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We have left Africa! We have crossed the Strait of Gibraltar will now sail around mainland Europe. Tangier, Morocco, is at the point of the African (south) side of the Strait of Gibraltar. Cádiz, Spain, is near the point of the European (north) side of the Strait of Gibraltar. At the narrowest point, Africa and Europe are separated by only eight miles of water.
Cádiz (in the community of Andalusia) is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe. It was founded in about 1100 BCE by the Phoenicians. After Columbus “discovered” the New World, Cádiz was the main Spanish port for ships traveling to and from the Americas.
Both Gail and Russell were assigned to escort the seven-hour “Sights, Sounds & Tastes of Andalusia” excursion. This would include a panoramic (bus) tour of Cádiz, followed by a drive to Jerez. There, we would visit a bodega (wine cellar), have lunch, and watch a flamenco dance show. Though we were assigned to different buses, we were able to be together any time we were off the bus.
Jerez, 45 minutes outside of Cádiz, is known for its sherry wine. (“Sherry” is an anglicization of “Jerez.”) We toured the bodegas of Fundador, a sherry and brandy company. We learned about the different kinds of sherry, from aged and oxidized versions such as Amontillado and oloroso, to sweeter versions such as Pedro Ximénez. We learned that Fundador’s best-selling sherry is a blend of all the different kinds of sherry, marketed as “Harvey’s Bristol Cream.” (Who knew?) We were able to taste two different kinds, a solera (which Gail did not like) and Harvey’s (which Gail really liked).
We then drove to Venta de Vargas restaurant, where we had a huge lunch and watched a flamenco music and dance performance. A flamenco group traditionally includes a guitarist, a vocalist and a dancer. The songs are usually about failed love and infidelity, so the female dancer scowls and stomps around a lot.
We returned to the ship with several purchased bottles of sherry. With a little over a week left in this world cruise, we are starting to worry about how we’re going to get everything home.
