At Sea in the Western Mediterranean near the Balearic Islands

Well we have been at sea now for 2 days and 2 nights as we travelled from Castellamare near Sorrento to Trapani, Sicily were we could not enter Port due to extremely bad weather and continued on to Barcelona at reduce speed due to 20 feet waves and high winds. We made slow but deliberate progress with much motion sickness on board. Luckily for me I only had a brief bout of dizziness and nothing else. Did not miss a meal and kept my alcohol intake to a minimum, one cocktail, 2 glasses of wine. The Captain's plan was to do a long detour around the storm to avoid the worst of it, glad he did because this was a very ugly storm.

As someone said this change in the travel plans of the cruise threw a lot of people for a loop. Many had not made plans to have so much time on their hands, no books to read and nothing much else to do. The ship does have a nice comfortable library, a casino, lounges with musical entertainment and movies.

You could also sleep and simply relax but for many that is not an option they would think of, having time on your hands becomes stressful a symptom of our age.

I read, went to the Spa for a facial and a manicure, walked around the decks carefully, took in a movie and took naps.

Tomorrow morning at 8 am we arrive in Barcelona and will dock right in the centre of the City. We plan to take the On-Off Bus which will take us directly to all the sights we wish to see. I do want to go back to see the building progress on the Church of Antoni Gaudi, La Sagrada Familia. Barcelona remains one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

We are also going to a nice restaurant we enjoyed for dinner 3 years ago on our last visit. Day two will see if there is anything else we wish to see.

This evening we had a very nice dinner and the Maitre d'Hôtel sent us a bottle of Moët et Chandon to help us celebrate our 35 Anniversary. The staff of the Discovery Restaurant are simply super, Elroy and Benjamin and Vera are professional and attentive, there is also Grace the Sommelier. The food is great with a different menu in the restaurants everyday, quite an undertaking for the Chef. Lots to choose from for lunch or dinner even for the picky eaters and vegetarians.

Looking at the stars tonight from our balcony I am amazed how the Universe is simply painted white with a multitude of stars, it is overwhelming to look at, to think we are only one little planet in this immensity.