May 8th - At Sea

 

Bakti – Somehow he is able to know what needs to be done and when. He works so hard, but takes the time to stop and ask about your day. He makes you feel like you are his only guest. He asked me why I had to leave - I must not have been too difficult to take care of.

Herman – He quietly goes about taking care of you with a smile, making it look effortless and like there is nothing else he wants to do except makes you comfortable. Plus, one must remember he is the keeper of the chocolates!

Anto – Brings out the mother in me. He tries so hard to be so “James Dean like”, but really wears his heart on his sleeve. He picks up on any nuance or serving preference without having to be asked. He even comes up with foods he thinks I might like – and so far, he has never been wrong.

Lana – Such a gentle soul, kind and sincere. To know him, you know he is a good father and husband. Most importantly, he does not tempt me with bread or deserts. I think he will soon be a server with his own assistant.

Farid – He is such a joy to see each day, he has a twinkle in his eye and his impish smile is infectious.  He must be the happiest person I have ever had to the pleasure to meet. This is his first contract, and I am sure he will have a long and successful career with HAL.

Budi – He is ever the gentleman, so proper and always looks like he just walked off a GQ photo shoot. He is courteous and genuinely concerned about the welfare of those he works with and for. He is always willing to lend a hand – taking orders or clearing tables to help the servers.

Intan – Such a sweetie. She is like a princess with her entourage of attendants (servers) waiting to do her bidding (seat guests). Amazing that after only a few encounters she can remember guests’ cabins numbers and names and preferences.

 

Ozgur - He must be a magician - he keeps everything running so smoothly - even with a constantly changing staff.

He has some very experienced staff, and some who look like kids, yet he makes it work without looking stressed. He has the best dining staff I have encountered on my HAL cruises . While doing all of this 

he manages to spend time with the guests. He is approachable and accommodating.

 

These are just a few of the people,  there are so many.

Thanks to Everyone who went out of their way to make my time on board the Rotterdam so wonderful!  

 

May 6th - Lisbon, Portugal

Arrived in Lisbon mid-morning for another beautiful day.

One quarter of Portugal's population lives here, and the tourists did a good
job of increasing that number with six cruise ships in their ports today.

Decided to take the Hop On Hop Off bus around the city and one of the sights
not listed in the itinerary was of Alan and Sandra walking across one of the
squares!

Today was the last port of this voyage before returning to Southampton. The
weather forecast calls for much colder weather than I have experienced these
last four months. Highs in the 50s - Brrr.

Hard to believe that my son will be picking me up at DIA on Sunday evening!

May 5th - Cadiz, Spain

Was greeted to the port of Cadiz with a beautiful sunrise this morning.

Got out early and headed to Seville.

Upon arriving in Seville we drove down a lovely palm tree lined street with
beautiful buildings that had been constructed for a World Fair in the 90s
and past the Maestranza Bullring, which still has daily bullfights.

Then we took a walking tour through the narrow streets and alley-ways of the
Old Jewish Quarter.

Next stop was to the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Sea. The world's third
largest church in the world and completed in 1519, this Gothic cathedral
sits on the site of what was originally the main mosque. Inside this
cathedral is the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Next to the cathedral is the
Alcazar, a monument to the Moorish occupation of Spain with beautifully
decorated halls and lovely gardens.

Before heading back to the ship we made a stop at the Plaza de Espana, where
people were enjoying carriage rides and the warm sunny day.

May 4th - Gibraltar, British Territory

After arriving in Gibraltar this morning I headed up to Europa Point, where
the Mediterranean Sea mingles with the Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day from
this point one can see the Straits of Gibraltar, the African coastline and
Spanish Costa del Sol.

Then visited St. Michael's Cave that was "known to the Romans and long
believed to be bottomless." The upper hall is now a concert venue.

Of course, a visit to Gibraltar would not be complete without a visit to see
the Barbary apes. We were warned about how "cheeky" they can be and how they
love to steal anything shiny or loose they can get ahold of. We were also
told stories about how they will sometimes jump on a backpack or person, so
when I turned around and one was within inches of me, I was done.

There are numerous monuments and statues here, but my favorite was the
second photo which was erected to commemorate the return of the women and
children to Gibraltar. They were evacuated during WWII for safety and it was
seven years before they came home. The original statue had the woman
carrying a baby, which the locals did not think appropriate since they were
separated from their husbands for seven years.

Spent a couple of hours walking around the town, but since it was Sunday,
most businesses were closed.