I am having a problem downloading photos.Only a couple of the last lot took.I am going to download some of Lisbon but if you don't see any you'll know that the problem is still there.The internet is excruciatingly slow.I log in and the page disappears and I have to redo it all over again.
I may be able to write another blog or maybe not.I'll see how things go with the packing.
I am really anxious to get home now.145 days is a bit too much,although it has been very interesting.
Fri.May 27. Docked in Barcelona.This is a very large port and there were several large ships docked.We saw our sister ship,the Mariner docked.We had a quick tour of the city,leaving the bus to see the famous church designed by Gaudi,Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family)He died in 1926 and his work is now being recognised.He designed many buildings in the city,all very ornate.The church is unfinished and is taken over by a contemporary of Gaudi who is adding the back in a simpler style.It wont be finished for decades.It is quite extraordinary looking.
What a time I'm having with this blog.I wrote about the two days in Jerusalem and it wasn't saved so I had to rewrite it.There is also a problem with the pictures.I write down the numbers but often different pictures are reduced.I may have to limit the number of pictures I get reduced for the blog.I'll have to think about packing soon and I dread this.
Times of arrival in various ports and excursions have been changed so we don't always know what's going on until almost the last moment.
Day 2 Fri May 20.We left the hotel at 7:30am,drove through the Judean desert and Jordan valley to Tabgha where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes.We saw the Mount of Beatitudes in the distance where the Sermon on the Mount was preached. We saw the Sea of Galilee which is quite a resort area.We had lunch in Galilee then went to Yardenit wherethe River Jordan separates from Galilee and where Jesus was baptized.Many people come here to be baptized.
Tue.May 17 At 6am we entered the Suez Canal.It is now 2:30 here and we will reach Port Said in about half an hour.We will stay until evening to pick up the people who flew to Cairo from Luxor.They will be exhausted.This was an expensive trip but these were people who had never been to Egypt and didn't want to pass up the opportunity to see the Pyramids.Some just went on a long day trip to Luxor,3hrs there and 3hrs back and then visiting all the temples.They couldn't see everything and even that was expensive.
We arrive in Ashdod,Israel tomorrow and the next day those of us on the world cruise have our complimentary overnight in Jerusalem.We will have 2 full days and will rejoin the ship in Haifa on the 20th
We have had Israeli soldiers on board for some days now.They are not in uniform and are inconspicuous.They walk the deck with binoculars.They don't show any weapons but I know they have them.I feel really safe with them on board.
Security was strict in Egypt and I expect it will be more so in Israel.