King’s bedroom.

Kitchen in the palace

Entrance to the Palace

Courtyard inside the palace.

Interesting chandelier in the Palace. \240 This is all glass and porcelain.

Mica outside the palace

Moorish Castle near the Palace

Mica and a porcelain lady in Estreel

Caba da Roca

Stone monument at Cabo da Roco

The beaches were beautiful

It was very windy out on the point

The water was very blue

Jeff posing in true Jeff fashion. \240 The lighthouse is in the background

The surf hitting the beach was high due to the gusting winds

This field of flowers was just beginning to bloom.

The new portion of the palace, the older/original part is yellow

Stained glass windows in the Palace chapel

Palace chapel

Lighthouse still in use on Cabo da Roco

Original and new portions of the Palace

The palace has many different types of architecture as it was built over a series of years.

In Esterrel we enjoyed the palace sweet. \240It was flaky, very rich but yummy. \240We also had a sip of cherry wine in a chocolate cup.

Inside one of the palace lookouts

The Corthian Lisbon Hotel, where we stayed pre-cruise had these gentlemen wishing us Bon Voyage. \240Jeff had some fun playing games with them.

Regent had this Easter display in the lobby.

View of the city of Funchal from the cable car. \240 The area is volcanic and very hilly.

After riding the cable car to the top the preferred way down is in a toboggan sled pushed, pulled and guided by two men and ropes. \240 What a wild ride to the base. \240Quite an experience!!

Our carriage is ready as well as our guides

Posing at the Botanical Gardens. \240There were species of plants from many countries and the gardens were well labeled

Interesting tree at the gardens

The garden name and dates of operation in flowers. \240 Unique

The driver backed the boat into a large cave. \240 This is the view looking out. \240 It was a unique experience.

On the drive to and fro we saw many banana plantations. \240 This is the largest commercial crop on the island. \240Due to the hilly nature most of the farming is terraced.

I attempted to get a shot of the bananas on the trees but the bus was moving very quickly

A passenger/car ferry arrived in the cruise port. \240

The ferry moves between the islands daily

Black sand beaches of La Palma

We boarded our bus and drove nearly an hour to the other side of the island. We saw the volcanic sand from the recent volcano eruption as well as black sand beaches. We boarded a boat with seating and a glass bottom. \240 Fun ride, dolphin sitings, the guide backed the boat into a cave (way cool) and we glimpsed houses perched on the side of the mountain.

Lodging along the coast. \240These had dolor panels and water. \240

More lodging.

Dolphin pod

There were various dolphin near the boat and they could also be seen from the glass bottom.

These are the walls of the cave the boat was able to back into. \240

The lava from last year’s eruption can be seen moving right into the sea. \240 The eruption destroyed more than 2000 homes and flowed for miles.

Richard from Flora Springs hosted us at dinner. \240We had exceptional wines including Lavender Hill Chardonnay and Pinot as well as Trilogy. \240

Mica posing in front of a beach statue marker at puerto de la cru. \240Jeff thought my hands were not high enough

Century tree, but it is really a plant as it has no rings.

Lave coast

The drink of the island, barraquito. \240Delicious. \240Takes like a sweet coffee liqueur drink with citrus.

The cove above the city.

Another view of the cove.

The coast is beautiful, but the ocean was very turbulent

Loro Pargue. One of the only animal exhibits in Europe certified for animal safety. \240 We will visit next time

Jeff and I in front of the port welcome sign. It was very windy

Jeff in the middle of the statue, In style!

Village below the port

Map of the island adventure

Wild lavender.vegetation on the island consisted of a number of wild flowers and trees. \240 The major export is wine and bananas in

Orchid tree and African tulip trees are prominent on the island.

Jeff new camera on hand \240 He has done a great job!

High walk and water duct over the canyon

There is a fissure in the rocks temperatures just below the surface are over 80- 100 degrees Celsius.

I tried to hold the rocks they gave us, but they were just so hot, even for my hands.

This pit in the ground will ignite bushes in a matter of seconds. \240This is just from the internal heat from the rocks.

5 -10 seconds and this is the blaze.

This pit will cook food like a bbq. \240Temperatures were very hot and this is all natural heat.

We took a bus ride through the national park \240the volcanic eruptions created many different rock and lava types.

There are many types of rock and soils due to the volcanic rock, ash, lava and sand.

Tranquility valley, we are still inside the park. \240The differences in landscape are amazing.

Restaurant at the top of the previously erupted volcano, we did not have the opportunity to dine there unfortunately.

Next the driver took us to the camel ride Also inside the national park. \240Our camels name was Rafaphel. \240 We were the lead camel.

Camels are hooked together and follow in a line and we walked up a rather steep hill and around the desert. \240Our camel certainly knew the way. \240 Our guide said camels work 1/2 day and they are off for a day. \240 The park has 250 working camels, mostly female abd only 4 males.

To board the camel is on the ground and both passengers sit at the same time. \240 When all are boarded the camel stands.

The ocean is always nearby. \240It is an island.

Water forms in different places. \240 Here is the green lagoon, appropriately named. \240 The ocean and black sand beach are to the right.

The beaches are very rocky and the water is chilly.

Black sand beach and another view of the the green lagoon.

Last stop before returning to the ship a wine tasting. \240 We tasted a dry white and a very sweet moscato. Tomorrow is a much needed sea day.

National park ticket

Lava cave in the park.

Jeff captured beautiful pictures of the setting sun.

The water is so blue.

It was a great sea day, except very windy and temperatures in the mid 60’s

Gilbraltar

The cruise port of Gilbrator where we docked.

The Rock. Very volcanic and one side is very steep.

Moorish castle on drive to Nature Reserve

View from the top of Gibraltar

Water running down the side of the rock, very salty and not possible to use. \240This is a byproduct of the desalination process. \240 All water has to be desalinated for drinking and home use.

The monkeys are near

St Michael’s Cave

Monkeys were everywhere

They were friendly, \240it we were warned they will steal wallets and personal items and they do bite.

There is an airport runway right through the street and 10-12 times per day they close the street to allow for takeoff and departure. \240We just missed a departure.

The view from the harbor.

Stalagmites on St. Michael’s Cave

More stalagmites in the cave, they used lighting and music to highlight the natural beauty.

After a day on on again off again rain, this rainbow appeared over the harbor as we departed this evening.

A view of the island.

Cathedral in Jerez de la Frontera, about a 30 minute drive from the cruise port. \240This was a lovely city and home to many sherry wineries.

Lovely park in Jerez de la Frontera.

Interesting street cleaning. The worker rides the bike attached to the cart through the streets and stops to sweep up paper, leaves and other debris. \240The city was spotless.

Lovely fountain in Jerez de la Frontera

Cobbled sidewalks were throughout the city and the parks. \240 The designs were beautiful.

This beautiful building was a winery and now it is a restaurant. \240

We visited the city market, fresh meats, fish, fruits and veggies abounded.

Wine is stored differently in Spain. \240Not in cellars or caves. \240 These barrels represent all the countries the company exports too. \240Prior to our tour a horse show took place in the arena, we just missed it.

The wine caves, over 90,000 barrels.

Logo of Tio Pepe.

In the summer the grapevines cover the overhead of the street. \240The vineyard property was very large and very pretty.

Entrance to the tasting room. \240Very modern. \240We tasted three sherry types, dry, fino and sweet. \240 We brought a bottle of Fino home.

Several weddings were scheduled for this evening at the winery. \240The tables were lovely.

These bottles housed in the tasting room reflect special commemorative bottling of Tio Pepe

Finished sculpture

Richard, from Flora Springs kicking off the White Elephant exchange

Friends from the cruise, Jim and Deb. \240They are from Yorktown, VA. \240

Fun couple we also met Deb and Rudy from New Jersey. \240

My first selection in the white elephant was this cute monkey, we didn’t keep it but one selection. \240

Friends from Buckeye, AZ. \240 Bob and Kathy, the end up with the gift we brought to the party. \240

Final picture of the sculpture with Mica!!!

Our final night, Jeff captured great sunset pictures.

One last look from the balcony. \240