May 12, 2007 -- Taking the Magic to the Mediterranean -- 14 day Repo Cruise!

[hopemax]

We also just walked in Gibraltar. We got to the cable car right after the first Disney tour group, but before the second. We rode up with the second group. We bought a round trip ticket on the cable car, with the audio tour. So we rode up, did the audio tour, walked down to St. Michael's Cave, did that, and then walked down to Ape's Den and took the cable car back down. If we had it to do over again, we would have bought a one way ticket only, and then after the Apes Den walk to the Great Siege Tunnels, and then down past the Moorish Castle, and then we would have ended up back at the north side of Main Street. I know the taxis are easier, but watching all of them drive up those narrow roads, and turning around, we were happy we just walked. It was comfortable, and not stressful, and after all that eating we needed some walking!

We loved Gibraltar, and DH and I want to go back some day since we didn't have time to go to the siege tunnels, or Europa Point. I am also dying to get back to the Vienna Linens shop at 236 Main Street (more toward the south end). I bought DSIL a beautiful Moroccan style table runner, but didn't buy anything for myself. I have been kicking myself for it ever since the boat left port. They also had pillow covers, tablecloths, and a bedspread.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Ok so here's another one - how many or did anyone go to Montserrat outside of Barcelona? And if anyone did - did you go DCL or on your own? I know that Disney has a tour but I've been reading the sites for this place and they all recommend that Sunday is not a time to go. I for one would love to catch the boys choir sing and maybe just take my time walking the paths and catching some views. I caught a website that had some awesome pictures.

I think I am just this close to doing it on my own probably on the 16th or 17th as I will be coming back to Barcelona then. Anyone recommend it or not?

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Debbie, thanks for the gift of the pictures. I enjoyed them so much. Do we get two months ago pictures, too????

Thanks everyone for letting me enjoy Gibralter again today. Such nice memories.

I know I'm taking my kids and going again, (and yes, Hadley, we are all going. Scott's job change freed up some time for him in August) but it won't be the same trip. What a great group of people you all are! We crossed an ocean together. That is just a big deal to me.

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

I did the Montserrat half day. It was not crowded, and there was plenty of time for us. We were told that within days of our visit, it would be very crowded. We did DCL, but having used the train system from the airport to the city, I would just use public transportation to montserrat. In fact, I will, but it will not be on a day the ship leaves. I wouldn't want to miss the boat. We didn't hike, though I will next time since I've read more and think it would be fun. We are not Catholic, so it was not a religious experience for us, but it was nice. We did the museum. It was a nice little museum, but not exceptional.

On a side note, one thing the DCL tour does is travel around the backside of the mountain (though they say it's a rock not a mountain) so you see the very pretty view. Public transportation will allow you only a view of the front side. You have to decide if that's worth it to you.

My thoughts are a bit scattered. Time for bed! Sleep well all!

 

[padalyn]

Ok so here's another one - how many or did anyone go to Montserrat outside of Barcelona? And if anyone did - did you go DCL or on your own? I know that Disney has a tour but I've been reading the sites for this place and they all recommend that Sunday is not a time to go. I for one would love to catch the boys choir sing and maybe just take my time walking the paths and catching some views. I caught a website that had some awesome pictures.

I think I am just this close to doing it on my own probably on the 16th or 17th as I will be coming back to Barcelona then. Anyone recommend it or not?

\
We did the full day tour with DCL - we met up with people who were going to be joining us on the ship (we were B2B).

I highly reccommend seeing it - like Diana I am not religious - but the view, the history, and the beauty of the whole setting is amazing. I do not recall seeing the back of the rock, our bus took us up the front. We took the train to the cable car then back to hear the choir. The afternoon was spent touring Barcelona. Our guide was very knowledgable, and gave us a great talk about the Familia Sagrada. If doing Montserrat without a guide - be sure to read up on it.

Well worth the trip -is doable on one's own as long as you speak Spanish or Catalonian. Since most of the locals who take the mass transit do not speak English. It is possible to do this without Spanish, but I would guess it would be a lot easier if you do!

Enjoy!!

 

[iluvdisney]

Debbie - I really enjoyed your pictures - hard to believe it's been a month gone by already! That was such a fun trip and it was really nice to see so many familiar faces when walking around on the ship. Thanks for sharing!

My roomie and I did most of the ports on our own and enjoyed them that way. Only took one tour in Tenerife up to the volcano and that was fun too!

 

[seaulater]

Ok so here's another one - how many or did anyone go to Montserrat outside of Barcelona? And if anyone did - did you go DCL or on your own? I know that Disney has a tour but I've been reading the sites for this place and they all recommend that Sunday is not a time to go. I for one would love to catch the boys choir sing and maybe just take my time walking the paths and catching some views. I caught a website that had some awesome pictures.

I think I am just this close to doing it on my own probably on the 16th or 17th as I will be coming back to Barcelona then. Anyone recommend it or not?

Our friends went and they said the boys choir was going on tour and going to be gone. Don't know when they are coming back, but you might want to check. They did the DCL tour and enjoyed it.

 

[ssnyder]

If we had it to do over again, we would have bought a one way ticket only, and then after the Apes Den walk to the Great Siege Tunnels, and then down past the Moorish Castle, and then we would have ended up back at the north side of Main Street.

I did this along with Kelly (milestogo) and Anna (CAcruisin) and their families. We were sure tired. It is a long ways from the cable car to the tunnels. By the time we got to the tunnels, my feet were so sore that I decided to skip them and just keep walking. The rest of the group did the tunnels though.

If you do walk, there is a short cut back into town that involves a lot of stairs. It is just after the Moorish Castle, just as you hit the residential area. Kelly and Anna didn't take it because they had strollers. I decided to take it and it did cut out a lot of walking. Just after I got back to town, Kelly and Anna caught up with me again (they were walking a lot faster than me).

The view at the top where the cable car goes is definitely worth it. The taxis don't go that far up. I think that was the best part and I wouldn't have wanted to miss it. There were a lot more apes up there than at apes den and the scenery was fantastic. There is also a souvenier shop and a lunch counter. Most of us got ice cream snacks. As we looked out the window there was an ape sitting there calmly enjoying an ice cream bar also. I'm sure some little kid was missing theirs. The apes are very agressive in terms of taking things from you, especially if they think you might have food. You are warned against taking any kind of plastic bags with you as they associate those with food. Kelly unzipped her shoulder bag to get out a kleenex and an ape immediately lunged at her and tried to get his hand in the bag.

 

[milestogo]

We're really glad we did this on our own because we had a lot of freedom to do what we wanted, but I would have slotted some time to shop the cute little stores after. We must have spent about 6-7 hours and we were in so much pain by the time we returned. The next day I shuffled out of bed and tried to figure out how I was going to get breakfast for everyone up at Topsiders - my calfs were killing me. Up and down the mountain was entirely different from my normal walking.

As we look down from above in the cable car:

A minute later we are greeted by this guy who jumped on the back of the cable car (open) window:

Here is the ice cream thief:

Too cute:

 

[NHdisneylover]

Nice shots Kellly! So, have you booked the late September double dip yet? I didn't feel I got to see nearly enough of you (and I pretty much only saw Jonathan at Palo's ).

Have you heard from Kathy? I figure she is too busy moving to post much but we are wondering how the move and settling in is going.

 

[tig82174]

Hey Everyone,

So I wasn't actually going to post about this on here...but more than one of my dear DCL/DIS friends from this board have already read the news and made the connection and have sent me PM's and emails about it (and to all who have...it's meant a ton)...so I figured it warranted a comment.

Many of you have already seen the press on cnn.com about a horrible traffic accident that occurred here in Upstate NY earlier this week killing a group of High School cheerleaders. Some of you were also astute enough to think about the location and the fact the article mentions their squad having won a national cheering title in Orlando earlier this year.....

...so yes, sadly, the girls killed in that accident were my girls. They were members of the team I coach here....and of whom I was so proud earlier this year and I posted the link to their winning routine on this board.

Obviously their loss has come as a horrific and unbelievable shock....but I did want to post a comment on it since some of you have already contacted me about it...and I wanted to post my sincere thanks to all of you who have reached out so compassionately. I'm once again awestruck and the amazing group of people we had the joy of traveling with this past May.

 

[milestogo]

I'm sitting here in shock - I hadn't heard of the accident. That is just awful and I am so very sorry to hear about it. You've had a lot of tragedy this year Erik. I'm so sorry for your loss as well as the families and team. Kelly

 

[pppiglet]

I just read about the accident. That is so sad!

 

[Hoagie Pie]

Eric - I didn't hear anything about the accident and I am so sorry.

 

[mom_rules]

Eric, we hadn't heard either-I'm so very sorry.

 

[Scott H]

Erik,

Had not heard teh news, Our Thoughts are there...

 

[eller]

Oh Erik, I am so sorry! I don't watch the news; I pretty much don't want to know. If there is anything, anything I can do, please let me know.

Lori

 

[OH 6]

I saw the article posted on CNN last night and immediately wondered. Sent you a PM...if there is anything we can do to help, do let us know.

Nicholas (& Mike)

 

[nanaguide]

Our prayers and thoughts are with you and all the families. I had no idea that was where you lived.

 

[padalyn]

Erik - I am SO SORRY, my heart goes out to you and the families of the wonderful girls who lost their lives...I wish there was some way to make rhyme or reason of why these things happen. Please contact me, if there is anything that I can do for you...

Cayla