A Look Back, A Trip Wrap Up

Trip Wrap-Up

The Ship: The M/V Corinthian is the perfect size for a trip like this. She can carry 98 passengers, but we started with only 91. The crew is a great mix of various talents, but every one of them is amazing. By the second or third day, they all know every passenger's first name. The cabins are adequate, the hot water works, the food is great, and she handles the sea very well. The Corinthian has several other itineraries, and I would not hesitate to book another trip on her. Because of her size, she can go into ports that larger cruise vessels can't, and we were always able to dock using a gangplank for shore access.

The Trip Leaders/Guides: We had a band of four leaders for four smaller groups for when we went ashore. All had enthusiastic and engaging personalities, but the leader of the band, and of my group, was Gabo Candel. I would travel with him anywhere. There was more than one time when I referred to him as Saint Gabo because of his infinite ability to deal with difficult passengers, of which our group of 21 had several. In each port, we had local guides who knew all the pertinent facts, so the trip leaders were there to make all arrangements and to be sure things ran smoothly.

The Ports of Call:

Malta: We started in Valletta, Malta, and it was an amazing surprise to me as a tourist destination. The history, the shopping, the food; all were really more than I had expected, and everyone speaks English. It is a worthy stop for no more than three or four days if you're going to be traveling in that area.

Mazzaro del Vallo, Sicily: This was a quick stop, and I enjoyed the walking tour through the old Kasbah. The story of the recovery of the 2000-year-old Dancing Satyr is interesting, and seeing it in the small museum was a highlight of our day.

Tunis, Tunisia: The first of our African stops was a combination of somber and delightful. Our visit to the WW2 American Cemetery was moving and beautiful. In the afternoon, we visited the village of Sidi Bou Said, which, painted in all white with bright blue trim, made us think of the Greek Islands. It was also our first visit to a medina, the famous shopping areas that are found in many large Arab-African cities. Tunisia is a tourist destination in and of itself, and I might well consider that trip to see the rest of the country.

Algiers, Algeria: Very few Americans visit Algeria, and tourism is just beginning to catch on there. Despite whatever problems the government is trying to figure out, the people are very warm and welcoming. We enjoyed a long walk in very light rain down hundreds of stairs through the ancient Kasbah, had lunch in a local restaurant, and visited a monument dedicated to those who gave their lives in their war of independence from France. Students of history may be interested in exploring the time when these people were so badly treated by the French. It may begin to explain why their government is unsure about welcoming foreign visitors.

Oman, Algeria: This was a magical stop for me. The morning exploration was to a high mountain fort and chapel with great views of this city of 4 million, despite a steady light rain. In the afternoon, we had time to explore on our own, and I found the interactions with the people on the street to be so terrific. As I said in the daily journal, they made us feel like rock stars.

Tangier, Morocco: I really like Morocco, and Tangier reinforced my opinion from my earlier visit. This is an Arab-based country where one could easily travel on their own, driving from city to city without the presence of a guide. The Medina in Tangier is a mecca for all kinds of shopping and exploring and meeting interesting people. I am very fond of Morocco.

Gibraltar: Our one-day visit to this British protectorate was all we needed to get a flavor of the place. A quick bus ride around the area, a visit to the tunnels inside the Rock, and a cable car ride to the top of the Rock, where one can see down both sides, made my day complete. Back to the ship in plenty of time for happy hour.

Malaga, Spain: The first of our three Spanish stops was an introduction to what was to come. I LOVE SPAIN, at least certainly this coast of Spain. Each city was a little different, but all had things to see, places to go and people to meet. The food is fabulous, and like everywhere else we visited, people are very friendly.

Valencia, Spain: I could spend a season here, or at least a month. It's easy to see why people flock to Valencia to enjoy the sunshine, the food, and the tapas beaches. (sorry) If you have a hankering for great paella, this is the place to be. The indoor food market is absolutely amazing. Valencia was my favorite stop on the whole trip. Needed more than a day here.

Barcelona, Spain: This city, with its art and architectural emphasis, is worth spending some serious time in. We disembarked here and then spent three nights in a delightful, small neighborhood hotel, highly recommended. From there, I could walk everywhere I needed to go, and our local guide, Candelaria, was an angel. It was a great finish to our travels, and we flew home from there.

Did I mention that

I LOVE SPAIN! GOTTA GO BACK!

Finally, thanks for following along. Your kind comments make all the work of doing the blog worthwhile. It was a really nice trip from every standpoint. I have yet to be disappointed on a trip with Overseas Adventure Travel (OATtravel.com). All other things being equal, I'll go with them every time.

Cheers for now! Adios!

Jay

TRIP RECAP: