Some island cruising - The Canaries and Sicily, then Milan

[RooFlyer]

We drove to the south, stopping at a small sea side town for lunch.



Stopped to view the fish market. Conga ells?





Lunch was forgettable and the wines terrible.



Beach wasn't appealing either.



We choofed off and just 30 mins later, stopped at a park for a 'bathroom break'. At least half the bus went.

 

[RooFlyer]

Then to some high lookouts. Unfortunately the front which was bringing tonight's rough seas had hit, and it was a white-out.



Somewhere way below us is the ocean.



The lookout was a building designed by Caesar Manrique, who I may have mentioned before, a Spanish artist and architect. His buildings are revered and he designed on spectacular lookout building on each island.







Amazing drangon blood tree



Then, back to the boat. Past the little airport ... I imagine landing would be a bit interesting.





And our little boat, ready to cross to Las Palmas in the bad seas

 

[RooFlyer]

Here's an interesting fact:



That evening I was invited to the Captain's table for dinner; him, another staff member, a single lady from Oz and a couple from France/USA. A small group and a very nice dinner. Main course was presented theatrically by 6 waiters bringing plates under clotches, setting them before each person and lifting simultaneously. Something like:





After the dinner finished, the seas began to rise as the long-awaited front reached up. This is Windy waves - we are going from the LH island to Gran Canaria. In the event, the high seas weren't as bad as thought (although it was def rough) and the forecast calmer area in the lee of the islands was still pretty rough. I took a pill and survived pretty well. Most people seemed to.



We arrived back at Las Palmas about 11am. After lunch, an excursion had been scheduled in lie of missing La Gomera and arriving back at Las Palmas 2/3 a day early.

Out of town on the usual v good road. We are headed for the church at Arucas.

 

[RooFlyer]

Going to resume when I get home. To much going on to keep up this time!

 

[Pushka]

Going to resume when I get home. To much going on to keep up this time!

Hope all is ok.

 

[love_the_life]

Going to resume when I get home. To much going on to keep up this time!

Hope nothing serious.

 

[RooFlyer]

Hope all is ok.

Hope nothing serious.

Thanks .

Actually, something serious had cropped up at home but doesn’t need me to fly back, thank goodness.

Mainly full on activities on the second cruise, plus I’m going for more long sightseeing walks in the pm, some nice dinners with new friends, leaving me pretty knackered in the evening.

Currently in Milan, keeping up the pace. Leaving for Singapore this evening where I have 2 nights, with nothing planned

 

[stu961]

An efficient shuttle to the airport at 9am, found the IB Business check in, and Fast Track took me through security, quick-smart.

The IB lounge was ok - not quite what I expect at a base lounge.

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I left the lounge early, as usual and did a couple of laps around T4 before they announced the gate.

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Bus gate, then something I haven’t experienced before. I was in 1A so could see but not understand what was being said. Boarding finished, then 2 girls, maybe 8 and 14 ‘held’ at the front and a lot of messaging between ground crew, cabin crew and flight deck going back and forth.

I gathered that they were travelling, but parental consent was not evident. After 25 mins, the older girl was led off the plane. No tears or grief - the girls appeared to understand the situation. Later, the pilot came on and explained much the same. ?? Should have been detected at the gate?

Satellite lounge is much better, T4 lounge can be a zoo at times