Dec 15, 2010 South of the Equator

Greetings from the southern hemisphere! I have arrived. Sometime around 2 am local time, just around another time change, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, smooth seas and no particular sign posts, I crossed the equator for the first time in my life.

In elementary school and after, talk of the equator brought interest. What was that like? The largest section around the world, the biggest part of the circle. Is it the same below? Down under? Does the water actually spin the other direction in the sink, tub or toilet bowl? The sky will host different constellations and I can’t remember the southern most sky-marks. It has been so long since that early learning that I can’t recall what I am to expect.

Nonetheless, here I am and I am excited. At noon, at sea, a ceremony takes place to initiate those, like me, who this is their first crossing to the south.

Dec 14, 2010 Days at Sea

My favorite days are days at sea. On Oceania, this is no exception. Leisurely waking up after being rocked gently to sleep by the rolling of the ship on the wide ocean. Curtains drawn and a view of the horizon, water, blue sky out my window the size of the entire wall of the stateroom.

Tranquility beds so very comfortable, snuggled warm in crisp white sheets, a down comforter and soft down pillows. How luxurious feeling. Large floor to ceiling mirror at the end of the bed on the opposite wall. All items stored carefully away, no clutter in the room.

I enjoy the peacefulness and the movement that greets me as I wake. No plans for the day. No expectations other than food and great company. I might read a book, sit in a common area in comfy chairs, look out windows, enjoy the hot equatorial sun, or catch glimpses of flying fish. I might play scrabble or do a sudoku puzzle. I might shop in the boutiques on board for items I will never purchase. I might have decaf Earl Grey tea in my cruise ship logo mug and sip slowly back in my room. I might do all or none of the above mentioned.

I know the day will be relaxed and enjoyable and that no expectations other than that are encouraged. I have enjoyed the special service I receive from the staff on this ship. Very personal and particular to my specific food needs and wants. I feel high maintenance and enjoy that feeling.

I love the furnishings and wall and window coverings on this small cruise ship. I love the variety of places to find nourishment and endulge in sugary delights. Chocolates on my pillow, fresh berries awaiting at every meal, whole lobster in Polo Grill, flavorful jellies delivered to my table at dinner time, and today, they came at lunch as well. Perrier and San Peregrino water is offered. Still or room temperature water, or water with ice. Unlimited diet Coke and iced tea for the asking.

Gluten free toast and sugar free jams and jellies. Flavorful and spicy salsas made and presented when I ask. Egg white omelet.

Although not entirely about food, this cruise offers so many delights.

I am traveling with family and friends and have made even more friends aboard.

I have the beginning of a tan and enjoy the salt water swimming pool and two fresh water hot tubs and comfy individual and double lounge chairs awaiting on the pool deck. Also there is a jogging and walking track, 13 times around for a mile, above the pool area. Always so much to see. People watching is a great pastime. This ship is no exception to the enjoyment.

I am enjoying reading books in the afternoon, and watching snippets of movies on tv throughout the day or before bed. In order to not spend a fortune on internet usage, I am trying to write only once every two days and seeking internet cafes when we arrive in port.

Lectures are offered on wellness, port excursions, cruise ships and history of places foreign to me. There is a spa and fitness area, I have come to know some of the staff in most of the areas on the ship. I speak to the Concierge about our travels home. I talk at registration desk about my entrance to Brazil. I have spent time with the travel agent offering Oceania future voyages at a discount. I am hopeful one day I will have a job like that. Cruising, meeting people and enjoying the treasured sea days.

Dec 12, 2010 Cape Verde, a short stay.

All of the beauty I saw from the ship …. reality has taken over. I see poverty, buildings without doors, without windows and some without many walls. Partial buildings, stores all closed up, bars covering some entranceways. Signage made of paper and hand writing.

Narrow streets, not well marked. Taxi drivers stop and offer a ride, one after another, after another. Persistent and intrusive. Hot already by 9:15 am, we walk along the water, I notice sandy beach. The smell is not a pleasant beachy smell at all. I don’t wonder where that smell comes from that is assaulting my senses. We keep walking. We are 4, and I feel the need to keep track of all of us all the time. The closer the streets take us to “town”, the less safe I feel. I feel sad that I feel this way. So sad as I read the signage and witness the historical context for this place. The sad eyes that look up from the small door ways with hands outstretched, remind me again and again of the history and pain of this place.

I see no celebration of life or victory. No evidence of community pride or safety. A very few stores open to welcome us, so crowded as some guests have stumbled on them before us. Haggling in currencies – US, Euros, something portugese? This small country has its own currency!! Interesting.

Still consulting the map and trying to find the internet cafe, we ask a police person who chooses not to answer and instead tells us that this local man speaks English and will assist us find the cyber cafe. A local man walks with us – I am suspicious and I don’t want to follow. Part of me wants to believe in something good, but my gut instinct is that this is a trap of some kind. A game. My stomach forms a knot. We are told the cyber place opens at 10. We decide to walk around a bit and find our way back at that time.

When we arrive back, many of our ship mate tourist friends are already waiting for the 10 am opening. Nothing. Two locals, a woman and another male say … “follow us to one that is open” … some follow and the knot in my stomach is now much larger and the once small voice of suspicion is now screaming in my head “this is a trap, don’t go. Walk away”. We stay together, we watch others go and some stay – we go half way and stand. Waiting to see some sign of something that tells us what to do. We check back at the cyber place. Now we believe nothing is open on Sunday and to stay here will only lead to more deception and I just don’t want to spend my day with my new knotted stomach.

We have a quick chat and decide to walk back leisurely to the ship to enjoy the rest of the day from our familiar place. I know I will be writing about this place. I know I will be haunted from being here – not because anything particularly bad happened to me – it did not. Not because I have heard stories of theft by locals – I have not. Only my own thoughts of how this place manages to stay open at all, to find hope and optimism with a history so unhappy and so tragic.

I am sitting now on my veranda watching as the other guests arrive back on the ship – slowly and with less zip in their step than when they left this ship this morning. Some who, like us, chose to not take a bus tour out to see the countryside and visit other villages, back to the comfort and safety of our ship, with memories and sights we will forever take with us from this day forward.

There must be some learning here for me – some message. Some past experience or thoughts, some story I have heard from long ago … some reason that is held in the very cells of my being. Some future event that hinges on me being here this date and seeing what I have seen. It is done. I have been here, done this and there is only the waiting now, to find the reason why. Perhaps I needed to witness.

Dec 12, 2010 Cape Verde arrival.

This may be the saddest place I have ever been to in my travels. First let me explain that it is a small group of islands off the coast of Africa, desert volcanic land outcrops in the middle of the ocean. The startling beauty of the islands from the ship as we sailed to the port is almost indescribable. I was trying to get ready for the day, having had an extra hour sleep last night, and could not tear myself away from the visuals out the full window and on the veranda from our stateroom.

Blue sky, large beautiful sunrise filling the sky with color. Small flat roofs in the distance predicted a “town”. Very sparse vegetation makes it easy to see all there is to see from the ship. The buildings bright clay colored, golds, reds, whites. Surf crashing up on the rocky shore in some places. This is a sight to behold.

A few large and small rusty ships along side of us as we pulled up to the pier. Up for breakfast on buffet so we could see the landscape while I enjoyed a cup of decaf Earl Grey tea, lovely egg white omelet with shrimp, red peppers, onions, jalepeno peppers and grated swiss cheese. A bowl of fresh berries, black, blue, strawberries and raspberries. A slice of gluten free toast with sugar free blackberry jam. I can hardly contain my excitement for the day ahead. It looks like a very warm day so I dress in white, with walking sandals, a shawl to protect my shoulders from the sun’s rays. White sunglasses to complete the outfit. Away we go.

Easy disembarkation from the small cruise ship we have come to love as “home”. We have read about this island. Once integral part of the slave trade. When I heard that, read that – I became startled and anxious. Will it “feel” like its history? Will the sights and tales of days gone by be obvious to us tourists? How much poverty will we see? What about the pain of such a tragic past, from not so long ago. We can see fortresses up high on some rocky peaks. My anxiety builds as I take it in – as much as I let myself take it in.

I feel overwhelmed in moments. In a flash, repeated over and over, the reality does indeed hit home. Buildings that look great from the ship are in major disrepair. The stone buildings and cobblestone walk ways, the broken glass or non existent window coverings, bars on some windows, people on the streets. Remnants of some other time. No pride here, police evidence is everywhere. Why?

We begin the 15 minute walk to town. We have a map provided by tourist representative that is at a desk inside the ship. We can believe what she says, sanctioned by the Oceania line and on board. Funny how we take for granted the subtle convenience of “knowing” who you can trust and not. In a truly foreign country such as this …. it would be impossible to know this.

Historical facts replayed in my mind … history of Portugese dominance and governance – now independent country. What does that mean? What to expect? Is this a safe place to be? Why does a cruise ship dock here? What is my learning in such a place at such a time? We want to find an internet cafe so we can check out email and send a Facebook entry from such a foreign and exotic location. We head out on our adventure.

We have arrived on a Sunday. Nothing much open here – an indoor market. I am afraid to enter. Sitting on the ground, walking around the sidewalks, local folks, men and women, not many children. Hands out asking for money – some more persistent than others. Begging is clearly accepted here. Maybe this is how it is in this country? We don’t understand the language, however many of the locals say “hello” and try to get our attention with hands out and pleading eyes.

9 Dec 2010 Day at Sea, after Gibralter

Greetings loved ones. I am writing from sea. Very windy and very sunny. Today we have seen only water and sunshine. It is a most beautiful sight. Bright blue sky overhead and reflections of blue from below. Our balcony window is the size of the wall … very good opportunity for watching for any scenes that might come by the ship. Large tanker and cargo ships out at sea, carrying something from here to there.

We are a little at the back (aft) from center. The rocking is not felt too badly from here. Few people talking about feeling sick last night. I love the sleep I enter with a rocking motion. Warm air outside, wind and waves.

We have been eating phenomenal food – lobster, boulliabais today at lunch – full with sea food. Shrimp so large they must be something or some special variety.

Unlimited soda and water, including Perrier and San Peregrino. We have lots of wine, some we brought on board, some gifts, and a bottle of champagne to share. We are heading out for afternoon tea at 4. We order capuccino and latte and we purchased go cups so I can also carry around my tea to enjoy.

The boutiques on board are great prices for very upscale, designer merchandise. The 70% off sale on Ribkoff is very tempting as well as duty free items of all sorts.

We drink lots of water from the lovely blue plastic bottles that get refreshed a few times a day. Our fridge is regularly stocked with items at our request.

Each day I have a menu delivered for the next evening (supper) so I can select gluten free items. We have had two dinners in formal dining room and one night at Polo Grill so far. At Polo I had lobster (whole) from Maine, and then filet mignon grilled to perfection. We all have had no problem finding food items that are fabulous. Glad we all have stretchy clothes!! Very rich delicacies. Mom orders hors d’oerves to share every night and Steve and I help her with those while we share our wine or champagne for that evening.

Had a Captains night and dressed up last evening so we had more champagne then and lots of appetizers as well.

Our room is fabulous, the service is extraordinary …. so many staff to meet our every whim. Smiling as they deliver whatever we request.

Well a few more sea days and then off to Cape Verde. We attended a lecture on this little group of islands and learned more about them. Central to the slave trade so many years ago, I am a little squeamish about what kinds of historical memories lie beneath the surface of this vacation destination.

We will walk about and get a feel for the place …. and then 3 more days at sea until we arrive in Brazil. I am looking forward to the heat.

Fresh flowers arrive with room service. We want for nothing. The dinner dishes are Versace …. it is truly luxury on the seas!!

Dec 7 2010 a discovery day at sea.

A little too cold to lay in the sun, however, cruising the mediterranean is a lovely sight. Seeing land off in the distance. A breakfast at the buffet where we enjoy a specialty made omelet (egg white, shrimp, swiss cheese and onions, red pepper), with fresh berries, gluten free toast and sugar free jams and jellies to chose from.

Lunch was a Mexican buffet so we enjoyed quacamole and the salsa is always fresh cut with great fresh flavor. Corn chips, and a variety of meats, salads and desserts are offered and accepted – in moderation of course. Sugar free ice cream comes out with new flavors each day. Brilliant.

Supper was very special indeed. We dressed up in our finest country club casual clothes and enjoyed whole lobster, filet mignon … so many choices. Lovely and sweet fruit jellies, variety of specialty desserts. We eat and we eat. Every meal stating we won’t eat so much next time. A new habit is formed and we eat and we enjoy the offerings.

We attended a few lectures today, one on history of cruising and one on Gibralter’s history as we will be there tomorrow.

Dec 8 2010 rock of Gibralter

Up early and grab breakfast. We wait for the call to tell us the gangplank is ready for our departure to go into town. We walked a ways and talked to information booth folk, who advised we can take a city bus to the landing of the cable car. The cable car, for just a few Gibralter pounds (money currency of their own). We take the cable car to the top, enjoy close encounters with the barbery apes that live wild and amoung tourists at the top.

They were sweet and we took lots of pics of them grooming each other as well as wandering around on railings and posing for our cameras.

The sights from the top – breathtaking views. So far down- our little cruise ship the only one in the harbour. It is so interesting how small Gibralter is and its airport run way crosses a main street. Just pass that crossing is Spain. Gibralter enjoys its own government and currency and is very independent from Spain. Very interesting and busy place.

After disembarkation of the cable car back to the ground, we took a walk through the busy down town area. Although we did not purchase anything, we investigated shoes, clothes, jewelery and many other shiny things. We kept walking and walking until we reached thee cruise ship dock shortly after 1 pm. The ship was to sail at 2, however, some passengers were late so we waited a bit. I went up to enjoy some sun after we grabbed a quick bite to eat from the buffet.

Loved Gibralter spectacular views but not the fortresses, stone walls, cannons pointed out to sea, and the denseness of the population. It screams antagonism. The condo’s have no green space, land is at a premium in this city, no where to grow but out to sea.

Onward to the next few days out to sea. Time to relax.

Dec 6 2010, The feast begins, Oceania experience

How does a cruise ship company live up to the claim of the “best food at sea”? Simply, carefully and with attention to detail.

Every morsel must be prepared from fresh ingredients. Presentation must be interesting and alluring. People must be satisfied and not “filled up”. Food tastes must be unique and memorable. Recipes must be selected and coordinated, combining comfort foods, exotic spice and yet familiar and that sense of “special”. Several choices, not to overwhelm, but to offer something for everyone and several somethings of interest for the adventuresome.

Food specialists, as every ordinary person is, must be impressed with understated perfection. Words used to describe a taste, must entice from the menu. Presentation in a buffet must promise flavors and freshness, to inspire confidence. One bite must satisfy every palate. Not one item can be substandard or ordinary. All must be appealing to the senses.

We are directed firmly yet with open invitation to the Terrace Cafe for the prepared luncheon on embarkation day. We enter, this first impression is one that will forever capture our memory for Oceania. This one flash in time, a photograph of the mind, will hold power over our impression of this day, this cruise, this choice for our carefully saved dollars. This is the moment of truth and the love is in the details.

Pass / fail is the deciding factor yet critical to the success of any art form. Pass.

We select a range of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared meats and cheeses, carved roast beef and turkey, selection of condiments and colors to fill the senses and add to the experience. Oh and a quick walk by the dessert area, with promise of sweetness and flavor to punctuate the nutrition.

Beverages including bottled water, Perrier, sodas, coffees, teas and cappucinos are offered to all by the ample staff ratio. Wine and other offerings are described in the menu on each table. We have been to our room and know the champagne is on ice, complimentary red wine is on the table …. we will be well looked after.

Gluten free breads are brought to my table in generous quantity. I feel my needs and wants are being anticipated and met. How simple yet how detail has been organized in preparation for my arrival.

We enjoy the tastes, smells, textures, and time. We look out on the harbor view of the city of Barcelona spread out before us as part of the buffet. We watch as new arrivals spill in to the cafe and have the quick but critical evaluation of pass? Fail? looks come over their expressions.

The feast has begun and we are satisfied that our anticipation has been greeted with equal measure of planning and preparation. That Oceania has accepted the challenge or our expectation and performed the task with satisfying results. We came, we ate and we smiled.

Off to explore the ship, to check out all the possibilities for the other experiences … entertainment, shopping, reading, sight seeings, exercising, lounging, self care and spa adventures, investigations and of course, future meals and gastronomical delights that are yet to come.

A feast indeed has been laid out in front of us and we have agreed to indulge. Yuummmmm!

Dec 6, 2010 Embarkation Day, Introduction to Oceania

This is my first actual personal experience with Oceania other than to sell it as part of my consultation work with Expedia CruiseShipCenters. I have known the relative value of this cruise line from training and from hearing about it from others who have sailed with her ships. This is where the real learning begins.

As I have accepted a remarkable upgrade from inside guarantee stateroom to Concierge Veranda, I get all kinds of extra perks for a relatively low price. This is how to experience luxury. I highly recommend accepting the wonderful opportunities as they come along. This is the “gravy” or “icing on the cake” of life. When the offer comes, and it is possible, it is always worth accepting with gratitude for the opportunity. I am in that space now.

I arrive at 10:30 am in the pier at Barcelona after a very short taxi ride, saying good bye to our temporary home at Raco Del Pi in the gothic quarter and very boutique shopping district just off Los Ramblas. I can see the ms. Insignia off in the distance, next to a few other European cruise ships similar in size. Insignia is white on white. Classy, many balcony staterooms and more than that – it is the physical embodiment of the promise of what is to come. The anticipation from the past 18 months since I made the booking. All the excitement is pounding through my body and my mind races to try to capture the picture as a photo, a moment in time and space. Oh the beauty and the promise.

We have priority embarkation. The words and realization fall over me. We are priorized on this ship as a reward for our investment and gratitude and as well as acceptance of worthiness to experience luxury. We are invited to arrive hours before the other guests. To board the ship that has been refurbished in dry dock for almost 2 weeks. We are the first guests to enter the hallways and walk that gangplank to experience her offerings. Ms Insignia opens her arms to us and we accept her invitation.

Relative ease of embarkation never before experienced on a cruise ship. A few couples speak of the ordeals of travel to get there to this moment …. delays in London due to weather, extreme cold and a dump of snow, or the 24 hour air strike in Barcelona. Now we are together, as was the plan. We are here all having accepted the offer to luxury and upgrade.

The decision of what to wear has been made lightly by some who have not yet received their luggage, while others have carefully selected an appropriate Country Club Casual match of dress slacks, jacket and in many cases tied together with contrasting scarf. Hair done and make up carefully applied, even though there are no pictures taken on embarkation. No photographers jostling for attention and opportunity to sell their particular skill and talent at capturing the anticipation and preparation for years to come on a piece of photographers film. All photos are taken by the mind, some captured in time, some, no doubt, fleeting and ordinary and not to be remembered hardly at all.

A arrives out of the blue to assist my mother with her carry on luggage. We are directed by a staff person every 10 to 20 feet or so. Directed in to the ship, into a welcoming area of the lounge on the 5th deck. Carpeted reception lead to a podium where more staff are eager to welcome us on board and take our passports, invite us to have our picture taken for identification purposes for future embarkation, and of course to take our credit card imprint for future purchases while on the cruise.

We let the realization of cruising the Mediterranean on this beautiful little ship sink in. We allow the ambiance to wash over us like rain on the thirsty garden. It is all perfect and we have arrived.

Dec 6, 2010 Embarkation Day, Introduction to Oceania

This is my first actual personal experience with Oceania other than to sell it as part of my consultation work with Expedia CruiseShipCenters. I have known the relative value of this cruise line from training and from hearing about it from others who have sailed with her ships. This is where the real learning begins.

As I have accepted a remarkable upgrade from inside guarantee stateroom to Concierge Veranda, I get all kinds of extra perks for a relatively low price. This is how to experience luxury. I highly recommend accepting the wonderful opportunities as they come along. This is the “gravy” or “icing on the cake” of life. When the offer comes, and it is possible, it is always worth accepting with gratitude for the opportunity. I am in that space now.

I arrive at 10:30 am in the pier at Barcelona after a very short taxi ride, saying good bye to our temporary home at Raco Del Pi in the gothic quarter and very boutique shopping district just off Los Ramblas. I can see the ms. Insignia off in the distance, next to a few other European cruise ships similar in size. Insignia is white on white. Classy, many balcony staterooms and more than that – it is the physical embodiment of the promise of what is to come. The anticipation from the past 18 months since I made the booking. All the excitement is pounding through my body and my mind races to try to capture the picture as a photo, a moment in time and space. Oh the beauty and the promise.

We have priority embarkation. The words and realization fall over me. We are priorized on this ship as a reward for our investment and gratitude and as well as acceptance of worthiness to experience luxury. We are invited to arrive hours before the other guests. To board the ship that has been refurbished in dry dock for almost 2 weeks. We are the first guests to enter the hallways and walk that gangplank to experience her offerings. Ms Insignia opens her arms to us and we accept her invitation.

Relative ease of embarkation never before experienced on a cruise ship. A few couples speak of the ordeals of travel to get there to this moment …. delays in London due to weather, extreme cold and a dump of snow, or the 24 hour air strike in Barcelona. Now we are together, as was the plan. We are here all having accepted the offer to luxury and upgrade.

The decision of what to wear has been made lightly by some who have not yet received their luggage, while others have carefully selected an appropriate Country Club Casual match of dress slacks, jacket and in many cases tied together with contrasting scarf. Hair done and make up carefully applied, even though there are no pictures taken on embarkation. No photographers jostling for attention and opportunity to sell their particular skill and talent at capturing the anticipation and preparation for years to come on a piece of photographers film. All photos are taken by the mind, some captured in time, some, no doubt, fleeting and ordinary and not to be remembered hardly at all.

A arrives out of the blue to assist my mother with her carry on luggage. We are directed by a staff person every 10 to 20 feet or so. Directed in to the ship, into a welcoming area of the lounge on the 5th deck. Carpeted reception lead to a podium where more staff are eager to welcome us on board and take our passports, invite us to have our picture taken for identification purposes for future embarkation, and of course to take our credit card imprint for future purchases while on the cruise.

We let the realization of cruising the Mediterranean on this beautiful little ship sink in. We allow the ambiance to wash over us like rain on the thirsty garden. It is all perfect and we have arrived.

Still 5 Dec 2010. Still in Barcelona. Still eating.

Had a lovely afternoon walking about the city, resting in our hotel and listening to church bells. Had some dark chocolate gelato and you can’t imagine how good it was. The flavor of the chocolate, so dark and almost bitter filled the mouth and set off taste buds that I did not know my mouth possessed.. Chocolate “receptors” sang with delight as tiny mouth full after mouth full was placed by tiny plastic palate type spoon. Just the anticipation caused my mouth to water. My eyes almost filled up with pleasure tears, how amazing.

We walked around Del Pi square, looked in to a few shops and boutiques that were open for the 7^th day in a row this week. Maybe one out of every 5 to 10 doors were open and welcoming. I did not notice much else until the gelato was gone.

After that we investigated some great jewelery and scarves …. store windows reaching out to the passers by. Sensory overload again and again as the moments turned to a few hours of walking about and enjoying the air, artists, and artistic display of wares for sale.

Back to the warm room for a wee siesta mid afternoon. How indulgent. Why does not every culture incorporate this ritual? Deep sleep found me before my head hit the pillow. I had kicked off my boots, pulled on a blanket and next thing I knew a knock at the door and I was pulled from a deep and restful slumber. Steve in his new dark blue (‘azul’ is the blue word in Spanish) hat had come calling for lunch / dinner…. a late afternoon meal.

Previous night we had entered the wonderful hat store that previously we had only pressed our faces up against the glass of. The store window was a buffet of fabulous hats, some dressy, casual, classy, fancy and plain. Inside all hats are away in cupboards. When we entered Steve had a hat in mind to try – the male clerk measured his head and disappeared into the back of the shop. I was not too impressed with how the unique hat looked atop his round head. I inquired as to the “azul” hat in the window and they knew right away the one I referred to. Very similar in shape to the one he wears daily, this deep blue was an instant success as soon as the perfectly sized item was placed carefully on his head. Little more thought or reflection was necessary. The hat belongs to Steve and Steve to the hat. What a team.

Steve showed up at the door today wearing said hat, and asking if mom and I are ready to join the rest for afternoon wine and tapas. How did my life become so complete? How have such pleasures been tucked away or not even imagined yet? How was I to know this extra layer of satisfaction was just a continent away. Tucked into a famous port on the Mediterranean Sea is this fabulous city that knows truly how to indulge. It knows that siesta is followed by deep red wine or milder pink rosee and more and more rich and satisfying foods dripping in olive oil and balsamic vinegars. That the flavors of deep green almost crisp asparagus laid out on a plate could bring such joy. “Potatoes Bravas” topped with spicy red sauce and a garlic mayonnaise. Chicken so tender and cooked almost crunchy on the outside is provided skewered through the center and atop some whole small tasty green peppers grilled to perfection. Delight after delight arrived at the table. Rocket salad made of deep leafy greens, thin sliced goat cheese, quince jelly and pine nuts, drizzled with oil and vineger. Lagostino (cross between lobster and a large shrimp in flavor and texture) also skewered and drizzled on top with some amazing dressing that brings out the subtle seafood flavor. Steak slices sizzling in the pan, more peppers and more potatoes provide garnish to this very large dish of protein. We had no room for dessert!!! What?? A decision was made to walk back to our lovely hotel, another siesta- and dessert and a late night beverage will greet us long after dark and some time before morning hours arrive. This the life style of a very happy traveler. This pace, the sustenance, the patience, the consuming … all lead to bliss.