terminal 1 . We checked in and then made our way to the VIP lounge :
The lounge was basic but ample. The lady on the desk was very pleasant and welcoming .
So thats the end of this part guys . I hope you have enjoyed thus far. The next part will concentrate on the Aer Lingus experience back to Dublin . It was too many photos to put in this one
I look forward to your comments and questions as usual.
Thanks for taking the time to read and post I really do appreciate it.
Regards
OA260 / Philip
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
gpbcroppers63 From Ireland, joined Jan 2008, 511 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 4534 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 11): The ship was built in 1995, it's not that old. It has been refurbished and offers a high level of comfort.
I think Philip meant that it was an ex-Celebrity ship rather than an old ship. She's actually still owned by Celebrity and the TUI Cruises operation is a joint venture between Celebrity (or more specifically, their parent company Royal Caribbean) and TUI. If you want to see an old TUI ship, you should have seen the Thomson cruise ship that was docked behind us. Any pictures Philip?
According to one of my colleagues, my problem is that I'm addicted to travel!
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24896 posts, RR: 60 Reply 13, posted (1 year 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 4515 times:
Quoting gpbcroppers63 (Reply 10): The second part of the adventure has arrived. Another great report of our cruise Philip. Seeing all of the food again is making me hungry. Lol!!
Hey Gareth glad you liked it . Brought back memories too . Was a fab trip .
Hey Udo many thanks. Hope you are feeling better ?
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 11): The ship was built in 1995, it's not that old. It has been refurbished and offers a high level of comfort.
Yes I meant ''old'' as to was in the Celebrity fleet. I love these size of ships and Im sure it still looks nice inside. The German tourists seem to expect and get a better standard than their UK counterparts. ( see below )
Quoting gpbcroppers63 (Reply 12): I think Philip meant that it was an ex-Celebrity ship rather than an old ship. She's actually still owned by Celebrity and the TUI Cruises operation is a joint venture between Celebrity (or more specifically, their parent company Royal Caribbean) and TUI. If you want to see an old TUI ship, you should have seen the Thomson cruise ship that was docked behind us. Any pictures Philip?
Yes you were right Gareth . You know your ships too lol...
The UK Butlins at sea you mean ? God that was dreadful. Im surprised it made it out of port LOL...
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
Apparently, quite a lot of Tenerifians (?) emigrated to Venezuela during the Franco era.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 4): We arrived early and the two staff who were there said they would open early for us and to give them a few minutes. Shortly after we were welcomed.
Very kind of them.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 6): Quite a few spotters around :
Looks like a nice spot to get up close and personal with the planes!
Quoting OA260 (Reply 8): Malaga was the next port of call. We didnt do much there so just a few photos :
How long did you have? The city centre is quite nice.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 9): Samsung were displaying their latest smartphone
Just replaced with the Galaxy S3
The cruise looks great, one day maybe when our children are older. Shame my wife gets airsick / seasick!
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 15, posted (1 year 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 4341 times:
Ah, you got all the way to the lounge, but then didn't include the plane! So close yet so far! Nice report anyway Phil, the cruise looked nice, although I'm not sure I'd like to get on/off the boat into port with thousands of opther day trippers at the same time - I like to do my own thing in peace!
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): Just as we left and were in the atrium I realised I had lost my iPhone ! I suddenly realised I had left it on the seat in the lounge during the talk. I could feel the sick sensation rising as Gareth quickly ran back to the lounge to see if it was still there. I knew it was very touch and go if I would ever see it again and feared the worst.
Just then Gareth came running back with it and I was so glad . I could now relax again . Thanks Gareth
auntie From Ireland, joined Jan 2009, 144 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (1 year 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 4312 times:
Awww Philip, your pics from Lanzarote made me sad!! I am not long back from there and counting down the weeks til I return later in the year. I would definitely recommend you go back for a week. Glad you took in some spotting at the beach too, it really has everything down there at the end of the runway; planes, sea & sun!!!! I always find it hard to tear myself away from there!
I've also been lucky enough to visit the tower at ACE but for some reason never checked out the museum - next time definitely!!! Also will make sure and check out that hotel in Playa Blanca - love the pool shot!! Did you just go in and walk around? Nice wheels BTW
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 720 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (1 year 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 4293 times:
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): After a while time to head to the Pasage De Gracia to Nespresso
I saw one of these shops in Nice at the weekend and wondered what it was all about - although i had a splitting headache so didn't really feel like investigating.
great as usual, though no flights plenty of plane pictures to keep the purists happy
Hey there , haha yeah well it was part of a greater trip and the flight would have added another 100 pics so you know me . Im always being accused of being a server crasher lol... Its actually not like me to split up reports so please forgive me purists
Quoting signol (Reply 14): Good that it was still there, lucky noone took it.
Yes I know you cant imagine the relief. Shelling out another EUR550 would be tough .
Quoting signol (Reply 14): Could you turn it to red for a breather, then back to green for some more, or depending on what meat was going round next?
Yes you could. There were some meats I didnt like.
Quoting signol (Reply 14): Notice no Playa las Americas, Los Cristianos, or TFS on the map!
Haha not missing much then
Quoting signol (Reply 14): Apparently, quite a lot of Tenerifians (?) emigrated to Venezuela during the Franco era.
Oh that explains the random flight.
Quoting signol (Reply 14): Just replaced with the Galaxy S3
Congrats , Im hearing good things about it .
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 15): Ah, you got all the way to the lounge, but then didn't include the plane! So close yet so far! Nice report anyway Phil, the cruise looked nice, although I'm not sure I'd like to get on/off the boat into port with thousands of opther day trippers at the same time - I like to do my own thing in peace!
I know Still more to come . I like to do my own thing too unless it makes sense to take a tour due to it being hard to do on your own . No prob for you though Mr Adventure
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 15): I'd love to fly that, although I've not hearch much nice stuff about Caracas itself.
Yeah well I now challenge you to do it I want to see a TR on it
Quoting auntie (Reply 16): Awww Philip, your pics from Lanzarote made me sad!! I am not long back from there and counting down the weeks til I return later in the year. I would definitely recommend you go back for a week.
Hi thanks for the reply. I loved Lanzarote it was alot nicer than I thought it would be . Will certainly go back .
Quoting auntie (Reply 16): Also will make sure and check out that hotel in Playa Blanca - love the pool shot!! Did you just go in and walk around? Nice wheels BTW
My Boss did just that after I came back and told her about it . She went for dinner one night and enjoyed the entertainment and they were happy for them to be there. I guess money is money in this climate.
Yes we just walked in as if we knew the place and nothing was said .
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 17): I saw one of these shops in Nice at the weekend and wondered what it was all about - although i had a splitting headache so didn't really feel like investigating.
Well next time you can sample it . I couldnt live without my Nespresso fix in the mornings . Shame you had a headache when I get them it stops me doing everything .
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
The ship looks nice, love the food especially, that steak looked great, however I'm not sure it's my kind of thing really, too many people in close proximity.
Loved the day trips around the various islands and the airport/spotting stops, good to see planes
What did you think of Malaga on your brief stop? - thinking of treating Mrs BA319-131 to a long weekend there at the end of September, I think we will need a few days warmth away before the cold and likely wet winter......
I'd love to fly that, although I've not hearch much nice stuff about Caracas itself.
I went there when i was 9 on a Viasa DC10. Definitely an interesting place, although not in a bad way. Only things i really remember were that it was stupidly hot and the taxis being very similar to Fred Flinstone's car!
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24896 posts, RR: 60 Reply 21, posted (1 year 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 4040 times:
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 19): Great read and super pictures as usual Philip, thanks for posting - still need to find time to read the 1st in the series!
Hi Mark and thanks
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 19): however I'm not sure it's my kind of thing really, too many people in close proximity.
Well there are private villas with private pools etc.. so maybe that would suit. Or maybe Holland America would be more formal. So many lines. I love Silversea for a small intimate non mass market ship .
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 19): What did you think of Malaga on your brief stop? - thinking of treating Mrs BA319-131 to a long weekend there at the end of September, I think we will need a few days warmth away before the cold and likely wet winter......
Loved it very nice city and well worth it . The best weather that week too . I know how you feel its starting to become depressing .
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 20): I went there when i was 9 on a Viasa DC10.
WOW that would have been a cool trip ! Always wanted to fly them never got the chance.
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24896 posts, RR: 60 Reply 23, posted (1 year 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 3630 times:
Quoting Bananaboy (Reply 22): Yet another great set of photos - very interesting. The Churrascaria looked great - I gather it's the most popular additional-cost restaurant for NCL.
Hey Mark thanks alot . Im not surprised by that I would have done it twice had we had time during the cruise.
Quoting Bananaboy (Reply 22): Nice touch too - they put the guest name on the TV! That's attention to detail.
Now if only I had a Euro ...err no make it Sterling For everytime I heard that I would be in a Villa next time lol..
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6190 posts, RR: 79 Reply 24, posted (1 year 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 3550 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 13): Hope you are feeling better ?
Hi Phil, yes indeed.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 13): Yes I meant ''old'' as to was in the Celebrity fleet. I love these size of ships and Im sure it still looks nice inside. The German tourists seem to expect and get a better standard than their UK counterparts. ( see below )
Alright, that was a misunderstanding. Btw - my brother has booked a cruise on one of the "Mein Schiff" vessels, so I will find out more about the products and services on board soon.
PH
[Edited 2012-05-18 07:49:30]
Nothing's worse than flying the same reg twice!
25 OA260: Hey Udo , Thats interesting and I would be very interested to see some photos of inside the ship so if you can post some that would be great
26 flightsimboy: Mr OA260 just what do you do for a living, which makes me truly say "Be it the land, the air or the sea, there you will find Philip"....What a life yo
27 Quokkas: Hi Phil, A great conclsuion to your trip report. Nice to see how you managed to include visits to airports and aviation museums on a cruise. Kudos. Gr
28 roberts87: Nice report! Madeira is definately on my to visit list, both as an aviation enthousiast, but also for the wonderful islands it self. Too bad the weath
29 Sultanils: Hi Phil my friend, Nice story but I miss the planes Promise me you will show it all in your next one. Still, I'm quite impressed what one can find on
30 OA260: Hey there thanks for the reply. Well Im just living a modest life really with a modest job but Im careful with my money and careful where I spend it
31 MSS658: Hi Philip Great trip report, thanks for sharing. Always amazing how much you can do on a boat like that. Nice pics of ACE and TFN as well. Greetings M
32 adamspotter: Hi Phillip, Nice to see part 2 online and another excellent report! Gret pictures of the cruiseship and Madeira! Nice spotting pictures of TFN and ACE
33 FlyingFinn76: Hi Phil, Another exhausting report - the sheer number of photos is quite overwhelming. Again it took me around four days to comb through it all, but I
34 gpbcroppers63: Lol!! We'll have to be more careful of how we desigante people in the future. There is wi-fi on the ships but it's certainly not free. They generally
35 The777Man: Hi Philip! Thanks for a very nice report with nice pictures ! Food looks very nice on the ship especially the churrascurria. Nice that you were able t
36 FLIEGER67: Hey, Phil, you show us a really good impression about the cruise and surroundings. Well done. Looking for the next part now. Greetings, Markus(FLIEGER
37 deltamartin: Hello Philip! Nice second part of the tripreport. Seems like you had a pleasant cruise. I liked the Pictures of Madeira, which is a place I'd love to
38 OA260: Hey Marc Yes I love it when the ship goes to places that have aviation interests too . Hi Brendan, thanks for the reply. Yes ACE was a really nice su
39 airbuseric: Great report and pics Philip. Like being cruising with you on that beautiful ship! Lanzarote is sure a nice place to go. Did 2 holidays on the island
40 akhmad: My friend Philip, I cannot help it, but Enya’s “Book of Days” has become the background music while I am sailing away along your magnificent tri
41 OA260: Hey Suryo Haha yes I can hear it now . I know a panic moment indeed. Who knows , dont think it was him though I think the ex Pat explanation of Tener
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