Friday, May 2, 2025

Day 118- May 1, 2025 - Thursday - A Coruna, Spain

We arrived in A Coruna, Spain before daylight.  I was disappointed, because I had planned to get photos of the Tower of Hercules Lighthouse as we sailed by.

A Coruña is a port city on a promontory in the Galicia region of northwest Spain. It’s known for its Roman lighthouse, the Tower of Hercules, which has sweeping coastal views. In the medieval old town is the arcaded Plaza de María Pita, surrounded by narrow pedestrianized lanes. In this square is the Statue de María Pita, a statue of a 16th-century woman who warned the town of an invasion by Sir Francis Drake.


The Tower of Hercules is the oldest Roman lighthouse still in continous use. Built in the 1st century, the tower is located on a peninsula about 1.5 miles from the center of A Coruña, Galicia, in northwestern Spain.  The structure stands 180 feet tall and overlooks the North Atlantic coast of Spain. The design was based on the original plans of the Lighthouse of Alexandria. The tower was renovated in 1791.


Stock photo of A Coruna and the Hercules Lighthouse - no drone flying allowed from the ship!

Photo of the Hercules Lighthouse before dawn from about 2 miles away.  

Stock internet photo from closer up.

Photo as we sailed away, lighting was terrible as I was facing the sun, again from about 2 miles away.


A Coruña is known as the "City of Glass" due to its numerous glass-fronted balconies and houses. These "galerías" (as they're called in Galician) were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and they're a defining feature of the city's architecture. 






The Church of Santiago is a catholic church in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain. Founded in the 12th century, it's the oldest religious temple in the city.









Colegiata de Santa Maria do Campo




Iglesia de Santiago Apostol



⁦Maria Pita Square is the nerve center of the city of Coruña⁩⁦, and in it is the city hall.


We passed a pharmacy which had this old cash register and canisters on display.


A second pharmacy, farther down the street, not to be outdone had two windows full of antique pharmacy paraphernalia.  They also had this nice selection of scleral shells, artificial eyes. 

At the end of our 2 1/2-hour walking tour, we had a nice treat.  Our guide said we would have refreshments.  In fact, we were treated to an assortment of delicious food.  We had tapas, fried calamari with fries and delicious roasted sweet peppers.  This was served along with our choice of beer, wine or soda.




Today is a Spanish National holiday.
Labor Day in Spain, known there as Día del Trabajador or Primero de Mayo, was first celebrated on May 1, 1889. The way in which Spaniards celebrate Primero de Mayo has varied greatly since then, due primarily to the Francoist State, which lasted from 1936 to 1975. After 4 decades of being prohibited, in 1978 the celebration was finally re-legalized and re-instated as a national holiday, and since then every Primero de Mayo has been marked by protests and manifestations all over the country, in which social advances are celebrated, and workers’ rights are revindicated.

After lunch, we left our group to make our way back to the ship on our own.  As we neared the park and plaza, we began to hear music as well as speeches over a megaphone.  We decided to by-pass the crowd on our way back. 

In the Galicia region of Spain, bagpipes are a common musical instrument.  Our guide said this was a remnant of their strong Celtic heritage.  We passed this group practicing on a side street.  I assume they were getting ready to join the festivities.

A few of the wonderful dining staff who make sure we enjoy our meals!


It was a beautiful sunset this evening.  We now have our last sea-day.  We will arrive in Honfleur, France on Saturday.


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Day 123 - May 6, 2025 - Tuesday - Greenwich (London), UK to Atlanta

 I set the alarm for 5:00 AM, but I was up at 4:30.  After a quick shower and shave, I went for my first cup of coffee while Kay did her thi...