The ship docked at four different ports: Funchal, Portugal; Cadiz, Malaga and Cartagena, Spain. All these were ancient Roman cities (Cadiz was 3,000 BC) they were a warren of narrow winding alleys connecting large plazas, people, housing, and history still available for us to experience today. Additionally, they are all fishing villages, and we were lucky enough to be at one on a Friday during lent. The central market was buzzing with people who come to pick up the evening ingredients from the fresh markets. That large head was the biggest tuna I had ever seen. We are we’re in Cartagena on Palm Sunday. This city like many with a medieval history, have religious processions. This group of roman soldiers, escorted churchgoers armed with palms and olive branches from the neighborhoods to the front doors of the church just in time for services. It was a very cool spectacle. It certainly set us up for getting to know the Roman Empire.
With only a few hours in each port, there is barely time to wander for a few hours, drink a cappuccino or eat a gelato then get back to the ship. But you can see the buildings are white stucco, tile roofed and work their way up the sides of the terrain; and the “old city” has marvelous medieval fortifications. There are always great stories of conquering armies and a mix of architecture with names from our history books: the Moors, the Romans, the Phoenicians — visiting these ports made history real.
