Category Archives: R. Doug Wicker

February 20, 2023 · 5:35 am

A Day in Limberg an der Lahn, Germany — Going Medieval on Foot


Limburg an der Lahn, Germany

We’re now down with the Vision of the Seas, and we’re moving on. This trip, which began in May 2022, lasted until early July, which gives you an idea of how much we did. We started aboard Vision of the Seas for a transatlantic crossing, then stayed aboard Vision for a Mediterranean follow-on to some seldom-seen ports in Spain and France. In late May we disembarked and flew off to Germany, where we visited out eldest daughter. Here, our daughter took us on a little sightseeing to the medieval town of Limburg an der Lahn (Limburg on the Lahn), the district seat of Limburg-Weilburg in the State of Hessen (Hesse). So, over the next three weeks, I’m going to treat you to the sights of this charming little city. The first two weeks will end with Fun Photo Fridays, and the third will be schnitzel on a Fun Food Friday.

Ursula (right) posing with our tour guide daughter

Limburg, as you may have guessed by now, lies along the river Lahn, a tributary of the Rhine. Hence the name: Limburg an der Lahn. When you come for your visit, make sure you have spare camera batteries and plenty of memory cards. You’ll need it. We parked our car in the garage at the east end of Sackgasse, next to the Woolworth’s, and set out eastbound on foot. It was only a matter of yards/meters before we got our first glimpse of the old town portion of Limburg.

Corner of Rosengasse and Kleine Rütsche

From here we just started wandering the narrow pedestrian streets as we slowly made our way to the Dom zu Limburg (Limburg Cathedral). That’s where I’ll end today, leaving you with this taste of Limburg:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

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February 17, 2023 · 4:35 am

Fun Food Friday – End-of-Cruise Valencia Paella for Lunch and a Bit of Humor


Back in Valencia, Spain

We had one full day left on our visit aboard Vision of the Seas, and we were once again in Valencia, Spain. We’d stopped off here nine days earlier, during our transatlantic voyage. This stop was in conjunction with our follow-on Mediterranean cruise. And as we’d been here before (follow this link for the beginning of that series: Transatlantic 2022 — Valencia; Our Next Port of Call), Ursula and I opted this time to just set out on foot, look briefly around, and enjoy the dish for which Valencia is famous, Valencia paella. But, first, let’s look around:

Now it’s time for some Valencian paella. As we wandered the streets near the port, we bypassed the obvious tourist choices along Calle del Dr. Josep Juan Dómine. Instead, we turned north onto a smallish street. Here we discovered a charming little establishment with two outdoor tables. After searching Google Maps, I’m about 95% sure that the place where we lunched was Ca Rakel on Calle del Dr. Llurch. As neither Ursula nor I were particularly hungry (we were, after all, on a cruise ship), we decided to split an order.

As we sat outside awaiting our paella, a lovely couple from I believe Slovenia took the next table. I was a bit concerned when I saw the wife had placed her purse in such a manner that it could be easily snatched (Europe, especially southern Europe stretching from Greece through Spain, is notorious for pick pockets and purse snatchers. I advised her that perhaps she might want to better secure her purse, which she did. This led us all to striking up a conversation that lasted through our meals and a little beyond even though my Slovene leaves a lot to be desired. I hadn’t spoken Slovene since George Santos and I were sent to Station L (Ljubljana) for some late Cold War wetwork back in the early ’90s.

Just kidding, of course. I’ve never been to Slovenia, and I’ve never done wet work for The Company. Thus, poor George went to Slovenia by himself. That was back when he was a contractor for the 00 Section of MI6 using as cover his Goldman Sachs credentials as an international financial expert. Don’t believe me? I’m quite sure that’s on his résumé. Here’s George on his return from his much-decorated mission to Ljubljana:

George Santos with a few of his post-mission awards

Anyway, I don’t speak Slovene. Not even a little. Rather, it was our charming neighbors who expertly switched over to English. We discussed post-Cold War conditions in the Slavic nations, international affairs, children, careers, places we’ve traveled, and a whole lot more. The time just flew by. But I’m sure your more interested in lunch, so here it is:

Valencia Paella with crusty bread
Valencia Paella with crusty bread

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

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February 15, 2023 · 5:35 am

Mediterranean Cruise 2022 — Roman Theatre and Mirador Parque Torres


Time to start heading up the hill, but before we get to the vistas there’s one more Roman-connected structure along the way. Whereas the Roman Theater is just west of the hill we are climbing, there is an old bullfighting ring to the east of that same hill. Right about now you’re probably thinking, “The Romans had bullfighting?” No. They did not. But the Spanish sure do. And in those cities that have yet to outlaw this spectacle, bullfights are held in Plazas de Toros (Plazas of Bulls). Cartagena’s was originally called Plaza de Toros de Cartagena, but today it’s Anfiteatro Romano y Plaza de Toros de Cartagena. The reason for the change is because this former bullring was built atop an ancient Roman Amphitheater. The bullring has since been partially dismantled, revealing the structure in which Roman gladiators once met. But before we get that far, here’s an interesting piece and a view above the hill:

Castle of Galers; west of the naval base

Now let’s take a look at that stadium:

Anfiteatro Romano y Plaza de Toros de Cartagena
Zooming in on where old Rome meets newer bullring

Making our way farther up the hill we pass Torre Linterna (Lantern Tower):

Torre Linterna (Lantern Tower)

This hill is home to Parque Torres (Tower Park). On the west side of the park is Mirador Parque Torres (Tower Park Viewpoint). It is here you’ll find these views:

Tower Park Viewpoint (Mirador Parque Torres)

Tower Park Viewpoint (Mirador Parque Torres)

Tower Park Viewpoint (Mirador Parque Torres)

Tower Park Viewpoint (Mirador Parque Torres)

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

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