Sete

Some yar ago we drove thru Sete. We did not really see the town but only thru the car window.  This time we were on a ship that stopped.  It is a canal town, a mini Venice as it were.  It is a drizzle day and 17° but we made the most of it by climbing Mont St Clair.  It was a 7km walk that took around 2 hrs. There was still time for shoe shopping which only cost us 39€.  This ship is considered old having been launched in 2001. So after 18 yar it is going into dry dock next year for a refit.  The gym here is very up to date, with the TechnoGym range of equipment.  We have found this gear in three out of four hotels so far.

X marks the spot

Shoe Shop Show

Celebrity Infinity

We have made it on board by negotiating all the usual procedures.  We have been to this port before and the deja vu clicked in as we got out of the taxi because some years ago we got into a taxi after disembarking.  This is an older and smaller boat but the room is the same size as previously and so far I have seen only three children and no teenagers.  Royal Caribbean is more geared up for them. There are two pool areas, one is undercover.  It is still another three hours before we get going. Time for a snooze.

To Infinity and Beyond

Barcelona Beauty

We have been to Barcelona about 6 times now and every time we have found different things to check out.  I originally had the Library in mind but it is closed on a Sunday however in the old town the Catalan courts and meeting rooms are a free entry.  We wandered the area checking out the old Roman walls.  Lunch consisted of small pasties made from very thin pastry. The afternoon was beachy and for the evening meal we had traditional Catalan paella. The internet is dodgy here I will add photos later.

Pocket Pasties

A Meating Room

InFlight posting

It has been two yar since we have flown OS but something is different with this WIFI on aeroplanes.  I can report that the grilled chicken was OK and the mousse very fluffy.  It seems getting wifi available on planes is an expensive business as i only get two hours worth as a freebie.  This plane is half empty and most people are stretched out across four seats. They obviously did not stop over like we did. Debbie is watching A Star is Born.  About 40 yar ago she won tickets to the premiere. Opening night was big then, including freebie books, posters and show bag.  I will now try to publish, hopefully this works,

Inflight

Marjan Night

We are falling asleep again but at least we made it to 9:30 pm this time.  We ate Chinese tonight but if we had bothered to cross the road outside the hotel there were a few food vans set up in the park. It is still a hot business roaming around after dark in Dubai.  The wifi is good here, no extra costs and as many devices as you like. We had three going at once.

bum cleaner

like a purple cake

Marjan Island

We have retreated inside at 12 noon for some in room Club Sandwich, one only between two. We also have duty free champagne in here as well as air conditioning.  We did spend time outside. Early on at 7:00 am we toured the facility picking up slack.  We spent 45 minutes in the gym working off breakfast, concentrating on bike machines. It was very busy in the lobby so we will leave tomorrow at 11:00am rather than the 12 noon normal checkout. Mental note to get 200 Dirhams out of the slot machine for the taxi.  This one will not have card service.  We found two free mattress type lounges undercover. A miracle find at 10:30am. Most people set up shop at 7:00am and that's their spot til sundown.

balcony view at night

gym junkie

Hard at work two PB sales one yesterday one today

Double Tree

Have been on the go for 20 hours and it is around 6:00 pm. We are trying to hang out for another 3 before sleep.  They love building man made beaches here. Not sure why this hotel is called Doubletree must be a Paris Hilton thing.  We had  to do some desert driving this time to get to this place. It is in the opposite direction to Jumierah where we have always gone previously.  Looking out from the balcony the water sports are taking off because the heat has dropped a bit. It is also the end of Ramadan so the locals are revving it up.  On the way back we have ordered two bottles of Irish Cream and two bottles of Wild Turkey. 

scalloped beach