DAY 4---CADIZ, SPAIN

                                 BEST TO CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM

CADIZ

BACKGROUND INFO:
  

        Last night around 2am we passed through the Strait of Gibraltar which is 9 miles wide at its narrowest part and connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.  On one side is Spain and on the other is Morocco in Africa.  Ferries cross between the two continents every day in as little as 35 minutes.  Our Captain said that 200 ships pass through the strait daily.   

        Today we are in the port city of Cadiz.  It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Spain having been founded in 1100 BC by the Phoenicians.  It is the home port for the Spanish navy and has remained one of Spain’s main ports for almost 1000 years.  There is a United States air base nearby, Mor'on.  It was used during the Gulf War and also Afghanistan.  Like many other countries in the EU (European Union) Spain has economic and financial issues.  Employment is 35%.  Seville, Spain’s 4th largest city, is located just 90 miles north so some of the ship’s excursions today will be to tour it.  This is our 5^th time to visit the Port of Cadiz.

LAST EVENING

        The Block Party started 10 minutes late for some reason.  Got to meet our neighbors.  One couple is from South Africa.  Captain Ubaldo was not with GM & Cruise Director making the rounds greeting everyone.  Since everyone was on board he departed the port early so was busy on the bridge.

        After the block party we decided to skip the Meridian Lounge and headed on up to Sette Mari for dinner.  Rey had a nice window table waiting for us.

                                                         Again smooth seas last night.

             A pleasant surprise as Andreas was our waiter.  We have known him since 2010.

                      Kadek had this nice Italian red wine selected for our Italian dinner.

         I told you the veal parmesan would be huge!  We shared it and the spaghetti.  It was just the way I like it and delicious.

        After dinner we returned to our suite.  I decided to go to the show at 9:30.  Rebecca did not want to go so stayed home.  Duo Esencias was entertainers.  They had been on "Spain's Got Talent" tv show.  He was a classical violinist and she was a Flamenco dancer.  Again I was on the front row and got these photos.  Sorry they are not better.  I enjoyed their show.

                                        

TODAY

        We were already docked when we opened the balcony drapes at 7:30.  I went down to Coffee Connection to get Rebecca an Americano coffee as usual.  Room service came early so was here when I returned.  

        View from our balcony.  This is a river boat.  There is a river a ways north of here that runs up through Seville.

        

        Other side of the ship looking down at the tour buses and terminal.  There is a gate so you can walk right into the city.  I plan on doing that.

                                                                  This is view of city.

        I went up on the sports deck again this morning for a half hour fast walk.  It a very pleasant temperature outside this morning.  It was so nice I decided to walk into the city for some photos.

                 First thing I noticed was the dock was totally covered with leftover bird do-do.

                                                                  Tree covered sidewalk

        Not sure who the statue was of but poor guy had a pigeon sitting on his head.  When I came back by on way to the ship there were 2 pigeons there.

                                                                      Pretty green bird

                                                                     Interesting tree

                                                   Outdoor small shops on the sidewalk

                                                                         City Hall

                                                      Lots of outdoor cafes/restaurants

                                                       The side streets were very narrow

                                                                Cathedral de Cadiz

                                                                     Merry-go-round

                                                                 Lots of motor bikes

                       Entrance to one of the biggest fresh fish markets I have ever seen.

          There were 4 long rows in the building with different vendors selling very fresh fish.

                                Some of the fish were looking at me!  I think one even winked.

                                                                 Look at these prawns

                                                  Couple fresh fruit and vegetable stands

                           On the outside there were some food stands but most not open yet.

        Here comes a Regent tour group.  I was several on my walk.  You can tell as the guide is holding a Regent sign with the tour group number.  I saw quite a few other foreign tour groups also.  I'm heading back to the ship now.

                              You can't tell what this is unless you click on it to enlarge.

                                                  Yes, and there is also a McDonalds also.

        In summary of my walk in Cadiz, I would say it is a very clean city.  I did see a few vagrants sleeping or begging.  Believe me, smoking is alive and well here.  I say more women smoking, however, than men.  It was a nice hour off the ship.

                                                                           My home!!

        There 4 lifeboats on each side of the ship.  Above is capacity of each.  They also have inflatable life rafts for the crew.  Full capacity of the ship is 746 passengers and 546 crew.

                                              View of Cadiz during lunch up in La Veranda.

        For my lunch I had:   my usual anchovies & stilton blu cheese, turkey schnitzel, braised beef, and a Spanish fried fish.

                                                     We have cruised with Anthony also.

        This afternoon I went down to Deck 4 for photos of what is on that deck.  So below are photos of the boutiques, casino, Splendor Lounge, and Compass Rose.

                          The 3 boutique shops are very large.  Cannot be open when in ports.

                                       The Splendor Lounge is just outside of Compass Rose.

                                                                       Casino

         Entrance to Compass Rose, the main restaurant.  It is same name on all of Regent's ships. 

                                                Just entered.  Hostess stand in fore ground.

                                                             Left side after entering

                                                                         Right side

        Tonight's Compass Rose menu.  It is a good one as we like the stir-fry, chicken Kiev, and the farfalle pasta with shrimp.  Decisions-Decisions!!  Will start with the creamy corn and pablano chili soup.

Deserts:  the malva pudding and apple tarte are both great.  The three below are available every night.

        We will be sailing again at 7pm (well probably earlier if all on board).  Tomorrow is a day at sea.  Hopefully it will be smooth.  We'll be going to the show at 9:30 as it is a production cast show, "Divos & Divas".  It is a older show and seen it several times on the other ships but want to see this cast of singers and dancers.