Elwood's Clan

Dean & Maria's Cruise

Norwegian Jade

14-23 January 2011

We had a great time on this nine day cruise. Usually doing seven day cruises, we were not sure about how we would handle a nine day trip, but it turned out great. We felt less rushed and more relaxed by having those extra couple days. Especially nice, was our first day was a sea travel day so we could ease into our six hour time change sleep routine. Didn't feel we had to jump out of bed as not to miss a full day at port. We did miss all the rest of the family that used to enjoy cruising with us. Our next cruise will be closer to home so that we hope more of you will come with us.

The Norwegian Jade was built in 2006 and originally sailed the Hawaiian islands and was first named Spirit of Hawaii. They repainted the exterior, but the interior is still all Hawaiian motif everywhere. And we were familiar with this ship as it is the same model as the Spirit of Aloha that we cruised the Hawaiian islands on back in 2004 with the folks and Brian's. (again missing the rest of you that should have been with us.)

I must say, the food on this cruise was by far the best I have ever eaten on a cruise. The executive chef was from Bavaria Germany and it was all yummy. And of course we ate tons and maintained our every 4 hour feedings.

This was our favorite desert, Creme Brulee with dark chocolate ganache. DIVINE. It was embarassing when we got caught licking the ramekin clean.

The weather was excellent. You could compare it to our Florida winter weather ranging in temps from low 60 to mid 70's. So for us thin-blooded Floridians, we wore sweaters most of the time and were shocked and amazed at all the cold-blooded europeans (must have been from Norway) who were laying out in bikinis and swimming in the pools.

We were very excited about our first port Casablanca, Morocco but as it turns out, it was a dump. On the stinky bus ride from the ship to the city, the arabic signage all over the place gave us a creepy-terrorist kind of feeling. When we got off the bus, the city stunk more than the bus and it was filthy and nasty. After about 20 minutes of searching for something cool to see, we ran back to bus and jumped back on the ship.

This is us back on the bus heading back to the ship. (notice our excitement getting the heck out of dodge if you know what I mean.)

Maria's expression here, describes her "not candy coated" feelings of Casablanca, Morocco. When we did get back to the ship, they did show us the movie "Casablanca" starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart. I had actually never seen this movie before, so it was kind of cool to be seeing for the first time Casablanca while in Casablanca.

Our next port was Agadir, Morocco. We looked overboard at the city, looked just like Casablanca....NEVER got off the ship. Another relaxing day basically just eating.

That road and hill in the background of this photo, did look a little like the "point of the mountain" between Salt Lake City and Provo as you drive down I-15. So we felt a little nostoligic at those similarities.

Shopping in Malaga, Spain.

In Malaga, Spain we hiked to the top of this mountian where this 17th century fortress/castle was built. You could see for miles and miles over the city. We spent a lot of time here just marveling at the coolness of it all.

Prior to taking this photo, we asked some German lady who was nearby to take a photo of us up on this stage that was in the bottom section of this fortress. After I trained her on how to take the photo, I ran back to the stage, and in my athletic prowess (which you all know just oozes from the very center core of my being) I thought I would be able to simply run and jump onto the stage. Ahhhhh no, my sloppy earth shoe didn't clear the lip of the stage which caused my leg to slam into the sharp edge of the stage-OUCH. I sucked it up, jumped up for the picture, thanked our photographer and said to Maria, "I think I am bleeding."

It actually looked worst than it was and I am so grateful for my high threshold for pain I have been blessed with. I wiped off the blood, pulled my pants back down and we took off.

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria Spain was a lovely little island in the Canary Islands. So clean and neat and the beach and boardwalk at the beach was amazing. The surf was high with tons of surfers and the water blue as blue. The temp was in the high 70's and was the warmest day of the trip. They had a neat little mall with a PRIMARK store. (Primark is my favorite department store I discovered in London. Tons of cheap stuff and I love their brand of jeans that fit me perfectly and only cost $4.) So did a little shopping and had fun.

What was shocking about this beach, was the topless woman everywhere. Apparently, tops are optional. And no one seemed to care. We had a hard time turing away, not that we wanted to see them (necessarily) but just the shock value of the experience. Kinda like a train wreck....you just have to stare. I think everyone should experience seeing that. Makes you realize how culturally things may or may not matter....and why is that?

Funchal-Merdia Portugal was our favorite port. It has such charm and personality.

In the center of town was their version of "cental park" with benches, flowers and fountains.

What I thought was most amazing about this place, was the care and intricate details of setting these little tiny stones to make these elaborate designs on their sidewalks and streets especially this huge one in the city center piazza.

You would walk down any given street, and it would have a different mosaic motif. Probably telling a story of the founding fathers or something. But I was just amazed at the time, energy and thought that went into creating something that every other city in the world caresless about and just throws down some asphalt and calls it good. Truly artwork if you ask me.