My apologies, so many ports, one after another and 2 of my grandchildren + their Mum and Dad on board has left me with little time to write. We are in Porto, Portugal today and I’m playing catch-up, not only with the blog but paperwork in general. Rather than no post at all, I thought that a photography content is faster and easier, so here we go.
The Messina Straits
The Straits of Messina, lying between mainland Italy and the island of Sicily
The pilot for the Straits, boards, at 17 knots!
Messina
Mainland to Sicily ferries
Naples (and the family board)
Vesuvius in the sunrise
The port ahead
Liz, Lawrence, Karen, Violet and Lois, (taking a nap). In the background the market stalls in the square
Karen sampling a stall-holder’s cheese selection
Barcelona
Columbus statue
La Rambla, the main boulevard.
La Boqueria market
Enjoying lunch in the market
In my case, my favourite, grilled sardines
At the aquarium, the children feeding fish
Cadiz
The central market, in which lies…….
Easter weekend and relics are paraded around the Old Town; officials garbed in white and purple hoods, it looked very macabre
Violet and Lois on an Easter-egg hunt on board
Then onto Lisbon and the family have to disembark, we are heartbroken, the time has gone so quickly..
In the Tagus river, Lisbon ahead
A memorial to the dead of WW 1
So to Porto, or Leixos as it is known. A Maiden call for us, the first time the Amsterdam has called. An exchange of gifts from the Port authorities and ourselves, another plaque to mount on the bulkhead. Karen is ashore, (hoping she takes some photos). We have ‘President’s Week; having joined us in Barcelona, the VIPs stay with us until Amsterdam. Dinners, presentations and revelry are the order of the day.
Wow! Your pictures are fantastic and fun to see the family. Looks like a good time had by all! It was really fun to remember the cities from my trip on board the Amsterdam.
Good luck with the VIP’s and happy early birthday!
Hugs to all!
Great to see the family Johnny, they’re looking well.
Happy B for the 28th!
You appear to have scored some ACE parking spots!!!
Wonderful armchair tour of ports of the Med…Brought back a lot of memories of other HAL cruises – most recently there on the Koningsdam.
Just delighted for you that you could spend that time with your family. All best
Always enjoy the pix,one if your cruisers takes so many and they to are nice but like postage stamps.
I guess family comes on board when they have a chance to see another part of Europe while dad moves the boat around the world👍
Oh my grandkids are growing so quickly
My son & his wife are on the Prinsendam in Naples today having missed Ponza due to rough seas. I’m saving these pictures for them to see when they return.
Have not heard from Heidi Z. I’m sure she is enjoying MSC, but misses all on board the Amsterdam.
Hi Captain,
Welcome to my hometown of Porto. I was already by the port saluting thee Amsterdam (although I have only stepped inside the sisters Rotterdam and Volendam). Too bad you did not have the time to experience my city: eagerly waiting to see it through K photos. Usually the port posts aerial (drone) footage of significant visits at the Facebook page. Will post the link if there is any. Fair winds for the remainder of the journey.
Vasco
The grand kids are darlings. Nice photos as always Captain. I was a wondering what had happened to you – but duty and family were calling you. Safe travels.
Wonderful to see you and your family.