 |
My beautiful room at the hotel Grumm.
My rooms have gotten progressively better as the months went on. |
 |
| Neighborhood where the laundromat is. |
Woke up to the most gorgeous sunny day here in Barcelona and my room filled with bright, warm light. I quickly got my stuff together and was out the door so I could go to the laundromat before heading to the ship to meet mom and be on our cruise.
 |
| Drinking water fountain where clearly the local ladies come to chat |
 |
| Nice restaurants outside on a pedestrian street near my hotel |
The laundromat was fortunately open considering it's a state holiday today here. A very nice lady helped me figure out the washer and about an hour later clothes were washed and dried and I was on my way back to the hotel. I love doing things like laundry because you're in a neighborhood with locals and feeling what life is really like here.
Back at the hotel I've done some computer work and now getting ready to leave for the port and just wanted to do a quick blog entry.
 |
Park near my hotel leading up to Montjuic Hill with
it's large Fine Arts museum, hotels and other cultural and sports facilities. |
It's been a short but wonderful visit to Barcelona!!!
Addition from later in the day:
I arrived at the cruise terminal around 1:30pm after taking the public bus from near the Christopher Columbus statue.
 |
| Columbus circle and Custom House |
 |
| People waiting for check in |
 |
| Mom from our room toward Barcelona |
 |
| Bridge to go to town |
It was packed with other arriving guests so it was almost two hours later when I got to our cabin room 8213. The time in line moved pretty quickly chatting with the people around me and so many British couples who came for the 5 day trip and I even met one couple and the husband was telling me his great uncle lives in New York City and is one of the oldest living man there. I hope to meet them again because I didn't have a chance to write his name down but he apparently he is famous for other things including having fought in Russian and was very distinguished in those endeavors. Sounds like an interesting man and is now 110 and living with his nephew who is in his 80's.
Mom was waiting for me when I arrived in the room but was just about to head up for the pool. So it worked out perfectly. I was so great to see her and she looks fabulous and had a truly amazing time on her transatlantic cruise. The Epic is one of three cruise ships in the world that have these solo cabins and they have about 38 so there were so many people for her to socialize with. They have special events and dinners for all the solo travelers so she spent every day and night so busy dancing each night and theatre and pool and casino every day as well as an hour or so each day in the gym bike riding. She had the best time!!!
 |
| From the boat to all the waiting tankers in the distance |
We headed up for lunch and then off to look at the ship before meeting the solo's in their special lounge which has a cappuccino machine and their own snacks and is only accessible by the solo travelers so it's exclusive and private and very nice. We then had dinner with some of the remaining solo guests who came from Miami with her. Maxine, Melody, Larry and Deloris as well as the special solo travelers guide, Vianey. It was so nice to socialize with this diverse and friendly group. Mom hung out with them for a while in the lounge while I headed up for almost 2 hours in the spa. Yes, I found the spa right away and it's fabulous with lots of water fun and sauna's, steam room, etc.
I met mom and Melody at 10:00pm for a show in the large theatre of Blue Man Group. I'd never seen them in all the years I've lived in NYC so that was really fun and it was fabulous and full hour and half of non-stop fun.
 |
| Theatre |
But then we were all exhausted but Melody said you really must try the grilled hot dogs at the Irish Pub so at midnight we had hot dogs and fries but we won't be doing that often as both mom and I are really trying to be good about food even on the cruise. But I must admit that was one of the best hot dogs I've ever had with a small portion of homemade chilly.
 |
| Mom and Melody after Blue Man Group |
It was off to bed in our adorable cabin which is right in the back so we have a huge balcony with the most perfect view of port, starboard and straight ahead. We even slept with the door a little open for all the good fresh sea air.
