Samomatic

We spent 3 days in Grand Canyon. There was plenty to do and we really enjoyed the hikes and clearly labelled routes.

Exploring on the South Rim of the Canyon.

Mules awaiting their tasks at the Historic Mule Barn. Mule rides along the rim or descent to the base are possible but need to be booked 13months in advance!

Jump!

Horace, Carmen, and I ventured out in the Bright Angle Trail.

For the first 3miles, we were staying in the shades and the trail was pretty slippery with hard packed snow/ice.

We each had our share of slips and falls, but it wasn’t too dangerous. Use of crampons are recommended.

View from Three Mile Resthouse with all the switchbacks ahead of us!

After 2000ft elevation drop and 4.9 miles (7.9km), we reach the Indian Garden, an oasis in all the sand and rocks.

We met some rangers that were maintaining the paths.

A few mule-deers foraging along the ravine in the Indian Garden .

After eating a quick lunch, we turned around and retraced our steps back to the South Rim. Every step is now uphill!

Made it back to the top and we drove West along Hermit Road.

Stopping to admire the sunset.

Armed with a stack of guidebooks, no sleep and zero knowledge of the place we were heading we began our journey.

3 days prior to the trip my parents decided to join and managed to find last minute flights out of Buffalo airport. However they would have to connect through Pittsburgh while we stop-over at Chicago.

Arriving in Vegas and greeted by a row of slot machines! It was quite a miracle that our planes arrived within 30min of each other and retrieved all our luggages.

This was our rental car, a convertible Jeep Wrangler (Photo borrowed from Net Car Show, because we never drove one).

Instead, to accommodate the larger group we rented a 27′ Mobile Home (also known as an RV) which we shall call home for the next 10 days!

Here is the floor plan for the RV, which includes a kitchen, bathroom with shower, a bedroom and 2 convertible beds at night.

After picking up the vehicle and loading up on supplies we started heading East into Arizona State.

Lake Mead, about 30miles out of Las Vegas, is the largest water reservoir in the United States.

The terrain is completely foreign to us, all around us is sand and rocks.

We started bright and early the next day, driving along Hwy 64.

We stopped for a quick visit at the Planes of Fame Air Museum near Williams, the nearest big town from the Grand Canyon.

One of the retired Blue Angles!



Finally we arrived at Grand Canyon! What a sight.
Stay tuned for next week as we go explore deeper in the canyons!

Back on the ship, we arrived in Barcelona and were taken aback by this busy city compared to some of the previous stops.

The interior of Catedral de la Santa Cruz y Santa Eulalia, also known as Barcelona Cathedral. The cathedral construction started in the 13th century.

Wandering through the different neighborhoods, this is definitely a city filled with culture and art.

Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, Church of the Holy Family was Gaudí’s most ambitious project. Construction started in 1882 and still ongoing to this date.

The Nativity Façade dedicated to the birth of Jesus, was the first façade to be completed in 1930.

After touring the Sagrada Familia, we walked uphill towards Park Güell.

View of city and the bay from the highest point.

Viaducts built on a slope as a retaining to support the structures above.

One of the unique buildings designed by Gaudi in the city.

Las Ramblas, the famous walking street for tourist and locals alike. Street performers, boutiques, and sidewalk cafes line both sides of the street.

Ending at the waterfront, we stopped for a Catalan seafood dinner!

Next day we made the stop at Palma de Mallorca on the island of Majorca.

Filled with narrow cobbled streets, we really enjoyed walking through the old part of town.

Carmen bought a pair of shoes here, only to find out it is mismatched later on!




Back on the ship, the city in the background.

Next day is a day at sea as we make our way back to Civitavecchia, where we started.

My favourite activity was the belly flop contest, with ratings given out by the ship’s crew!

Farewell, Mariner of the Seas!

Arriving in Cannes in the French Riviera, most recognized for its annual film festival that started in the early 1930s.

The Mariner of the Seas could not dock directly so water taxis transferred all the guests to/from the city to the ship.

We spent a couple of hours wandering through the narrow passages in the old town with a basic map taken from the information booth.

The Cannes Harbor, it is a popular resort destination for the rich and famous. The harbour is lined with luxurious sail boats.

Taking a break in a café and enjoy a morning coffee.

Around noon the excursion took us about an hour away to Galimard Perfume Factory in Grasse, the world’s perfume capital.

A guide took us on a tour around the factory and the steps in creating a perfume. Quite a convoluted process from ideation to products on shelves!

The ‘organ’ for the nose, someone who can identify over 2,000 scents, to play with the scents and mix new fragrances.

Saint-Paul de Vence is one of the oldest medieval towns (dated from 11th century) in the French Riviera.

The medieval fortified village was packed with tourists. However, turning away from the busy main streets we were able to find some quiet spots and appreciate the beautiful details.

But then we got lost and had to run to catch up to the bus! So don’t deviate too far from the main street…

The next day we arrived in Ajaccio, the capital city of Corsica and the birthplace to Emperor Napoleon.

Near Ajaccio are many sandy beaches so we packed our bathing suits and sunscreen!


In the afternoon we explored the city, which is built along the slope of the hill.


Apparently there are some amazing hiking/biking trails across the island, makes me want to go back!

Back on board! Till next time!