Spirit of Adventure blog

After our impromptu but highly successful call into La Seyne-sur-Mer, a much needed restful day at sea passed before arriving into Valencia on Saturday morning.

Yet another gloriously sunny day presented itself much to the delight of all due to head outside – no doubt in particular those booked onto the tuk-tuk tour. So much to see and do in this region famous for oranges, and every year in early March, setting fire to virtually everything city residents can lay their hands on during their rather bizarre and incredible ‘Fallas’ festival.

Consumption of paella is another must-do here, so not to feel left out I headed to a waterfront restaurant just south of town with an old friend now living in Valencia, to do just that.

An Andalusian dance couple hopped on board to delight with some Flamenco dancing in the theatre shortly before departure, and after they had hopped back off again it was time to head out of port and onward to our next Spanish port of Cartagena.

Yet another sunny day dawned and into the natural harbour of Cartagena we sailed, berthing alongside their city-side pier at breakfast time. This traditional walled city sports Roman theatres, spectacular horse shows and an impressive naval base.

We treated our ‘diamond’ guests currently on board – those who have sailed more than 1000 nights with the Company – today with a trip to Cabo de Palos and the Mar Menor, where a sailing boat and tapas feast awaited for the day.

I was fortunate enough to join them on board and assist in devouring some tapas as well as crewing the boat. I even plopped in for a swim in the surprisingly warm natural ‘lagoon’ of the Menor Sea.

A cheery late afternoon sailaway party led by Cruise Director Jo Boase and her team saw us wave sunny Cartagena goodbye, as we headed west in the Alboran Sea back towards Gibraltar Strait and the Atlantic Ocean…

Kind Regards
Captain Kim Tanner