Cadiz, Spain

93 miles southwest of Seville

Sunday, Apr. 17, 2011      65 degrees                          10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

We followed the coast of Spain towards the Strait of Gibraltar which we transited early this morning.  Due to the high amount of traffic transiting this entrance to the Mediterranean, a traffic scheme has been established to ensure all vessels can safely navigate the strait.  After clearing the traffic scheme we headed on a northerly direction towards Cadiz.

Cadiz is a coastal city in southwestern Spain in the region of Andalusia and the capital of the province of Cadiz.  Traditionally, its date of establishment is about 1100 BC, although as of 2004 no archeological finds have been found that date back further than the 9^th century BC>  It is regarded as the most ancient extant city in western Europe.

CADIZ  Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on three sides, Cadiz was founded as Gadir by Phoenician traders in 1100 BC and claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western world.  Hannibal lived in Cadiz for a time, Julius voyage, after which the city became the home base of the Spanish fleet.  Most of its buildings – including the cathedral, built in part with gold and silver from the New World – date from this period.  The old city is African in appearance and immensely intriguing—a cluster of narrow streets opening onto charming small squares.  The golden cupola of the cathedral looms above low white houses and the whole place has a slightly dilapidated air. 

We took a shore excursion “Stunning Seville”.  From Cadiz we had a 1-1/2 hour drive through Andalusia’s cork plantations to Spain’s 4^th largest city, Seville.  It  is the capital of Andulusia, and has a Muslim heritage.  Seville’s whitewashed houses bright with bougainvillea, its ocher-coloured palaces, and its baroque facades have long enchanted both Sevillanos and travelers.  Seville oranges are too bitter to eat except as Scottish-made marmalade. 

Seville throws the most spectacular fiesta in all of Spain during Holy Week, between Palm Sunday and Easter, followed by the decidedly more secular Feria de Abril, starring horses and bullfights. 

Our coach let us off at the Spanish Square.  From there we walked to Pilot’s House, which is a normal family residence fashioned after the Alcazar.  It has Moorish, Italian and Renaissance influence (Roman sculptures).  It is known as Pilot’s House because Don Fadrique allegedly modeled it on Pontius Pilate’s house in Jerusalem where he had gone on a pilgrimage in 1518. 

We went to Pilot’s House instead of the Cathedral as this is Palm Sunday and there will be 60 processions passing through it in the next week.  In the parades the people have special costumes on that cover their faces – to have a private station of penetance.    They have to wear sandals or bare feet.  We went to the Macarena Hotel for a hot and cold buffet lunch.  We then visited the oldest area (the Jewish Quarter).  The twisting alleyways and traditional whitewashed houses add to the tourist charm of this barrio.   We were given ½ an hour to shop in the Santa Cruz quarter with its ceramic tiles and iron railings. 

We next visited the magnificent Alcazar – royal residence – a monument to the Moorish occupation of Spain surrounded by glorious gardens.  The palace is the official Seville residence of the king and queen when they are in town.  We visited the Hall of Justice, the Courtyard of Plaster, and the Court of the Damsels which opened off the Hall of the Ambassadors.  There were ducks in the pond in the garden and well as many, many Carp to keep the water clean. 

We drove the 1-1/2 hours back to the ship where we had a cultural presentation which showcased flamenco dancers.