2018 - Bonnie's Journey to the US Eastern Seaboard
Eastern Seaboard Cruise Sept 17-30, 2018
Itinerary
Tuesday, September 18 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Wednesday, September 19 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Thursday, September 20 Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Friday, September 21 Saguenay, Quebec, Canada
Saturday, September 22 Scenic Cruising St. Lawrence Seaway
Sunday, September 23 Gaspe, Quebec, Canada
Monday, September 24 Scenic Cruising, St. Lawrence Seaway
Tuesday, September 25 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Wednesday, September 26 At Sea
Thursday, September 27 Boston, M.A, USA
Friday, September 28, Boston, M.A, USA
Saturday, September 29 New York City, N.Y, USA
Sunday, September 30 New York City, N.Y, USA
Monday, September 17 and Tuesday, Sept 18
We knew we were in trouble when we saw that our Monday night
Phoenix departure flight time was 11:10 pm, with connecting flight in Detroit
departing Tuesday at 7:10 am, arriving Montreal at 8:56. This means we were flying overnight, and even with upgraded seats, we were not comfortable and did
not sleep much. Note to self: plan with Viking to arrange for daytime flights
in the future.
The plane was not full, and the attendant invited the man
sitting in the third seat in our row to move. David and I had three seats to
share. We made the best of it by leaning against each other. I finally laid
down with my head in his lap and slept for a while with my knees bent, until my
cramped hips started aching. The connecting flight was not better, but it was
only an hour and 45 minutes long.
We were glad to deplane, and the Immigration system in
Montreal used automated kiosks, so it was quick to enter Canada. Viking staff
were on hand to meet us and got us to the ship by 10 am, but our stateroom
would not be ready until 2. I found electric outlets, so we charged our
devices, and made ourselves comfortable in the lounge area until the
restaurant opened at 11. We ate lunch and laid down on the chaise lounges by the
pool to nap until our room was open.
Once inside our stateroom, we unpacked and slept for a while
before getting ready for our first shore excursion, a multimedia sound and
light show called Aura, on display inside the Notre Dame Basilica. The tour bus
was waiting outside the ship, with a red-headed woman as our guide.
The performance was advertised inviting us to experience the
majesty of the Notre Dame Basilica during a moving and immersive multimedia
spectacle. The event uses 140 lamps, 20 mirrors, lasers, projections on the
ceilings and floors accompanied by a specially composed orchestral work to
explore the rich heritage and architectural beauty of the basilica.
The best way I can describe it is to give the example of the
Christmas email which shows a huge home outlined with hundreds of lights
choreographed to dance with the music, except the house display uses only white
lights and the basilica one uses many colors. Often the lights run up and down
the columns, stained glass windows and various other architectural features of
the church, or perhaps light up all the niches filled with saints
simultaneously with the same color lights. Stars glitter and universes race
across the vaulted ceiling.
It was over all too soon. We learned the performance was
commissioned by the Order in charge of the basilica to coincide with the
celebration last year of Montreal’s anniversary. It has been sold out since it
opened.
Returning to the ship, we dressed for dinner. David made
reservations at one of the ship’s nicer dining rooms. Yesterday, September 17,
we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. The meal was perfect and
service excellent. We struck up a conversation with the guests at the next
table. They are from New Zealand. We found lots to talk about.
Back in our stateroom, after intermittent sleep last night, we were ready to crash. I set the alarm because we have scheduled an 8 am shore excursion tomorrow. What were we thinking?
Wednesday, September 19
Good thing I set the alarm, because we were sleep deprived
from yesterday and in addition, at 7 am here, our bodies think it is 4 in the
morning! We scrambled to get ready for the 8:00 tour, not even having time for
breakfast.
The tour today is a city tour called Montreal Highlights.
Our guide was great. Montreal is the world’s second largest French-Speaking
city, after Paris. The elevation in the city center was named Mount Royal by
the early explorers. It is easy to hear how that name became Montreal.
We drove through the Olympic installations, learning about the stadium, whose dome is supported by cables from a tower-like edifice which is the world's largest leaning tower.
The stadium is not used often now, except
for an occasional concert. There is talk of tearing it down, but it would be
very expensive. Athlete housing is nearby in a pyramid shaped building, now
used as condos.
Montreal is home to four major universities, each with about 40,000 students, so it is a young and vibrant city with college age people everywhere. We drove through Old Montreal which preserves the rich character of the old colony with cobblestone streets, now home to chic galleries and boutiques. The high silver dome of the Bonsecours Market tops a splendid Renaissance Building which sheltered Montreal’s main market for over a century.
Mount Royal Park provided multiple photo opportunities of the city from above.
The weather was warm and comfortable for a bit of walking around the park. The last stop was the masterpiece of Montreal, the Notre Dame Basilica, where we saw the light show yesterday. The church is a neo-Gothic treasure rivaling Europe’s finest cathedrals and boasts a splendid interior of sculpted wood, lush paintings, gold leaf and stained glass. Surprisingly, it was designed by a Protestant architect.
We were ready for lunch when we returned to the ship and later
went to a “Port Talk” about Quebec City, our next stop. Quebec is the capitol
of Quebec Province, so is called Quebec City to distinguish. Think New York
City, New York. Canada does not have states. It has 10 Provinces, created by
the Constitution, as well as 3 territories, created by the federal government.
5:15 was time for the emergency drill required of all guests
and crew to find our muster stations and learn to put on life vests. I headed
toward the wrong muster station, but David set me straight.
David made a reservation for us to dine at The Chef’s Table,
the restaurant which does wine pairing with each course. Tonight was Asian
night with elegant food. I was apprehensive about hot and sour soup but enjoyed
it.
I forgot one of the luxuries on Viking is heated floors in
the bathroom. Delicious!
We discovered the ship offers Downton Abbey as one of the
video options, so we started watching season one.
Overnight we cruised the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City. Flowing through the fertile lowlands that link the US Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, the St. Lawrence River is one of North America’s most scenic waterways. As we cruised Canada’s second-longest river, we passed great cultural capitals, from the gleaming skyline of Montreal to the stately façade of Chateau Frontenac on the river bluff of Quebec City, as well as scenic natural beauty.
Near Quebec lies the pastoral island of Ile d’Orléans,
dotted with syrup-producing maple trees. Canada produces over 85% of the
world’s maple syrup! To the island’s east, the river widens into the largest
estuary in the world, passing small towns, gently rising hills and rocky banks. Farther east, the long Ile d ’Anticosti marks
the mouth of the river.
Thursday, Sept 20 Quebec City
We took the Historic Quebec City tour at 8 am this morning
and very much enjoyed the quaint town. Compact and picturesque, Quebec City is
considered by many to be the most French city in New France. The Old Town’s
centerpiece, the magnificent Chateau Frontenac, seems transported from the
palatial landscapes of the Loire Valley, and its French-accented streets lead
past white-stone buildings that evoke old-world medieval villages. The only
remaining walled city in North America outside of Mexico, Quebec City was
fortified in the 17th century soon after its founding in 1608. Its
strategic setting on the rocky promontory of Cape Diamond gave troops a close
view of the St. Lawrence.
The Chateau Frontenac perched on a promontory high above the river was a spectacular site inviting us to return later to visit the grounds and peek inside the elegant hotel.
We stopped at Dufferin Terrace, a boardwalk that doubles as
a fairground for street performers in the summer. From this vantage point, we
enjoyed the vista with breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River, the
pastoral island called Ile d ’Orleans and the Laurentian Mountains. We drove
past the beautifully restored Place Royale market square in the atmospheric Old
Town, dotted with stone architecture dating back as far as the 1600s, including
the oldest standing Catholic church in North America.
We drove to the Plains of Abraham, learning the history of how this lush farmland was donated to the city for a huge park. This is the site where the French surrendered to the British in 1759. Today there are beautiful flower gardens everywhere, combining the French and English style gardens. We enjoyed spectacular river and city views from this cliffside perch on Cape Diamond, named after the stones explorer Jacques Cartier mistook for diamonds.
We followed the Grande Allee, called the Champs-Elysees of Quebec, stopping to view the imposing Second-Empire-style Parliament Building with its incredible architecture and beautifully manicured gardens graced by a splendid fountain before returning to the ship.
The afternoon before us, we decided to walk back into town for exploring on our own and lunch. We walked and browsed along the waterfront shops to find the funicular tramway up the cliff.
Looking backdown the funicular as we rode up.
Scenic view on the way up.
A bit higher
Now we could see our ship!
The bottom of the funicular.
Back at the boardwalk, we decided to look inside the historic Chateau Frontenac, exploring more history in panel displays along the hallways, and admiring the high paneled ceilings. Famous people, including Churchill stayed here.
We found an outdoor creperie and sat in the sunshine to eat lunch. I had a cheese and apple crepe and a cup of pumpkin soup. David had an Italian sandwich and fries. We felt the warmth of the sun and relaxed while we ate. What a lovely afternoon.
After lunch, we continued to explore Quebec City streets, shops, parks and architecture.
We decided to find our own way back to the ship, as we could
see it in the harbor below. The street, bordered by a high wall on the river
side, winds around the side of the cliff. There are no cross streets running
down the steep hill, so we followed the winding road to the bottom and made our
way to the ship. It took longer than we
expected but was good exercise. We were just glad to be walking down instead of
climbing up the hill.
We were back in time
for me to go to High Tea before we heard the port talk about Saguenay, our next
stop.
We are booked for dinner at the nice Italian place called Manfredi’s and enjoyed every mouthful!
Friday, September 21, 2018 Saguenay, Canada
Saguenay was founded as a French Colonial trading post and
bolstered by the fur trade, it became one of southern Quebec’s most
cosmopolitan cities, with population of 275,000. Beyond its northern borders, the vast
wilderness of Quebec stretches for hundreds of miles through endless swaths of
fir trees, mountains, lakes and rivers that harbor one of North America’s
densest concentrations of wildlife. Except for some Inuit and Cree villages,
there are no towns due north between Saguenay and the Artic. Like so many
Canadian cities founded among woodlands, Saguenay grew its pulp and paper trade
with the late 19th century arrival of the Canadian National Railway.
Since then, this resilient town has recovered from a great fire, a landslide
and a flood.
Our ship arrived in cold blustery weather with strong gusts of wind, and this is a port where we are transferred to shore aboard tenders. Ship staff were very careful when handing us off the big ship onto the tender. These small boats were bounced around in the choppy water on the way to shore, but the pilots were skillful and delivered us safely to the pier.
We walked in the cold, brisk wind to a small
terminal building where we were crowded with passengers from other cruise ships
while we waited for our buses to take us to the theater to see the live stage
show of the history of the community.
Le Fabuleuse Live Stage Show features a cast of about 100! The local villagers have created a 90-minute production of their local history, beginning with the first Nation tribes, going through the explorers, settlers, both world wars, dance fads like the Charleston and Twist—even Elvis Presley! We witnessed the events that have marked the region’s evolution since its founding –and before—by French explorer Jacques Cartier. Colorful costumes, songs, stories and dance were accompanied by a host of live animals, horses, a cow, a pig and even a herd of geese! Even a real 1955 Chevy drove around the stage.
The players enacted colonization along the banks of the St
Lawrence River, the great fire of 1870, Flood of 1996 and other pivotal moments
that have shaped Saguenay. The fire scene was especially realistic with actual
contained fires burning as well as lighting to suggest the total village was
ablaze. The use of lasers and other visual effects were state of the art. The
theater was large and comfortable. This community has invested a lot of money
in producing this event as a tourist attraction. It has been shown to over one
million guests.
Back on the ship, I
enjoyed a lecture about “Whales of the North Atlantic”. Very well done with
great Power Point slides. I learned mother whales make 50 gallons of milk a
day, and half of it is fat coming from mother’s blubber. The baby whales gain 8
pounds an hour, about 200 pounds daily!
We enjoyed another leisurely and delicious meal in Manifredi’s Restaurant before retiring.
Saturday, Sept 22 Scenic Cruising St. Lawrence Seaway
We slept in, hung out the “Do Not Disturb” sign, and ate a
late breakfast at Mamsen’s. I should correct myself to say I ate a waffle with
fruit. David said he was still full from the great food last night.
Today we do not stop in port, but cruise the vast gulf of
St. Lawrence, a partially enclosed sea which serves as an outlet for the North
American Great Lakes into the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Vikings sailed these waters as early as the 10th century, with Leif
Eriksson most famously making landfall at L’Anse aux Meadows in today’s
provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Much later, French, Scots and other Europeans arrived,
bringing their colorful traditions. Of them, Jacques Cartier sailed into the
gulf and called the surrounding lands the “Country of Canadas”, Canadas being a
French word meaning “settlements”. The Basques, too, came here to hunt for
whales and trade with the First nations people, leaving their own cultural
footprint.
We spent a leisurely day, cruising, reading and journaling.
The ship is moving slowly to avoid the whales. They say that 14 whales were
killed in this area last year.
We heard two lectures today, one on the Vikings and the
other on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Both were fascinating. Take-away from the
first-- the Vikings did not have horns on their helmets—that came from
Wagnerian opera! The second take-away is the St. Lawrence Seaway opening caused
the Erie canal to stop being used for commercial purposes.
The Port Talk this evening was about Gaspe, Canada, our
destination tomorrow.
We ate dinner in the casual dining room and retired to our
cabin.
The ship has lots of evening activities, music and dancing, but we are not very good party animals.
Sunday, September 23—Gaspe
Set amid stunning natural beauty at the tip of the Quebec’s Gaspe Peninsula on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Gaspe is one of North America’s earliest European settlements. Claimed first by the French, then by British, and attracting Loyalists to the British Crown following the American Revolution, Gaspe is known as the “Cradle of French Canada.”
Across the bay
from the charming town lies the rugged, majestic wilderness of Forillon
National Park, where we will visit on today’s shore excursion. With hundreds of
species, the Gaspe Peninsula is a spectacular area for birdwatching, and the
surrounding gulf is home to wildlife including blue and humpback whales.
Offshore at the peninsula’s tip stands the enormous Perce’ Rock, among the
world’s largest natural arches. We learned that there used to be three arches
in a row, but over time two have eroded away.
We set the alarm for 6:30 to have time for breakfast, then
gathered in the Star Theater to wait for our tour number to be called to board
the tender. It is cold—32 degrees, but the water is calm, so the tender ride is
smooth. Folks are bundled up with caps and gloves. There was frost last night
so it is finally becoming fall. We booked this cruise hoping to see fall colors
like the ones in the brochure but have been disappointed. The locals say it has
been a warm summer and fall. Just our luck!
The Viking staff are well organized and quickly get us off the tender and onto a school bus for our scenic drive to Forillon National Park, one of Canada’s most spectacular national parks. Its various rock formations, colonies of seabirds and arctic-alpine plants give this national park its character. The park includes forests, seacoast, salt marshes, sand dunes, cliffs and the eastern end of the Appalachians.
Created in 1970, Forillon is Quebec’s first national park. The park features high rising rocks in cliffs far above the water. Cap Bon-Ami is the name of the area where the tall cliffs surround a picturesque bay.
Our guide, Margo, informed us about local history and
related the story of residents living in the area which was to be designated to
become the park who were required to move with little compensation. There was
some cash payment, but not close to the actual property values. She shook her
head as she said that these residents were compensated by being given lifetime
passes to the park.
We saw everything promised but what we saw beyond what was promised was a whale dipping in and out of the water, much to the delight of us standing on shore. Many folks paid to take a whale-watch tour today and we are fortunate enough to see one as an added bonus to the park tour. David even got a terrific photo using his professional camera which can shoot multiple shots instantaneously. Not at all possible on my I phone which takes far too long to focus and release the shutter. I just got shots of the water.
Margo says the waters have been fished out and fishermen
were unemployed until a window-making company moved into town and provided
ample jobs. She said the train has stopped running and currently, in addition
to cars, the only available transportation is by plane, with all fares set at
$1200 Canadian.
We returned to the ship for lunch and reading. I went to
high tea at 4 and met a couple from Chicago named Keith and Nancy. We came
across them in the restaurant later and agreed to have dinner together at a
future date.
I tried to attend the onboard church service, but got the
time mixed up. I knew it was scheduled for 5:30 but went to the room at 6:30 by
mistake. Hymns were still playing on the music system and the room was
deserted, so I sat for a while and prayed.
We went to our favorite restaurant, Manfredi’s for another
delicious dinner.
Tomorrow is another cruising day.
Monday, September 24, 2018 Scenic Cruising St. Lawrence Seaway and Gulf of St. Lawrence
We are instructed to set our clocks ahead one hour and
puzzled why, learning later that Halifax is in a time zone further east than
the US Eastern Time Zone. We need to be in this time zone during our stop in
Halifax tomorrow. The ship’s Captain informed us that time spent in port by the
ship is charged by the day, so we cannot dock before 8 am without paying for
another 24-hour dock charge. He plans to dock in Halifax as soon after 8 as
possible.
The route today is to leave Gaspe, at the northern tip of Quebec, to sail east across the gulf of St. Lawrence and enter the Atlantic Ocean, passing by Prince Edwards Island, turning the corner around Sydney, Nova Scotia and heading south to Halifax.
Having no shore excursions today, we again decide to sleep
in, putting out the Do Not Disturb sign.
We lost an hour last night with the time change, so 7 am is now 8 am. We
ate a late breakfast.
We attended a lecture on the history of Halifax, the site of the first permanent European settlement in the Canadian Maritimes. Now a city of 400,000, Halifax exudes a refined European air. Nova Scotia means New Scotland and Highland tradition abounds. Visitors by sea are greeted by the 1758 Sambro Island lighthouse, the oldest surviving beacon in North America.
We spent most of the day reading, journaling and exploring the ship, and enjoyed high tea in the afternoon.
We are watching the news about the Kavanaugh nomination and the allegations of sexual misconduct, as well as viewing some of the continuing episodes of Downton Abby.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
We hurried to be ready for our shore excursion but with the
ship still docking, we were asked to wait along with everyone else so that we
were about 30 minutes delayed boarding the hop-on hop-off bus. The bus was
waiting at the end of the gangplank. We boarded and chose seats on the upper
floor of the double decker bus. It was warm inside and we settled in
comfortably despite tight seats. The woman who was our guide was friendly and
very knowledgeable.
We decided to stay on
the bus for the entire route, then return to the garden. The city has a long history
and we learned much of it. A major event occurred December 6, 1817, during WW
I, when two ships collided in the harbor. One was a munitions ship, and the
ensuing fire and explosion was devastating, killing more than 2000 people and
destroying the city two miles back from the harbor. The explosion was the worst
the world knew until the Atomic bomb in WW II. The city of Boston rushed to
aid, and the two cities have become sister cities. Halifax contributes a
Christmas tree for lighting in the Boston Commons each year.
At the top of the hill stands the Halifax Citadel, one of
Canada’s most beloved National Historic sites. Perched atop a natural drumlin
overlooking the city and harbor, it has never been attacked. Today it is
beautifully restored to its Victorian-era glory as a fortified hilltop that
offers sweeping views of the city and harbor. The views from the summit are
spectacular.
Another important piece of history is that Halifax was
called upon to find drowning victims from the Titanic and 121 of them are
buried in the local cemeteries.
We passed by historic and modern buildings, such as a new award-winning glass library building designed to look like a stack of fallen books, the Lieutenant governor’s home, St. Mary’s Basilica, and the Parliament Building. We heard about the street that used to be full of pubs and women of the night seeking sailors. Many places in the city are under construction, and owners of historic buildings are required to keep the Victorian facades, even when interiors are updated.
We got off the bus at the Victorian-era Halifax Public Gardens, whose beautiful, landscaped grounds and floral arrangements have been attracting admirers since 1867. The guide on the bus says there are several criteria for a garden to meet to qualify as a Victorian Garden. She mentioned three: The gardens must be contained by a wrought-iron fence, there must be a band stand, and the paths must be wide enough for two women wearing hoop skirts to pass each other without touching.
We enjoyed the gardens, admiring trees and plants. We saw two
men in kilts playing bagpipes. We took photos as we walked by statues, duck
ponds, and labeled trees more than 100 years old. We left the park, heading
downhill toward the waterfront. David discovered his camera battery had lost
its charge, and we searched unsuccessfully for a photography shop to look for a
battery charger.
We window shopped and watched people as we strolled toward
the dock. We reached the waterfront which was lined with restaurants and gift
shops and selected the Stubborn Goat Beer Garden to have lunch. We sat outside on
stools along a rail and watched boats in the harbor while we ate.
The Halifax waterfront is a hub of culture and commerce in Nova Scotia. Surrounded by a sparkling ocean, a working port, and featuring one of the world’s longest downtown boardwalks, the Halifax waterfront is home to a mix of year-round and seasonal businesses and emerging urban developments. After lunch, we walked along the waterfront boardwalk through the commercial area back to the ship.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018 At Sea
During the night, I was roused by the motion of the ship. We were now away from any nearby coastline and in the Atlantic Ocean. The water had become rough, and the ship was moving so much that I decided to
take motion-sickness medicine and return to bed. When we woke in the morning,
the seas were still rough. I continued to take motion-sickness medicine at
regular intervals. The captain called the ocean “moderate”. People walking
around the ship were weaving. I myself would walk on one side of the deck edge and
then the other, crossing as the ship rocked. I needed to lie down in an effort
to prevent getting sick.
Today is a day at sea, so I am not missing a shore
excursion. Instead, I am resting in bed.
David is in and out of the cabin, reading on deck or in the cabin. He attended
one of the history lectures by Guest Lecturer, Dr Dave Roberts, called “Coming
to the Americas”. We passed on our reservations at the fine dining restaurant.
Instead, we watched Downton Abby.
Thursday, September
27, 2018 Boston
Birthplace of a nation, Boston is a city of firsts brimming
with historic charms and a vibrant culture. Its compact size, stately
architecture and plentiful green spaces make for easy exploration. Historic
buildings appear on every corner from the Old South Meeting House where Samuel
Adams started the Boston Tea Party to the old North Church, where two lit
lanterns signaled the British approach. Boston’s parks system also exudes a
rich sense of history. The Boston Common, dating to 1634, is the country’s oldest
city park and the adjacent Public Garden, established in 1837, was the first
public botanical garden. Exploring their footpaths brings Boston’s beauty and
love of outdoor spaces to light.
Upon the arrival of the Viking Sea in the Boston harbor,
guests are required to show their passports along with cabin cards to US
Immigration officers and receive a sticker saying they were cleared. The ship
also receives a clearance by the US Coast Guard who come on board to observe a
simulated engine fire, manning lifeboats and simulated abandon ship. We were
told that since the ship has been in European waters for several months, it is
required to pass inspection upon entering the US.
We got in a huge line on board waiting for the clearance by
US Immigration, but truthfully once the line started, it moved very quickly,
and we were on time to reach the 8:00 bus for our city tour. Our tour guide, a
man with a thick Boston accent, told lots of stories, but to me was not such a
great guide because he says “here” is such and such a building, not really
telling us where. We drove past most of Boston’s most historic neighborhoods and Copley Square, framed by the elegant Trinity Church and the Boston
Public Library, the nation’s first book lender. We continued along Newbury
Street and passed the picturesque Boston Public Garden and the adjacent Boston
Common.
We admired the brick-lined sloping lanes of Beacon Hill and gaze up at the glimmering gilded dome of the State House. We drove by the Old North Church and see its steeple where Paul Revere hung his famous lantern to signal the coming of the redcoats. Afterword, we viewed the Old South Meeting House, the rallying point from where Samuel Adams sparked the Boston Tea Party. We ended the tour at the famous Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
We returned to the ship for lunch and the afternoon. We
listened to Dr. Ford testify at the Kavanaugh hearings.
We signed up for an optional tour to Boston’s oldest and
most venerated restaurant, called the Union Oyster House. The event began with
a panoramic drive, starting at Copley Square to admire Trinity Church and the
Boston Public Library, with the all-glass Hancock Tower standing above. We
continued along chic Newbury Street in the fashionable Back Bay, passing trendy
cafes and bustling designer shops.
We passed the brightly lit gold dome of the State House and
passed the Old South Meeting House where the Boston Tea Party began. We viewed
the spectacular illuminated skyline in full, across the Charles River. The tour
culminated at the Union Oyster House, open since 1826 and the nation’s oldest continually
operating restaurant. We took in its charming old-world ambience and settled in
to savor a delicious traditional New England meal of clam chowder, Caesar
salad, corn bread, lobster and gingerbread—the perfect way to celebrate our
Boston visit.
We sat at a table of 8 from the ship, and discovered there
are four couples who travel together who all own condos in Breckenridge, CO. We
enjoyed getting acquainted with those of that group who sat at our table, as
well as a couple from London. We all had
on our bibs and cracked the lobster shells, messy as they were, together,
laughing and chatting, trying to hear each other in the noisy restaurant. The
guide continued to point out sights from the bus as we traveled back on the bus
together, but by now at 10:00, it is so dark, we really can’t see.
We were tired after a full day and welcomed our comfortable cabin and beds.
Friday, September 28, 2018 Boston
We wake to a cloudy and rainy day, have breakfast and watch the Senate Judicial committee have further discussions about Kavanaugh. The vote is scheduled for 1:30, so we decide to go into town for a while, despite the rain. It is a shame to miss a day in Boston.
We catch the shuttle from the ship which drops us off near
Faneuil Hall. The traffic is bad, and we appreciate the driver, who can’t find
a place to park and finally squeezed into an open spot to let us alight.
We make our way into the hall and into Quincy market,
wandering past the many food vendors and craft kiosks, stopping at a booth
selling greeting cards that unfold to display a stand-up figure. We are in luck
as they have both a penguin card and a unicorn, our great-granddaughters' favorites, so we choose them. I am enticed
to buy more when the clerk tells me I can buy 4 for $40. David helps me choose
a blue bird of happiness for Tammi and a fall colors tree for Janet.
We comment that we saw cards like these in Vietnam, and the
clerks agree, saying the couple who have created this card business got the
idea when they visited Vietnam. Of course, cards in Vietnam were less
expensive!
We continue to explore the market, and David bought pin-striped
pants for me. We stop for coffee and chai tea, along with a miniature Boston
Crème Pie. Celebrate Boston!
We must be back on the ship no later than 1:30, and it is
now 12:30. We decide to return to the ship, not wanting to walk in the rain,
but of course, stand in the rain waiting for the bus. The traffic is so bad,
the bus is delayed and even after arriving, makes another trip around the block
before finding a place. We are appreciative as a group for the traffic difficulties
for the driver, and we leave generous tips for him.
Back on board the ship, David is eager to return to the Kavanaugh nomination session. I know what the outcome will be so head upstairs to journal and to work on my ASU interns learning contract. I am surprised when I return to the cabin just in time to hear Jeff Flake’s recommendation that vote be delayed for a week for the FBI to investigate.
We have received instructions from Viking about departure
procedures. We must meet at 5 am Sunday at Star Theater with our luggage to
meet the shuttle for the airport for our flight at 8 am. We have theater
tickets to see Wicked at 8 Saturday evening, so will not be back at the ship
until perhaps midnight. We will only have a few hours' sleep before rising early
for the airport. Oh, the joys of travel!
The Captain arranged for us to take a short cut route
through the area by Cape Cod, but when we arrived at the channel, despite
earlier confirmations, somehow our clearance had not been arranged. We stopped
for some time while it was all sorted out and eventually began moving
again. The Captain was apologetic.
We have rearranged our dinner schedule to meet with the
couple from Chicago, Keith and Nancy, and have an enjoyable evening at dinner,
followed by the Captain's farewell party and a visit to the Explorer Lounge.
Despite the late hour, we watch another episode of Downton Abby, but David
can’t stay awake to finish it.
Saturday, September 29, 2018 New York City
We have made up the time we lost yesterday waiting for clearance near Cape Cod. We are excited to be able to stand on deck as we sail into the New York Harbor, to view the Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan waterfront. The Captain announced the forward deck on level three will be open at 9:45 to begin the viewing.
Often called the greatest city in the world, New York City
is at once romantic and exhilarating. From the robust streets of Lower
Manhattan’s financial district to the intimate warrens of Greenwich Village and
from the wealth of museums surrounding Central Park to the vast green space
itself, the city overflows with culture, cuisine and architectural beauty. New
York is for everyone. Music lovers marvel at Carnegie Hall or catch a
1920s-style jazz and blues show in Harlem. Romantics board a horse-drawn carriage
in Central Park. Art lovers browse the Museum of Modern Art or the Guggenheim.
And theatergoers attend the greatest shows in the world on Broadway, amid the
glitter of Times Square.
Our included tour this afternoon is called Manhattan Highlights. We are invited to experience the pulsing excitement of New York on a half-day excursion. During a panoramic drive with our guide, we will pass Rockefeller Center, known as “30 Rock”; Times Square and the Theater District surrounding Broadway, the Empire State Building; and the glorious St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The route takes us through some of the city’s most venerated and distinct neighborhoods: trendy Greenwich Village, SoHo, the bustling financial district and posh 5th Avenue with its elegant boutiques.
We will also glimpse the oasis of Central Park, 843 acres of green in the heart of the city. Pause in Lower Manhattan at the National September 11 Memorial to view the water features that sit within the original footprints of the Twin Towers. Later, enjoy splendid views of the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park.
We had a terrific guide for the city tour. He has written a novel about 9-11 called Suspension. The visit to the 9-11 Memorial was sober, moving and powerful. Our guide knew several folks who lost their lives then.
We departed the tour bus on the way back to the ship, as David made reservations for dinner and bought tickets to see Wicked. The bus dropped us off only five blocks from our restaurant. We had delicious food, although it was a noisy place. They gave us free dessert for our anniversary!
We walked another two blocks to the theater to see Wicked. We were bit a bit disappointed, It did not seem to live up to our expectations of a Broadway musical. Of course, we are comparing it to Cats!
We took a taxi back to the ship, went for a nightcap at the
bar, finished packing, set the alarm for 4 AM and fell into bed around
midnight. We got up at 4, left the ship at 5 for the airport, and were glad to
be headed home.
Comments
Post a Comment