Day One- Anniversary Cruise

Hey Retired Brickmen,

     This is the first day of the cruise. Debbie and I boarded the Carnival Vista(the latest,greatest, and largest of Carnival's ships), and proceeded to have a drink!

                                              

I know, so far it looks like all we do is drink, but we eat also!  Hey, it's a vacation!

Here is a view of our cabin. We were lucky to get an upgrade(for a small charge, of course) to a spa suite. It was a very nice room. If I had the money, it would be nice to go that way all the time.

Panoramic shot of spa suite




The next morning we arrived in Marseilles, France. We boarded a bus at 8 am, and were off to Avignon and Chateauneuf Du Pape(House of the Pope)

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         Palais des Papes(Palace of the Popes)         

 Palais des Papes was the home of seven Popes from 1309 to 1377. It is now owned by France and one of the few cities in France to have preserved its ramparts. Around 12,000 live within it's walls.

The Pont Saint- Bénézet also known as The Pont

d' Avignon, was built between 1177-1185 and was partially destroyed during the Albigensian Crusade 40-50 years later by Louie the VIII.  It was rebuilt, but by the 17th century was so costly to maintain because of the river,it was abandoned. Part of it still stands and is a World Heritage Site along with the Palais des Papes. 

     

After some lunch in the center of Avignon, and a little souvenir shopping, it was time to board the bus and head to the Chateauneuf Du Pape(House of the Pope) Region for some wine tasting!

After arriving at this beautiful vineyard/hotel, we were ready to get down to some serious business.

As we entered the tasting room, we found it all set up for us,complete with olives, toast and wine glass rinsing items.

After trying SEVERAL different wines, we made our selections,paid for them, and headed back to the bus for the ride back to the VISTA.   
  As a side note, while traveling down the highway in our motor coach(bus), we passed another bus filled with maybe high school or college aged kids. While we went around them in the passing lane, we were mooned or flashed by the entire bus! Interesting way to end the day.

Toasting the end of our first day with our french wine from the Chateauneuf Du Pape region!








Up next: Day 2- Livorno (Florence/Pisa)

Hey Retired Brickmen,
    Post 2, and this one is a doosie! Mrs. Retired Brickmen and I celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary with a cruise in the Mediterranean.

We flew into Barcelona a couple days before the cruise so we could spend some time visiting this great city.


We stayed in a wonderful boutique hotel in the gothic area of the city.  After checking in, it was time to explore this great city and look at all the great and old masonry materials used to build it. There was no wood, aluminum, or vinyl used in the 12 century or earlier(that was still left standing that is), but plenty of brick, stone, and marble all over.


The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, also
known as Barcelona Cathedral.

EVEN THE OLD STREETS ARE MASONRY!

Dicky the Bricky would be sooo excited!

Old castle

Gaudi designed building

Sagrada Familia

After two days, a couple of different city tours, and
miles of shoe leather, it was time for Mr. and Mrs. retired
brickmen to relax with a glass of wine and some tapas before
catching the ship.  The next day, the ambitious schedule would
really kick into gear !


That's all for now, more to come in the next installment, and remember,
have you ever noticed how "What the hell?" is
always the right answer!

My first post

     This is an experiment for me. I never had an Internet site prior to this(you're really surprised, huh). 
     Since I am a retired brickman, I find my self with time on my hands. 
     My old buddy, and fellow retired brickman, Jim Hunt, also having plenty of time on his hands, has become a snowbird. Hopefully we will get to visit him and his lovely wife Sue(also a retired brickman) at their winter home. As for now, my wife, Debbie, not a retired brickman, is still working, me too, part-time, so visits will be engineered in the NEAR future.
   That's all for now, and remember, have you ever noticed how "What the hell?" is always the right answer!

You can email me at scihla@retiredbrickmen.com or use the form at the right.Thanks.