Cruise Days 4-10, 25 Nov-1 December 2022

Cruise Day 4, 25 November - We had a massive rest after our huge excursion day in Casablanca. The afternoon was devoted to snoozing. There was supposed to be reading, but it was the same page over and over again… interspersed with snoozing. A good chance to shake the lurgy that has had me coughing and rattling like a two pack a day smoker. Fortunately it would be easier to corral the people on board who don't have symptoms of some sort. The coach yesterday had a bloke who was coughing up a lung periodically - so I didn't stand out in any way.

Cruise Day 5, 26 November - The day off was great and we were full of beans (well a couple of beans) when we docked in Las Palmas - our first visit to the Canary Islands and our last stop before we cross the Atlantic Ocean bound for South America. We had an excursion booked for Las Palmas but it was cancelled due to lack of interest from the English speaking contingent. We looked at other excursions, but once more it would have been 5 or 6 of us up against a coachload of Italians this time around. We surrender already. We had a leisurely breakfast, grabbed as little as possible and ventured off the ship. We thought this was a decent size ship, but docked next to us was the Aida - maybe 3 times our size - we were dwarfed by comparison.

We looked at the hordes filing onto the Big Red Bus for traipsing around the island and that didn't fit in with the vibe of the day (nor did a private taxi… though at around the same cost as the Costa excursion coach, we'll do a taxi tour next time we're in Las Palmas. We have no plans to return, but we've learned to never say never). We decided to walk into the old town - only 4-5 kms and we stayed one street back from the waterfront the whole way - pleasantly in the shade. After the cool weather during our last couple of days in Barcelona, it is well and truly hot again and on tracker to get hotter.

We enjoyed the walk in and visited a Chinese variety store along a street with many similar shops, found a couple of things we've been chasing including small organza gift bags that I stow my various jewellery treasures in. We also found a second hand/junk shop and I had a rat thorugh the costume jewellery - no gold or diamonds, but did find a beautiful brass and shell, handmade bracelet - officially the souvenir of our visit to Las Palmas.

Phew! What's that smell? Money! That's what. We reached the beginning of the main shopping street of the Triana neighbourhood and were happy to see the Christmas decorations up and glittering in the bright sunlight. Not to be outdone, the glittering of the Rolex shop was happening right alongside. There was a Marks & Spencers to cater to the high population of British and, though we were keen, we just couldn't spend €8-16 euro on iced Christmas cake. Would have been even worse if we'd splurged and then not been able to bring it onboard the ship.

Triana stopped and across the road it became the centro historico or old town of Vagueta. With a map in hand from the tourist office we trundled in and made our first stop the covered market which was full of the smell of ripe guava. It was definitely time for a pitstop and a coffee after our hike. We took a load off in a typical cafe/geezer bar and had a couple of sublime cafe con leches - muy economico for €3 - even threw a euro down the gullet of a poker machine. Quite hard to figure out in Spanish, but it ate the euro and I didn't win a fortune - so a standard one-armed-bandit. We strolled around the old town, the rear of the cathedral where we came across these colourful giant marionettes (pictured), saw the cathedral, the square, the bronze dogs guarding the cathedral. We picked up post cards and hunted for a badge for the bags - highway robbery at over A$11 for one badge. We instead bought a llittle leather double sided purse for under A$6 - two badges for less than the price of one. Bargain. We meandered a little way back, taking the back alleys of Triana instead of the main street. Once we were completely satisfied with our explorations, we jumped in a taxi which whizzed us back to the ship in next to no time. Lunch and a feets up and the ship departed Las Palmas at 5 pm. It then it had to go back - not once but twice! (Talk about leaving the iron on…) There was a sick passenger and a sick crew member and they both had to be offloaded in Las Palmas as they couldn't risk taking them on the 5 day jaunt across the Atlantic. So we figure it was 7 or 8 pm before we hit the road again. Five full days at sea - here we come!

Cruise Day 6, 27 November - Sea Day 1 of 5 - Clocks are going back again tonight as we start to nibble into the 4 hour time difference between Europe and South America. We enjoyed a good look around the ship's shops - not to buy, just for time filling purposes, visited the small library, handed in our passports for Brazilian immigration and finally spoke to a crew member who knew what he was talking about and checked the situation with the NZ passport. Waving my email from the Wellington embassy helped. He assured me that they would have checked and double checked and triple checked before denying me boarding in Barcelona (if I hadn't been able to pull out the Australian passport). But it didn't feel that way at the time. We are enjoying the afternoon tea on the buffet deck each day, not because we need food mind, just for something to keep us occupied. We then arrived just in time for the tango lesson - huge fun. A quick gussy up for dinner then off to the 8 pm 'H2O' water show in the theatre. Up until now they've been doing two show sittings - and it hasn't been worth staying up til 9.30 for a look at the second show. Now they're doing one show at 8 pm to cater to both dinner sittings simultaneously. Brilliant. Finally off to bed.

Cruise Day 7, 28 November - Sea Day 2 of 5 - Clocks back again tonight. Plan for the day? After breakfast we climbed 8 flights of stairs up to deck 11 for a stroll. Flesh basting was underway on the pool deck. Not going to any more dancing lessons. The one on the pool deck in the blazing sun at 11 am didn't appeal and the one in the main bar at 5.15 pm failed to turn us on. We did go up to afternoon tea for something to do. Fabulous. Gave the show a try - but after a 3 minute video talking up this singer - world's greatest etc etc there wasn't enough air in the room for his ego. Walked out after 5 minutes. World famous alright… in Spain.

Cruise Day 8, 29 November - Sea Day 3 of 5 - We managed 10,000 steps, just, and are well into the routine now. Afternoon tea was once more a highlight - the bickie baker out the back is the bomb. We were organised enough to take our swimsuits up with us and soak in the jacuzzi for 45 minutes before hoofing from 9 down to 7 and getting dressed for dinner. The dining room food continues to be a surreal lottery of description vs. reality - but the Indian staff brought us out a surprise at dinner - a flavourful Dahl Mahkani with fennel rice - luscious. We had a detailed chat with the dining room manager including visual aids about what does and does not constitute dishes such as roast turkey and cranberry sauce. Lovely man. Poor man. Clocks back another hour tonight. Show was the Kings and Queens of Rock and Roll. Better than w***y tenor that's for sure - so good in fact we even sat through all 45 minutes of it.

Cruise Day 9, 30 November - Sea Day 4 of 5 - We were up bright and early at 6.30 am (due to the 4 hour time change since we boarded in Barcelona). We climbed up to Level 10 and walked in the fresh air before the equatorial sun and humidity could kick into gear. There was a stiff breeze and we headed directly into a massive black cloud and rain squall and then out the other side. We were far too early for the main dining room so had a buffett breakfast then kicked on with the 10,000 step goal, stopping only for a coffee in the main dining room at the half way mark. Tonight there is a gala officers ball and the opportunity for a photo with the captain (big whoop). Unfortunately it means the show doesn't start until 10.30 pm - at night - seriously. Probably won't be sitting up for that. Be it Black Friday/Cyber Monday or not, it's Black Shopping week here on Costa Fortuna and today they're focussed on flogging watches (yesterday was perfume.) Ridicule I may… but there were queues to spend money. The Sea Days are apparently making credit cards itchy. It's also 'spa day' so that people can cough up for mani-pedi, massages, hair do etc for the gala ball. Self licking icecream this joint. Truly the definition of a captive audience. There was a sea bird of some description on deck 4, enjoying a rest and had some bread out next to her or him. Hopefully it recovers and carries on - must have been knackered and very happy to catch a lift with us. The lunch highlight was vegetable fritters on spicy dahl… Who knew… Italians are salad-dodgers so we're getting our vegetables where we can. Our dinner treat tonight from the Indian chef was a creamy vegetable korma and fennel rice. Total steps - huge! 14,000.

Cruise Day 10, 1 December - Sea Day 5 of 5 - Woo hoo! Seriously though - where has 2022 gone? We are getting ready for our excursion to Recife and Olinda, Brazil tomorrow, 2 Dec. Everyone is under strict instructions to not wear any jewellery of any sort at all. Hopefully my old plastic watch is OK. Even the Brazilian staff on board are on about it. Honestly, it'll be shore excursions in the nude soon - then the robbers will just have to get more inventive. So, 10,000 steps before letting ourselves be lazy in the cabin by 10.30 am. We were up and at 'em relatively early, by 7 am - but the equatorial sun was already blazing by then so we were just walking back and forward along the one shady side of the ship. Too short. Wandered indoors to do laps of deck 5 and eventually went to breakfast. There were large, pterodactyl type sea birds following the ship - definitely land ahoy. Due to far too many laps of deck 5 and through the casino we finally chucked €2 at the onboard lotto - €122K for 5 out of 5, €2K for 4 out of 5 and €100 for 3 out of 5. Bound to win at 11 pm tonight. Given our beddy byes time… will be nice to find out in the morning. But don't tell the Brazilian bandits whatever you do! The show tonight was incredible. We are now in the habit of sitting near the end of a row to allow for a quick getaway if need be, but the blonde Italian lady who sang the South American tunes in Spanish was incredible - probably the best show yet. We hadn't realised how much we missed live music on the big stage. There's loads of live music going on all around the ship in the evenings, duos, piano man etc, impossible to get away from it - but this lady was incredible. Super enjoyable - no need whatsoever to leave early.