Azores, Madeira, Spain and Gibraltar: Day 13 Gibraltar

Arriving at Gibraltar

Arcadia’s visit to Gibraltar was only a relatively short morning visit from 8 am to 1.30 pm. P&O’s daily paper had reported that sunrise was set for about 7.30 am and I wanted to be out on the balcony watching for the dolphins. They are usually around the seas off Gibraltar. I was late out and missed the sunrise and any dolphins about before the ship came in to dock.

While we were having breakfast and we watched Asuka II come into the inner order and dock there.

Walking into Gibraltar

After our early breakfast we walked off the ship and started our walk to the shops. Gibraltar had changed since our last visit quite a bit. Now there was a new power station being built and a temporary set of diesel generators on our left as we walked out of the dock area. Next there were new blocks of apartments, all before we reached the more familiar shops and restaurants.

This notice gave dire warnings about having cigarettes near the Spanish border.

Main Street of Gibraltar

Once through the gate into Casement Square we realised just how early we were in Gibraltar. It was May Day and there was a marquee stage on one side of the empty square. Everywhere we looked the shops were closed and the streets were nearly empty. We window shopped as we walked up the main street looking at the prices.

A small Costa Coffee provided us with somewhere to sit but the coffee was not very good. As we watched the street became busier and busier with passengers off both ships.

On our way back we called in to the now open shops to pick up duty-free gin and some Clinique at great prices. I was less successful at the camera shops as I was unable to find either polarising or ND lenses.

Back in Casement Square, we sat in the shade having a drink and watched the dances on the stage.

Time to go for the Asuka II passengers.

Back to Arcadia

The ship was scheduled to leave at 1.30 pm and as we were not needing anything else we started our walk back to the quay.

As we left the gates of Casement Square we joined a couple from our table who were enjoying the sunshine with Americano coffees and churros in a just small cafe there. They had been on a P&O organised tour of the tunnels in the rock itself. Their tour had been fascinating as well as providing some great views across the bay – maybe next time?

The sun was shining on the left hand side of the road so we stayed on that side. The downside was that at the first junction we had to walk over 100 yards or more to find a gap in the fences to cross over the road.

Here are the new apartments,

the statue celebrating the evacuation of civilians in WW II,

the vertical parking,

and the temporary power station.

At the cruise ship dock

As we arrived at the quay Akusa II to was leaving her berth. It seems that they had stayed even less time here then Arcadia.

Arcadia was on the outer dock.

Not sure about the sign though!

We had to join a different gangplank you as we were returning with alcohol. This queue moved slowly due to the processing taking place once past the scanners. We had to hand over our bottles of gin and their details were written on three different pieces of paper (one for us, one for file they had and one for the plastic bag along with the bottles). The bag with our bottles then joined all the other bags in large cages.

Lunch on board

Lunch was in a very busy Belvedere restaurant. This was one of the few times that we ate in this restaurant and it was not a great experience. Our steaks were barely edible and we both left a good part of our lunch rather than struggle trying to chew the meat.

At lunch in the Belvedere, I chatted to one of our fellow passengers who had been whale watching in the Azores with us. She had been on a dolphin watching trip that morning from Gibraltar. Their boat had had to travel for an hour to see a small pod of (she guessed only) six dolphins. Then it was an hour to get back. Given that the trip was scheduled to last 2.5 hours we all concluded that this trip had been a waste of time.

Leaving Gibraltar

Here’s the queue for returning with alcohol taken from our balcony.

Back in our cabin I swapped lenses and we joined everyone at the stern for the sailaway from Gibraltar. The dock below us looked the worse for wear.

We could clearly see the large private yachts moored in the basin.

The Great British Sailaway, a P&O tradition when leaving Gibraltar.

I tried to decide which side of the ship might give me the best opportunity to see dolphins. But given what we had learnt at lunchtime I was not confident that I’d see any. I chose the port side and waited. There were no planes landing on the runway this time when we left.

This was the first time that we had left Gibraltar and not seen any dolphins. Perhaps, it was the time of year and they were had moved out into the Mediterranean for their food.

I stood at the rails scanning the sea for any glimpses of dolphins. Instead took more pictures of the Rock as we sailed out into the Straits of Gibraltar.

After the sailaway had finished at 3 pm, I was getting cold from the wind we then went back inside to try the Belvedere again. This was now afternoon tea time and the food rolls, cakes and tea made up for lack of a lunch!

Back in the cabin I settle down to read my book and even managed a few minutes of sleep.

Ring Of Fire – The Story Of Johnny Cash And June Carter-cash

Later we met our friends for a drink in the Crows Nest. I then found out that not only had I missed seeing dolphins but later in the afternoon of the ship had passed by a group of naval vessels. I’m guessing we were passing Cadiz and Arcadia had passed by parts of the Spanish Navy on manoeuvers.

We went to see the Upbeat Duo do another tribute show in The Globe before dinner.

Ring Of Fire – The Story Of Johnny Cash And June Carter-cash.

Rachel and Peter Manchester are back once again to present Johnny and June, a show packed with the hits and stories of the legendary man in black and the queen of country who made him “Walk the Line”. Featuring the hits “Ring Of Fire”, “Folsom Prison” and many more. Rachel and Peter have collectively performed in the most prestigious theatres in the West End, Stratford-upon-Avon, on the Royal Variety Show, at The Royal Albert Hall and in theatres all over the UK, now they present another tribute show that has wowed audiences both on cruise ships worldwide and on land.

Dinner and then a quiz

Dinner was prawn cocktail, Cobb salad, lamb followed by honey and ginger ice cream as dessert.

We could now see Akusa II sailing behind Arcadia.

At our late syndicate quiz we were joined by the other couple from our table and we came joint second, which was a result!

Arcadia was racing up the coast of the Iberian Peninsula as we went to bed and the information channel updated us on the closure of decks due to high winds.

Time to go to sleep.

Next port was an emergency call at vigo but we stayed on the ship!