October 14, 2024

CADIZ, SPAIN! My second time here - think it was Mardi Gras 2008 last time?

View from my Balcony this morning! Such an easy access port. We literally walk across the street and right in the heart of town! Most Cities are considerable distance from port. We were off right after breakfast and tried a new app GuruWalk for free walking tours. Just tip guide what ever you like when tour done. Was fun doing with several other residents.

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Walking tour was 1.5 hours and Danny gave us lots of insights, history and tidbits. Loved resourcefulness of reusing French Cannons as bollards / corner guards. The Tsunami in Cadiz was same one that hit Lisbon ( we just heard about 2 days ago) ;  killing over 1000 in Lisbon, but only 40 in Cadiz due to Mary's intersession. Also found out that all the cobble stones we were walking over was the ballast that was inside all the ships when they initially came to Spain and had to unload to take there bounties home. Again smart recycling! Church was made of Limestone and crushed Oyster shells! if you live inside walled city you say your from Cadiz; if live outside walls say Cadiz Cadiz and if further out Cadiz Cadiz Cadiz. According to Danny used all the time for distinction. Couple more shots as I made my way back to ship, late lunch on back deck and Pickleball.

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    Local Candy Shop

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    Another shot of Cathedral

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    Entry to town, Founder statue

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    Suspension bridge as we left port

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TERNATE, INDONESIA

By Patricia Patrick • October 13, 2025
Ternate, Indonesia, which is both the name of the city and island, and is part of the Maluku Islands in eastern Indonesia. It is a port that sees maybe 3 Cruise ships a year. However, they really made an effort to show us the best of what they can offer. It's mainly a Muslim country, and we knew we had to dress discretely, but we knew little else. We didn't have our typical port talk prior, due to a technical issue with the AV equipment. Ben a fellow resident, organized an island tour, with about 8 stops, for 90 of us residents.

CEBU, PHILIPPINES

By Patricia Patrick • October 10, 2025
Cebu greeted our Ship with a big warm welcome, despite having just been rocked by a major Earthquake, days before our arrival. The Minister of Tourism arrived with a motorcade and she proceeded to chat with the residents and thank us, for all our support.

PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES

By Patricia Patrick • October 2, 2025
Today we were Cave explorers! We went to the one of UNESCO newly classified 7 NEW WONDERS OF NATURE - The Puerto Princesa Underground River.