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I Went to Monte Carlo in Summer and Nearly Froze

8/26/2015

7 Comments

 
By John Roberts

I'm trying to regulate my breathing and make it to the recommended two-minute mark.

But the back of my bald head feels as if it will crack and fall off at any moment – and I've just surpassed the 60-second barrier. I peek over to my wife, and her stoic and concentrated stare gives no indication she is suffering as I am.

This spa day in Monte Carlo isn't exactly what I had expected when I was told we had been invited to review the luxurius Thermes Marins facility that rises above the harbor and sits adjacent to the yacht club.

I should have known something was up when they had to put tape over my nipples.

Welcome to the world of cryotherapy!

Colleen and I showed up at Thermes Marin in Monte Carlo thinking we would be enjoying a nice massage. Instead, we experienced something far more interesting, if a bit scary at first.

Cryotherapy uses extreme cold to recycle the blood in a bid to alleviate ailments like inflammation or help flush out toxins and generate an overall better feeling. The treatment also is used by athletes to enhance sports performance, therapy department manager Christophe Fautrier told me.

Here is what happens.

We were told to strip down and get into our swimsuits. We had to cover any exposed metal (jewelry, piercings). We got gloves, socks, a face mask and ear covering to protect our extremities. Christophe added the tape to my nipples right before I entered, remembering at the last instant and saying it was just an extra precaution.

Cryotherapy spa treatment at Thermes Marins in Monte Carlo
Here I am, outfitted and about to enter the chamber for my two minutes of glory.
After answering a series of questions about pacemakers, blood pressure (ours was checked to get a baseline), open wounds, asthma and general health, we were ready to enter a set of chambers. The first one was a balmy minus-60 degrees Celsius. We were to spend 15 seconds there to acclimate before ripping open a door dividing the chambers and dashing eagerly into the minus-111 degrees Celsius room. Oh, goody!

Colleen hates the cold, in general, but she also loves a challenge. So this was going to be interesting to watch her reaction to this little adventure.

Christophe explained that we need to spend a minimum of two minutes in the minus 111 temps and to try to get to three minutes, if possible, to get the maximum benefits from the cryotherapy treatment.

I figured I could do anything for just three minutes. C'mon, that's 180 seconds. I concentrated on my breathing and how I was feeling. Christophe said we might feel short of breath as cold air enters and then expands in the lungs. We also were to exit the chamber if we were experiencing any wooziness. Other than that, he said the battle would be in the brain to relax and endure the discomfort. 

Well, I think my brain froze. He gave 15 second intervals to let us know our progress toward the time goal. The Black Eyed Peas music pumping into the freezer box boosted our mood a little, and I'm sure I saw Colleen bumping a bit to the beat. That lasted all of about 30 seconds until I knew I likely would be pleased to get to 120 seconds and call it a win. "I Got a Feeling," woo-hoo, that my face is gonna fall off! 

In the 15-second countdown before we hit two minutes, Colleen and I exchanged glances, confirming we were bolting.

Christophe says about 40 percent of first-timers get to three minutes. The treatment forces the blood to leave the extremities and congregate around the vital organs, heart and brain. It's supposed to increase levels of endorphins to an emotional boost or feeling of happiness. Cryotherapy also can boost serotonin and melatonin levels to aid sleep, help ease pain and boost concentration. Our treatment was to have beneficial effects for about two hours. If we made three minutes, Christophe said, we would feel better for about four hours.

All I know is that I felt better in about five seconds after I stepped out, knowing I hadn't turned into a popsicle. We spent the rest of the day at Thermes Marins relaxing poolside overlooking Monte Carlo (picture below). That is a treatment I can fully endorse.

Thanks for reading,

JR
Harbor in Monte Carlo
The harbor in Monte Carlo. That's Monaco on the hill in the distance.
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5 Days, 5 Cities in Spain on a Regent Seven Seas Cruise

8/25/2015

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The amazing views from the front terrace of the national museum of Catalan art on Montjuic in Barcelona.
The amazing views from the front terrace of the national museum of Catalan art on Montjuic in Barcelona.
By John Roberts

Hola, Spain!

So nice to see you again.

We had been to Spain once before, about six hours in Barcelona for a port stop on a cruise about 10 years ago.

That barely counts. We enjoyed the day, of course, and snapped plenty of pics. But we also knew that was not nearly enough time to fully explore the country and enjoy the true Spain, with all its history, flavor and flair.

Now, returning after a decade away, we spent five days cruising to Spanish ports on Regent Seven Seas Mariner. Here is how our five days in Spain went. Hint: It was an action-packed week filled with history and adventures that kept us on the move.

Our first stop: CADIZ sits in the autonomous region of Andalusia, which is also home to gorgeous Seville, which is known as the birthplace of tapas. It's also known for its oppressive summer heat, with temps rising and staying well above 100 degrees during July and August. We picked a relatively cool day with the thermostat hitting "only" 90 for our visit.

It's this heat and the accompanying dusty conditions that gave rise to the eating and napping schedules as well as those tasty tapas (at least, according to our tour guide). The light bite meals now also popular in restaurants around the United States and elsewhere were born because Spaniards in Andalusia would place little plates over their drinks to keep out the dust. These toppers (tapas) looked silly while sitting atop a drinking glass but otherwise underutilized, so an ingenious fella added a slice of ham to the plates at his particular taberna, and thus a tradition was born.

People in Andalusia (and in many other places around Spain) take morning breaks at 10:30 a.m. for breakfast, then typically leave work for lunch at 3 p.m. This is the main meal of the day and usually eaten with family members. In fact, the salutation is buenos dias (good morning) up until 3 p.m. in these parts. Then, a siesta, and the last meal is around 9 p.m., a lighter affair with tapas.

We toured the picturesque "White Villages" of Andalusia: Medina-Sidonia and Arcos de la Frontera. In these villages, most of the structures are painted white to fend off the heat. Many of the homes don't have air conditioning. White paint or not, that still cannot be comfy when temps hit triple digits.

A painter puts on a fresh coat of white paint on a building in Medina-Sidonia in the Andalusian region of Spain.
Keeping the white in the "White Village" of Medina-Sidonia.
The white village of Medina-Sidonia in the Andalusian region of Spain.
The white buildings throughout the village provide a perfect backdrop for the lush and colorful vegetation.
The white village of Medina-Sidonia in the Andalusian region of Spain.
The village is filled with narrow winding alleys where residents live tucked away from the blistering summer heat.
The town square offers a mix of eateries and al fresco afternoon meals in the white village of Arcos de la Frontera.
The town square offers a mix of eateries and al fresco afternoon meals in the white village of Arcos de la Frontera.
Our second stop: MALAGA is a gorgeous city where the port nestles up to a wonderful beach and the old town area.

We enjoyed a casual bike tour with Malaga Bike Tours. Pedaling through the city, which was in the middle of nine-day festival period, was a delight. Malaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, who lived in Malaga until he was 10. It's also where actor Antonio Banderas hails from, so there is that, too.

Bullfighting is a daily occurrence during the festival at the large bullring within a stadium in the city. I wouldn't care to see this type of event, but it's a big part of the history of the region. We learned that when the bulls are killed, they are processed for use at area restaurants. There is a butcher on-site at the stadium as well as a chapel because the bullfighters are very religious. 

The beach was a big draw for us. After our bike ride, we took a run along the malecon, which winds for a couple miles adjacent to the beach and is home to dozens and dozens of restaurants serving tapas, ice cream and beers. We loved that the boardwalk and beach also offers outdoor exercise equipment stations.

Malaga Bike Tours cycling tour in Malaga, Spain
Do you think we had a fun time with our cycling group on our ride with Malaga Bike Tours?
Cove Beach in Malaga, Spain
We are set to book a vacation in Malaga after seeing this beach.
Our third stop: The cruise ship pier in ALICANTE also is located quite close to a beach; this one is rustic and filled with as many residents as tourists. It's a hopping scene, and you'll find a few spots alongside the sandy strip to grab a cold drink, ice cream or bit to eat. We headed out of town about a 30-minute ride to explore the beach town of Campello. This is a gorgeous area with a huge beach and a snazzy large boardwalk area lined with restaurants and hotels. 

The water temps were in the low 80s, and the shallow sandy bottom invite you to just spend the whole day wading and playing in the surf. Splashing around in Campello was a welcome relief on an extremely warm and sunny day. We capped off this visit with a couple cold Mahou beers and a light bite of tapas.

Campello Beach near Alicante, Spain
The wide boardwalk in Campello Beach is pedestrian and bike friendly. It's also lined with enticing eateries.
Campello Beach near Alicante, Spain
The water is very warm in mid-August, and the bottom is all sand at Campello Beach.
Our fourth stop: We checked out IBIZA's old own, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a massive fortified citadel encircling a castle and wonderful alleys and streets. The views from the top are extraordinary.

It is unusual to see that the city is having a new hotel built into the fortress structure. 

Ibiza's port area also is within a 10-minute walk to a beach that is popular with residents and serves as a family destination, differing from many of the full-on party beaches that help make the island of Ibiza a big hot spot for celebs and wanna-bes who want to dance the night away. Ibiza is known for its DJs and nightclubs.

Malaga, Alicante and Ibiza all proved to be great beach towns, obviously, with easy-to-access spots to enjoy right near where Regent Seven Seas Mariner arrives. This is a benefit of cruising on a mid-sized ship that can access these smaller ports. You can enjoy a cheap, no-hassle self-guided day of relaxing on the beach right near town.

Just exit your ship, saunter over to the beach and settle in. No fuss, no muss, no expense and no bikini tops, either, if you ladies prefer. 
The fortress in Ibiza, Spain
The fortress rises high above Ibiza.
A view from the hills in Ibiza, Spain.
The views down from the old city area display a busy bay and tightly packed neighborhoods.
Old Town Ibiza, Spain.
The entrance to the old city center.
Boat parked in the harbor in Ibiza, Spain.
Ibiza is always busy with sailboats and yachts filling the harbor.
Our fifth stop: Our return to BARCELONA. This massive city of 1.6 million people is packed with amazing sites. You could wander for weeks trying to take in all the architecture and museums available. We had one day, so we snagged a few key spots. 

Our guided tour promised us Gothic Barcelona, with stops at Barcelona Cathedral (Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Santa Eulalia), which was built between the 13th and 15th centuries; a quick look at the outside of Sagrada Familia, the famed unfinished Antoni Gaudi-designed basilica; and the national museum of Catalan art (MNAC) perched atop Montjuic hill; and many other nooks and crannies of the city. We also made a pass through bustling La Rambla for quick stop for tapas and a pitcher of sangria.

Let me sum up this visit to Barcelona. 

I loved the immense and fascinating Santa Eulalia cathedral. Women must make sure they have covered their shoulders and knees before entering.

I just don't get Sagrada Familia. It looks like a big old mess from the outside. I hear it is absolutely stunning inside, but you better reserve your tickets online to skips the massive lines or you are unlikely to get in by just walking up to buy tickets. The attraction is a great boon to the Barcelona economy, serving as a huge cash cow, which is good.

The views from the top of Montjuic are spectacular. MNAC is one of six museums up on the hill, and the Olympic stadium is up there, too. The city hosted the summer games in 1992.
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Sagrada Familia has been under construction since 1882.
These
These "Stone People" depict a traditional Catalan folk dance in Barcelona.
It was a wonderful five days in Spain, and we plan to return to spend more time on the lovely beaches and exploring more historic sites. 

Thanks for reading,

JR
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One Day in Lisbon (When I Blacked Out and Lost My Pants)

8/18/2015

8 Comments

 
Onboard Regent Seven Seas Mariner in Lisbon
I made it onboard Regent Seven Seas Mariner! Well rested for sure after a busy day in Lisbon, Portugal.
By John Roberts

Our room is still plenty dark, so I have no idea of the time.

But nature is calling. This happens nightly -- about midway through my sleep -- so I figure it must be around 4 or 5 in the morning because we went to bed around midnight.

I quietly slip back into bed trying not to wake the wife, but she heard me up and asks "What time is it?"

I don't know, so I check my cellphone. "It's 11:15 a.m.," I say, confused, but thinking that the time change from traveling the day before from the United States to Lisbon must be playing into what I am seeing on my phone.

The time is correct, and we have slept for more than 11 straight hours. "What the hell happened?" we blurted out nearly simultaneously. We had expected to wake up early to explore a bit more of Lisbon and maybe get in a workout and a nice breakfast before our scheduled driver would pick us up at the hotel to take us the port to start our Regent Seven Seas cruise. At noon.

That plan was out the window.

The good news: We got the best night of sleep in recent memory.

We typically battle jetlag for a couple nights after flying to Europe from the U.S. Many times, we bolt awake at 3 in the morning, unable to get back to sleep. So, we don't have to worry about that on this trip.

The bad news: We had 45 minutes to clean up a bit, pack and get down to greet our driver to get to the port to start our cruise. This meant we would get no breakfast and would miss out on taking in more of Lisbon.

That bummed us out a bit, but we scrambled and left our room in time to get our ride. Something was bothering me about rushing through the morning, though. I realized what it was as we went through security screening at the port and were expected to remove our electronics from our bags.

Well, this process goes as planned if you actually have your electronics still in your luggage!

I had forgot my tablet computer at the hotel. What the hell was in that one Sagres beer I had last night at dinner, I wondered. The 11-plus hours of sleep and now being so forgetful? That isn't all.

We called the hotel, the wonderful Altis Avenida, to let them know we left the computer there. They said they had already sent a driver on his way to meet us at the port with the computer and the pants we had left behind.

The computer and the what now?

I had left a pair of trousers in the closet, too. Yikes!

I'm happy to report that I have been reunited with my items and am typing this post on my tablet. (I may or may not be wearing said pants -- or any pants -- though, while doing so.)

I'm also delighted to tell you we had a fun day in Lisbon ahead of the hibernation period in our hotel. We really tired ourselves out after our late-night flight and stretch of being awake for 30 of 33 hours, but we had little choice because we had to see Sintra. We had the one day available in Lisbon so we forged ahead.

Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Portugal
A view of the valley below from up in the hills of Sintra.
Sintra, Portugal
Ooh, I need a pic of a decorative drinking fountain.
Sintra, Portugal
Statue notes the former home of a doctor.
City center in Lisbon, Portugal
I did get to see a little bit of Lisbon, running out for a quick five-minute photo walk before our driver arrived to whisk us to the port for our cruise. I shall return, Lisbon, you are lovely!
Sintra is a delightful UNESCO World Heritage site. Major attractions include a castle, a museum, two palaces, a monastery, a forested park and sprawling hillside estates. We hiked up a switchback road into the forest and back down through the lush green park that is filled with well-marked hiking trails leading up into the mountains and the monastery and convent looming over the town. 

We used the train system, hopping on at Rossio station in central Lisbon, which is easy to navigate and costs 5 euros per person roundtrip. The ride is about 45 minutes from Lisbon to Sintra, which is also filled with dozens of cafes, restaurants, shops and buildings with interesting architecture and colors.

We had a fabulous time in Portugal and will be back for more in-depth adventuring in and around Lisbon. Now, onward to Spain for the next few days. You can't say we aren't well rested for the trip.

Thanks for reading.

JR
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