Our Travels: TRANSATLANTIC CROSSING CRUISE, NOV. 29, 2009

Nov. 28-29, 2009 - Overnight in Galveston, Flight Houston to Amsterdam then to Barcelona, Spain.
We began this adventure with an overnight flight from Houston, TX Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS), and after a short layover then flew on to Barcelona, Spain. The parking plans etc. were made and then due to circumstances that we didn't anticipate, had to be changed very quickly. Early in the week of this trip, Marlys & Tom Thompson had flown from Las Vegas to Dallas where we met them and brought them to our home for the Thanksgiving holiday. We decided that the easiest way to handle parking our vehicle during the cruise was using free parking at a hotel on Galveston Island. And, we would have the vehicle ready for our trip home when we arrived back in the USA. So, on the Friday after the holiday, we packed very leisurely and made the 6-hour drive from Gilmer to Galveston. That plan also included reserving a rental car to use from Galveston Island to the Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) for our outgoing flight. On Saturday morning everything went as planned until Tom and I arrived at the office of the only car rental agency (Enterprise) on the island. It was packed full of people waiting for vehicles. As we stood and waited it appeared that very few vehicles were available for all those people. As our turn finally came, we were told that while I had reserved a vehicle large enough to haul four adults and 8 suitcases, the only one available was a very small sub-compact that might hold two suitcases and 4 adults. At that point, we decided to choose Plan B which did not yet exist. Plan B finally worked out to be that we should drive to the hotel, pick up Sylvia & Marlys, along with our luggage and then drive the almost two hours back to the airport where we could park at the more pricey airport parking lot so we could check-in on time for our outgoing flight.

We parked at the airport, rode the shuttle to the check-in desk and boarded okay. Very soon we were set for the overnight flight to Amsterdam, The Netherlands (AMS).

Mon. Nov. 30, 2009 - Arrival in Amsterdam & on to Barcelona, Spain, boarding the ship. (Day 1 of cruise)
With a shortstop and a change of planes in Amsterdam, we were soon flying again toward Barcelona where we landed mid-afternoon. In Barcelona, the cruise ship had a bus waiting that met us at the airport and we went straight to the ship to board before the scheduled departure.

Tue. Dec. 1, 2009 - Cartagena, Spain (Day 2 of cruise) - We docked this morning in this city on the Mediterranean coastline of Spain. Located in the sun-dappled Murcia region of southeastern Spain, Cartagena--a naturally deep and sheltered Mediterranean port surrounded by five hills--has long been coveted as a trading center and seafarers' game-changer. Dating to 227 B.C. when Carthaginians first set foot on its shore, this strategically located harbor has unfurled a culturally rich and historically tumultuous tapestry. Cartagena has been governed by Romans (Hannibal, with his army and elephants, stopped there on their military march across the Alps to Rome), ruled by Arabs and re-conquered in the 13th century by Ferdinand III for his Kingdom of Castile Each new wave of distinct leadership carved indelible marks on this port's art, architecture, law, finance, and industry. And yet this city of awesome ancient treasures is one of Spain's lesser-known metropolis of approximately 220,000 people that both exuberantly celebrates its past and exudes a forward-thinking spirit. Cartagena's wealth of archeological sites draws you to explore its notable yesteryear--many Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine, and Moorish ruins remain, making it one of Spain's most fascinating age-old jewels. It's universities, filling restaurants, bars and parks with young people, are signs of a lively future.

Our first stop was the Palace of Cartagena which serves as the Town Hall of this city. It is very interesting that this palace has three facades with magnificent and gorgeous decorations as the building is triangular in shape. (I failed to get usable pictures of the other two facades). Our guided tour of this Town Hall included using this royal, elegant staircase (made of white marble) as we listened to the history of the palace and details of the works of restoration. We admired the decorated ceilings and the variety of light fixtures and we visited the Council of Cartagena chambers and the mayor's office.

Outside, we followed the crooked, narrow streets through the old town section...

...until we reached the ruins of the Roman theater. The theater was built between 5 and 1 BC, as has been proven by the dedication of the edifice to Gaius and Lucius Caesar, grandsons of Augustus, who had designated them as his successors.

In the 3rd century AD a market was built over the theater, reusing its materials, with a semicircular open space which followed the plan of the orchestra. The market was perhaps abandoned after a fire caused by the Vandals in 425. A market quarter of the Byzantines was established on the site in the 6th century AD.

During the 13th century, the Old Cathedral of the city was built over the upper cavea. In 1988, the first remains of the theater were discovered during the construction of the center of arts & crafts. The archaeological excavations and the restorations were completed in 2003. In 2008 a museum was opened.

We returned to the city streets, walking by the outdoor cafes and the lovely windows hanging over the street.

We made a quick stop in the Old Cathedral of Cartagena.

Then passed by this beautiful hotel on the corner.

We passed by a market (obviously not open for business) and continued on toward the top of the hill.

Finally, we reached an amphitheater and lift near the ruins of the oldest bullring in the city (built 1853-54). Currently, (although the economic crisis may have stopped their excavation) the idea is to keep the structure of the bullring and dig around the amphitheater. (note lift on right)

Taking this lift top provided views all around the city and harbor that included our ship.

Here, our ship in the bay.

We returned to the ship for the remainder of the day.

Wed. Dec. 2, 2009 - DAY AT SEA AND A NICE DINNER TOGETHER (Day 3 of cruise)
Most cruise lines we have traveled with usually schedule what they called "formal night" for the evening of the first day at sea. Below, we all dress up for that time together.

Shirley & Eddie Wells (retired Presbyterian minister from Marble Falls, TX)