DAY 3--CADIZ, SPAIN

Last Night:
     After cocktails and enjoying the shrimp cocktail Shogun brought us in the suite, we headed down to the Captain's Welcome Reception.  In the past there has been a receiving line of senior officers as one enters the theater.  Not now due to the covid protocols which I can understand.  We were looking forward to briefly speaking with Captain Saro but that did not happen.  We stayed long enough to watch the senior officers introduce themselves up on stage then made our way to the Meridian Lounge.  There was a guy playing the electric guitar while we enjoyed another wine and martini.  I have been surprised that not many people have their cocktails in Meridian Lounge prior to dinner.  That's fine with us as makes it a nice peaceful place for us to enjoy.
     I think these passengers head to dine as soon as the dining venues open at 6:30.  I truly think the average age of the passengers is over 75.  It's an "early bird" crowd for sure.  We arrived for dinner in Compass Rose (main dining room) at 7:15 and was greeted by the manager over all dining venues, Renato, and Silvester, the Compass Rose maitre'd.  We asked to be seated with a waiter whom we knew.  I looked over in front corner and saw Gede so asked to be seated in his section.  Gede is a long time friend and is from Bali.

     On the left is Emmanuel who was a waiter last time we cruised with him but now has been promoted to a head waiter.  Gede is on the right

     This was our assistant waiter, Putu.  Putu is also from Bali.  There are quite a few crew members from Bali on the Regent ships.  I jokingly call them "The Bali Mafia" which they love and it brings a big smile from them.

    This is the Versace charger in Compass Rose.  Of course they remove them after taking our order.

We both had Beijing duck (quack quack) as our entree.

I asked for this asparagus risotto rather then the fried rice that was to come with it.

     For dessert I chose the cream brulee.  Again I forgot to take the photo before diving into it.

This is Seve who was one of several wine sommeliers who attended to us last night.  Again we have know her for a long time.  She told us she was 59 years old.

     As we left after dinner I took this.  Silvester is on the right and is also a Facebook friend of mine.  The lady is Risky, whom we cruised with several times also.  We had some time to kill before the show so headed up to our suite to "freshen up".  We sat in the back of the theater for the show in case the comedian/magician, John Lenahan, was not that good and we could make a quick escape.  We did stay for most of his show.

It's hard to tell but this map on our tv when we returned last night.  It shows that we were now passing through the Strait of Gibraltar.

Today:

Our positon today is in Cadiz, Spain.

BACKGROUND INFO:
    Last night we passed through the Strait of Gibraltar which is 9 miles wide at its narrowest part and connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.  On one side is Spain and on the other is Morocco in Africa.  Ferries cross between the two continents every day in as little as 35 minutes.  Our Captain said that 200 ships pass through the strait daily.
     Today we are in the port city of Cadiz.  It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Spain having been founded in 1100 BC by the Phoenicians.  It is the home port for the Spanish navy and has remained one of Spain’s main ports for almost 1000 years.  There is a United States air base nearby, Mor'on.  It was used during the Gulf War and also Afghanistan.  Like many other countries in the EU (European Union) Spain has economic and financial issues.  Employment is 35%.  Seville, Spain’s 4th largest city, is located just 90 miles north so some of the ship’s excursions today will be to tour it.   

       I set our alarm for a 8:30am wake up.  Another great night's sleep for both of us.  At home I usually wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep for 2 to 4 hours because I lie there worrying about things.  Here I have nothing to worry about!!!

     When I opened our drapes there were two Aida cruise ships.  Aida is a German cruise line but owned now by Carnival.  Aida stays in Europe.  There are actually 4 other large cruise ships in port today.  It was a foggy morning but now just cloudy, yukky day with temperature in mid 60's.  So we decided not to go on our "Cadiz Walking Tour with Local Spanish Tapas" excursion today at 11:45.  So up to the gym after finishing breakfast in the suite.  We had the gym to ourselves as most folks off the ship today.  The crew had a emergency drill that lasted for at least 45 minutes.  While on treadmill I was watching my favorite movie, "Dr Strangelove".

     While getting ready to go to lunch the head housekeeper, Peachi, stopped by to say hello and give us a hug.  It has been a long time since we've seen her.  We will be dining with her and the Executive Concierge in Compass Rose tomorrow night.  I was planning to due my grilled salmon filet again today for lunch in Prime 7 but it is closed.  They alternate the specialty restaurants for lunch so today it is in the French restaurant, Chartreuse.  We do not like French food so will be going up to La Veranda buffet for lunch.

     I had sent some laundry out the day we boarded as we had been traveling for 5 days prior to boarding. It came back the next day and my jeans and shirts were in this nice bag.  Very classy!  Our names and suite number was on the white card holder.

      Lunch today up in La Veranda.  I just had a piece of roasted turkey (protein and no carbs).  Of course Rebecca had an Atkins bar.  At night half of La Veranda is converted into an Italian restaurant, Sette Mari.  We have decided that we will be dining here tonight.  

     This is Deon the Sette Mari chef.  Although not on the menu tonight I asked him if he could prepare a veal parmesan for me.  Once again the word "no" is not to be spoken on Regent.  He said he could and knew exactly how I liked it.  Donald, the maitre'd, asked what time we will be there and said he will have a window seat for us with another long time crew friend, Skinny, who will be our waiter.  Yes, they do spoil us!!  You will know why his name is Skinny when you see his photo.

                                                          T-shirt I'm wearing today.  I AM!!
I went down to the Coffee Connection for my afternoon cappuccino.  I was hoping Captain Saro would show up for his afternoon espresso.  He messaged me again this morning of FB saying he was sorry he missed us last night.

     The cruise director, Shawn Carter, was walking by to get his coffee so I had a chat with him.  This is the first time we have met.  He lives in Newport, Kentucky, when not working.

     For our canapes tonight I have requested "pigs in a blanket" (hotdog pieces in a pastry)  Rebecca also asked for some cheddar cheese and I asked for blue cheese.

     So far we have not received today's Dallas newspaper.  The satellite reception is not very good today as the tv news channels are not available.  I hope the satellite reception will be better tomorrow.

     Tonight's entertainer in the theater at 9:30 will be a violinist, Oliver Lewis, from the UK.  We are not big on instrumental performers but may give him a chance.  Back row again!

          Ok, I have a bottle of Makers Mark in our suite but no way I am going to drink it all in the next 12 days.  I asked Shogun what they would be doing with what's left.  He said before covid they would take it to the crew bar for use there but now they would be dumping it out.  I hate to waste good booze so just went up to the Observation Lounge and got a glass of MM with sweet vermouth (it's called a Manhattan).  I am not going to open my bottle.  I did, however, open my bottle of Grey Goose vodka.

Our canapes have arrived.  Pigs in a blanket and cheese plate.  Sea day tomorrow!!