Vigo

Good Day Everyone,

After a frolicsome night Arcadia arrived in Vigo at 0900 hours today. We sailed into the harbour in darkness and it was just getting light as we went alongside our berth. The picture above was taken from Promenade Deck - you can see the moon and the lights of the City of Vigo.

Vigo climbs the slopes of Monte del Castro rising tier by tier from an avenue of trees to a citadel crowning the height. Santiago de Compostela is the area's most historic attraction, which draws thousands of visitors to this very day. Except ours! We had to cancel our excursions to Santiago de Compostela due to ice on the roads.

I have been to Santiago Cathedral and it is well worth a visit. It is a monument to Christ's apostle, James, whose relics are believed to have been discovered there in the 19th century. Crowds flock to this great shrine which was once the third most important place of pilgrimage after Jerusalem and Rome.

Arcadia alongside her berth in Vigo.

The shopping mall on the dock.

We were loading containers of stores ex UK today to get ahead for our Round World Cruise and to take some pressure of what already is a full programme of storing at Southampton. Even though Arcadia is registered in Bermuda we do consider Southampton as our home port.

Arcadia bathes in the morning sunlight.

After a dull start to the day it brightened up and the sun came out. A beautiful day in port to end our fabulous Christmas and New year Cruise. Just one sea day to go now and then Southampton.

Some unusual works of art in the port area!

There is a walk way which links the shopping mall to the old town area.

The building is named after the late Mr Alberto Duran. Alberto was greatly loved and sadly missed in Vigo.

Vigo harbour is a hive of activity.

The city is very clean and a joy to walk around. As it was a quiet morning I popped off to my favourite department store to stock up on some supplies for our Round World Cruise. The sun was shinning and there was a lovely crisp air. After six days at sea it is good to stretch your legs in land!!

Lots of trees and greenery and even a park in the middle.

As the cruise comes to an end there are lots of gatherings to say farewells! Mike, Anne and Beryl in this picture were part of my Christmas in 2001 when we all dined together on the Aurora!

Spot anyone you know?

I was watching Sky News this morning and I see that the UK is ICELAND! We can be glad that we are having such good weather on this new year cruise. I will be clearing my desk today and getting all in order for my end of cruise business. Steve Mann - Senior Purser Food and Beverage Manager joined us today for a handover with Steve Mitchell. Steve Mitchell is off to Oriana for his next tour of duty. It's great to see and sail with Steve Mann once more - the last time we worked together was on Aurora in 2002. Working at sea is all about change, as people come and go all the time. If ever we have the perfect team - it does not last for long as someone moves on. The secret is to make a good team out of who you have got! This is the advice I give my team.

Must go now and do some 'real' work!

All good wishes,

James.

You will never be happier than you expect. To change you happiness, change your expectation.

Bette Davis 1908 - 1989.