Gijon Spain 2 October 2025

Gijon Spain 2 October 2025

Last night we attended a musical show after a beautiful sunset at dinner time. Then we watched a classic movie   A very fun flock of seagulls outside our window in the dark frolicking in the surf. 

Today slow starting as we prepare to have breakfast and head out to a Gijon Spain, with a history of apple cider making, Cabrales cheese, fish, limestone caves and caverns. Lots of free activities offered and a great visitor map showing where we can explore today. 

First site is huge sandy beach next door to bus stop and modern town.  

3200 cider bottles made into a tree shaped sculpture. There is a mix of old architecture and beautiful buildings next to new and needing work. A little of everything as we walk along the pedestrian walkway around the sea and marina. We find the old town and snap few more pics of unusual buildings. It’s like a beach town. 

We walked a bit through town street and in a central market is a demonstration with lots of police presence. 

We take the opportunity to put our bare feet in the sea and enjoy the cool gentle surf and sandy beach. 13,000 steps today. Our last port stop before the cruise ends. 

Locals say today was the one day of the year that did not rain. Haha. So lucky we had hot and sunny into the mid 20 degrees. 

Back on shuttle and having a nibble at Waves before tea time. Then entertainment before dinner. 

Goodnight. Tomorrow is a sea day then disembarkation in Lisbon. The cruise about to end. 

Bilbao Spain. 1 Oct 2025

Waking up the first day of October on the sea offshore Spain. Pink colouring in the sky in early morn, the rest is blue. We passed metal tall windmills twirling and they are attached to the breakwater. Parked now at the port city of Bilbao Spain. We will do a walkabout. 

After breakfast we take the complimentary bus shuttle into Bilbao. There are choices and we consult with tourist information representative at the port. we decide to take a long walk along the river Bilbao. Past parks and lots of random sculptures. 

Tree tops changing colour. Palm trees. Walking along river towards old town. Bridges. Some local artists, others selling knock off street wares.  Sculpture. Benches. Basketball hoops. Walking. Walking. Walking. Pass the Guggenheim museum and see lots of our fellow passengers along the way. Over 12 Kms in total today. Across the river is the old town. We go there and take pictures mostly of architecture. I will try to add photos when I get home and the wifi complies. While on the ship I post my photos on Facebook when I can. 

We cross back across the river and through the main modern street toward our shuttle stop we catch a bus back to the ship, grab some lunch and have a swim in the salt water pool. I think it was 22-23 degrees today, plenty warm. 

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Bordeaux France 29-30 September 2025

Sailing up the Dordogne river to Bordeaux during breakfast onboard Sirena. We are sitting on the back of ship outside and enjoying the brilliant clear blue sky, the green flat coastline stretching for miles. We passed Pauillac where we will stop at tomorrow evening. 

Guest bloggers participate providing descriptive words. Rich in mystery. Colourful. Autumnal.  Peaceful and serene, glowing, wind kissed, verdant.  Radiant. Fertile. Lush. Vibrant. Dotted with farm buildings, spires and towers. Vineyards. Sheep. Cows. Charolais. River cruise ships. Vineyard estates. Church steeples. Water towers. Colourful Channel markers. It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood. Oh my. Perfect rows of vines in green fields. Each site begs to be described in vivid detail. The gentle wake of the ship rolling towards the shore in persistent waves. 

The ship parked right in town travelling under the bridges. 

Off the ship and a visit to Cite du Vins (museum of wine). Some fun activity. And five wines to taste. Yay. A tram to fountain where we will go on a city walking tour. 

Monument of Girond

Grand opera. (Like opera de garnier, in Paris)

3 moons. Symbol

Paris is a bigger Bordeaux. 

Replicated architecture in Paris to mimic Bordeaux. 

Romans brought wine vine 2000 years ago

Wine cellars in basement 

Big gates, big doors for protection and to collect taxes for people coming in to city

At Andrew’s cathedral. X inside. Killed on cross   Gothic style. Gargoyles. Spikes on top. 

Eleanor of Aquitaine. Movie. The Lion in Winter she died at 83 years of age with 11 children. 

Rue st Catherine longest. Pedestrian at now. 1.3 Kms. Triangle gate. North-south. 

Sculpture for blind people. Water mirror. Bridge. 

Wine tasting afterward at Coleurs du Vin. Women owns company. First one white , 80% Sauvignon blanc and somillion. Then clear red wine out of Merlot and cab sav. DeMeter With very strict organic rules. Less sulphites. Third one is Merlot. Very smooth. And a 4th complementary tasting. Very nice, sweet little place. 

30 Sep we set alarm to be up early. Gorgeous sunrise promises a sunny day. Hotel notre dame. 3 star. Very nice location and price advised my friend. Off to find market. Photos of doors, fromagerie, coffee, fleuriste, we purchase cheese and try while waiting for the tram. Past jardins publique. Exploring Bordeaux. Wonderful. A few churches with beautiful stained glass, large pipe organs. Some kind of soaked cinnamon sweet that others can eat. We spend some time in the most beautiful and interesting wine store, all wines of Bordeaux region, prices showing, round spiral staircase.  Up. Up. Up. Delight at every one of 6 floors. We make a few purchases. 

Back to the ship using our tram pass from yesterday. 

Dublin Ireland. 27 Sept 2025. Oceania Sirena

Dublin Ireland 

27 September 2025. Saturday morning 

Waking to the grey wet morning in Dublin. We can see town and will be provided a shuttle to drop us off further up river. We wanted to be on shuttle after breakfast before 10 am to miss the safety drill for staff. Yay, we made it!  It is light enough rain to start. 

We are on Do Dublin hop on bus. Starting with stop 6. Live commentary which is charming and understandable Irish accent. Places of rich n famous. 300 year old Georgian houses four stories up. Basement for servants and receiving coal through shoots. Doors painted different colours. 

Oscar Wilde quotes. Fun. Everything in moderation including moderation. Always be yourself as everyone else is taken. 

Pearse street, longest in Dublin. Police is Guardians of the Peace. Guns not allowed here. 

Trinity college. 60% grads are women now. There was a time when no women allowed to study here. 

Molly Malone statue. Our guide sang the song. And received applause. Fun

Dublin castle. 

Christ Church Cathedral. 1028 built. Was where Viking first settled. Architecture from 9th century. Archways. 

Viking museum with artifacts. 

St paddy’s cathedral built 1100s. 

No catholic service in over 500 years in either cathedral even though originally built as catholic. 

Built 1701 a library we pass. 

Teeling Distillery at 11 am stop.  Guinness stop. Sold out tour and tasting due to football activity this weekend. 1759 Guinness history. 7 floors. Sold out for weekend. Can take 7000 people a day!  Original owner had 21 kids. 

Another song. Wild Rover with audience participation clapping. 

Pearse Lyons Whisky distillery. In a church. Big renovations. 

Largest park in Europe. Phoenix park. Wellington monument. Flower garden. In 1660 was opened for royal hunting ground for royal family. 

Liffey River through city. Several bridges. Few swans through raindrops 

Jameson whisky distillery. 

There is a famous Dublin pub. 

Four courts of Dublin is very old. 

New courthouse for all Ireland. 

Vikings came in 9th century. 

Ha penny bridge. Before the bridge there was ferries connecting both sides of river. A family charged a toll. Ferries fell to disrepair. The city said either fix ferries or build bridge. It was cheaper to build a bridge. 

25 stops. On this tour.

1757 built Maternity hospital. Still here

As Rotunda hospital. 

we shall stay on a bit more to finish the tour. Our driver is great. He gets off at end of line, start at number one stop. 

Irish Writers Centre. Dublin Writers museum. Clerys department store and the tallest needle sculpture on o,Connell street. “I can see clearys now the crane has gone”. 

We walk about and find some fine Irish woolen shops. The city is alive with anticipation and celebration of big football game today. The Guinness.  The road closures. The pubs. 

We head back to the ship on shuttle bus. We will grab some food, have tea and then share a table for 6 of us, friends for dinner in main dining room. Yay. 

Good night. From Sirena at sea. Sea day tomorrow. 

Cobh Ireland. On board Oceania Sirena

26 September 2025

Beautiful sunny crisp morning to sit outside on deck of ship at Terrace Cafe on Oceania Sirena. Sky is blue with light clouds. The sunrise this morning was spectacular. We are enjoying the quiet as most guests have gone ashore after we met with immigration. A new stamp in my passport. 

We just talked with last nights entertainer, Irish Celtic fiddler dressed in Rosa Bloom sequinned spandex. She was very good musician and entertaining. 

Breakfast is over, warm drinks on the patio. Windmill twirling in the distance and sea gulls fluttering around. The wait staff setting up tables for lunch crowd. Nothing feels crowded here, lots of space and lots of great service. 

Our ship is docked at Cobh. Cute little place with colourful row homes and little shops. Cunard once had office here, I took picture of the sign over the door. 

We are interested in the Titanic experience tour. Starting in Cobh known now as “Cove”. There is no letter v in Irish language. Previously was Queenstown in 1912. Still it is visible- the pier used for titanic guests to disembark. Second largest natural port in world. We are given identification as we enter the presentation. 

I have third class identification for this experience and dear Hanna N does not survive the catastrophe. A view of the third class bedroom which included electricity and running water. Most third class did not have these luxuries at home at that time. 

Loved the tourist shops and whole titanic themed experience. We decide to take half hour rail ride to larger city of Cork. 

Our good weather is holding. Along sea coast sparkling blue surface reflecting the deep clarity of the sky. Coloured row houses on the shore. Shorebirds and low tide. Mucky shores like Nova Scotia with tide out, except the soil and clay are not red here, more grey. A few stops and thirty minutes and we arrive. 

In Cork. We walk and find a tourist information centre as maps are few and far between here. Recommended an English Market, started in 1700’s. We find it, stalls of fish, chocolate, tea, olives and cheeses. I am sure there were other things. Haha. We get some goodies and continue our walkabout. About two hours at this destination and now returning to Cobh. 

Gentle rocking of the train is tempting me to dose and sleep. 

Reading this weeks article referencing the background hum of some doom and worry and the advice is to sit, notice and focus on a miracle such as the beauty of a butterfly or hummingbird fluttering by in search of its goal, a scent, a sparkle of satisfaction. 

We set sail at 6 pm for Dublin. We are ready for specialty dining and the ship is wild and free. Deep discussions over dinner so we miss the show. Now we are spending some quiet moments in the library. Good night. Tomorrow is Dublin

sea day. Oceania Sirena

Thursday 25 September 2025 on board Oceania Sirena. Cute little ship hosting no more than 670 guests. A beautiful size, intimate enough to see people we know and be remembered by staff daily. We skipped breakfast and got an extra hour sleep. We did some laundry and ironing which was fun and timely. Sunny with wind, clear fall day. 

An enrichment speaker talked about the next two ports of call in Ireland. Cobh and Dublin. Not sure yet what we will do. Another change in itinerary so not going to San Sebastián Spain, going to Bilbao instead. Ok.  Onward 

Lunch with a group of solo travellers and that was nice. A dip in salt water pool and I fell asleep in the sun. We can see coast of England throughout the day. Closer and closer. Cobh Ireland tomorrow   

The wifi won’t let me post pictures on my blog but they are on my facebook. My travel buddy created a WhatsApp group and is able to post pics on there. Yay. 

Captains party. Gotta go!!!!

Lehavre France

Wednesday September 24 2025

Waking up in the Cruise port of LeHavre. Requires a shuttle into town. Searching for an open tourist Information shop we walk to the sea. Yay. We found beach. After talking to the gal at tourism office we decide to go to Etretat cliffs for the day. We joined up with friends and took an Uber. 

Beautiful drive through serene countryside on route to Etretat. 30 minutes one way by car. 

Doors. Rooftops. Unique stone and brick buildings. Apple trees. Farmland. Black and white cows. Sculptures at roundabout of Vikings, stone farmer, fisherman with crab. Corn fields. Little villages. More roundabouts. 

Upon arrival we take in the view of the majestic sea and round stone beach. Blue sky and wind today. The sound of the mighty surf pulling relentlessly in waves over the round stones is very loud yet soothing. I walk to the famous cliffs. Up. Up. Up. Some 358? Steps someone said. Lots of micro stops for taking photos and catching my breath, allowing heart race to calm. Beautiful at top. A stone church, a garden. Taking in the spectacular view of the sea, surf, cliffs. Ancient and eroded. What a sight!

Specialties of this area mouilles frites and buckwheat crepes!  

Took city bus for 1 euro 80 each to LeHavre from Etretat. It took half hour by uber to get there and more than hour to get back with cool little stops off the highway. Beautiful regional experience. Bus dropped us at the train station and a quick brisk walk to our pick up point for Oceania shuttle into centre of town. 

I asked for specialty restaurant again tonight so we will go back to Red Ginger. Yay. We did not attend the show tonight after dinner, we sat and talked to our dinner share people. Following we went out dancing up on deck 10, Horizons lounge    Time now to sleep and gain an extra hour tonight with sea day tomorrow. 

Bruges, Belgium. Sept 23 2025

I had a glorious long solid sleep. Bit of a late start this morning with a nice shower in very small stall. 

Spoke to guest relations person who is local to the area. Free shuttle to Blankenberge to catch train to Brugge!  We get ready, get our gear and out the door, off gangway and to shuttle. Due to timing we will have a short day here, back on last shuttle at 230 pm. We can do this!

Outside the terminal of rail station, in Blankenberge the Sign says: “Kiss and ride. Max 15 minutes”. 

I think only 10-15 minutes to Brugge. We will do a walkabout and check out Belgian chocolate and some wine?  On train ride i enjoy the architecture and different roof textures of the homes. The greenery and farmland once out of the town limits of Brakenbruge. Farm equipment and crows in the fields. Many windmills making power. Blue sky again and cool but sunny temperature. 

I arrive at Brugge!  Red squirrels frolicking through trees

I am enchanted by the Waterways. Rivers or canals, locks, home for beautiful white swans and pairs of ducks. Old red brick architecture. I can hear an owl and pigeons. Weeping willows reaching down to the canal. Sunshine is bright and it is warmer now. Distant church bells clanging as we walk along a path through park to town. Rows of attached brick and stone buildings along cobblestone streets. In town little artistic shops selling Belgian chocolates and lace, pillow covers, bags made of needlework. 

Carrefour express store sells lots of wines, we pick up some rose, red and a Cava from Spain. A little something of every kind. Despite the poor map and my lousy sense of direction, we find our way back to the train station and there explore a little chocolate shop. By 130 pm we are once again on a fast train heading closer to the ship. We explored Blankenberge (some very old buildings and some locals riding bicycles, a quiet town today)and then complimentary shuttle to the ship by 230 pm. 

Time for tea at 4 to 5 pm, happy hour from 5 to 6, dinner 630 and show tonight in the lounge. Done. Done and done. 

We are out at sea heading toward LeHavre and we will be there in the morning. Good night from somewhere between France and Belgium. We have an app for finding ships!!

Monday 22 September 2025. embarkation day. Oceania Sirena

I spent the last two days in Paris. We left home on 18 September in late afternoon to begin the journey. Adjusting to a very long set of Westjet flights from Victoria BC Canada, via Calgary and overnight to Halifax.

A day at my mom’s in Wolfville. We are picked up by my friends friend and driven to my moms for the day. The gift of delicious meals, loving hugs and a restful needed nap. We drove to Kingsport beach and quick drive by some favourite sights. A beautiful gift of time. I have been pondering this article https://ckarchive.com/b/75u7h8h699kkzb6rgg7rlawl85666tnhordn0 and stringing beads through out the day. 

Back on last flight Halifax to Paris. We catch an uber to stay with our friend. 

Wandering our way through Paris, Montmartre district. Lively music in a bandstand in the park. People people everywhere enjoying the architecture, sights, sounds, energy, lights and texture of Paris. So alive. Cafes and bars with lots of patrons sharing a delicious meal with wine or beer. Walking. Lebanese lunch, tasty gluten free wrap, Grom sorbet to go. 

We spend some time on the river watching people and lights. Galleries Lafayette and Opera house. Green boxes of artwork. Bridges lit up. Bateau on the Seine. Fabulous day exploring beautiful Paris. My last blog post was featuring yesterday in Paris. 

This morning up early to repack and catch train through France to Belgium, Antwerp. We took an uber with all our bags to Gare du Nord rail station and on prebooked train 9415 to Antwerp station. Wifi free on train. Beautiful large spacious red velvet seats with huge windows and beautiful view of the lush green countryside. 

Eating quiche and focaccia bread purchased a day or so ago at Copains gluten free bakery. Fantastic breakfast. Quiet except for the rattling sound of the train on tracks. Gentle rocking as we speed along. 

Windmills and vehicles. Brilliant blue clear sky. Perfect day for a train ride. We stop in Brussels to exchange some passengers and next stop Antwerp. 

We get off train a few minutes later than scheduled. With no one around we navigate and take escalators up up and up. 

We find transfer bus arranged to take us to the ship. Yay. We drive by castle of Antwerp. I can breathe and relax and let Oceania look after the rest. Seatbelt mandatory here on bus. The Scheldt River coming from France and Netherlands. People in this part of Belgium speak dialect of Dutch, Flemish. 1813 became independent. In other provinces speak German and French. 12 million inhabitants of Belgium. 250 miles one side to other side. Very dense population. Lots of traffic. We pass through city of Ghent or Gent. Lots of grains, convergence of two main rivers. 

We arrive to the ship, get checked in and have lunch in buffet. Then to our room to unpack our bags. We had a nice time settling in. Dinner followed by a movie. 

Time to rest. 

21 September 2025. Paris France

In the necklace du Paris, we are adding the beads. 

Here is an article to read. https://ckarchive.com/b/75u7h8h699kkzb6rgg7rlawl85666tnhordn0

Sunday morning quiet in the apartment. My ears still plugged from the flight. Haha. We had a wonderful walk by the river in the city of lights last evening. Then enjoyed telling stories and a game of cards. Slept a full night and now preparing for the day. 

Walk to Sacre Coeur. Through quaint pretty little streets alive with ceramics and tourist baubles. Walking groups. 

A moment in Catholic Church service. Organ playing. Voices in song. The acoustic sound reminds me of a time long ago. Someone had a vision for this cathedral. 

Pushing through throngs of people gathered for a Sunday morning run, organized and wearing numbered purple t shirts. Bouncing to the music. I can hear the church bells clanging through the sounds. UrbanTrail. We persue the goal to see the sights of Paris from Sacre Coeur. ! The run begins Down the steep cobblestone streets. We paid for a novel ride down funicular. We passed a women’s lingerie shop but decided not to go in. 

Angel store contains everything angels!. Rubber duck store of all themed little yellow ducks. Chocolate specialty shop, Dengo. Omg. We taste and try. We purchase some treats. Amazing. 

Bougies candle store. Fragrance store. 

Copains is totally gluten free enjoying pizza, focaccia bread, flan, cookies and other delights. Beautiful French pastries all gluten free. Magically presented. We sit inside and try. 

Towards the outdoor market. A free street toilet is pleasantly surprising. We find weekly flea market for several blocks. Shopping. Browsing. Looking. Touching. Then to cemetery. A very old place, walking between little houses with family names. We share a gf cookie on a park bench. Peaceful. Quiet and amidst the city. Gentleman playing accordion in open cafe. We stop for the briefest moment. Back home to drop off treasures. 

St eustache cathedral with huge organ. More tour groups everywhere. Stained glass, candles, wooden pews. 

A map of where we can find crème brûlée in the area. Goal for later. People watching, kissing of both cheeks. Fashion forward women and men. 

The Bourse de Commerce for a large blue liquid pool full of white ceramic bowls moving gently. So many people the sound is muted and lost in the large 4 story room with glass dome. We have tickets. 

Reflections. Beads. Another. All making music, subtle. Gentle. Nevertheless. Can I just listen and hear the bowls?  Singing. Apart from the words and talking sounds. There it is, the music. 

The craving mind wants more quiet, more bowls, less chatter. The grateful mind hears the song. Thank you

The sunshine through the glass dome. Reflections on ceiling. Magic. Up the elevator checking out each floor and finding the little mouse art. I bought a postcard for boys. 

Five Guys for fries (gf) on way to Shakespeare and Co. , Notre Dame cathedral and walking over some bridges. 

We line up for the book store only five minutes till close. No time to shop in a meaningful way. But fun and we went inside- bead. Over the beautiful bridge to Notre Dame cathedral for the bells ringing at end of service. The people spill out. 

We find a grocery store and pick up Comte cheese, bubbly water, green olives, red wine from Bordeaux with a new corkscrew.   Down to the river by a bridge. Waving at the passengers. Such a lovely way to spend the evening. Good friends. Another bead moment. 

Back to the bridges for sparkling lights view and people watching. Couldn’t get the metro so we bussed to the area. Walked to La Village for shared crème brûlée. More walking up up the hill. Ready for another relaxing evening and good sleep.