The Solo Explorer: Transoceanic Cruise

Transoceanic Cruise

Transoceanic Cruise

November 2023

Brief Itinerary(work in progress - only thing I can guarantee is it will change)
(full detail itinerary following brief itinerary during Trip)

Updated 11/25/23

Oct 27 Fri	Flight Boise to Denver

Oct 27-29 Fri-Sun	Denver
Oct 29 - Oct 30 Sun - Mon	Flight Denver to Barcelona
Oct 30 - Nov 2 Wed - Thu	Barcelona - Arc La Rambla Hotel
Nov 2 - 3 Thu-Fri	Ferry to Palma Mallorca
Nov 3 -8 Fri - Wed	Palma Mallorca - Samaritana Suites Hotel
Nov 8 Wed	Ferry to Barcelona
Nov 8 to 11 Wed to Sat	Barcelona - Arc La Rambla Hotel (again)
Nov 11 to 26 Sat - Sun	Transoceanic Costa Cruise
Nov 11 Sat	Board Costa Cruise in Barcelona
Nov 12 Sun	Day at Sea - a day to relax
Nov 13 Mon	Cadiz, Spain
Nov 14 Tue	Day at Sea - Bill relaxing - again :-)
Nov 15 Wed	Sant Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
Nov 16 - 21 Thu - Tue	Days at Sea - Bill Really Relaxing
Nov 22 Wed	Recife, Brazil
Nov 23 Thu	Salvador, Brazil
Nov 24 Fri	IIheus, Brazil
Nov 25 Sat	Day at Sea
Nov 26 Sun	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Disembark Cruise
Nov 26 - Dec 1 Sun - Fri	Rio de Janeiro - Orla Copacabana Hotel
Dec 1 - 2 Fri - Sat	Flight Home GIG (Rio) to BOI (Boise) (option #1)
Dec 2-3 Sat - Sun	Flight Home GIG (Rio) to BOI (Boise) (option #2)

Full Detail Itinerary by Day

Day #1	Oct 27 Fri	Flight to Denver Leaving Boise, flying standby on my son's benefits. I did not think I would get on because it was a full flight, but someone did not show-up at the last minute, so I got the last seat. People are so nice, the lady sitting beside me gave me several hugs when she found out about Debbie passing away. Super nice, I wish her and her husband all the best.
Day #1-3	Oct 27 - 29 Fri - Sun	Denver - with Brother-in-Law (Mike) & Sister-in-Law (Debbie) in the mountains above Conifer, CO. I will be going from close to 9000 feet to sea level in Mallorca in just a few days. Been a good visit and I went for a run at 20 degrees and lightly snowing, great run. Got over 12,000 steps today (try to always get over 7,500) with my run and hiking. Also going up and down hills adds to my "stair" count. I try and get 10 floors a day, I got over 70 today.
Day #3 -4 Day # 4-7	Oct 29-Oct30 Sun-Mon Oct 30 - Nov 2 Mon-Thu	It was snowing in Denver and 14 degrees and did not know the conditions of the roads so we left early to be safe with time. The roads were good and got to the airport in good time, got through security in less then 15 minutes (I do have Pre). I noticed there was an early flight at 7:55 instead of 9:55, traveling on my Son's United benefits (stand-by) so it was really easy to change, and there were a few seats available. That makes all my airport time/layover for 5 hours in New York. I am hanging out in the United Club Lounges which is very nice, quite, with lots of food and drinks included. Flight to Barcelona staying at the Arc La Rambla Hotel, on La Rambla The view from my room balcony at the Hotel Arc La Rambla (Wonderful Hotel) in Barcelona (Wonderful Location!) I am really happy with finding such a nice hotel on my own. La Rambla: main shopping/tourism/central Area in Barcelona. Was planning on 2 days, (normally book a day or 2 when arriving when traveling just to relax and adjust to the time zone, with no plans). But ended coming 2 days early because the flights seemed better (flying standby on my son's benefits, so I need to look for flights that have empty seats) I went central with a hotel, so I can just step out the door and look around & return when I want. Walked around the La Rambla and Gothic Quarter the day I arrived, mainly to stay awake, short night in Denver, day flight and 6 hour layover in Newark, Night flight to Barcelona, got to hotel via metro about 10 in the morning, yes I am tired. If I stay up until 8pm and then sleep, no jet lag the next day, well I made it until 7pm, but I think I set a new sleep record, I slept until 10am - so 15 hours of sleep - Wow, I do feel rested and no jet lag. Was up until 11 pm the second night. Went for a run the first morning in Barcelona, down La Rambla to the Marina and then to the beach about 3 miles with a 2 mile walk back to the hotel. See Running around the World for Running related stuff Rode the Metro and still got also almost 20,000 steps in seeing the unique architecture of this town. I have ate mainly at the outdoor restaurant right outside my hotel, friendly staff, good food. I have also met some friendly fellow travels A really nice couple from Indiana that were having pizza, I said I well have to try that some night it looks good. They shared a slice with me just so I would know if I wanted to order it some other night - We had a great conversation. The next night there was a lady dining on the other side of the restaurant, as she was leaving we got talking. She joined me and we had lengthy and very nice conversation. While I finished my second Sangria, She was from Portland Oregon, and super nice lady. I talked with a couple from Austria that had been to Mallorca 2 times and said it was the most beautiful island they had ever seen. Makes me look forward to my time there even more. Did the hop on hop off bus today for an overview of the city. It was good but I had walked quite a bit of the areas of the city already that it covered, so it seemed a little long because I had walked a lot of the areas. On the bus I visited with a lady from Shanghai that lives in England and visiting Barcelona. Had to stop by the hard rock and have a milk shake today, bought a t-shirt, did not bring a t-shirt figuring I would buy one along the way somewhere. The ladies beside me had luggage so I asked if they were coming or going. They are headed back to England via Madrid. I have said this before, but we are so luck that we speak English and English is the common language in the world – SO LUCKY! Spent lots more time wandering the Gothic Quarter again today, I think it is my favorite area so far. Also up and down La Ramba Street lots of times since I have been here – so much to see so little time, but I will be back in a few days. One of the street vendors from Senegal Africa was trying to sell me some stuff for my wife, because he had seen me with the lady from Portland Oregon yesterday, what a memory! (as I passed him on the way to the ferry he said goodbye "Bill" again what a memory - I did not even buy any stuff from them, just talked) Yesterday when the lady from Portland were visiting lots of vendors came by and trying to get me to buy flowers for her. It is really funny the difference between setting with someone and sitting solo. I do like the word “Solo” instead of single or along, or etc. Tomorrow is my ferry but, in the evening, so I have all day to wonder the streets again. I think la Ramba and the Gothic Quarter are going to by what I do. Went for my second run beach area and on the beach. See Running around the World for Running related stuff I have never been lost when traveling but sometimes explore new areas for an extended length of time, like my return from my run, I wondered around the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter, headed in the general direction of La Ramba, but it took me a while to get there 😏 again not lost - huh just exploring new areas. Hurried to shower because check up is at 12 noon, but I made it with 5 minutes to spare (they probably would have been OK anyway) . It is raining on and off this afternoon as I hang out at the tap and tapas restaurant, They saved me a croissant (they are morning pastries and I normally don't do mornings very good or am running, very nice of them. I the afternoon hiked up a hill in town for a great very and great Gelato and a ride on a cable car across the harbor area. View from the Mountain Top Gelato on the Mountain Cable Car Ride over the Harbor Wow a huge market right of La Ramba street. Chocolate covered Ginger - best thing ever Inside the Market Lots of street Entertainment Ferry at 9:30 to night check in at 8:00 so the adventure continues.
Day #7	Nov 2 Thu	Ferry Barcelona to Palma, Mallorca
Day #8-13	Nov 3-8 Fri-Wed	Palma Mallorca - Samaritana Suites Hotel I visited the famous Mallorca Cathedral first thing. Wonderful winding streets, thanks for Google Maps because I could not find my way back to the hotel through all the streets in old town. Visited the Hard Rock Mallorca for a pin, shot glass, T-shirt and food. I ran on the beach and along the water front, down hill from my hotel but uphill on the way back ☺ Lounged on the rooftop terrace was great after my run. What a great View! 360 degree view of terrace Opened the windows in my apartment today and let the breeze blow through. even the window in the shower Apartment has a room Name instead of a number Wondering the street and eating and snacking. Lunch and Dinner at Cuco Cocina A great steak and potatoes Apple Pie - not what I expected but fantastic A potato dish for lunch I took it kind of easy today after my run only logged 13,000 steps today (been around 20,000 per day). Once a week I kind of take a vacation from my vacation without any real plans for the day, that was today. Still saw a lot today. Train to Soller Going through a 3 kilometer long tunnel on the trip A croissant and tea for breakfast in Soller Then the tram to journey to the Port of Soller Scenes of the Port of Soller Walking the streets the Coast outside the harbor And a little lunch Views along the trip between Palma and the Port of Soller Olive trees View of Soller Spectacular Mountains At a stop on the train just to enjoy the view Cave Cave Cave with Lake Cave Cave Cave Concert from a Boat on the Lake The harbor town/area by the cave Lunch: more Sangria with a Ham Pizza Some of the bus ride back to Palma Mallorca Done on my new GoPro in the Warp Video mode. I am having a fantastic! breakfast at the hotel: Posada Terra Santa (4 star hotel with Michelin rating for the restaurant, which is a little upscale of where I normally stay) the hotel is in two parts, the apartments in the next building are called the Samaritana Suites, and have a full kitchen, living room and are very big and not quite as expensive because they don't come with the spa services and pool. But the roof top terrace in my building is fantastic just no pool. Visit my: Running around the World Blog Page to see my running adventures.
Day #13	Nov 8 Wed	Ferry Palma, Mallorca to Barcelona When I made this reservations, I made them from Alcudia (a town on the other side of Mallorca, so many miles away) to Barcelona. As I looked closer, I also made them for the wrong day. I seem to still be practicing the whole travel planning thing: 😂 Sunset on the Mediterranean during the ferry crossing It was a day ferry so I did not get a room just a seat, kind of like an airline but I spent most of the time walking around. Everybody keep an eye on everybody's luggage as you walk around. Talked to a lady from Hong Kong that has lived for 30 years in Mallorca. Her English was pretty good, but had a good conversation. As we where leaving she blow me a kiss. I had a meal on board it was huge (I think they are used to feeding truck drivers). Most of the passengers are truck drivers because there is lots of trucks on the ferry. Don't know the numbers but on the ferry on the way over it will carry about 1,200 passengers but there was only 120 on board and only about a dozen on the bus so the rest drivers. On the bus on the return only had about 20 people so all the rest are drivers (some are also car drivers)
Day #13-16	Nov 8-11 Weekday Wed-Sat	Barcelona staying at the Arc La Rambla Hotel, again on La Rambla again. View of La Ramble from my room. They gave me the same room saying that they felt it would make me feel more at home to have the same room, how nice. When you order Orange Juice at the market Lots of street performers, with amazing costumes This looked so real, but after watching people try and talk to him and distract him - he is made of wax, but does look real and everybody was thinking so. Well my second stay in Barcelona is coming to an end. You meet the nicest people when you travel, today it was a couple from England that I met right outside the New Zealand America Cup informational center, they were using a crane to get a 40 foot training boat out of the water, the real boats are 75 feet. They were super informative about the America's Cup, the defending team is New Zealand. They are good friends with the Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton. They were as informative as the exhibit itself. There was only a hand full of people going through it so we talked a lot. They not only knew where Idaho was but knew the name of Boise without me telling them. If I remember correctly the CEO of Team New Zealand has relatives in Boise and has visited Boise after wining the Americas Cup. Team New Zealand America's Cup Website I told them I saw one of the boats practicing the day before and they said that was the American Boat the "Patriot" October 12-20, 2024 is the Barcelona America's Cup, it would be great to see, but probably won't, getting a hotel room and then the price might be a problem. America Cups Website A 40 foot practice boat being lifted out of the water. it will also be used as a race boat for the youth America's Cup and the first ever Woman's America Cup race. The America's Cup I could go on and on with the great information I got from the English couple, but I will finish with saying. You always see the crew cranking by hand, well New Zealand changed that by having them use their legs so they could supply more power by using there leg muscles, how smart is that. Lunch at the Beach today My first Hamburger of the trip, even though they are offered everywhere, it was very good, I did have Sangria to make the lunch more Spanish and less American - huh A man opened a packet of Mayonnaise that sprayed all over him, the lady he was with almost fell out of her chair laughing. He took it well. My first Limoncello of the trip. Saw it on the desert menu, I had forgotten how good the Limoncello is in this part of the world. Sand Sculptures on the beach even fire in the dragons mouth. My last meal at my favorite restaurant on La Rambla The Taps & Tapas Restaurant (could not find a website) Right in front of my Hotel Hotel Arc La Rambla Well in theory you just get on the "Cruise Bus" at the end of La Rambla and they take you to the right ship. Can we say just trust me :-) Well it worked great got on a bus and the first stop was my ship.
Day #16-31	Nov 11-26 Sat-Sun	Transoceanic Costa Cruise Costa Cruises offer a Cruising Solo option You can get the 16 day cruise for less than $1000, but I upgraded to a balcony, still a fantastic deal and a full size cabin all to myself - for around $2000 - what a deal for 16 days! Costa Favolosa
Day #16	Nov 11 Sat	Board the Costa Cruise in Barcelona Spain My cabin very nice deck 9 balcony so a great view over the water. Putting Barcelona in the distance as the cruise starts. As I was checking in the America's Cup boat the Patriot was out practicing again. The "English" welcome and safety briefing was interesting, and accurate I think: When they ask you "English", they are meaning the Language of English not the county of England, assuming lots of people around the world speak English. Also they put English speaking people automatically at the early dinner seating assuming they would rather eat at 7 instead of 9:30 or 10:00. They also assume we are more independent travelers then other languages because we can go off on our own and normally find someone that speaks English, where other languages are more likely to require a guide, because they would have more trouble being able to communicate with people.
Day #17	Nov 12 Sun	Day at Sea - this will be great to have a day just to relax and lounge. My first sea day Nov 12, 2023: * Slept In * Ran on the 12 deck track for an hour (probably about 4.5 miles) * Relaxed in my Cabin and Balcony (and showered after my run) Lunch - lots of small portions of a large number of things. * Pina Colada by the pool Spa Day: Relaxing and reading in the Solarium, Eucalyptus steam room, a relaxing in other room with a view, steam room, a body temperature room, a fine mist shower, hot tub, shower and change, signed up for 3 yoga class on upcoming sea days. relaxed in a lounge and tried 2 of their specialty drinks: Costa Dream and Costa Sea (Dream was better) Relaxed in my Cabin and enjoyed the sunset from the balcony Dinner *Bed, because we have a port tomorrow and I have a tour. Wow what a busy day, amazed I find time in my day ☺
Day #18	Nov 13 Mon	Port Cadiz, Spain Did a great walking tour of the area and had time after the tour to just explore. A sunrise a new experience for me on this trip, evidently they happen every morning if you get up early enough ☺ The door have lots of unique door knockers A ancient roman amphitheater that the town has built over the stage area, but the seating and entrance tunnel is there.
Day #19	Nov 14 Tue	Day at Sea - Relaxing A sunset from my balcony - deck 9 front of ship, you can see the bridge they use in harbors. Looking up at the 8 story atrium from the dance floor and bar. I bought a drinks package, so my story is with all the drinking I am doing ☺ this is my view of the ceiling.
Day #20	Nov 15 Wed	Sant Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands Another sunrise, I seem to be getting up to early (for tours), ☺ well the next 6 days at sea so probably no sunrise photos. House of balconies now a museum. A street we walked though in town. A wonderful coffee drink the guide recommended to us for our free time. Barraquito or Zaperoco Depending on who you ask. I asked for it with a different word the guide had told me. That was one without alcohol in it. The waiter ask me if I wanted it with or without alcohol. I pause and then said of course with alcohol. The waiter laughed and gave me a big pat on the back and said that was a lot better way to have it. Some challenge with language here, most of their tourism comes from Spain, but a fair number of Brits. I am not even a big Coffee Drinker, but this was fantastic! Hard to see but on the left is a jettie that they use as a "beach" lots of people swimming, but a lot of wave action, sometimes even on top of the jettie. They said the water is almost 80 degrees. I must have taken a wrong tour and ended up in Paris ☺ I tried the local red wine. It was very different, a good travel experience, but I am not a fan. But there could be better brands then the one I tried. Well I believe this will be the last sighting of land for the next 6 days.
Day #21-26	Nov 16-21 Thu-Tue	Days at Sea This is one reason I booked this cruise. Kind of like my relaxing St Maartin trip last winter, with lots of relaxing beach days - this is just lots of Pool or Spa days instead of Beach days. I talked with a ski patrol friend that did a Transoceanic crossing and they said the days at sea were great, sleeping in, nothing to have to go do, lots of relaxing time - it sounded really nice. The view from my balcony for the next 6 days. Running on the top deck jogging track (very nice but almost 80 degrees, hot for me), Yoga, Spa Time and lets not forget eating ☺ A completely different view for day 2 (I crossed my legs) Day 3 in one of several quite rooms in the spa, no one else there. There is very little English spoken among the guests, Which I knew when I booked the cruise from previous sailing on Costa. But most of the staff speaks very good English. Only one time for lunch I was seated at a table with absolutely no English, it did make lunch a little long. At dinner they seated a table of English speaking people, very nice people, one from Kentucky, one that lives in the US, but from Scotland, a really nice Dutch lady but she got off at the Canary Islands and a guy from Switzerland that also got off at the Canary Islands. It sounds like it is popular transportation to the Canary Islands, and cheap flights back to London. I think only my second early breakfast of the trip, I am generally running or doing something else, or just sleeping in and I miss Breakfast, but the restaurant in Barcelona would save me a croissants knowing I would miss the time they normally serviced Croissants. Wow six days at sea, I thought I might we really ready to get off the ship and do a port, but it has been great. Great Dinner Table Mates Lots of time in the Spa Yoga Massages Reading Lounging on my Balcony The water slide The Pools and Hot Tubs Relaxxxxxing a lot
Day #27	Nov 22 Wed	Recife, Brazil The Daily info sheet (newspaper) on the ship with information for the day Today Redife The first land we have seen for 6 days, been crossing the Atlantic - only sea to see Really nice big beaches. But they built a new port at the river about 50 kilometers south of here, well the mouth of that river seemed to be a major feeding ground for sharks. The sharks moved north to look for new feeding grounds. The shark attacks went from zero to over 50 since the port was built. But if you stay inside the reef, especially at low tide you seem to be reasonably safe. It sounds like the reef that is close to shore protects the beach. They have put a stop to surfing as that is further out. Also they build a really nice cruise terminal to promote tourism, but where they built it the harbor is too shallow for the big cruise ships - whoops. Bill at the Beach but not swimming with the sharks it is high tide. Wonderful views of the beach and Atlantic Ocean From a hilltop in the neighboring town of Olinda (photo taken by some really nice German tourists) More views Views Continued ☺ The "wildlife" on the hill They turned an old prison into a shopping mall They left one cell as a cell But the rest of the cells are shops, what a fun idea Steep narrow streets going up and down the hill. We have to transfer to vans and then back to buses. By the time everybody got rounded up we where running a little late. Back on board by 11:30 sailing at 12:00 - I walked on the ship at 11:59 and there was still a line behind me. In a lot of countries the power and phone lines are interesting. I found some time away from the tour to explore some other area. It you order a fruit juice they ask you it you want sugar with it. Recife and Olinda is an area where several rivers empty into the ocean so it is really a bunch of islands so lots and lots of bridges.
Day #28	Nov 23 Thu	Salvador, Brazil Not to be picky, but the air conditioning on the bus did not really work, so I got a sauna and a tour at the same time. I was thinking when we got off the bus it would be even hotter, we normally tour and get hot and get back on the bus and cool off. But when we got off to tour it was not that hot and a very nice breeze - so nice and after sunset when we got on the bus to go back to the ship, it had cooled off so not bad drive back. We did not dock until 2pm so a bonus morning at Sea - so relaxing in the Solarium in the Spa. Touring the lighthouse/fort Walking around old town, had a lime and cocoanut drink - very good and refreshing Lots of Music all over town, they were getting ready for a big street party that night. The main old town square with lots of churches and historic buildings - very nice area. The church is over the top with gold, thousands of pounds of gold. They had a whole of slave population and were the last country in the world to get rid of slavery - so the church had lots of free labor. They also brought a lot of gold from Portugal because the huge sugar exports. Thanksgiving Dinner. I almost forgot it was Thursday and Thanksgiving, as you lose track of the days when traveling. (I was wondering why the stock market was closed) An Italian Tomato, Ham, Olive and Artichoke Pizza - very good! Staying with the Italian theme for Thanksgiving, I had Gelato for dessert. Waiters singing and dancing during dinner
Day #29	Nov 24 Fri	Ilheus, Brazil Toured the downtown area a little bit. They are a major producer of Coca/Chocolate. Had some local dark chocolate, very good not bitter at all like our 85% coca chocolate. They said they more then 125 miles of beach in the area. Almost all the coast I saw was beach. Hike into a waterfall The waterfalls with people swimming I hiked up stream from the waterfalls Hiking upstream from the waterfall They had a really nice restaurant close to the waterfalls I was a root vegetable similar to potatoes but the texture and the taste was more like a pasta The local Beer - very good I set with a group of Brits that were more beer drinkers then me and they agreed it was good. YMCA always a crowd pleaser and sure to get people involved - for the sailing away party. The sailing away party
Day #30	Nov 25 Sat	Day at Sea - this is great, a nice relaxing day before Rio Trying some Cappuccino for Breakfast Still more of a Tea Drinker
Day #31	Nov 26 Sun	Disembark Cruise - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Arriving at the port of Rio You met such great people traveling, my dining companions made the trip wonderful, along with all the other people I interacted with on the ship. Travelers are so open and friendly.

Day
#31-36

Nov 26 -
Dec 1
Sun - Fri

Rio - Orla Copacabana Hotel on Copacabana beach right beside Ipanema Beach - Song: Girl from Ipanema (YouTube)

I love Uber.

The taxis are all fighting over customers, saying the other one is not a legitimate taxi.

Uber, tells me the car license plate number, the drivers name, how long they have driven for Uber, their customer ratings, the background checks they have passed, what languages he speaks and more and 1 minute later there they are, don't know the price of the taxis, but it was a long drive from the cruise terminal to the hotel and it was 7 dollars include a good tip I left the driver. No English but everything is in the app anyway.

Copacabana Beach

Copacabana beach from the roof top terrace at my hotel which has a small pool

My Home away from home for the next 5 days.

Ipanema beach just a very short walk from my hotel, so the choice of two famous beach right out my door.

Dinner an appetizer, dessert, ice tea, two drinks all for 15 US dollars, what a deal, (71.17 BRL)

Fried Bananas with Ice cream

Wonderful rum drinks

I am going to tour tomorrow.

8:10 in the morning!

Christ the Redeemer from on of the higher mountains in the urban forest. It was big, but I thought it would be more visible from everywhere in town. There is so many mountains in this town it is not visible from lots of areas. 70% of town is the national forest.

The soccer stadium it was the biggest in the worl when it was built in 1950, for the world cup of soccer, but they lost to Germany, in their new stadium, they still seem a little upset by that.

Was not when they said they were taking us to a catholic cathedral, very different.

It was designed to use natural light inside of it.

The famous stairs that was built by an artist with tiles from all over the world.

Defiantly the highlight of the tour Sugar loaf mountain.

The shape of the mountain is similar to the ceramic cones that sugar was pressed into for shipping around the world.

Brazil was the biggest of the sugar producers in the world.

That is the reason they were the last country in the world to get rid of slavery in the world because the county was controlled by the catholic church and it was so profitable.

Copacabana Beach from Sugar Loaf