At Sea

So we are sleeping in virtual hammocks, or outer space, every night now as we cross the Atlantic.

I don't know if you can see the comparative height of the waves that we are going through, but we heard they were 4 meters yesterday.  And the captain was really glad about that.  He said it would be an easy crossing this time...

We are on the 8th level and we get a little salt on the deck.

At night we can feel the boat moving through the waves.  One moment we feel lifted up out of the bed, like we are weightless.  Then we sink back into the mattress and fall asleep.

I have slept like a baby though.  All through the night. Except for the outer space moment now and then!

We notice that the best walkers on these rocky days are the babies.  

Today is a nice, sunny, Simpson's clouds day. ( nerd reference there)

Here's where we'll spend the day; Tony's writing and I'm  off to get my paints!

Home soon!

Tiles

OK, I can't help it.

Here is a post of the tiles and facades we walked past in Lisbon.

Enjoy!!

No tile, but fabulous facade!

This one includes staples!

Tony's fixer.

And dis guy is your bonus! 💝

Lisbon

Decenber 8th, 2023

Day 95 of this journey. 

We got another day to visit Lisbon!

I will give you a short tour, dear Reader, since I already lost one post.  Ha!  Maybe I need to be less exuberant...

These are my favorite tiles out of about a gazillion I took pictures of.

I couldn't pick my favorite sidewalk.

But a heart helped.

We all wish for peace.  Has this been a hope for my whole lifetime?

#ceasefire

This is truly a city on a hill.  All the way uphill.  The Santa Justa Lift helps a bit.

Twenty people at a time going up, fifteen going down.  All for about $6, including your wait time.

We followed the bubbles to city center.

The whole tree is pretty fabulous.

The Arco de Triunfo.   Someone won a war here.

The ever dependable sea gull.

And the victorious elephant.

We were serenaded.

And had a delicious meal of local sardines.

We reminisced about our time last year in our favorite neighborhood,  the Alfama.

 As we sailed out, we passed a march for peace in Gaza.

We sailed away past the Belém Tower, grateful for another opportunity to visit this city.

Goodbye for now, Lisbon!

We now have 6 days at sea to return home.  

Livorno

December 3, 2023

Day 90..I think.

Today we stayed in this little port City and searched for this walkway.

Mary and family welcomed us into the port.

Also Nutella.

We encountered pirates.

A cool fort.

A statue of someone important. 

On the widest bridge we have ever seen.

In the background was the most interesting building.

At first we thought it was being repaired.  Then we thought it was a map.  What do you think??

We found a fascinating synagogue.

But, of course, there were no public tours.

So we stopped for lunch to try and figure out where the 1920's waterfront promenade was.

We have had such great fish on this trip!!

We found it!  I imagine it's a summer hangout.  There is lots of space for beach chairs and bars.

It was great to have another sunny day!

Barcelona 4

December 5

Day 91

Wow!  This city never disappoints!

Last trip we got to see the fantastic hillside cemetery. 

This trip I got to go to Casa Batlló.   The home that Gaudi remodeled in upscale Barcelona.

It's an amazing work.  

The tour begins with a peek into Gaudi's brain.

You can see him sleeping with a pencil in hand on the right. The exhibit showed how nature and architecture blended to influence him.

There is an entryway staircase that just flows.

Gaudi manages to make solid surfaces fluid.  That banister is one piece of wood.

Mr. Batlló's study.  Gold leaf on the reptile pattern wall paper and a little fireplace nook.

The staircase is also fantastic.  The smaller openings on the left are for ventilation throughout the home.

Here is a lovely desk on the way to the living room.

The view over the street.

The living quarters.

They are doing renovations.  Wouldn't that be a cool job??

The servant's area is on the top floor.  It's very calming up here. You'd better not forget anything....because I think this is the 6th floor.

The guide said that these arches are a main support of the house.

Then you get to the roof, which just made me cry.  

This dragon back provides supports for the house and is also awesome.

It is very thoughtful to have a coffee bar there!

It was the perfect day.  I walked back to the ship on La Rambla street.

This is becoming another comfortable and welcoming city for me.  I've grown to love it.