There’s Something Wonderful About These Spanish Towns

Day 96, Grand World Voyage

Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023; Cádiz, Spain.

I was looking forward to exploring the streets of Cádiz but instead stayed on board for another day of knee rest. At least I have been here before.

Cádiz is a Spanish city on a spit of land curling into the Atlantic Ocean. Last time I was here, we took a tour of the narrow spit before heading inland to explore the “white villages,” as they are known because the white buildings cling to the hills and shine in the sun.

In 2011, I wrote, “This is a place I wouldn’t mind staying for a few days. It has nice parks and promenades along the water, and it being Sunday morning, the small city is quiet.”

This year we are here on Easter Sunday and were warned that in this Catholic country we could expect everything to be closed. Those who went ashore reported that while much wasn’t open, they found coffee shops and restaurants for sitting and watching the world go by. That’s one of my favorite ways to pass time in foreign ports.

In addition, because the area is so small, they said it was hard to miss the Easter procession. Friends Ian and Megan captured it well, including a candid shot of the bearers taking a short break.

When I was here 12 years ago, we also saw a procession, but much smaller, in the village of Vejer de la Frontera.  It was led by youth from the church, who apparently were finishing a retreat weekend.

We reached the village after passing beaches, resorts and then rolling hills. We walked through the winding streets and narrow walkways that make these areas so charming.

We completed our tour by driving down to the coast to Cape Trafalgar, a famous naval battle scene with a scenic lighthouse these days. In 2019, I painted a version of my 2011 photograph.

This year, my morning started with a visit to the ship’s Medical Center for a follow-up on my fractured patella.  The doctor determined that the cast was loose and not helping a lot (except to keep me from sleeping). So off it came! Now I have six layers of gauze and what looks like quilt batting. My foot is free. And boy do I need a pedicure.

I’m still hoping that the brace will arrive tomorrow in Lisbon. The doctor said still no weight on the leg and sent me out with crutches to help get around the cabin, which is too narrow for the wheelchair. The knee is swollen and bruised and the wound looks evil. I’ll spare you photographs. But it will heal.

The weather continues to be fantastic as the temperatures fall. Days are in the low 70s and nights cooler. By the time we get to Norway later this month, I’ll wish I had more than summer dresses. I don’t think I will wear the skinny jeans I brought anytime soon with this knee. Amazing we have had hardly any rain on this entire journey.

I had so much fun at the sail-away party by the Sea View pool that I forgot to take any pictures, except of the two giant cruise ships also in port. Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas carries more than 6,000 passengers, and the Carnival Venezia more than 4,000. Makes our approximately 1,500 look pretty small, but I like it that way.