Celebrating Bob's birthday in Ephesus, Turkey

Visited Mary's house and lit candles in memory of loved ones.  Then spent rest of the day in the ruins of the ancient Ephesus city. Saw the ancient Library of Celcius which was connected to a brothel by tunnel.   Perfect weather but lots of tourists and lots of stray cats (also a dog and 2 puppies) in the ruins.  Then we had a huge buffet of fabulous Turkish food at a resort.  The desserts were amazing!

Livorno and Civitavecchia

So not only does wi-fi become a problem on a ship but our personalities have also changed.  Bob who is typically monosyllabic and rarely talks to people - has transformed into Mr Congeniality.  I expect to see him leading the conga line before we disembark. Paula has rejected all socialization is quite happy to not talk to anyone.  Kelly is drawn to the casino and a machine called Kitty Glitter.  Today we visited an olive farm and had a fabuous tasting of proscuitto and local wine and of course olive oils and bruschetta.  We also stopped in an old village called Tuscana.  i've got great picks and will try to upload them later.  Yesterday we went to a town of canals called Livorno.  It was a town ruled by the Medici's but it seems to have fallen on hard times.  Our tour guide was a female version of the comedian Stephen Wright - very dry, quirky  sense of humor.

Royal Caribbean must make a fortune on slow wi-fi!!!!

Cannes cancelled!!!! Seas too rough to tender to shore.

When the captain announced it was too windy and choppy for us to get in the tender to go to the port of Cannes - we were disappointed.  But when we saw the pilot boat along side our ship just bobbing in the waves - we knew it would not have been a pleasant ride.  So, we spent the day at sea.  Kelly starred in karaoke in the BRitish Pub - a lovely rendition of Lady Gaga Bad Romance.  Will post pics of Kelly and the crew singing, when I figure out where to connect the cable.  Having a lovely time.  Weather is beautiful.

Hotel Casa Camper - no need to fear a place with the word "Camper" in the name. They are spoiling us.

Flamenco dancing, dinner, and halloween costume inspiration.  Then, the Magic Fountains at night.

View from the loo

Vertical garden in hotel courtyard - outside bathroom window.

Barcelona

Having a beautiful Saturday in the city.  This mornings tour with Paco was a great way for us to see the whole city without getting terribly lost and acting disfunctional.  We went to the mediterranean and to the hills of town to see Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia - two Gaudi creations. our hotel is half a block from Las Ramblas  - the big walking street - so yesterday we went to the market and saw fantastical varieties of all kinds of food - mushrooms, meat, fish, vegies, chocolates.  We sat in an outdoor cafe and had sangria and snacks in the midst of all the vendors on Las Ramblas. Then we walked to the Gothic part of town and ran into a huge Catalan Book Festival.  I'll post pics when i figure out how to do it on my prehistoric ipad.  Thanks to a last minute upgrade - courtesy of Bob we had nice big seats on the plane and lots of wine and food and attention.  Tonight we are out on our own and have the opportunity to take the metro to see some flamenco dancers and have dinner and then see the Magical Fountains.  Then we can get lost for hours.