DAY 5--SANTA CRUZ de TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS

 Last Night:

      This is part of the ship's orchestra that plays in the Meridian Lounge during cocktail hours.
     Our butler met us outside the lounge just before 7pm as he wanted to escort us to the Compass Rose dining room to meet up with our hosts for dinner.  Maybe because Pitchi is his boss!

     Janina, the Executive Concierge, is from Germany but has no discernable accent.  Pitchi, the Head Housekeeper, is from the Philippines.  We had a great dinner and lively conversation with them.  Of course we've know them for several years and they are also FB friends of mine.

After dinner Roberto, the Food & Beverage Manager, came by to say hello.  Never met him until now.

     As we left the dining room, we had a photo op.  L to R:  Abraham (a head waiter), Silvester (maitre'd), us, Emmanuel (a head waiter), Gede (our waiter), and Raymond (a head waiter).
     We decided not to go to the show so retired back to our suite.  I watched part of an old movie on tv before Rebecca came to bed and made me turn it off.

Today:

BACKGROUND INFO:

Tenerife is a volcanic island that has built up from the ocean floor during the last 20 million years.  It is the largest of the Canary Islands with a population of one million and is part of Spain.  Its located 830 miles southwest of our last port, Cadiz, and just 180 miles off the coast of west Africa.  It is one of Spain’s most important tourist destinations with 5 million visitors each year.  It is a very rugged island with the highest point being Mt Teide at 12,188 feet above sea level.

     Another amazing great night's sleep as Atlantic Ocean was smooth as glass last night.  Shogun brought breakfast at 8:30 but I could already see the island from our balcony.  We are arriving early.

     As we approached Santa Cruz the pilot boat came out to drop off the harbor pilot who assists Captain Saro when coming into a port.

     Captain Saro backed into our docking location at the pier giving us here on the port side a nice city view.  Other side of the ship has to look out at the boring ocean.  You can see in the last photo how rugged it is here on the volcano formed island chain called the Canary Islands.
     We were supposed to go on a 3 1/2 hour "Historical Santa Cruz & Tapas Tasting" at 10:15 this morning but we chickened out as rain is in the forecast.  Rebecca went to the gym (only one there today she says) and I went out on my own and walked into town.  It was quite a walk into the city but good exercise since I was not going to the gym today.  Below are some photos I took on my hour walk.

                                               I found a nice old motor yacht to buy.

                                                                Trees lining the harbor.

                                                                     Narrow streets

                                                                      Narrow streets

           They make it pretty easy to get from the ships to the city center.  Just follow the blue line!!

                                         Our home away from home for these two weeks.

     Back on board Explorer at 11:15 so had a nice hour walk but was warm with the mask on.  After showering we went up to Prime 7 for lunch.

                                                        Our waitress, the lovely Angelyn

     For my lunch I had an beef empanada (not pictured) to start with then a small Caesar salad with some wonderful anchovies, and a piece of grilled salmon w/hoisin BBQ sauce.  Last photo is of their desserts.  Six different little mini desserts to choose from.  I just wanted the photo--no dessert for us.

     After lunch we went up one deck to the pool deck and also La Veranda is located on this deck (11).

Here are some photos of the pool, pool grill, and La Veranda.

                                                            Pool grill seating is outside

                                                                             Pool grill

                                   La Veranda buffet during the day and Sette Mari at night.

                                                   Some wine choices in La Veranda

     Rebecca is reading again and none of the tv news channels are available to due to satellite issue.  So I returned up to Deck 11 and the sports deck to take some photos for you.

                                                                     Pool deck bar

                                              Looking aft towards the pool grill area.

                       This is the sports deck with sunning loungers.  The jogging track is around it.

                                                                     Bocce court

                                                                     Pickle ball court

                                                                     Putting greens

                                                                    Shuffle board

                                                                 Golf driving tee and net

     Back to our suite.  Regent gives these magnetic plaques for World Cruises and Grand Voyages.  Grand Voyages are cruises over 70 nights.  Think we are the only ones on this cruise who brought them along.  Hey, we paid a LOT of money to do these cruises so will display them.

     Yes, the walls are metal so magnets work.  I bring a bag of them to stick things up on the wall.  Really works great for invitations, notes, schedules, tour tickets, etc.

     We received a letter today informing us that as we are leaving European countries now for the USA, at 7pm this evening the wearing of masks on board although still recommended, will be at the guest's individual discretion.  The crew will still have to wear masks.  At least the crew is being allowed off the ship today to go just to the cruise terminal.

     Captain Saro broke out his credit card and we are taking on fuel this afternoon.  It is called "bunkering".  Not sure where that term came from.  Hope he's getting green stamps!!

     The internet has been down for little over an hour but back up now at 4:15.  I think they were adjusting the communications satellite for the crossing.  Luckily I had most of this blog completed.

     This evening we will be dining in Compass Rose again.  At 9:30 is the first of the production shows "Divos & Divas" featuring the ship's cast of singers and dancers.  Explorer is departing the pier at 7pm and will be at sea for the next 6 days.  Our clocks go back another hour tonight.  Hopefully the internet satellite will be working ok tomorrow so more then.