Marseille

Thurs.May 26 Docked in Marseille.The old port was founded by the Greeks in 600 BC and now is only for small boats.There are so many it looks like a parking lot.One large boat is a restaurant

Boats in old port of Marseille

There is a free ferry which goes from one side to the other.There are many high rises and new construction.Notre Dame de le Garde Basilica sits on La Garde hill,a former lookout.

Notre Dame de la Garde

I took the tour "Marseille Highlights and Cassis"We were driven to Cassis,a popular resort town.We had to take a little train as the bus could not negociate the narrow streets winding down to the town.The train stopped above the town as it couldn't go further and we walked the rest of the way.There was a nice beach and little streets off the main square with lots of cafes.

I had a cup of coffee at one cafe and then we returned to the ship.A fairly relaxing day.

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.

Sagrada Familia

We were driven to Torres winery where saw a film about the founding in 1870.The 5th generation have a winery in Chile and one in California.They don't use pesticides or fertilizer and support the environment.The top of their cellar,which is barely higher than ground level,is painted white to reflect heat.We got into a little train which took us around the vineyard and then into a dark building where we had a display on a wall of rotating slides and these were shown through three simulated porticos.
The train then took us into the cask area with hundreds of casks on their sides and finally into the bottling area.
We returned to the main building for a tasting and then back to the ship.
We had a surprise event after dinner,a flamenco performance by a man and two women,
in the theatre.A wonderful show with several changes of costume.
Tomorrow we are in Malaga.

Marseille, France