Danube River November 2011
11/11/11: Lufthansa all the way!
10+ hours Seattle to Frankfurt, then on to Nuremberg, providing an early start to my German experience from Seattle onward.
This river cruise was
along the Main-Danube Canal and Danube River in Germany, Austria, and Hungary, starting in Nuremberg and ending in Budapest.
Viking Prestige,
launched in 2011, is a spacious, stylish and comfortable ship with a terrific crew.
11/12/11: Viking Prestige,
docked at Nuremberg ready for us to board.
A favorite place
at the top of the satirway on Deck 3: capuccino, latte, espresso, hot chocolate, tea, ice water -- drinks for all tastes, available 24/7.
Stateroom 211,
my comfortable single stateroom with a French balcony for fresh air and excellent viewing.
Nice bathroom!
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This small bear,
climbing her jade mountain, has family significance having to do with future plans with my sister and my cousin. Now this little bear can tell tales of fascinating foreign places.
11/13/11: An excellent city tour
of Nuremberg, the first of many high quality tours provided by Viking.
We visited the parade grounds
where Hitler staged his Nazi rallies. Our guide was superb and gave us a strong feel for the unbelievable horrors of those times.
Huge bleak bleachers
and grounds where countless thousands marched and heard Hitler's harangues.
Then on into the rest
of Nuremberg, an interesting medieval city with many biergartens like this one.
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Nuremberg Castle
is the landmark in the old town section of Nuremberg.
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Arches abound
in Nuremberg Castle.
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Views over Nuremberg
from the castle walls.
Schoner Brunnen, Nuremberg.
This 14th century fountain is reminiscent of a Gothic church spire. It is said that the copper ring can make wishes come true.
Here I am,
having a try at making a wish come true!
Our fine guide
is making a wish, too, for her baby expected in February. Her career is in marketing, but she likes to do guide work when she can, as she did in her university days.
Wandering around Nuremberg
town center was a treat. Here a photographer prepares for his shot of an elaborate bridge.
Street sculpture --
rather grisly.
Lots of bridges
in downtown Nuremberg.
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After leaving Nuremberg,
our education on locks began.
One stretch of locks
were along the Main-Danube Canal, the other on the Danube River itself. The water levels were so low that we needed to travel by bus instead of boat for 2 stretches of our trip.
Going through a lock
is an interesting process.
The ship
is snugged to the side of the lock with only a few inches to spare.
All deck chairs and equipment
on the ship's sun deck are collapsed and secured for passing under bridges and/or through locks.
We have come through
this lock and watch barges coming and going behind us.
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This shot shows an
unusual site: the street passes UNDER the canal on which we are traveling, so our ship overpasses the cars below!
We approach another lock.
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Folks stand above
to watch us pass into the lock.
Not for the
claustrophic!
This evening Marek Snelly,
our multi-talented program director, gave an engrossing presentation on growing up under the rule of the USSR in Slovakia.
Marek and Franzi
performed a super folk dance demonstration. Other on-board programs had as their topics the EU, how locks work, the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, and how to enjoy a Viennese coffee shop.
11/14/11: Regensburg, Germany.
Our morning guided tour started at a riverside bronze diagram/map which was good orientation for this lovely city.
The bronze was covered
with frost in the morning -- the day was nippy!
Alte Wurstkuche, said to be
Germany's oldest restaurant, specializes in small sausages.
A peek inside
at sausage being made.
Regensburg's Stone Bridge,
completed in 1146, is Germany's oldest bridge and is considered a marvel of medieval engineering.
The old stone bridge
as twilight approaches. Only foot traffic is now allowed on this bridge.
Looking at the old stone bridge
through the window of the visitor center.
Looking downriver (east)
from the Stone Bridge, we saw an old mill, no longer in use.
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Many ancient buildings
were seen on our walking tour of Regensburg. The clock tower is near the old stone bridge.
This David and Goliath mural
dates back to the 16th century.
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Our guide in Regensburg.
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A sculpture with a lesson:
here you see the kind man inviting the geese to join him, luring them with treats.
And here, behind him,
a wolf comes from under his cloak and devours the geese. Be careful who you trust!
A memorial to Oskar Schindler
who lived for several years in Regensburg.
Statue of Don Juan d'Austria,
the illegitimate son of Emperor Charles V. Don Juan grew up to be a military hero of Spain.
Town hall of Regensburg.
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Synagogue memorial
in Regensburg.
St. Peter's Cathedral
in Regensburg. (13th century Gothic)
Interior of St. Peter's Cathedral.
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After a break for lunch,
I walked from our ship, exploring Regensburg by foot.
St. Emmeram's
is another lavish church in Regensburg.
St. Emmeram's baroque architecture
was an interesting contrast to St. Peter's gothic.
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Lavish ceilings
in St. Emmeram church.
Another incredible organ.
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The grounds of
Thurn und Taxis Palace.
A lovely shop
where I enjoyed selecting a fine quality scarf.
This evening,
another educational and entertaining on-board presentation of the life of Mozart. Here are Marek and Franzi as Amadeus and Costanza. Fine acting and singing!
At the end
angel wings prepare them for ascension. Very clever!
11/15/11: Passau, a "border town"
at the convergence of three rivers (Danube, Inn, and Ilse), as we pass from Germany into Austria.
After bussing from
Regensburg to Passau (necessitated by low river levels), we had lunch in this large traditional restaurant Ratskellar.
St. Stephan's Cathedral
in Passau is home to the world's largest cathedral organ.
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The Glass Museum
in Passau is housed on four floors of a large building (the Wilder-Mann Hotel), and is viewed starting on the top floor and working down.
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Ceilings are interesting
in the Glass Museum.
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A look at the Danube
through a window from the Glass Museum.
A walk along the Danube
in Passau.
Again traveling by bus
(due to low rainfall and low river levels) we arrived at Melk and boarded Viking Legend, thus having made a "ship swap" to go on to Vienna.
11/16/11: Melk, Austria.
This postcard photo gives an aerial view of the amazing Melk Abbey.
Melk Abbey is imposing,
beautiful, and meticulously maintained. As well as the Abbey and church, it holds a high-tech museum and a large school for 8-900 students.
An impressive structure.
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A short bus ride
from the ship brought us to Melk Abbey.
Interesting architectural detail.
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The front of the church
of Melk Abbey.
School children
watch us during a break from their classes.
This model of the Abbey
is part of the very modern museum.
Wonderful museum,
but few photos since flash was not allowed and lighting was challenging for photography.
Ancient precious book.
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The Melk Abbey Library
is home to unique treasures.
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Views of the town
from Melk Abbey.
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The sanctuary of Melk Abbey.
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A postcard photo
of the organ in Melk Abbey's church.
We were lucky
to hear an organ recital here -- magnificent!
I walked from Melk Abbey
back to the ship, passing by market stalls and small shops, over a bridge, and through country settings.
We leave the dock at Melk,
cruising through the Wachau Valley on to Vienna.
This stretch of the Danube
was the most scenic of our trip.
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Vineyards cling to steep hillsides
in the Wauchau Valley, heart of Austria's wine country.
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After docking in Vienna,
some of us boarded a bus to go to a concert of Strauss and Mozart music in one of Vienna's palaces.
The venue for our excellent concert.
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It was fun to see the palace
during the concert's intermission.
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This was a wonderful concert
that featured singers, a small orchestra, and ballet dancers.
11/17/11: Next day,
we set off with our diligent, capable, hard-working program crew to explore the City of Vienna.
The Lipazzaner Stallions
are housed and trained right in downtown Vienna.
A glimpse of one of the
Lipizzaner Stallions.
That afternoon I sought out
a quintessential Vienna experience: coffee and Sacher tort at the Hotel Sacher.
A charming experience
that I very much enjoyed. Marek's on-board talk on how to enjoy a coffee house in Vienna was helpful!
The menus tell what is on offer,
and also the history of Sacher tort.
Viking Prestige/Legend friends:
Allan and Gregg from Georgia and Pat and Warren from Florida were delightful company as we dined together and shared tales of each day's adventures.
11/18/11: Budapest!
Our excellent guide and a comfortable bus provided a fine tour as an introduction to the amazing city of Budapest.
Heroes' Square,
in the Pest part of the city, is dedicated to many important Hungarian heroes.
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Heroes' Square
is flanked by two major Hungarian museums.
Our tour continued on
over the Elizabeth Bridge to the Buda part of the city. Here is the Liberation Monument on Gellert Hill.
View from Gellert Hill,
overlooking the Danube with Buda on the left, Pest on the right.
Matthias Church,
a strikingly beautiful sight in the Castle Hill District of Buda.
The organ in Matthias Church
was being played while we were there. Lovely.
After our city tour
we arrived at the marvelous Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal, well located in the Pest side of Budapest.
While dining in our hotel
that evening we were entertained by fine Hungarian singers and dancers.
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My Room 3300
in our historic and beautifully restored Hotel: spacious, luxurious, comfortable, quiet and elegant. I loved it!
A special favorite feature
was this very large and long bathtub -- pure luxury!
11/19-20/2011: These two days
were spent walking in Budapest, a rich experience. Starbucks was just half a block from our hotel (in case we were homesick).
This quirky sculpture,
in a yard on a side street, caught my eye as I set out exploring Budapest on foot.
From our hotel
I walked to the the Jewish Synagogue, on whose grounds is this "Tree of Life", a memorial to Budapest Jews who were killed in World War II.
Each silver leaf
of the memorial tree is engraved with the name of a Hungarian holocaust victim.
Memorials and signboards
tell about the horrors that took place here during World War II.
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Inside the Jewish Synagogue.
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From the Synagogue
I walked to the Chain Bridge, one of several bridges spanning the Danube in Budapest.
Detail of the chain
of the Chain Bridge.
Lions guard the Chain Bridge.
Looking from the Pest side over to Castle Hill in Buda.
Here you see both lions on the Pest side.
Note low water levels, the cause of our ship's inability to bring us safely from Vienna to Budapest.
A vintage funicular
transports people up and down between the Chain Bridge and the top of Castle Hill in Buda.
I rode the funicular up,
then later walked back down after exploring the Castle District, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fishermen's Bastion
offers great views of the Danube, Parliament, and other sites on the Pest side of the river.
Musicians play for visitors.
Note Hungary's Parliament building in the background across the river.
This cafe, next to
Matthias Church and the Fishermen's Bastion, offered tasty treats and a warm comfortable setting for a break.
The Marzipan Museum
offered yummy treats for sale.
Looking from Buda
back over the Danube to the Parliament Building on the Pest side.
The Parliament Building
is reminiscent of England's.
St. Stephen's Basilica
(Szent Istvan Bazilika), another great cathedral, visited on my walk from Buda back to my hotel.
This strange building
caught my eye every time I passed by, so I had to get a photo!
As I walked back to our hotel,
I wandered into the Square where the Christmas Markets had just opened this weekend.
This market stall
prepared and served delicious pastries.
Many vendors
offered full meals featuring a wide array of meats and vegetables from outdoor grills.
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Handcrafted puppets
and dolls were on offer in this market stall.
This fellow created jewelry
from nails, as well as other functional and decorative ironwork.
Only moments before
this boy had been helping the blacksmith at his anvil.
An outdoor stage
featured puppeteers, dancers, singers, and mimes.
The Hungarian State Opera House,
lush and lavish, was an easy 10-minute walk from our hotel.
My last evening in Budapest
was a great occasion: experiencing the ballet "Anna Karenina" at the Hungarian State Opera House.
A stunning venue
for staging an opera, a ballet, or a symphony concert, all of which happen here.
Wandering through the opera house
beforehand and during intermissions was a rich experience.
My front-row box seat
was one of the best in the house, offering full views of the stage and much of the orchestra. A once in a lifetime experience!
A beautiful ballet,
dreamy and moody -- very Russian!
Tchaikovsky's music
was very familiar, and deeply enjoyed.
At intermission
there were interesting places to check out, including this balcony overlooking the street.
These fellow travelers
were in the box next to mine, so we took photos of one another to memorialize our fantastic evening here.
This evening
was one of the highlights of this journey.
Back in our hotel,
I couldn't resist taking a photo in the mirrored elevator -- infinity in an elevator!
Back to my fine room
for a luxurious (though short) night's sleep before tomorrow morning's early wake-up call.
Night view from my hotel room
looking down on the Ring Road in Pest, busy by day, quiet now.
11/21/11: 3:30 wake-up,
then to my flight to Frankfurt, and onward to Seattle. All went without a hitch -- thank you Viking, thank you Lufthansa!
Alaska May 2011
Our 14-day itinerary
on Holland America's "Amsterdam" included several less-visited Alaska ports. We boarded on May 13 and returned to Seattle on May 27.
The Space Needle
was in clear view as we set sail from Seattle.
During the Alaska cruise season,
several times each week Whidbey Islanders with western views see the ships heading north out of Seattle
Our route took us north
through the Inside Passage between Vancouver Island and mainland Canada.
We have visited Ketchikan
several times, and in defiance of weather statistics, have always enjoyed sunny days for walking and exploring.
Arriving at Ketchikan.
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From the ship's gangway
it was a short walk to Aleutian Ballad, aboard which we spent a wonderful day.
Aleutian Ballad has been seen on
"The Deadliest Catch" in its years as a crab boat in the Bering Sea. It is now outfitted for tours out of Ketchikan.
David Lethin, owner/captain
of Aleutian Ballad, introduced the crew and the boat, and told us what we would see and do.
More intros while still docked.
Our ship, Amsterdam, is in the background.
For more information, go to:
http://deadliestreports.wordpress.com/2007/08/18/the-fv-aleutian-ballad-bids-farewell-to-commerical-fishing/
Stunning views
surrounded us as Aleutian Ballad headed out from the dock at Ketchikan.
The day's wildlife sightings
included this Humpback Whale.
A large eagle nest.
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The crew hauled in
the first of the day's crab pots.
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We saw and learned about
King, Tanner, and Dungeness crabs. Those who wished to could touch or hold them.
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All members of the Levin family
participate in this tour.
Up came another haul.
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This barrel
is an octopus trap.
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For many of us,
this was our first encounter with an octopus other than in an aquarium.
The crew of Aleutian Ballad
provided us with one of our best Alaska excursions ever.
This sunset
ended a perfect day.
Next, Tracy Arm.
These interesting patterns were created by birds on the water's surface.
Entering Tracy Arm.
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As sometimes happens,
ice conditions didn't permit safe passage for our ship to the face of Sawyer Glacier.
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Next, Juneau.
We enjoyed a walkabout, then the tram to Mt. Roberts to enjoy "Seeing Daylight", the award-winning movie on Tlingit culture, and the nature center.
Views of Juneau
from the decks of our ship.
Planes and boats
are a way of life in Juneau, since no roads connect the city to other places.
The Red Dog Saloon
is a popular stop for visitors.
Mt. Roberts Tram station.
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The views from Mt. Roberts
are stunning.
This stop was a first for us.
Icy Strait Point is the site of the Hoonah Packing Company; Hoonah Village is about a half mile away.
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Alongside the dock
are good walking beaches.
The Hoonah Packing Company
building now houses a museum, shops, and a restaurant.
This complex is a fine
docking area for tenders of cruise ships.
We enjoyed a tour of
Hoonah Village and the surrounding area. Our native Tlingit guide was a good story-teller.
This totem
stands near the Hoonah school.
Across from the school
is a stand where Devil's Club ointment is made and sold by the resident owner.
Hoonah Village's
population is about 700.
After our village tour,
we went to the theater near the docks for a stage production by and about the local Tlingit people and their traditions.
Tlingit regalia
was displayed and explained.
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By story and dance,
the Tlingit people shared the myth of how Raven created the world.
This Tlingit elder
is a gifted and mesmerizing story teller.
Curtain call
at the end of this enjoyable production.
Back on our ship,
crew members demonstrated their special skills.
Our ship was docked
a full day in Anchorage, where tides were so extreme that docking was a challenge.
The Sleeping Lady (Mt. Susitna),
seen from our bus as we drove to the Alaska Zoo, is the subject of many myths and legends.
Our guide at the Alaska Zoo
was delightful and well-informed. He introduced us to a Bectrian camel whose natural habitat is very cold places.
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The Zoo's wolf pack
consists of a litter who came to them very young.
The alpha female
and her keeper/friend.
The Wolverine
is a high-energy, fast animal.
This is a scan
of a Wolverine postcard since my own photos were not very good.
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Bears are powerful,
impressive, and intriguing creatures.
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The Snowy Owl,
also a postcard scan since my own photo was only so-so.
River otters.
We see these in our home territory and always enjoy watching them.
Lynx (another postcard scan)
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Red Fox
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Siberian Tigers.
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Mountain Goat
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Polar Bear.
Our behind-the-scenes zoo tour included being close to these magnificent polar bears, and also the wolves.
Two polar bears
share a large area.
Due to extreme tide fluctuations,
during the day the gangway was moved from one deck to another and at times was difficult for passengers to negotiate.
Next port of call, Homer,
a lovely town where many artists reside. We docked at the end of the 4-mile-long Homer spit.
Homer is not a regular
cruise ship port, and its dock people had some challenges getting Amsterdam secured.
Beautiful views all around
as we arrived at Homer.
Homer uses school buses
for tours because no large tour companies operate here. Here is our "chariot" and most excellent guide for today.
Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center
is a rich resource for visitors, who can spend hours at exhibits and also enjoy adjacent walking paths to the beach.
A view from the walking path
leading from the Visitor Center to the water.
From a lookout point
a couple miles out of Homer, we could see the spit and mountains in the background.
The Norman Lowell Gallery,
several miles out of Homer, is a lovely place to visit.
Bill with Norman Lowell,
a charming man whose paintings we very much enjoyed.
Next stop, Kodiak Island,
where we encountered the only rain on our 2-week trip -- a couple of wet hours in the early morning.
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
is a large, new, and wonderful facility where travelers can learn a great deal.
This bear sculpture
is one of many displays of interest here.
Visitors learn what Kodiak Bears eat.
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After being built near the end
of World War II, the Star of Kodiak was converted to a salmon processing/packing plant and is a Kodiak landmark.
Wet eagles
were drying out atop the large fuel tank adjacent to the Russian Orthodox Church in Kodiak.
Holy Resurrection
Russian Orthodox Church, Kodiak.
Fr. Andrei had just received
his diploma and was expecting his church assignment to come soon.
This beautiful Chapel
is located near the church, adjacent to the Seminary. Several seminarians showed visitors around.
Two seminarians
inside the chapel.
Beautiful craftsmanship here.
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The Alutiiq Tribal Center and Museum
offered worthwhile exhibits.
These tribe members
displayed and sold items made from marine mammal skins.
Another tribal center
where on this Sunday there were local market stalls.
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Some lovely jewelry items
were offered here; an otter pendant came home with me.
This charming fellow
had good stories to tell, either here in person or in his books, about his years as a crab fisherman.
Kodiak's St. Paul Harbor
holds hundreds of boats, mostly working fishing boats. There are signboards along the harbor telling about Kodiak and fishing.
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Reading these harbor signboards
provides an education about the area, the sea, and fishing.
From Kodiak, we crossed
to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. Our on-board Travel Guide Jeannette and the Park Ranger gave a good presentation.
Hubbard Glacier,
near the lower center of this map, was our cruising destination for today
Two tribal leaders
gave a fine presentation of their history and culture.
This tribal elder's vest
shows his connection to the beaver.
As we approached
Hubbard Glacier we passed through Yukatat Bay and Disenchantment Bay.
Valerie and Malaspina Glaciers
are to the west (left in photo) of Hubbard; Russell Fjord is to the east (right in photo).
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Some small calvings
occurred -- always what travelers hope to see and hear.
Sitka, a favorite port.
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Countless islands
make sailing into Sitka breathtakingly beautiful.
Our ship was anchored in the bay;
tenders brought us to shore.
Mount Edgecumbe,
the dormant volcano that graces Sitka's horizon.
Fortress of the Bear,
new since our last visit, is a marvelous rescue operation near Sitka. This year, for the first time, they were running a free shuttle.
The site for
Fortress of the Bear was previously part of a pulp mill operation.
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There are two large circular enclosures
for the bears; one houses two 4-year-olds weighing 800-900#, the other two cubs about half that size.
Resident bears
were orphaned or injured and brought here to be rehabilitated. They are lucky bears!
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The staff places "hides"
of food and play-things for the bears to find to enrich their environment and daily lives.
Shake hands, anyone?
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The bears will stand upright
and/or wave at the request of the staff.
Title for this one:
"Modest Bear with Fig Leaf".
The cubs were working on
pulling these stumps over and out.
They are incredibly strong.
Earlier one of the cubs had been pushing a boulder around that would have been a challenge for a backhoe.
The circular shape of these
enclosures prevents stress-related pacing behaviors that can develop in rectangular zoo enclosures.
Bears like to swim
and to play with water toys.
This wonderful place
is run and funded entirely by individuals and volunteers -- no governmental help at all.
Many eagles
share the bears' habitat.
The volunteer staff was initially
required to prove they could care for animals, so farm animals live here too; school children come to visit the farm animals.
The Alaska Raptor Center
is another interesting stop in Sitka.
The Pioneer Home in Sitka
is a beautifully sited retirement residence for Alaskans.
St. Michael's Cathedral,
Sitka.
St. Michael's Cathedral
holds precious icons and other art and religious objects saved from the 1966 fire which destroyed the original church.
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Our ship, Amsterdam,
anchored in the bay at Sitka.
Back on board,
the elegant dining rooms hosted the Master Chef's Dinner.
Our dining table
had superb views.
These two fine fellows
made every dinner special.
On Baked Alaska night,
these servers were poised to parade through the dining rooms bearing this special treat.
The kitchen staff
came to join the party.
After a relaxing sea day,
we docked for 11 hours in Victoria.
We stopped at Butterfly Gardens
on our way to Butchart Gardens.
Many delicate
moths and butterflies are seen here.
A lovely waterfall
in the Butterfly Gardens.
This flamingo
seemed to enjoy sharing its food with the fish swarming around its feet.
A tortoise also lives in
the Butterfly Gardens.
Then, to Butchart Gardens,
beautiful in all seasons.
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Bronzes add to the charm
of Butchart Gardens. Here, a boar.
Lush velvety lawns!
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The Ross Fountain
in the sunken garden.
Quiet serenity
in the Japanese Gardens.
There is a small harbor
on the waterfront of Butchart Garden, where visitors arrive by floatplane or boat.
Back in Seattle on Friday May 27.
Our local taxi driver picked us up at the pier and we were home by 10:30 a.m.
Our own lovely view
of Useless Bay, Double Bluff, and the Olympics. At the end of a great trip, it was good to be home again.
Trip treasures: an otter pendant
from the tribal center market in Kodiak, an amber pendant from Butchart Gardens, and an eagle pendant from Mt. Roberts.
Mediterranean on Equinox 2010
Sunset at SeaTac airport
on October 3, 2010, as I boarded British Airways to London, then on to Rome.
After an overnight at
the Hilton Rome Airport Hotel, Bettina and I settled into our Room 1621 on Celebrity Equinox.
View from our veranda
of the mouth of the harbor at Civitavecchia, as Celebrity Equinox sailed away on Tuesday October 5, 2010.
Cruise Critic Roll Call members,
the "Equinox Explorers", met on the ship after months of planning and sharing ideas and information on line. Fine fellow travelers!
Faye Gilbert and Sally Behar
gave the gift of their time and talents by setting up fine private tours at every port. We owe them a huge THANK YOU!!
Our guide, Paul,
showed us the sights and sites of Athens on Wednesday October 7.
The Academy of Athens.
A strike was scheduled for 11:00, so we went first to the central part of Athens, because streets would be closed later.
House of Parliament, Athens.
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Changing of the guards
at the House of Parliament in Athens.
It's good to know
that our furry friends are alive and well in Athens!
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Panathenaic Statium, Athens,
built for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
Next, the Temple of Zeus.
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Temple of Olympian Zeus,
called the Olympieion, is just southeast of the Acropolis. There was a temple at this site as early as 600 B.C.
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Architectural detail preserved
at the Temple of Zeus.
At the entrance
to the Acropolis Museum, visitors can see ruins underneath modern development.
The Acropolis Museum,
Athens.
The Acropolis.
Due to the strike, admission fees for public sites were waived today, so we saved a few Euros.
Winds were very strong
at the highest point of the Acropolis.
The porch of the Caryatides
on the Erechtheion, on the Acropolis.
The Propylaea of the Acropolis.
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Odean of Herodes Atticus,
on the south slope of the Acropolis, carved into the rock in 161 A.D.
View of Athens
from the Acropolis.
Mt. Lycavitos
viewed from the Acropolis.
"My" shop, in the Plaka,
the old area of Athens located on the north slope of the Acropolis.
Mikri Mitropoli, a 12th Century
church currently undergoing restoration, in the midst of the Plaka's busy shopping district.
The Tower of the Winds,
located in the Plaka area.
The Ancient Agora
near the Plaka in Athens.
Stoa of Attalos,
an ancient "shopping mall" in the Athenian Agora, near the Acropolis.
Back on board Equinox
after a full day in Athens, we dined in "Blu", the specialty restaurant for Aqua Class passengers. Exquisite dining!
An artistic appetizer
typical of the style in Blu.
Second port of call -- Kusadasi.
On Thursday October 8, a local dance group greeted us as we disembarked in Kusadasi, Turkey.
Bill, our guide in Turkey,
joined Margaret and Faye as they made purchases from a local vendor.
Basilica of St. John.
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The Tomb of St. John the Apostle.
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Lovely Turkish countryside
near St. John's Basilica.
Isa Bey Mosque,
viewed from the Basilica of St. John.
Temple of Artemis,
an ancient sacred site near St. John's Basilica and the Isa Bey Mosque.
Ruins of ancient baths
near the Temple of Artemis.
House of the Virgin Mary,
near Ephesus.
The setting of the
House of the Virgin Mary is on a hill, very peaceful, beautiful, and quiet.
Next, to the Ephesus Museum,
Selcuk, Turkey.
The Beautiful Artemis,
Ephesus Museum, Selcuk, Turkey.
Emperor Domitian,
Ephesus Museum.
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The venue for our lunch in Turkey.
The Turkish government subsidizes carpet schools such as this one.
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A demonstration
of how silk is "harvested".
Diligent weavers
create beautiful carpets.
Carpets were displayed,
explained, and offered for sale.
After lunch, a short drive
to Ephesus, where we walked down mosaic walkways while viewing ancient buildings on all sides.
Winged Nike,
Ephesus.
Fountain of Pollio,
Ephesus.
On the Ephesus latrines:
Sally, Chris, Nancy, Marge, Faye, Mike, Debbie, Bettina & Freda. (Steven was behind the camera.)
The Celsius Library.
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The amphitheatre, Ephesus.
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Coffins
near the amphitheatre, at Ephesus.
The terrace houses at Ephesus
are a work in progress.
Signboards for the Terrace Houses
explain the discoveries and progress on these ongoing excavations.
Terrace houses.
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From Ephesus we
returned to Celebrity Equinox, docked in Kusadasi.
Back on Equinox,
we had a sea day to rest and explore the ship. The regularly scheduled hot glass shows were interesting and well-attended.
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The lawn areas
near the glass show were popular for lawn games.
Arriving at Haifa, Israel,
on Sunday, October 10. The green "column" near the center of the photo is the Baha'i Gardens.
From the ship docked at Haifa
we saw a sea of automobiles, shipped in to Israel for detailing before being shipped on to their final destinations.
Joe Nakkar was our fine
guide for two days in Israel. Our tours were arranged through Guided Tours Israel.
Joe was showing us
this overview of Haifa including the Baha'i Gardens, our ship at its dock, and Acre (Akko) across the bay to the north.
In Acre we visited
a Jewish synagogue renowned for its extensive mosaics.
Ceilings and walls
are covered with mosaics.
The art work has
featureless faces in keeping with teachings of the Jewish faith.
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Elijah's Chair,
where a father holds his infant son for circumcision.
One of many outlying settlements
in Northern Israel. The red roofs indicate a Jewish settlement; Arab settlements have white houses of a square style.
Roadside sign
indicating a view pull-out.
Our first look at
the Sea of Galilee. Joe told us that it is rare for the air to be clear enough to have a good view from here.
We stopped at a kibbutz
for snacks and souvenirs, and enjoyed this excellent view of farmlands and the Sea of Galilee.
Safed is one of the four
holy cities in Israel. Its narrow cobblestone streets and walkways lead to artists' galleries and medieval synagogues.
A gallery shop
in Safed.
Synagogue in Safed.
.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch
in Safed. The chef offered philosophy and Jewish history while preparing our repast. Very entertaining!
Seen on one of Safed's
hilly streets.
On the way back to Haifa
we stopped at "Yardenit, The Baptismal Site on the Jordan River".
The story of baptism is told
on sign boards in many languages, including, e.g., Icelandic and Hawaiian Pidgin.
Metal fences
kept people organized.
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This appeared to be a very successful
commercial enterprise. A large store was selling every imaginable souvenir, seemingly at higher prices than elsewhere.
Back on the ship, a view of
Haifa's night lights with the Baha'i Gardens ascending the hill.
Sunset
on our first day in Israel.
Next day, Oct. 11 -- Jerusalem!
Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount, a Muslim shrine (not a mosque), is a renowned Islamic site in Israel.
An ancient Jewish cemetery
just below where we stood on the Mount of Olives.
Church of Mary Magdalene,
a Russian Orthodox church built in the 19th century, is a distinctive landmark on the Mount of Olives.
We entered the old walled city
of Jerusalem, into an area of Arab shops.
Commercial enterprises
surrounded us in this part of the Old Walled City of Jerusalem.
We entered the Jewish Quarter,
and Joe explained its history and structure.
A golden menorah
in the Jewish Quarter of the old walled city.
A Bar Mitzvah
celebrated its way through the winding passages of the Jewish Quarter.
Lively robust singing
and joyful dancing!
We took a lunch break
in the Jewish Quarter of Old Jerusalem.
Al-Aqsa Mosque
(also spelled El-Aksa -- "Distant Mosque"), an important mosque in Jerusalem.
Western Wall (Wailing Wall)
in the foreground, Al-Aqsa Mosque in the background.
Shrines, churches,
synagogues, and mosques of the world's major religions, all close together in Jerusalem.
Bettina leaving
the women's area of the Western Wall.
Western Wall in the background.
Women's section, on the right, is crowded; men's section, on the left, is sparsely visited.
Men's section
of the Western Wall.
Approaching the entrance
to the Western Wall Tunnel Tour.
This model
shows the buildings that were here in times gone by, the ruins of which we will be seeing on the tunnel tour.
Tunnel tour
of the Western Wall.
Our excellent guide
told us about this cistern.
Out of the tunnels,
and through more areas of Old Jerusalem.
One of many
places of worship in Old Jerusalem.
The Israeli army
was visiting sacred places this day, too. Military service is compulsory in Israel.
In this area,
near the Via Dolorosa, were many sanctuaries of different faiths.
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After leaving the old walled city
we returned to Ashdod by a route that passed by Bethlehem in the West Bank. The wall was impressive and ominous.
Back on Equinox,
the Ocean View Lounge was a lovely place to relax and enjoy the views.
We were introduced
to the "top brass" of our ship.
The bright ceiling
added to the decor of the theater where excellent stage shows were mounted, some featuring marvelous gymnasts.
Arriving at Alexandria, Egypt,
on Tuesday October 12.
As we sailed into Alexandria,
we were greeted by a convoy of Navy ships, with several wrecked ships derelict in the background.
A glimpse
of the architecture of Alexandria.
Abraham and Gouda,
our driver and guide for our 2-day private tour in Egypt. Both were good; Abraham was literally a life-saver!
Gouda introduced us
to Egyptian currency (an Egyptian pound is worth about 25 cents) and some of the customs we would encounter.
An Egyptian luncheon buffet
with the Giza pyramids in view from our table.
After lunch, onward to
the pyramids, camels, and the solar boat museum.
It was possible to go inside
a pyramid. Having been told of tight claustrophobic passages, some of us opted to go instead to the Solar Boat Museum.
The solar boat museum
is in the foreground.
A model of the solar boat
(Khufu ship) which awaited the pharoah King Cheop's need for transport through the heavens in his afterlife.
Here we view the amazingly
well-preserved vessel that was sealed into a pit in the Giza pyramid complex around 2,500 BC. and discovered in 1954.
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Visitors can ride a camel
for $15, or take close-up photos for a lesser fee.
Heading home from the pyramids
as sunset drew near.
The camels will be back tomorrow.
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The pyramids and Sphinx at dusk.
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The Mena House Oberoi
was our elegant hotel, with views of the pyramids from our room.
The hotel lobby.
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Lush grounds.
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Our spacious well-appointed room
at the Mena House Oberoi.
Pyramid view
from the hotel grounds.
Nighttime view
of the pyramids from our balcony.
View from hotel dining room.
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The next morning, Oct. 13,
from the lovely Mena House Oberoi, we went to the Salah Al Din Citadel to see the Mohammad Ali Alabaster Mosque.
Approaching the
Mohammad Ali Mosque, known also as the Alabaster Mosque, said to be similar to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
Architectural detail
of the mosque.
The Ablution Fountain
in the courtyard of the Mohammad Ali Mosque.
Look up! Amazing!
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A group of visitors
learns about the Muslim religion.
The mosque is high above
Cairo, whose air you will note is smoggy.
Next, to the Nile River
for a favorite part of our tour: a felucca ride.
Our felucca glides silently
on the Nile's smooth surface.
Our felucca's captain/pilot
poses as we sail along.
A larger pleasure boat
motors past our felucca.
Next, on to Memphis and Saqqara
on lightly used surface roads. We also visited the Egyptian Museum -- huge and fascinating but NO PHOTOGRAPHY allowed!
Memphis was the
ancient capital of Egypt.
Colossus of Ramses II
at Memphis.
Alabaster sphinx at Memphis.
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From Memphis,
it was a short drive to Saqqara, the cemetery for Memphis.
The site of Saqqara is dominated
by the Step Pyramid of King Djoser, which goes back to 2700 BC. and is one of the oldest stone structures in the world.
Excavations in process
at Saqqara.
Saqqara.
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Seen from our bus
as we left Memphis and Saqqara, heading back towards Alexandria.
Cairo, Egypt,
a place of extreme contrasts.
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Typical unfinished construction,
rebar in place ready for adding another story when funds are available. Buildings aren't taxed until finished.
A final stop at shops in Cairo.
White-uniformed armed police were seen everywhere, often seemingly more interested in baksheesh than policing duties.
Cairo traffic is chaotic,
with five lanes of vehicles vying for space on a 3-lane freeway and donkey carts mixing with huge trucks and buses.
Back on the ship
ready for a sea day to recuperate from four intense days in Israel and Egypt.
On Saturday October 16 Equinox
docked at Messina, Italy. I was feeling "off" so missed going to Taormina and just walked around a bit on my own.
On the waterfront in Messina,
this statue of the Virgin Mary is called "the protectress of the harbor".
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The Messina Cathedral is famous
for its Bell Tower's astronomical clock. At 11:55 a.m. various figures and scenes move through a 15-minute "show".
Back on Equiniox, a night photo
of the pool deck -- bustling in the daytime, peaceful and quiet after dark.
Glass elevators glide along
both sides of Equinox's large atrium. On the far side of the atrium is the library, with the card room one deck lower.
On October 17 Equinox docked
at Naples, Italy. Mt. Vesuvius is ever-present on the horizon in this part of Italy.
Coming from the ship docked
at Naples, we arrived early at Pompeii, resulting in our having the sites to ourselves for the first hour. Lucky us!
Our tour group for Pompeii:
Freda, Cheryl, Bettina, Howie, Sally, and our exceptional guide, Lucia. Steven was behind the camera.
Mt. Vesuvius is a constant
reminder of how Pompeii was reduced to ruins.
Pompeii was a large prosperous city.
A good book to read in conjunction with a visit to this part of Italy is "Pompeii", a novel by Robert Harris.
Plaster casts of the
Pompeian victims at their moments of death, first made by Giuseppe Fiorelli in 1863, have become world famous.
An amazing collection
of figures and artifacts.
Lovely paintings
2,000 years old.
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The baths and spa
were well-designed, equal to and in some ways superior to their modern counterparts.
Pompeii's largest and most lavish
residence had lovely art work.
Mosaic floor
in the largest residence of Pompeii.
Major food preparation
took place here.
Note the deep ruts
in the roads, created by the wheels of vehicles used in those days.
The brothel
had art work illustrating what was on offer within.
A brothel bed chamber.
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Phallic symbols were used
to point out directions.
Another phallic signpost.
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After leaving Pompeii,
Rafael, our driver/guide, headed south towards Sorrento and Positano.
The Amalfi Coast
is stunning -- somewhat reminiscent of Hwy 1 along the Big Sur coast of California.
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Sorrento, with three ships
at anchor on this day.
Views in Positano.
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Positano -- a feast for the eyes.
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Stairways and narrow streets
lure a visitor to lovely discoveries in Positano.
La Tagliata,
a wonderful family restaurant high on the cliffs above Positano.
Family members
do it all at this marvelous restaurant.
Comfortable friendly seating
with fine food and magnificent views.
View from our table.
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Children enjoy the birds
at the entrance to La Tagliata.
The view from
the ladies' restroom at La Tagliata.
Heading back north
along the Amalfi coast of Italy.
Our farewell view of Mt. Vesuvius
across the bay as we returned to our ship docked at Naples.
Our last night on the ship,
October 17, included the beauty of a brilliant moon.
Celebrity ships' signature
is the huge "X" on the stack. Thanks, Equinox!
Docked again at Civitavecchia,
on October 18 we were treated to a beautiful sunrise as we taxied to the Hilton Rome Airport Hotel.
After settling into our room
at the hotel, we used the hotel's free shuttle bus service into Rome for a few hours of sightseeing.
Victor Emanuel Monument.
The wreath and ever-burning flames are a memorial to those who died in World War I.
Bronze on Capitoline Hill,
site of major museums in Rome.
Views of Rome
from the Capitoline Hill.
Friends chatting
on the Capitoline Hill.
The final ancient site of this trip,
in Rome, after all we had seen in Athens, Ephesus, Jerusalem, Egypt, and Pompeii.
Distant view
of St. Peter's Basilica, seen from Victor Emanuel Monument.
October 18, home again,
with treasures: a peace pendant from an Israeli kibbutz, a good-luck cartouche from Egypt, many photos, and precious memories!
Voyage of the Vikings 2010
The Voyage of the Vikings
was a trip of a lifetime: a marvelous itinerary on a fine ship with a topnotch crew.
Alaska's nonstop flight
from Seattle to Boston on July 16, 2010, provided first-class comfort and lovely views of snow-capped mountains and the Great Lakes.
We had an overnight
in Boston before the cruise and another at the end, which gave us time to revisit a few favorite places in that great city.
The swan boats
in the Boston Public Garden were being enjoyed by many on this lovely summer day.
Holland America's Maasdam
was our home for the next 35 days. We boarded on July 17, Bill's 84th birthday.
The promenade deck
is popular for walking, enjoying the views, and relaxing in deck chairs.
Not far off the coast of
Newfoundland, St. Pierre is indeed French -- language, currency (Euros), personality and flavor.
Approaching St. Pierre
on July 19.
St. Pierre is a tender port,
resulting in interesting activity on deck and a slower process for getting to shore.
Tendering past the lighthouse
as we go ashore in St. Pierre.
We were welcomed
at a visitor center which offered much helpful information.
We walked on our own
in St. Pierre and enjoyed sights like these whimsical characters in a private yard.
Beautiful sea views
as we left St. Pierre.
We had 3 days in Newfoundland:
St. John's on July 20, and St. Anthony and Corner Brook on August 17 and 18 on our way back from Europe.
Signal Hill,
Canada's second largest historic site, offers spectacular views accompanied by many stories.
Signposts tell us
the direction and distance from Signal Hill to faraway cities.
View from Signal Hill.
Newfoundlanders are proud of
and devoted to their Newfoundland and Labrador dogs. These bronzes overlook the harbor.
As we left St. John
the ship did a U-turn which seemed from our perspective to have our deck hanging over the city.
Leaving St. John
with our escort alongside.
The entrance to the harbor
is watched over by this outpost.
Greenland!
On July 22 we sailed into Qaqortoq, Greenland, through misty fjords and icebergs. To residents, Greenland is Kalaallit Nunaat.
Approaching Qaqortoq.
This iceberg is huge --
about as tall as our ship -- and seemed to be standing guard over Qaqortoq.
As we stepped on shore at Qaqortoq,
wet-suited teenagers put on a show jumping and diving from a container on the dock.
Qaqortoq Fountain
on central Torvet Square is a proud city landmark because it is the ONLY fountain in Greenland, due to the very cold winters.
One of many images
carved into rocks and stones in town as part of the "Stone and Man" project.
Cemeteries and gravestones
have stories to tell about local cultures and history.
Here and at many ports,
the ship's crew brought back to the ship just-caught seafood. We always watched menus for the "catch of the day".
Bringing tenders back on board
seemed more challenging than launching.
July 23, Prince Christian Sound,
a day of incredible beauty. The red line shows our route; the black circle indicates a remote fishing village.
An iceberg
seen along the way into Prince Christian Sound.
Magical misty peaks
in this Greenland fjord.
Mouth of the harbor
of Anordliuitsoq, the fishing village marked by the black circle on the map.
This Greenland village
is the most remote place I have ever seen.
Nestled at the base
of towering peaks, Anordliuitsoq's transport is by boat.
As we were leaving,
locals came out to "play" with us, racing each other and following us for a while.
"Good-bye"
from residents of Anordliuitsoq.
As we continued through
the fjords, the peaks changed their mood as we approached glaciers.
One of several glaciers
on the last leg of our feast-for-the-senses cruise through Prince Christian Sound.
The Maasdam library
was a quiet refuge and a source of good information, including atlases to see exactly where we were.
Master Chef Dinner.
Sea days were filled with special dining events, lectures on history and culture and geology, duplicate bridge, and classes.
July 25 -- Isafjordur, Iceland.
Our first port in Iceland, and one of my favorites. A wonderful walking town, friendly people, interesting sights.
Sailing into Isafjordur.
Brilliant skies highlighted the rich blues and greens of this stark landscape.
One of the simplest port buildings
of those that welcomed us on this trip.
Bill and I set off exploring.
A fine bakery in the background.
Vintage cars were arriving in Isafjordur for a gathering of antique car devotees.
Local dogs and owner.
The Boxer is a champion.
Two girls playing
on this large sculpture honoring fishermen.
Isafjordur's church
is unusual in architecture and in interior design and decor.
Simple and lovely.
Local teenager singers/dancers on the left,
"The Perfect Gentlemen" on the right. These 4 had just flown in and would provide an evening's entertainment on the ship.
The local performers
and the newly arrived professionals had an impromptu "exchange concert" for each other, then invited me to join them for a photo. Lovely moment!
Akureyri was largely a miss
for me due to feeling "off" that day. Bill went on our planned tour of farmlands and waterfalls and found it interesting.
Trolls are a big thing in Iceland!
These two, on a pedestrian-only shopping street in Akureyri, were quite a presence.
An interesting church in Akureyri.
Beautiful views
as we left Akureyri.
Approaching Alesund, Norway, on July 28.
This lovely city
is known for its art nouveau architecture. Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 was also docked here this day.
Fjellstua, the white building
on the crest of the hill, caught my attention and became a main adventure here.
Note the jagged route
of the many-switchbacked stairpath up to Fjellstua.
Yes, 418 steps up --
not regular, nor with strong steady handrails, sometimes none. It was a slow climb, but a rewarding one.
Looking down
on the stairs to Fjellstua.
Stunning views
from Fjellstua. This view includes Maasdam.
On the other side,
Queen Mary 2.
A canal runs through Alesund.
Note the consistency of architecture along the canal.
Folks were enjoying
this lovely day at a canal-side restaurant.
"Boat Dog"
keeping watch while his master snoozes.
The Texas Tenors
were a favorite ship show. After winning big on "America's Got Talent", they've gone on to concert tours.
Personable with fine stage presence,
their classically trained voices blend in operatic arias and country western, with a bit of gospel thrown in.
July 29 -- Bergen, Norway,
home to Edvard Grieg and once the northern hub of the German Hanseatic League. Bergen is surrounded by high peaks and lush forests.
This saucy fellow
lays claim to the railing for his territory.
Bryggen (Old Bergen)
is a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of 11 waterfront buildings rebuilt "as were" after a disastrous fire in 1702.
Bryggen's wooden buildings --
changed uses with unchanged facades.
A queue forms to buy tickets
for the funicular to Floibanen.
All aboard for Floibanen!
Up we go.
Views from Floibanen.
Here, looking toward Maasdam's dock for today.
The view inland
from the viewing decks at Floibanen.
Bergen's most popular park
is at Floibanen. This giant troll is a favorite of the children.
After taking the funicular up,
many choose to return to town on the walking path through thick forests.
Views were lovely
from the path descending from Floibanen back to town.
A waterway for pleasure boats
between the docks and the large fish market at the center of town.
This gull kept us company
as we sailed away from Bergen. Might it be the same fellow who perched on our deck railing this morning?
July 31 -- Oslo,
a vibrant city with much to see and many stories to hear.
The Viking Ship Museum
was a must-see on this Voyage of the Vikings.
Figurehead of a Viking ship.
The nearby Kon Tiki Museum,
also educational and interesting.
The Fram Museum
tells the story of the Polar explorers. "Fram" means "Onward", indeed an apt name.
Frogner Park
with the amazing Vigeland sculptures.
Hard to imagine
that all this is the work of one artist.
Returning from Frogner Park,
we passed the Norwegian Nobel Institute where much research and decision-making takes place regarding the Nobel Peace Prize.
The U.S. Embassy, not far from
the Nobel Institute building, does not look very friendly with its steel fencing and gates.
Leaving the beautiful city of Oslo.
August 1 -- Copenhagen,
another interesting city graced by lovely waterfront areas and canals.
We shared Copenhagen
with four other cruise ships, all substantially larger than our Maasdam. Here you see one backing to dock while another approaches.
A waterfront walk
takes the visitor past interesting sculptures, fountains, churches, and the Palace.
Man and dog,
enjoying a Sunday morning walk and, for the dog, a swim.
Windmills
are seen here, too.
The Gefion Fountain
shows strong oxen pulling the plough of legendary Norse goddess Gefion.
Amalienborg Palace,
seen on the walk along the Inner Harbor.
Nyhavn Harbor,
once old sailors' quarters and the home of Hans Christian Andersen, now is a place of cafes, bars, and jazz clubs.
Canal boat rides
are popular here, too.
Tivoli,
Copenhagen's landmark amusement park.
Our competent guide for visiting
Dragoer, a fishing village that has been preserved "as was".
A typical Danish village house
in Dragoer.
Copenhagen harbor's pilot
makes the leap from Maasdam back to the pilot boat.
August 3 -- Dover, England.
Our time here was divided between a visit to Canterbury Cathedral and exploring Dover and Dover Castle.
The White Cliffs of Dover
are laced with tunnels that date back to the Napoleonic wars; they were extended and used during World War II.
Dover Castle.
Canterbury Cathedral,
a site of historic events and great drama.
A special service each day at 11:00
honors those whose lives were lost in war.
This broken sword memorial
marks the martyrdom of Thomas Becket.
Trinity Chapel was built specifically
for the Shrine of St. Thomas, which stood here from 1220 to 1538.
King Henry VIII had the shrine
destroyed in 1538. Ever since a single candle has burned over the site.
As we sail away from Dover,
we bid farewell to its white cliffs.
August 4-5 -- Amsterdam.
We were glad to have two days here, as there is much to do and see here.
As we docked in Amsterdam,
the familiar bark of a German Shepherd drew me to watch a security officer giving his dog a break.
One of the more colorful
port welcome signs.
Centraal Station
in the background and a canal boat in the foreground gave us a good welcome to this canal-laced city.
A narrated canal-boat ride
is a great introduction to and orientation for Amsterdam.
The huge bicycle parking decks
near Centraal Station tell the visitor a lot about The Netherlands, where much transport is by bicycle.
Typical canal-front rooflines
with "hoists" for hauling goods and furnishings to upper floors.
A colorful houseboat,
one of many seen on our canal boat tour.
"The Skinny Bridge"
Our next adventure
was a visit to Zaanse Schans to see windmills, demonstrations of making of wooden shoes, and a cheese farm.
This farm setting
included poultry and goats.
The Dutch windmills
were used for many purposes. Many worked to keep the reclaimed land (polders) dry; others were used to grind grains.
The affable miller
explained the workings of this windmill, used to grind hops.
Windmills use many gears.
A busy workshop
where we see wooden shoes being made.
Next stop,
Henri Willig's cheese farm.
Our traditionally-garbed host
told us the story of how his cheese is made.
Much specialized equipment
is used to make fine cheeses.
After tasting a variety of cheeses,
we were able to purchase our favorites.
Back in Amsterdam,
my new favorite destination, the Amsterdam Public Library.
For a lover of libraries,
this is a "destination resort". On floors 1-6 there are countless computers available for unlimited use.
Pick your spot and settle in:
comfortable chairs with superb views on all floors, with escalators and elevators and stairs to get you where you want to go.
The children's section
is on the ground floor, open and airy.
La Place is an organic restaurant
on the top floor, offering lovely food and a fine deck for outdoor dining.
Yum!
Apple pie and cappuccino
were my choices for an afternoon snack at La Place.
At the far-left table, I enjoyed chatting
with a Dutch couple and their cousin visiting from South Africa, where she had emigrated after World War II.
La Place
offers fine views of the Nemo Science Museum and the canals of Amsterdam.
A re-creation (not an exact replica)
of The East Indiaman Amsterdam, docked next to the Nemo.
As we left Amsterdam,
our captain pointed out interesting sights, such as these unusual huge cranes.
August 7 -- Dunmore East, Ireland.
We again anchored and went to shore by tender.
Readying the tenders.
Dunmore East
is a lovely seaside town with pleasant walking paths. It is the port for Waterford, where many passengers went on this day.
A shoreside walk
leads to trails and bluffs. Ireland lives up to its reputation of being GREEN.
Kayak adventures start here.
These thatched roofs
are typical of the area.
After a scenic coastal drive,
we arrived at the John Meade pub, long owned by this family.
The pub
matched our mental images of an Irish pub.
A local singer
entertained us with favorite Irish songs while we enjoyed a Guinness or an Irish coffee.
The grounds
of the pub were lush and green.
August 8 -- Liverpool.
This city was a revelation, another new favorite place about which I had not known very much.
Approaching the dock in Liverpool.
Local talk is peppered with superlatives: the first, the biggest, the best, the oldest. Also its people are among the friendliest.
The diverse architectural styles
of Liverpool.
Liverpool's Chinatown is the
oldest Chinese community in Europe; the arch located at the gateway is the largest of its kind outside of China.
A steet sculpture
honoring the Beatles in their neighborhood of origin. We heard a LOT about the Beatles in Liverpool! (No surprise.)
Here we are,
on Penny Lane!
Liverpool's Roman Catholic Cathedral --
modern, bright, and light. Folks seem to love it or hate it; I found it fascinating.
Interior of the Cathedral.
One of the
Stations of the Cross.
The Liver Bird (pronounced "live-er")
is a fanciful creature seen everywhere in Liverpool.
Lions in the foreground,
Radio City Tower in the background. This landmark helps visitors stay oriented as it is visible everywhere in downtown Liverpool.
Walking from our ship
along the waterfront to Albert Dock, we saw much of interest, including a music festival taking place on this lovely Sunday.
Nearing Albert Dock,
we passed this old pub.
In the past a busy working dock,
Albert Dock was allowed to become derelict, then was renovated, and is now an area of thriving shops, restaurants, and museums.
Merseyside Maritime Museum
at Albert Dock. All museums are free in Liverpool, with the exception of occasional special exhibits.
Current special exhibit
at the Merseyside Maritime Museum.
The Liverpool Tate
currently has a Picasso exhibit on loan from London.
As well as many works
by Picasso, there was extensive information about his work for world peace.
This old Liverpool dog
takes full responsibility for his own walk through town, carrying his own flexi-leash.
"Super-Lambananas" were
created in conjunction with a protest against genetically modified foods.
First ridiculed, later an object
of local pride, the Super-Lambanana corner draws passersby for photos and a ride for the children.
As we leave Liverpool,
we again see how these countries are harnessing wind for their electricity. We saw wind turbines everywhere.
August 9 -- Dublin.
A sparkling new sports stadium
seen from our bus heading from the dock to downtown Dublin.
"Riverdance"
had its start in this building.
A ferris wheel at rest
near the O-2 building.
One of the sculptures
in memory of the famine, a marker event in Irish history which is deeply ingrained in Irish consciousness.
A classic Irish doorway.
St. Stephen's Green,
a lovely park in downtown Dublin.
St. Patrick's Cathedral,
Dublin.
The famous bronze
of Molly Malone, with, as often, a lap full of children.
The Guinness Experience
was our main adventure in Dublin.
One of many displays
depicting how Guinness is made. Guinness brews 450 million liters of beer per year.
The 7th floor "Gravity Bar"
provides spectacular views of the Dublin area. This shot shows some brewery buildings in the foreground.
Bill enjoying his Guinness,
after going through the displays of "The Guinness Experience".
The sun sets
at the end of a beautiful day in Dublin.
August 11 -- Heimaey, Iceland.
This was a "maiden call" for Maasdam and for Holland America Lines. We voyagers loved it.
A distant glacier
on the shore of mainland Iceland, seen as we approach Heimaey Island.
Stunning colors and intriguing
land formations of Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar), an archipeligo of 15 islands off Iceland's southeast shore.
Heimaey is the only inhabited
island of the Westman Islands. This photo shows another of the islands.
Maasdam could not enter
this deep harbor's narrow mouth, nor could the ship anchor due to underwater cables carrying the city's power supply.
The Maasdam held its position
by "joy stick" hovering in the harbor mouth for the day. A safe anchoring location would have been too distant for tendering.
Our tender dock in Heimaey.
The Orca whale Keiko, star of "Free Willy", lived in Heimaey Harbor before he was released back into the wild.
Two of Maasdam's
hard-working shore excursion team taking a moment of rest on the dock in Heimaey.
The town of Heimaey
is surrounded by lava fields. A huge volcanic eruption from January 23 to July 3, 1973, buried half of the city.
5,000 citizens of Heimaey
were evacuated. Despite destruction of half the town, further damage was averted by spraying the lava flow with cold sea water.
Sites of destroyed homes
are marked.
This stave church
near the shore of the harbor mouth is a replica given by Norway to Iceland in 2000.
A memorial marker
near the stave church.
Reykjavik, Iceland -- August 12-13.
This 2-day stay gave opportunities for extended explorations to outlying areas.
The Golden Circle tour
includes waterfalls, geysers, historic sites, and the rift zone.
Pingvellir National Park
extends from the shores of Thingvallarvatn, Iceland's largest lake. Here is the site of Iceland's first parliament (930 A.D.).
Fissures evidence
past earthquakes at this juncture of tectonic plates, beyond which stretches the rift zone.
The flag of Iceland
flies at the base of this hill at the edge of the rift zone.
Next stop -- geysers!
Icelandic spelling is "geysir"; pronunciation "gaze-er".
The red soil here
brought back memories of red-stained shoes after hiking on Kauai.
We are warned!
not only to stay out of roped-off areas, but also to watch our step on bumpy terrain.
Lovely color.
Unaware visitors throw coins and/or other things into these pools, to the detriment of the natural systems.
After expectant watching
and waiting, a lovely show!
Gullfoss ("Golden Falls")
is a top tourist attraction.
The mammoth Hvita (White) River
drops more than 100 feet into the long canyon. Breathtaking!
A trail leads down to
this rocky outcrop where the falls' mists spray the visitor. No guard rails; it is your responsibility to keep yourself safe.
These local actors
came on board that evening to give us a fine show telling Iceland's history in story, song, and dance. Delightful!
These fine performers
had a rapt audience for their story of Iceland's history and culture.
Our Reykjavik tour guide
told us about the open-air museum, including this old church.
Signs and pictures
told about the open-air museum buildings.
A typical sod-roofed building
of earlier days, still seen in country settings.
Hofdi House was the site of
Reagan's and Gorbachev's summit meeting in 1986.
Built in 1909, Hofdi House's
other renowned visitors have included the Queen of England, Sir Winston Churchill, and Marlene Dietrich. There is also said to be a resident ghost.
The Pearl
showcases how Iceland's geothermal energy is converted to provide electricity for the country.
There is an active geyser
inside the building.
The Pearl has
an open airy design with fine views from the top.
An excellent exhibit
of Iceland photographs was mounted in the the Pearl.
The Saga Museum
is inside the Pearl.
A display
in the Saga Museum.
Hallgrimskirkja, the Lutheran
Church of Iceland, is visible from all over Reykjavik.
This magnificent organ
was being played, in rehearsal for an upcoming concert. Lovely!
Near the church is
this statue honoring Leif Erikson.
August 15 -- Nanortalik, Iceland,
unfortunately a non-port day for me due to illness. Fellow-travelers enjoyed it.
Nanortalik -- back in iceberg country,
as seen through our stateroom window.
August 17, St. Anthony.
We greatly enjoyed our days in Newfoundland; it would be fun to go back for a longer visit.
Typical rocky coastline
as we sail in to St. Anthony.
A small waterfront business
making pallets, seen on my walk around town.
Ceramic murals depicting the peoples
of Newfoundland and Labrador, by the renowned artist Jordi Bonet, are in the Rotunda of the Hospital in St. Anthony.
Sir Wilfred Grenfell
brought medical care to outlying areas of Newfoundland in the early 1900's.
The Grenfell Centre and Museum
honor the work of this hero. Behind the museum is a wonderful trail to high lookout points, with plaques and memorials along the way.
View from the top
of the trail. Maasdam was again this day kept in the harbor mouth by use of engines due to swells which precluded anchoring further out in the bay.
August 18 -- Corner Brook, Newfoundland.
My map of this city, one of my favorites, has gone missing, so this Newfie will serve as the title page.
A beautiful approach
through the Bay of Islands to Corner Brook.
Crow Hill affords grand views.
This plaque tells us that Captain Cook surveyed this area in 1767.
View from Crow Hill
over Corner Brook and the Bay of Islands.
This totem tells
Corner Brook's history.
Locals love to show us
their "Old Man in the Mountain", whose profile is in the center of this photo.
A special afternoon
started when Bob Edwards offered to take me to the start of the in-city trail I had heard about.
Along the way Bob showed me
local sights, including the private estate of the owner of the paper mill, then dropped me at the start of this lovely trail.
Glynmill Inn Pond.
In the background is Corner Brook's "skyscraper", where the library is located on the 2nd floor.
After the fun of a "private tour"
in a Corner Brook patrol car, the afternoon continued with many delightful conversations with friendly locals.
The stream is chilly,
which may be why most of the swimmers are youngsters.
The sun sets
as we leave Corner Brook, one of my favorite ports of our trip.
That evening, tribute was paid
to the Indonesian crew members who are expert and gracious servers in the ship's dining venues.
Indonesian decor, music, and dance.
The last port
of our journey -- Bar Harbor, on August 20. This was familiar ground for us, so we had a casual day in town.
An easy anchor location
resulted in a quick tender ride to shore.
St. Savior's Episcopal Church,
the oldest, tallest and largest public building on Mount Desert Island, was named for the French Jesuit Mission established on the island in 1613.
This photo of "Gifford's Ice Cream"
is for my sister and brother-in-law, whose name is Gifford.
The Shore Path
is an easy delightful stroll.
One of the waterfront "cottages"
along the shore path.
The Bar Harbor pilot boat
appeared to be about twice as big and three times "fancier" than others we had seen.
Now some tribute to
the superb crew of the Maasdam. Here is the cast of singers/dancers whose Broadway-style shows were creative and enjoyable.
On our last sea day
there was a mid-day feast on the pool deck with demonstrations of the crew's talents, such as fruit and vegetable carving.
Here you see
cake decoration artistry.
This pastry chef
created amazing breads in the shapes of animals.
Carving artistry.
A cabin steward
showed how to fold the towel animals that appear in staterooms each evening.
Lisa Strachan,
one of Holland America's photographers, specializes in black and white portraits.
Our portrait
is a favorite souvenir from this favorite travel adventure.
Here's a schedule listing
some of the invaluable digital workshop classes taught by Chris Jackson.
The crew farewell show.
Maroon shirts are the drinks department; red shirts, the shore excursion team; white t-shirts do behind-the-scenes work.
Captain James Russell-Dunford
(center) was superb: personable, engaged, competent.
The farewell song.
Maasdam's crew includes citizens of the Netherlands, India, England, the Philippines, Indonesia, Canada, and the United States.
Docking in Boston
early in the morning of August 21.
We overnighted at the Radisson,
well located near Boston Common and also not far from our favorite restaurant, Finale. Yummy desserts!
Our last evening in Boston,
ending our Voyage of the Vikings.
Back over snowy peaks
as we fly from Boston back to Seattle on August 22, 2010 -- home again after a fine adventure.
Netherlands river cruise, 2010
A wonderful river cruise
March 27 - April 5, 2010.
Viking Legend,
launched in summer of 2009, provided a fine travel experience in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Our itinerary map.
We started and ended
our cruise in Amsterdam, boarding March 27 and disembarking the ship on April 5.
Amsterdam's Central Station
is the hub of many means of transportation, including the canal boat rides.
Bicycles, and more bicycles!
There are huge bicycle parking areas, including this one at Central Station.
Notice the brown house;
its owner did not want to sell so the hotel was built around the house.
The monument in Dam Square,
the site and scene of many happenings in Amsterdam.
A mime and his "victim",
a willing passerby who pays to have the mime come to life.
Hop-on-hop-off canal boats
offer three routes that cover most of Amsterdam's areas of interest to visitors.
Canals, boats, bicycles --
themes of Amsterdam, seen through the window of canal boat "Rembrandt".
Seen along the canals.
At the peak of each building
is a "hoist" used to haul heavy items from the street to high floors.
The "Skinny Bridge"
of Amsterdam is renowned and oft-photographed.
Modern architecture and
many parks are features of new Amsterdam neighborhoods built on islands.
A new canal
built into one of the new island residential areas.
The Opera House
of Amsterdam can be approached by canal or street.
A windmill in West Amsterdam
with a statue of Rembrandt in the foreground.
A closer look
at the windmill's details.
Another bicycle parking area
by Central Station next to the passenger ferries.
Mother and child,
traveling by bicycle, petting the dog while waiting for their passenger ferry.
Viking Legend
awaits her new guests, docked about a 10-minute walk west of Central Station.
Viking Legend
My single cabin,
#337, on the top deck adjacent to the library.
The library.
This popular spot,
at the top of the stairway, offers all kinds of hot drinks 24/7.
Our first set of locks,
late at night on March 28, 2010, as we left Amsterdam heading for Hoorn.
Viking Legend
docked at Hoorn 8:30 a.m. Monday March 29, and departed at 8:00 p.m.
Viking Legend
is longer than most river ships, posing different tie-up options for the crew.
Hoorn seen from the
deck of Legend. The harbor tower dominates the view.
The Ship Boys of Bontekoe,
a bronze commissioned in 1968, watch over the harbor of Hoorn.
A canal in Hoorn,
seen as we leave the ship on our walking tour.
The charming sights of Hoorn.
Buildings tell the history
of Hoorn.
Walking through Hoorn,
the traveler's eyes are drawn upward to the fascinating building detail.
Buildings are named rather
than numbered in many areas of these old Dutch cities. This was an orphanage.
Notice the man
atop the roof peak.
West Frisian Museum
on town square of Hoorn.
Jan Pieterszoon Coen,
a Hoorn native son important in the Dutch East India Co., is honored here.
A Hoorn cat.
From Hoorn, we traveled north to
Broeker Veiling Museum. This craftsman boat is being built by old methods.
A beautifully preserved
wooden boat.
Here in Langedijk is held
the only remaining floating vegetable auction, with its Dutch "auction clock".
Our fellow travelers
stopped the auction clock and purchased carrots, grapes and apples.
Our excellent guide
grew up here, working on his family's farm. The privy was retired in 1969.
Back on board that evening,
we were shown how wooden shoes are made using hand tools.
Our speaker reported that
this is hard work; most wooden shoes are now made using power tools.
The end of a lovely day.
On March 30 we were docked at
Arnhem, with tours to Paleis Het Loo (a.m.)and Kroller Muller Museum (p.m.).
Arriving at Paleis Het Loo.
Dutch coat of arms.
Palace gardens.
Paleis Het Loo
seen from the gardens.
Entering the stable grounds
of Paleis Het Loo.
The Royal Stables
There are displays
of many royal conveyances.
Pieter van Vollenhoven,
husband of Princess Margriet, is exhibiting his superb nature photography.
All the magnificent photos
in this exhibit were taken on the palace grounds.
The Kroller Muller Museum,
located in National Park The Hoge Veluwe, houses an amazing art collection.
There are sculpture gardens
as well extensive indoor exhibits, spaciously arranged.
A walk in the sculpture park.
A Seurat masterpiece.
A Van Gogh,
one of many at Kroller Muller.
"Skinny bridge"
in art as well as in photos!
Van Gogh's
sunflowers.
This dapper bronze fellow
greets you in front of the Kroller Muller Museum.
"The Viking Queens"
Our delightful group of travelers who dined together each evening.
A folkloristic dance group,
founded in 1954 and based in Aalten, performed for us on board this evening.
"De Klepperklumpkes van
Walfort" perform in traditional Guelders costume, as worn around 1900.
The dancers invite
travelers to join in some of their dances --- great fun!
The clog dancers'
final "curtain call".
Sunset ends another
fascinating day of our journey.
March 31 -- Kinderdijk!
This UNESCO World Heritage Site was a trip highlight for many of us.
Before going on shore at Kinderdijk,
there was an excellent presentation on the history and workings of windmills.
Our presenter is the
daughter/granddaughter of windmill keepers; her father is the boy in the center.
The devastating 1953 floods
led to huge changes in Holland, including the Delta Project.
On this map
the X's mark the parts of the Netherlands that are below sea level.
An education on windmills.
The final slideshow image,
after which it was time to go visit the windmills of Kinderdijk!
These turbine plants
now do the work done by windmills in earlier times.
These huge screws
move a LOT of water!
There are 19 windmills at Kinderdijk.
For me, seeing these
was a dream come true.
Here is the windmill
that is open to visitors -- a great privilege and pleasure.
A 75-year-old "Dutch Girl"
fulfilling her dream of visiting a real Dutch windmill!
The living areas
of the family are integrated with the windmill's working parts.
A cozy windmill home.
Warm colors,
compact, efficient, and tidy.
View through the window
of other windmills.
Windmills, windmills,
and more windmills . . .
Back on Viking Legend,
rain began as we waited to pass through a lock.
Antwerp, our April 1 destination,
is a fascinating city.
Our tour of Antwerp
included motorcoach and walking. Two fine lions guard a city bridge.
Street art in Antwerp.
The very large and modern courthouse
of Antwerp.
Sculpture of Lange Wapper,
the Belgium equivalent of the Boogie Man, was made by Albert Poels in 1963.
The Steen, near the city entrance,
is a small 13th Century castle on the River Scheldt.
Antwerp's
City Center.
The cathedral in Antwerp
Groenplats, Antwerp.
Brabo cut off the hand of a terrible giant and threw it in the river.
The Hilton in Antwerp
is a landmark.
A dog/trainer team
working amidst distractions in the plaza.
A brewery
with a hoist for lifting barrels.
One of many
marvelous chocolate shops in Antwerp.
Hard choices --
one of each, perhaps?
April 2: after docking in Ghent,
the day was spent exploring the medieval wonders of Brugge.
Our guide for Brugge
grew up in New York City and has spent his adult life in Belgium.
Medieval beauty everywhere
in Brugge.
Horses and carriages
are oft-used conveyances.
Playing fields
for sports.
Walking into the city center
of Brugge.
The monastery grounds
are beautiful.
A nun gathers daffodils
in this idyllic setting.
A monastery cat.
The market square
of Brugge.
Along the canals
of Brugge.
Brugge canal boats,
unlike Amsterdam's, are open with bench seating, no tables.
Brugge architecture
is fascinating.
Information about
Michaelangelo's sculpture in Our Lady's Church in Brugge.
Brugge buildings have
wonderful details.
This would at one time
likely have been a dairy farmer's house.
Lace and chocolate shops
abound in Brugge.
Street art in Brugge.
This is considered by many to be
the ugliest "art work" in Brugge -- easy to see why!
Brugge street scene.
Brugge Public Library,
where I enjoyed a bit of quiet time among local people.
Q&A time on Legend.
Maitre d'; housekeeping; chef; hotel manager; Captain Muller; program director Joe.
On April 3 we walked in
Middelburg, then toured the Neeltje Jans Visitor Center and the Delta Project.
Middelburg City Hall
on Market Square.
In Middelburg, in front of
the Roosevelt Academy of Utrecht University.
Residences in earlier days
had names rather than street numbers.
Our visit here
included a slide presentation, exhibits, and seeing the dam itself.
This sign
welcomes us to the Visitor Center.
Meet Max!
This shows the dams
built for the Delta Project.
The road across
the top of the huge dam.
Taking a closer look at
the dam.
Art work by the Delta Project.
Wind turbines
keep us mindful that where there are windmills, there will be wind!
Passing through a major
set of locks, after leaving the Delta Project.
View from my room window,
showing how tightly the ship is snugged up to the side of the lock.
This family's barge
is their home. Note the child on the swing.
Home in the front,
cargo in the back.
Captain's Dinner --
time for Baked Alaska!
Easter baskets
arrive in our staterooms this evening.
Sunset in Rotterdam,
where we are docked the evening of April 3.
Back in Amsterdam on April 4
for a wonderful Easter Sunday at Keukenhof Gardens and Delft.
Today we are docked
alongside other river ships near Central Station.
The view from my
stateroom window shows how snugly the river ships tie up alongside one another.
Easter Sunday
at Keukenhof!
Our guide for Keukenhof
was a charming fellow from Groningen.
Tulips, in every imaginable color.
Beauty everywhere.
The pavilions were filled
with lovely displays.
Garden art at Keukenhof.
Mean-looking turtle!
Many families
were enjoying Easter Sunday here.
A tulip field
in brilliant bloom.
Monday April 5 -- as we bus
to the airport, the sun rises over "the bra bridge". Farewell to Amsterdam!
Boston Sept. 2009
Arriving in Boston
on 9/19/09, after a wonderful 7 day cruise from Montreal.
The Taj Boston,
our "home away from home" for 3 days, across the street from the Public Garden and Boston Common.
Our spacious room
overlooking the Public Garden and Boston Common, with views of the gold-domed State House and swan boats on the lagoon.
Our view of the State House,
as seen from our hotel room windows. These windows actually open; what a treat -- fresh air!
Formerly the Ritz Carlton,
Taj Boston has elegant furnishings and fine service; best of all, we could walk to most historic sites from here.
Old-fashioned mail chute
next to the elevators.
Even the elevators
have an elegant feel.
The Swan Boats
on the lagoon at the Public Garden were having their last day of operation for the 2009 season.
The Swan Boats,
pedal-powered gondolas in summer operation since 1877, are a popular attraction in the 24-acre Public Garden's lagoon.
The locals had hoped for
swan chicks; then it was learned that both of this mated pair are female (according to our Boston Trolley guide.)
The Public Garden
is popular for weddings, and this was a splendid day for an outdoor wedding.
Whimsical bronze frogs
gaze out over the Lagoon.
"Make Way For Ducklings"
is a story centered around these bronzes. Their size was determined by "size-testing" for ideal size for children..
A busy weekend at
Boston Common: hemp festival, yoga gathering, Hari Krishna event, baseball game, and countless walkers & picnickers.
Statues on The Common.
.
"Cheers" is just a block
from our hotel. This is a popular stop on the Boston Trolley Hop-On-Hop-Off route.
Our favorite restaurant,
near our hotel, specializes in incredible desserts, "Finales", preceded by light appetizer/entree choices, "Preludes".
At lower left
is Finale's version of "Chocolate Decadence", the absolute BEST chocolate dessert ever.
Many temptations
to choose from at Finale.
Informal pleasant ambience
while dining at Finale.
The Prudential Building's
50th floor is Skywalk with views of EVERYTHING in and around Boston, also exhibits on Boston's history and architecture.
Trinity Church
and Copley Square, seen from Skywalk.
The old Boston firehouse,
still in use. When fire engines became too tall, they lowered the floors so they would still fit.
Fenway Park, home of
the Red Sox, and the Fens, seen from Skywalk.
Christian Science Plaza
with the 600' reflecting pool, the "Mother" church and new "extension", Mary Baker Eddy Library, and the Mapparium.
View over the Charles River
looking northwest.
Looking north-northeast
over the Charles River to Cambridge.
A more easterly view.
.
This view from Skywalk
shows the Taj Boston in the center, with the Public Garden and Boston Common beyond.
Looking east from Skywalk
to the harbor, where a Carnival cruise ship is docked on this day.
After leaving Skywalk,
the nearby Christian Science Plaza warranted closer inspection.
Church of Christ, Scientist,
is the domed building; the Mary Baker Eddy Library is to the right.
The reflecting pool
looking west-to-east; Mary Baker Eddy Library to the left.
Christian Science Church.
This organ, one of the largest in the world, has a total of 13,290 pipes. Its sound is magnificent!
Soaring ceilings.
The Christian Science "Extension" (3000 seats) was built in 1906 when the original church (1000 seats) was outgrown.
The Christian Science complex
has beautiful sculptures and fountains.
The Mapparium takes a visitor
inside the globe as the world was in 1935. Fascinating to see, with fascinating acoustical properties.
Walkway through
the Mapparium. No photography is allowed so these photos are postcard scans.
Ted Willliams Jimmy Fund
bronze at Fenway Park.
Boston Public Library.
Designed as a "palace for the people", it is the oldest free lending library in the United States.
Next, a walk to Copley Square,
where these Tortoise and Hare bronzes mark the end place of the Boston Marathon.
Trinity Church,
on Copley Square, has for more than 100 years been listed as a top masterpiece of American architecture.
Trinity Church parsonage.
Trinity is an Episcopal Church, part of the worldwide Anglican community.
Phillips Brooks,
Rector of Trinity 1869-1891, was one of the most charismatic preachers of his generation.
Nearly a full house at this
Sunday service. Founded in 1733, Trinity is now a vibrant parish of 4,000 households.
Upholstered kneelers
for some comfort to parishioners' knees.
Pews in Trinity Church.
.
Looking upward
in Trinity.
Trinity interior.
.
Trinity Church
with its backdrop of a reflecting skyscraper.
Trinity's reflections
are a joy for photographers.
And yet one more . . .
.
Reflection of Trinity.
.
Omni Parker House Hotel,
another stop on our walk from our hotel, is a Boston landmark. Parker House rolls originated here.
Zakim/Bunker Hill Bridge.
Completed in 2003 as part of Boston's "Big Dig". From this bridge, traffic enters the Tip O'Neill tunnel.
Mike's Bakery
in the North End, renowned for chocolate chip cannoli.
On the top shelf
are the chocolate chip cannoli.
Government Center,
with architecture characterized as "brutalist", is considered by many to be Boston's ugliest building.
The Freedom Trail.
Monday September 21 was earmarked for walking the Freedom Trail.
After picking up the map
for The Freedom Trail at the Boston Common visitor center, the first historic stop was the gold-domed State House.
When walking the Freedom Trail,
you see occasional metal markers set into the red-brick path built into the sidewalks and streets.
Following the red brick path
keeps you on The Freedom Trail.
Park Street Church,
one of the many stops on the Freedom Trail, each with its own rich history, most marked with detailed stories.
Park Street Church,
recognizable by its tall, graceful steeple.
This is the third oldest
burial ground in Boston and is the final resting place of three signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Granary Burying Grounds.
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and Mother Goose are among those buried here.
Stories of the gravestones.
.
King's Chapel,
built in 1754, was America's first Unitarian Church. The adjacent burying ground is Boston's oldest.
This plaque marks the original
site of the Boston Latin School, America's first public school established in 1635. Benjamin Franklin was a student here.
The Old City Hall
ceased to be used for its original purpose in 1969, but remains a point of interest on The Freedom Trail.
Boston's Old City Hall.
.
Ben Franklin bronze,
in front of Old City Hall, dates from 1856 and was Boston's first public statue of a person.
Bronze donkey.
This symbol for the Democratic party was adopted by all of Boston's Democratic mayors.
Opposite the donkey
are footprints with the Republican symbol of the elephant.
Old South Meeting House
was the largest building in colonial Boston and stands as a symbol of the right to free speech and assembly.
Old South Meeting House,
site of many famous gatherings including the 1773 mass protest meetings that led to the Boston Tea Party.
.
.
Old State House
is Boston's oldest surviving public building, and the site of the first reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Faneuil Hall
has been a marketplace and a meeting hall since 1742. It is sometimes called The Cradle of Liberty.
Quincy Market,
next to Faneuil Hall.
St. Stephen's Church was
first Congregational, then Unitarian, then became Catholic. It is the only Bulfinch-designed church remaining in Boston
St. Stephen's Church,
in the North End.
Dating back to 1680,
this wooden house is the oldest house remaining in downtown Boston; it was Paul Revere's home in the 1770s.
Paul Revere's House
was saved from demolition in 1902 and has been restored to its original appearance.
Statue of Paul Revere
in a park adjacent to the Old North Church.
The Old North Church,
built in 1723, is the oldest church in Boston.
Old North Church
viewed from the front.
.
.
Old North Church.
Note that parishioner seating is in boxes. No cushioning on either seats or kneelers here.
Interior of Old North Church.
This photo was taken during a talk about Old North Church's history. These are presented regularly for visitors.
Pipe organ
of the Old North Church.
Boston's second oldest
burying ground, established in 1660, where gravestones tell stories of the North End residents.
Copp Hill Burying Ground
has many stories to tell.
Near the end of Freedom Trail
is the U.S.S. Constitution -- Old Ironsides.
Old Ironsides is now
undergoing renovations, resulting in shortened masts at this time. She was "in proud service" as a warship 1797-1934.
Next, Bunker Hill,
a pleasant neighborhood walk uphill from Old Ironsides.
Bunker Hill Monument.
This ended my walk of the Freedom Trail. From here I took the HO-HO Boston Trolley back to our hotel.
Our last evening in Boston
we enjoyed walking to the Esplanade along the Charles River, where there are fine parklands and footpaths.
The Hatch Shell,
on the Esplanade, is the venue for the July 4 Boston Pops concert, a huge annual event.
Sailing, sculling, running,
walking, lazing on the dock -- so many ways to enjoy this peaceful sunset hour on the banks of the Charles River.
The sun sets
on our last day in Boston. Early tomorrow morning we fly back home, after three marvelous days in Boston.
Montreal to Boston 9-09
Place D'Armes,
our hotel in Montreal for two days before our cruise from Montreal to Boston. Elegant heritage hotel, most enjoyable.
The front desk staff
was wonderful.
Spacious room with
fine furnishings, lovely old wood floors, nice appointments.
The first of many
lovely sunsets on this trip, seen from our room at Place D'Armes on Thursday September 10.
Outdoor dining
at La Maree, one of many restaurants on Place Jacques-Cartier, a plaza a few blocks from Place D'Armes.
Lovely sculptures
in a park on our walk from our restaurant back to our hotel.
Our breakfast place
at Place D'Armes became the site of lively night life each evening.
Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal
as seen from the top floor of Place D'Armes. It was a short walk from our hotel to this wondrous place.
A closer view
of Notre Dame on the right, and another heritage building nearer to our hotel, on the left.
Notre Dame Basilica
.
The sound and light show
at Notre Dame Basilica was fascinating and informative.
Visitors entering Notre Dame
for the Sound and Light show, a dramatic presentation of the Basilica's history and stunning architecture.
Taken inside the Basilica
before the Sound and Light Show began.
After the show,
viewing and photography were allowed for 20 minutes. Amazing woodwork and stained glass.
The altar of
the Notre Dame Basilica.
Magnificent pipe organ
in Notre Dame Basilica.
Detail of
one of the many columns in the Basilica.
Ceiling detail
of the Basilica.
The chapel at Notre Dame.
There were seven weddings scheduled in the chapel on this Saturday, September 12.
A wedding party
finishing up photographs; soon the bride and groom will leave in an antique white car.
Vehicles await
the wedding party.
Horse and carriage rides
are popular with visitors in Montreal and other places we visited.
Philipe and his faithful horse.
Philipe has lived in and visited many parts of the world. He has been partnered with his horse, age 14, for 3 years.
A few blocks from Notre Dame
are the remains of the General Hospital of Montreal, currently under restoration.
Bill crosses over
for a closer look at this interesting site.
Remains of the old hospital.
.
More of the story
of the old hospital and the Grey Nuns.
A 3-hour Gray Line tour
gave us a chance to see more of Montreal. Our charming driver gave all information in both English and French.
The Olympic Park,
built for the 1976 Summer Olympic Games, is impressive in size and shape and topped by the tallest inclined tower in the world.
St. Joseph's Oratory,
atop Mount-Royal, is one of the world's most visited shrines.
St. Joseph's Oratory.
The basilica's huge dome reaches 97 meters and is second in height only to Saint-Peter's basilica in Rome.
Lovely formal gardens
at St. Joseph's Oratory.
The scenic outlook
in Parc Mont Royal offers striking views of the downtown area and the river.
Another view
from the scenic lookout at Parc Mont-Royal.
On the afternoon of
Saturday, September 12, we boarded the Maasdam for our 7-day cruise from Montreal to Boston.
The Lido dining room,
Maasdam's informal dining venue, ready for evening guests.
A superb deck barbecue
on the evening of our departure, when the weather was balmy with full sun. This was my favorite meal of the cruise!
Olympic Park
as seen from the ship as we sailed out of Montreal.
Cruising along
the St. Lawrence River after leaving Montreal.
.
.
Seen on the river banks.
.
St. Lawrence River sunset
on our first night on Maasdam.
Quebec City,
Sunday September 13, 2009.
Quebec City
seen from the deck of Maasdam.
Looking up from the waterfront
at the Plains of Abraham, a historic battleground site.
Chateau Frontenac,
as seen from the pier, dominates the skyline of Quebec City.
Our bus driver
was a charming man who spoke only French. (This was not unusual here.)
Dufferin Terrace,
in front of Chateau Frontenac, is a prime place for viewing the St. Lawrence River and lower levels of Quebec.
Chateau Frontenac
viewed at close range from Dufferin Terrace.
Maasdam docked
at Quebec City, viewed from Dufferin Terrace.
Near Chateau Frontenac
are this park, a church, and a street with shops and restaurants.
Plaques tell us the history.
.
Story of
the Plains of Abraham.
A long waterfront walk
was rewarded by many interesting sights, including a large and very busy Farmers Market.
Unusual fountain
in a lovely park near gare-du-palais, not far from the waterfront promenade and farmers market.
Unusual street art.
A large arrangement of metal chairs in this park seem to be memorials to people who lived in diverse periods of time.
The grouping of metal chairs
near the fountain by gare-du-palais.
Sunset
as we leave Quebec City.
Charlottetown,
Prince Edward Island, Tuesday September 15.
After a sea day
we come in to Charlottetown, PEI.
Charlottetown Visitor Center
was staffed by exceptionally helpful people. They had computers for visitors to use without charge.
We had a short tour
of the Charlottetown area. These 1952-vintage double-decker buses were brought over from England for use as tour buses.
Province House, site of
the first conference on colonial union in 1864, an early step toward the confederation of Canada in 1867.
Province House's
history in more detail.
Waterways
play important roles in the story of Charlottetown.
Fanciful "fountains"
coming up through drain plates are favored play places for children in summer.
A waterfront home
in Charlottetown.
A historic home open to visitors.
.
Beaconsfield Historic Home.
.
Sydney, Nova Scotia,
Wednesday, September 16. Beautiful scenery to explore here, including the renowned Cabot Trail.
Docking at Sydney.
.
"Largest Ceilidh Fiddle in the World"
is the billing for this sculpture at the Port of Sydney.
A large camera shop
was my first stop in Sydney, to buy some needed photography supplies.
Our guide for visiting
the Alexander G. Bell Museum and Baddeck was Jackie, "a coal miner's daughter who promises not to sing". Excellent guide.
Our fine driver
and his comfortable bus.
Views along the way.
.
Alexander Graham Bell Museum.
Alexander and Mabel Bell spent much time in their later years at their vacation home near Baddeck.
Mr. Bell considered himself
to be, first and foremost, a teacher of the deaf.
Mabel Bell came from
a wealthy family, and it was her astute management of family assets that gave her husband freedom to pursue his inventio
This flying machine
was one of Alexander Bell's early inventions.
Lovely views
from the grounds of the Alexander Graham Bell Museum.
Fall color
was just starting.
A farewell concert
as Maasdam leaves Sydney. Sydney is voted a "favorite port" by the crew members of cruise ships.
Halifax, Nova Scotia,
Thursday, September 17. We learned much history of the devastating munitions explosion on December 6, 1917, during World War I.
This large cruise ship
followed us in to Halifax; two more came, resulting in a crowded port. (Until now we'd been the only ship in our ports.
Lovely park
in Halifax.
Halifax is proud of
Samuel Cunard, ("Steam Lion"), the Nova Scotian founder of the Cunard Line, who was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1859.
A sad chapter
of Halifax history, when the Acadian (French) population was deported, called the Grand Derangement (Great Upheaval).
A memorial to
The Grand Derangement.
Halifax Public Library.
When traveling I enjoy visiting public libraries to check email, and to get a feel for this aspect of local culture.
A landmark building
in Halifax.
Bagpipes are important
here. This bagpiper greeted us at the dock, and was playing along the waterfront later in the day.
As we left Halifax,
the pilot jumped from Maasdam to the pilot boat once we left the area where a local pilot is required.
The pilot boat
speeds back to shore.
Bar Harbor, Maine,
one of our favorite ports, on Friday September 18.
Nearing Bar Harbor
.
Bar Harbor
is a very picturesque port.
Jack, our competent driver
for an excellent excursion exploring Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, followed by a baked lobster feast.
Linda,
a retired middle-school teacher, was our excellent guide this day. She educated us on lobsters and lobster fishing.
Bill prepares to reboard
our bus after one of our sightseeing stops.
Stunning coastline scenery
in Acadia National Park.
Amazing rock formations.
.
Rocky shoreline of
Acadia National Park.
There were great views
on this day from Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park.
Our ship Maasdam
looks tiny from the top of Cadillac Mountain.
A more southerly view
from Cadillac Mountain.
After driving back
to Bar Harbor, we enjoyed a marvelous lobster feast at the Bar Harbor Club.
A lovely setting for
our fine feast of Maine lobster, corn-on-the-cob, new potatoes, cole slaw, and blueberry pie. A recommended excursion.
Seen on a walk
along the shopping street of Bar Harbor.
Maasdam's tenders
were busy on this day. This was the only port on this itinerary that required tenders.
Walking the shore path
is a lovely experience.
Bar Harbor Inn.
.
One of the estates
along the shore path in Bar Harbor.
Maasdam awaits our return
under a darkening sky.
Sailing away from Bar Harbor.
.
Farewell time
as our cruise nears its end. Here on stage are representatives from all departments of Maasdam's crew.
Coming in to Boston, we see
a fleet of working fishing boats near the Black Falcon Pier where Maasdam docked.
Maasdam approaches
the Black Falcon Pier in Boston.
A hard-working tug
pushed us into dock at Boston.
Walking off the ship,
we passed over the reprovisioning area where huge quantities of supplies were being loaded for the ship's next trip.
Here we come, Boston!
For photos of our three marvelous days of sightseeing here, go to the next album, "Boston Sept. 2009".
Alaska on Zaandam 2009
Sailing away from Seattle
aboard Holland America's Zaandam, on Friday May 29.
Mount Rainier
floats behind Seattle's skyline on this glorious warm and sunny day.
As we head north,
Celebrity Infinity leads the way. Mt. Baker is in the background to the right, Whidbey Island straight ahead.
Zaandam passes Whidbey Island.
This photo was taken by a friend from their waterfront home in the Greenbank area of Whidbey Island. (Thank you Jan!)
Our Puget Sound pilot
leaves the ship at Port Angeles.
The Visitor Center
at Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau. Mendenhall is accessible to those traveling on land.
Mendenhall Glacier
.
A roaring glacial waterfall
at Mendenhall. Scale is shown by noticing the people standing near the base of the falls.
Passengers seek good spots
for best views as we approach the Grand Pacific and Margerie Glaciers in Glacier Bay.
Margerie Glacier at the left,
Grand Pacific at far right.
Margerie is a favorite
because of the fascinating ice sculpture shapes, and because of her predictability of nearly always calving while visitors are watching.
Margerie has just calved.
Note the activity at the base, in the center of the photo.
Intricate ice formations.
.
A baby iceburg.
Note the smoky color of the water due to glacial runoff.
Good-bye to Margerie.
.
Approaching Johns Hopkins Glacier.
We'd not visited this glacier on our previous trips to Alaska. It's become a new favorite!
.
.
Johns Hopkins Glacier
is one of the few glaciers in Alaska that is advancing, not retreating.
Leaving Johns Hopkins.
.
And soon to leave
beautiful Glacier Bay.
Back on Zaandam,
the view from our dining table at the stern of the ship.
The towel animals
greeted us each evening -- always such fun.
Mount Edgecumbe
viewed from Zaandam's deck as we anchored at Sitka.
The cemetery
on the hill behind Sitka has stories to tell.
.
.
Sitka's Russian history
is told on the gravestones.
.
.
One of many totems
in Sitka's wonderful historical park.
Zaandam
anchored at Sitka.
Next port -- Ketchikan!
Note "Ketchi-Candy" in the center of the photo. YUM!
Three cruise ships
were docked in Ketchikan, which is usual in the summer season.
View from the ship
over the roofs of Ketchikan.
We took a Duck Tour
of Ketchikan, offering a land tour of the city's highlights, then heading out onto the water to see eagles and islands.
John was our driver;
Joel, a college student, was our guide. Both were entertaining and informative.
Dolly's
is one of many famous places on Creek Street.
Here goes the Duck,
now out on the water.
A cooperative eagle
posed as we passed.
Take-off time!
.
A photo of a competitor of our "Duck"
to give you a better idea of these vehicles.
A large eagle nest
with babies in residence is a bit left of center in this photo.
Back on board,
we enjoy the Master Chef Dinner with special presentation of special offerings.
Sun sets
with the Queen Charlotte Islands profiled on the horizon.
The dessert buffet
is a lavish display.
.
.
This cascading liquid chocolate
was used to coat skewers of fresh fruit.
The classical string quartet
played in a lounge each evening, and on this evening moved to the Pool Deck to play during the dessert buffet.
Our last port call
was Victoria, the evening of June 4.
A city tour of Victoria
took us along the coastline for lovely views of islands and peninsulas.
A yacht club
in Victoria.
Our fine driver-guide
pulled our bus into the parking lot at Mt. Tolmie just in time for sunset and all the glorious views.
View from Mt. Tolmie
of the cruise ships docked in Victoria.
Craigdarroch Castle
was the next stop on our tour.
An air of mystery
surrounds Craigdarroch Castle at dusk.
The four flights of stairs
provide an interesting view when looking down from the top floor.
One of the castle bedrooms.
.
Stunning sunset views
from the top floor of Craigdarroch Castle.
Victoria at night
as seen from Craigdarroch Castle's top floor.
Near-full moon
in a moody sky as we leave Craigdarroch Castle.
Parliament Building in Victoria,
seen as we complete our city tour before reboarding Zaandam for the final leg of our cruise back to Seattle.
Wind Surf Jan. 2009
The Windward Islands
of the West Indies were the destinations for Wind Surf's southbound itinerary out of Barbados January 11-18, 2009.
A Barbados tote bag
conveys the bright cheerful mood of the St. Lawrence Gap area, where we stayed for three days.
This delightful
small hotel was our home for two days before and one day after our cruise on Wind Surf.
Darla and David Trotman
own and operate Sandy Ground, and reside on the premises. Their property is artistically designed and appointed.
Darla's paintings
add to the enjoyment of guests.
Sunset at Dover Beach,
a five-minute walk from Sandy Ground.
Full moon
on Barbados.
Our Silver Moon
excursion included snorkeling with turtles and fish, followed by a fine lunch while seeing the west coast of Barbados.
Relaxing day
on Silver Moon.
We board Wind Surf
early afternoon on Sunday, January 11.
Wind Surf
docked in Bridgetown, Barbados.
The reception angels
on Wind Surf, always ready to help with unfailing competence and gracious smiles.
View from portholes
of our cabin. Mr. Peacock, my Travel Mascot, perches on our windowsill, watchful for our safety and good times.
Wind Surf's lounge,
where passengers gather before dinner each evening for information about our next day's port and activities.
The casino,
adjacent to the Lounge.
Holly Weberg,
Wind Surf's Hotel Manager, hosted dinner for ten of us in "Degrees", one of the specialty restaurants on Wind Surf.
Bequia (BECK-way)
was once the area's most important whaling station. Port Elizabeth, on Admiralty Bay, is a charming town.
In times past,
Bequia was a hand-made wooden boat center. Its harbor is colorful and charming.
A lovely walkway
along Port Elizabeth's waterfront.
This cheerful threesome
were our crew for today's catamaran trip. High winds gave us a rough ride.
Enjoying the sail
from Bequia to Mustique, and places in between.
Fascinating
rock formations and shorelines seen along the westernmost tip of the island.
Shoreline near Moonhole.
.
Wind Surf at anchor
.
Mayreau (MY-roh)
is the smallest of the inhabited islands of the Grenadines. There are no cars; transport is by foot or by boat.
The skipper
of our catamaran. Wind Surf is anchored in background.
Sailing away to the
Tobago Cays, a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of five small uninhabited islands with amazing shoreline and colors
Approaching
our snorkel spot.
Inflatables
took people to shore for beaching and swimming; snorkelers went into the water from the catamaran.
The water color
was incredible here.
Back to shore,
then by tender back to Wind Surf.
Wind Surf's sister ship,
Club Med 2, was nearby this day and waited for us to set sail so we could sail in tandem for a bit. Fun to experience!
Club Med 2
sails off after dusk in a blur of light and movement.
Pigeon Island
is no longer an island, rather is a peninsula, having been joined to the island by a causeway.
Pigeon Island
has been a National Park since 1979.
After anchoring
at Pigeon Island, we set off on our catamaran excursion to Soufriere.
The Pitons,
towering 2500' above the sea, are a dramatic sight as we approach Soufriere.
.
.
Downtown Soufriere.
.
Near Soufriere
is Sulphur Springs, billed as the "the world's only drive-in volcano". Pictured here is our helpful guide.
Volcanic steam vents.
Imagine the scent of sulphur.
Boiling volcanic mud.
.
People bathe here
in the hot springs.
Our next stop is
Morne Coubaril Estate, a historic plantation where cocoa, coconut, manioc and citrus are grown and processed.
These buildings
are a recreation of farm workers housing.
.
.
Many steps
of processing cocoa pods into chocolate sticks take place in this building.
Cocoa pods
are colorful and much larger than I'd imagined.
Our guide explains
how cocoa beans are fermented, dried on racks in the sun, oiled, polished, crushed, then formed into chocolate sticks.
A demonstration
of dancing on the cocoa beans to polish them.
Large trays/shelves
roll out from the building to allow the cocoa beans to dry in the sun, then are rolled back inside.
Bus ride, anyone?
.
The plantation house.
.
Lovely view
from the estate through the trees down to the town and harbor of Soufriere.
Rush hour in Soufriere,
as we head back from the plantation to our catamaran.
Steep cliffs
along St. Lucia's west coast.
Small caves
and azure water near our snorkel/swim stop.
Dominica
(Dahm-in-EEK-uh), lush and mountainous, has high agricultural production.
Cabrits National Park
is the site of Fort Shirley, an 18th Century British garrison.
Whimsy in Portsmouth.
This small town is home to Ross University School of Medicine, which has graduated 6500 doctors since opening in 1978.
Wayne's taxi tour
of the north part of Dominica offered views of Wind Surf at anchor and the peninsula that is Cabrits National Park.
Various crops are grown
in this rugged terrain. Here, bananas are bagged to prevent over-ripening and for protection from birds.
Coffee beans
on the tree. Resident farmers here carry a machete as standard equipment.
Napping dogs,
lovely poinsettias.
A school in Pennville,
where our taxi driver/guide, Wayne McLawence, had grown up. The girl in the foreground is one of his nieces.
Wayne points out
the cemetery, which has a fine view.
Grapefruit harvest!
Wayne gathers grapefruit for us on land adjacent to his childhood home.
Lush agricultural land.
Breadfruit grows in abundance.
A glorious end
to a lovely day.
2004's Hurricane Ivan
hit Grenada (Gren-AY-duh) very hard, destroying much of St. George's. Rebuilding is ongoing.
Grenada's sparkling new
visitor center. Downtown St. George's was a lively place, with busy street markets a couple blocks up from the port.
Annandale Falls,
where young men cannonball into the pool, hoping for tips.
Down he plunges!
.
Mother and infant
enjoy the cool pool.
The Visitors Center
at the Grand Etang Lake.
The Grand Etang
is a dormant water-filled volcanic crater.
.
.
Grand Etang National
Park Visitors Center tells the stories of its ecosystems.
Grenada flag.
Locals expressed gratitude to the U.S. for its help in the past.
Fort Frederick,
high above St. George's. These boys were flying kites, which were too high to show in the photo.
At the Fort.
.
View from the Fort.
Queen Mary 2 anchored, Wind Surf docked.
A closer look.
.
School's out for today.
All students wore uniforms in all places we visited.
Sunset on Grenada.
Memorable because I saw THE GREEN FLASH -- clearly, unequivocally!!!
Tobago (Tuh-BAY-go)
is a peaceful tropical island with little development.
A short but steep
bus ride took us from Charlotteville to Speyside, to Blue Waters Inn for our glass bottom boat and snorkel trip.
Views from
Blue Waters Inn toward Goat Island and Bird of Paradise Island. Rain showers were with us this day.
View from
Blue Waters Inn.
One of our boats,
old, funky, fun -- and well named!
Good snorkeling here.
.
Back to
the fishing village of Charlotteville.
From Charlotteville,
we walk first up this trail, then down long stairways to Pirate's Bay Beach.
Down the stairs.
Many stairs! Wet!! Muddy!!! Slick!!!!
Pirate's Bay Beach
was a treat. Good snorkeling. Nice chat with the guy sitting in the chair, who was selling coconuts and oranges.
Going back
up the stairs. Many stairs! Still wet!! Still muddy!!! Still slick!!!!
Tendering back to
Wind Surf, after a fine day on Tobago.
Our last night
on Wind Surf. Captain Mark Boylin introduces the chef and his crew who did such a great job in the kitchen.
More thank-yous
and applause for the fine crew of Wind Surf.
Back to Barbados
for one more day and night before flying home on Monday January 19.
Our last breakfast
on Wind Surf, in The Veranda.
Back on shore,
we're met by Cameron Reid and his assistant Colin, who provide us with a grand tour of Barbados.
Gorgeous views
along the east coast of Barbados.
The Bathsheba area
is known for its striking rock formations.
A closer view
of the rock formations.
A popular spot for
surfing, the Bathsheba area has hosted numerous surfing competitions.
An interesting stop
on our island tour with Cameron and Colin.
The English influence
is evident in many aspects of life here, including architecture and names of places and people.
.
.
.
.
Lovely woodwork.
.
I'd love to hear
this organ!
.
.
Cute little fella!
.
Cabbage palm
on the church grounds.
Grand views
from the church grounds.
East Point Lighthouse,
on Ragged Point, is in the far-distant center of this photo.
The Lion at Gun Hill.
This large coral stone lion was carved in 1868 by Captain Henry Wilkinson with the assistance of four military laborers.
Back to Sandy Ground
for another overnight before heading home.
Our last sunset
on Barbados.
In the air again,
after a wonderful, wondrous trip in the Southern Caribbean.
Spain/Portugal on Wind Spirit
Wind Spirit's itinerary,
Barcelona to Lisbon, November 1-8, 2008.
Waiting to board
British Airways overnight flight to Heathrow, then on to Barcelona, arriving the evening of October 31.
My delightful driver
who provided transportation from the airport to Hotel Ingles, and next day from the hotel to Wind Spirit.
This narrow street
leads from Las Ramblas to Hotel Ingles.
Hotel Ingles,
a small budget hotel, immaculate, simple and quiet, conveniently located just off Las Ramblas.
Interesting architecture
seen on my evening stroll along Las Ramblas.
This handsome gargoyle
was among the sights enjoyed on a Saturday morning walk.
A mime on Las Ramblas
is still as a statue until money is dropped into his urn, whereupon he comes to life to entertain us all.
Architectural detail
seen near Barcelona docks.
Wind Spirit, docked at
Barcelona, is one of three ships of the Windstar fleet, all of which are powered by sail (weather permitting).
Boarding Wind Spirit
was smooth and easy: no lines, no hassle, and a delicious lunch waiting for us on the pool deck.
View through porthole
of the Barcelona docks for big ships.
Good-bye, Barcelona!
Off we go for adventures in new places.
This day at sea
was a bit rocky due to storms along the coast of Spain. It was a good day of rest after long flights.
A sea day
gives passengers time to become acquainted with the ship. This wooden figurehead is in one of the lobby areas.
Captain Andrew Walsh,
affable and knowledgeable, is Windstar's senior captain. Windstar's open bridge policy is a gift to her passengers.
The dining room
with its tables set for elegant dining.
The Lounge.
Jane, hostess of
Wind Spirit, briefed us each evening about the next day's port and the ship's activities.
Sunsets
have a special magic when at sea on a Windstar ship.
This walled town,
founded by the Carthaginians in 227 BC, has a fine harbor, forts, a castle, and Roman ruins.
A local guide met us
near this plaza for a walking tour. She was delightful and added greatly to our visit to Cartagena.
The first prototype
submarine, designed by local engineer Isaac Peral, was launched here in 1888.
Calle Mayor,
Cartagena's main shopping street.
One of several
beautiful old churches in Cartagena.
Walking up to
the Roman ruins.
The old and the new
are side by side in Cartagena.
Looking down on the
ruins of the Roman amphitheatre, which had been buried under a bullring until discovered in 1987.
A new amphitheatre
next to the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre.
Castle de La Concepcion
was closed this day (a Monday), but the grounds were lovely for walking and enjoying views.
The castle grounds
.
Wind Spirit
at dock in Cartagena, viewed from Castle de la Concepcion.
Leaving Cartagena,
we see the fortresses built into the rocky cliffs for protection of ships.
Rocky shores
outside Cartagena's harbor.
Almeria is the site of
ancient ruins and a renowned cathedral, as well as being a vibrant modern city.
Waterfront parks
welcome visitors to Almeria.
Wind Spirit
docked at Almeria. Almeria's castle, La Alcazaba, can be seen in the distance.
A 10-minute walk
from the dock brings us to La Alcazaba.
Almeria's Moorish castle
is the 2nd largest among the Muslim fortresses of Andalusia. (Alhambra is the largest.)
Endless views
and places to explore.
Of course,
each structure must be climbed to its highest possible point!
Sections of
an ancient water system.
A cistern.
View of Wind Spirit
from La Alcazaba.
South of the docks
are beaches and resort hotels, popular because of Almeria's climate, said to be Europe's warmest and driest.
Beaches of Almeria.
A memorial sculpture
and sign mark a rail line, no longer in use, which in the past transported minerals from mines to the docks for export.
The mining rail line
and sculpture.
Statue
commemorating mine workers.
Being invited
to dine at the Captain's Table was an unexpected treat.
The Captain's Table.
Captain Walsh is on the far left; Hotel Manager Freddy is second from the right.
Exquisite dessert
at the Captain's Table.
The Fabled Rock!
Approaching Gibraltar.
Gibraltar's resorts,
reached by taking public bus #3 to its eastern shore.
A famous resident
of Gibraltar, enjoying this fine day near the beaches on the eastern shore.
Legend has it that
if the apes (actually tail-less monkeys) go, so will the British. As a consequence, they are protected.
Public bus #4
takes you to Europa Point, the southern tip of Gibraltar. Two recent shipwrecks were interesting to see.
This sign
depicts Europa Point's proximity to Africa (Morocco), and the deep bay/harbor to the west.
The other ship wrecked
on the rocks of Europa Point. We were told the captain had not wanted to pay fees required to enter the harbor, despite an approaching storm.
Mosque
at Europa Point.
Bus back to town
to check out Casemates Square at the north end of Gibraltar's large pedestrian-only shopping area.
Glass blowers
have a large operation on the north side of Casemates Square.
Good-bye, Gibraltar!
Sailing away
from Gibraltar.
Cadiz, a wonderful city,
is one I did not fully explore because this was my day at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Arts in Jerez.
The news of the day!
Most Wind Spirit passengers, and all Europeans I met, celebrated Obama's election.
Upon arrival in Cadiz,
a congenial taxi driver showed me around Cadiz, then took me to Jerez for my day with the horses.
This day in Jerez
was a highlight of my trip, in a beautiful place watching wonderful horses perform their "dance".
The Palace
houses an excellent museum about the history of horses and horsemanship.
The outdoor arena
is a busy schooling grounds for many levels of training of both horses and riders.
The Saddlery
is in the background, beyond the arena.
The Saddlery
is a busy place.
Looking out through
the window of the Saddlery across the outdoor training arena, with the palace in the background.
Two Przewalski horses
were in an enclosure off to the side of the palace and the training arenas.
The Przewalski's Horse,
also known as the Asian Wild Horse or Mongolian Wild Horse, is the closest living wild relative of the domestic horse.
The indoor arena
where the noon exhibition was performed.
Exhibition building
before show time. No photography is permitted during the shows.
This postcard
gives an idea of what we saw but were not permitted to photograph.
A blur . . .
. . . of beautiful horses during the brief moments at the end of the show when photography was allowed.
Signs like this
provide information and diagrams/maps. This one directs visitors to the Carriage Museum on separate nearby grounds.
The Carriage Museum
Stable area
adjacent to the Carriage Museum.
Back in Cadiz.
All cities we visited were rich in plazas and parks and public areas with sculptures and fountains.
A typical internet cafe
where one can check email at a cost of about 1 Euro for 30-60 minutes of computer time.
A half day in
Portimao, a busy fishing port famous for sardines, in the maritime province of the Algarve.
Waterfront park.
Portimao's fishermen used to bring their catch here; commercial fishing operations are now across the Arcade River.
Attractive boat harbor
and resort accommodations a short distance from downtown Portimao.
Gentle surf,
but enough for the surfers to be having fun. Notice the sea stacks in the background.
View from the breakwater
back towards the entrance to Portimao's harbor.
Fish for dinner!
On the breakwater were many fishermen, most with multiple lines out.
Our last night on Wind
Spirit, dining with fellow travelers Vern, Pat, Fran, and Paul, delightful company and good walking/exploring companions
Wind Spirit's
Spain/Portugal cruise ended here. Our leisurely 10:00 arrival allowed a relaxed disembarkation in Lisbon.
Welcoming us to Lisboa
is the "Monument of Discoveries" celebrating the Portuguese who took part in the Age of Discovery (15th-16th centuries).
Approaching Lisbon,
we'll pass under the 25 de Abril Bridge spanning Rio Tejo (Tagus River) which separates Lisbon from Almada to the south.
25th of April Bridge
and Golden Gate Bridge were constructed by the same builders and look similar. Autos on the top level, trains below.
Wind Spirit's masts
glide under the bridge.
Hotel Mundial
is ideally located for walking all over the old city, including to Castelo de Sao Jorge atop the hill.
View from
my ideally situated corner room on the 7th floor on the front of Hotel Mundial.
Self-portrait.
My just-purchased famous Belem pastry (delicious!) is set out alongside the hotel's information books for guests.
View of Hotel Mundial
looking down from Castelo de Sao Jorge. (Front of the hotel is in the center of photo, plaza/park is to the right.)
Pasteis de Belem.
Famous, VERY BUSY, also very large, with many separate dining areas stretching back into the building.
A teachers' protest
demonatration disrupted transportation in central Lisbon November 8.
Sunday morning walkabout
included two churches, the cathedral, the Alfama district, and Castelo de Sao Jorge.
Wonderful pipe organ
in the Cathedral, which I was lucky to hear at the beginning of 11:30 mass.
Leaving a smaller church
near the Cathedral.
Lisbon is laced with
narrow streets and stairways, great for walking.
Bernese Mountain Dogs
out with their master for Sunday morning coffee at an outdoor cafe.
A glorious Sunday
in Lisbon. The National Parthenon is on the left.
Monastery of St. Vicente
Statue of St. Vicente
in foreground, Monastery to left, National Parthenon to right.
Street musicians
add to the fun and flavor of this lovely Sunday.
Two dancers,
a young woman and a VERY young woman.
Walking on up to
the castle. Tile-faced buildings, seen here on the left, are common in Lisbon. (See also Photos 113, 119 and 146.)
Castelo de Sao Jorge.
Great for exploring and wonderful views. A cafe and restaurant offer lovely settings for mid-day dining.
The castle grounds
invite the visitor to explore endless nooks and crannies and walls and turrets and courts and yards.
Big guns
defended Lisbon in earlier times.
One of several
stone benches, each with this poem in a different language.
The flag of Lisbon.
A children's event
at the castle.
Castle peahens
think they rule the roost.
Castle cat,
one of several.
View from the Castle
of the Monastery of St. Vicente and the National Parthenon.
Seen while walking
back down from the castle.
In Lisbon,
sun and fresh air seem to be the preferred way to dry laundry.
Stairway back down
from the castle to Hotel Mundial.
Avenida Liberdade
is a very wide boulevard with many statues and plazas and parks in its median, also many restaurants.
Families stream out
of this large theater after a Sunday afternoon performance.
One of the countless
plazas and parks and squares within easy walking distance of Hotel Mundial.
The sun sets on
ten marvelous days in Spain and Portugal. Beautiful places, fascinating history, kind gracious people.
Olympic Peninsula Sept. '08
Steilacoom II.
On September 15, 2008, we boarded this small ferry to sail from Keystone to Port Townsend.
A lovely day
to start our exploration of the northern part of the Olympic Peninsula.
There's "Xoe's Blaze",
one of the last autos squeezed onto the 1:30 sailing from Keystone.
Steilacoom II
was constructed on Whidbey Island by Nichols Bros. Boat Builders.
"Nifty Fifties",
a favorite stop in Port Townsend.
A trip back in time.
After leaving Port Townsend,
we explored the beach parks and trails on the south end of Indian Island.
From Indian Island,
a short bridge crosses to Marrowstone Island.
The major store
on Marrowstone Island.
This beautiful park
is at Nordland.
This large park
is at the northern tip of Marrowstone Island.
Fort Flagler
in foreground, Mount Baker in background.
Wildlife thrives
in this protected environment.
Next, on to
the Indian Valley Motel, on Hwy 101 west of Port Angeles.
Room 7,
ours for a quiet comfortable night with NO phone, NO television, NO internet.
Quiet, comfortable,
immaculate, and budget-priced -- what more could we ask?
Behind the motel
is a small farm with goats, sheep and chickens.
Lake Crescent
glistened in reflective beauty on the morning of September 16.
From Hwy 101,
we head north on Hwy 112 to Clallam Bay and Sekiu.
At the viewpoint
above the fishing community of Sekiu.
Sekiu.
Views north
to Canada from the scenic drive from Sekiu to Neah Bay.
Arriving at Neah Bay.
This fine museum
is well worth a visit.
The Makah Museum
Many fishing boats
work out of the Neah Bay harbor.
The Take Home Fish Co.
was recommended as the best place to buy smoked salmon.
Here begins
one of my most magnificent walks ever: the Cape Flattery Trail.
Xoe leads the way
from one gorgeous viewpoint to the next.
View platforms
are perfectly sited along the way.
Views from
the Cape Flattery Trail.
Sea caves
at Cape Flattery.
The platform
at the end of Cape Flattery Trail has a view of Tatoosh Island.
Tatoosh Island,
off the tip of the Cape, is uninhabited and is off-limits except to the Makahs, for whom it is a sacred place.
Polly DeBari,
a cultural interpreter for the Makah Cultural & Research Center, provides information at the end of the trail.
From Cape Flattery
we drove south to Forks, a town that claims 140" of rain annually (the most in the contiguous 48 states).
This memorial
honors loggers who lost their lives in the forests, and from other causes.
Our next overnight was here,
just north of Forks, on the banks of a river.
Next morning,
off we go to the ocean beaches, also part of the Olympic National Park.
This information panel tells
the story of St. James Island, part of the rugged seascape at La Push.
Misty moody morning
at La Push.
La Push
Busy fishing harbor
at La Push.
Riverfront restaurant, which
I was told was a coast guard station in earlier days.
Breakfast
in La Push.
This resort
is currently undergoing a major expansion.
New cabins
at Quileute Oceanside Resort.
These cabins
are the Resort's existing accommodations and, to my eye, much more appealing than the new ones.
HUGE beach logs!
Xoe is in this photo to show scale.
A lot of force
was needed to uproot this tree.
On the beach
at La Push.
Rialto Beach
is north across the river from La Push; there is no bridge at La Push so it's several miles' drive to get there.
Sign boards
tell of the beauty and risks of hiking on ocean trails.
The joys of La Push
included hearing the surf and watching pelicans.
From La Push,
we drove inland to the Soleduck Valley for a stay at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.
The main lodge
at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.
Photos in the lodge
show the Resort in earlier days, before its destruction by fire.
Guests arriving
in the early 1900's.
Cabins are arranged
in crescent patterns on large lawn areas.
Our Cabin 124,
on the bank of the Sol Duc River.
Spacious, comfortable,
immaculate, peaceful. NO television, NO telephone, NO internet access.
Swings for relaxing
overlook the river.
The natural hot springs.
Two round soaking pools (100 & 105 degrees), a shallow wading pool, and a large cooler swimming pool.
As we left Sol Duc,
we sought a National Forest trail where Xoe could hike off leash. (National Parks have rigid rules for dogs; National Forests are more relaxed.)
Free at last!
Xoe and I were both more than ready for a leash-free hike.
Many logging trucks
were carrying timber out of the Olympics, particularly near Neah Bay.
Gifts for Bill:
Smoked salmon from Take-Home Fish Co., and a cap which we hope will him good luck at the poker table.
Woodland Park Zoo
Welcome to
Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo
Bronze sculptures
created by Georgia Gerber (a Whidbey Island sculptor) add fanciful touches to our explorations.
Another bronze
shows playful pups.
The Savanna animals
are all out and about on this fine day.
Open sunny areas
are enjoyed by the savanna residents.
Safari country
Giraffes and ostriches share their sundrenched home.
The pair of
ostriches.
Zebras
are delightful to watch.
Zebras graze
in the background, hippos snooze in the foreground.
Explanatory signs
are helpful to visitors.
Hippopotamus
cooling off on this warm day.
Giraffe enjoying lunch
from a high feeding bag.
Giraffes and Zebras
share their habitat.
Giraffe feeding station
where zoo visitors can feed a giraffe for a fee. A giraffe's tongue can be 17 inches long!
Portrait
of a Woodland Park favorite.
These savanna residents
are hard to see on this day.
The Patas monkey
is just visible in center of the photo.
We learn about
the savanna climate.
The elephant area
has a display of equipment used by elephants doing lumberjack work in days gone by.
Three elephants
live at Woodland Park. On the left, an Asian elephant; on the right, an African.
The Asian elephant
drinks and plays at the pool.
The African elephant
approaches the pool. Her curled ear edges are an indication of aging.
Bath house
for the elephants.
The lion area
has two wonderful residents.
The pair of lions
enjoy a morning nap only a few feet from where we are standing.
The Tapir
is sometimes mistakenly thought to be an anteater.
Tapir
on the move.
Tapir
at rest.
The story of
the African Wild Dogs.
.
.
Wild dogs
are sleeping in this cave.
The dogs stir
and start to move around.
Wild dogs
on the prowl.
A profile
for comparing the wild dog with our favorite domestics.
The Macaques
are active and fun to watch.
A Macaque
views its domain.
.
.
The Orangutan area
offers a wealth of information.
Another wonderful bronze
.
"Suspended Moment"
.
A female orangutan
comes out for a visit. We're told she is a favorite of the zoo staff.
Another orangutan
enjoys the greenery.
Snuggled in
for a nap. The orangutans like to curl up in burlap sacking at nap time.
This way
to see the magnificent snow leopard!
Snow leopard
surveys us calmly, occasionally yawning to let us see his very impressive teeth!
The tigers
are thrilling to see. (No fights this day however.)
This tiger
rises from his nap.
On the move,
starting his walkabout.
He moves lithely
towards us.
An opportunity
to learn about the jaguar.
This handsome jaguar
enjoys his siesta.
Notice
the well-chewed bone near his paws.
Wonderful flowers
and amazing landscaping make the zoo beautiful, while creating authentic habitats for the animals who live here.
An Emu
in the Australia area.
Grizzly bears
have a large area in the Northern Loop area.
The Grizzlies
are on the move during our visit.
.
.
Off they go
for a walkabout.
A pair of bald eagles
in the Northern Loop area.
We learn
about the Colobus monkeys.
A Colobus monkey
at rest.
Educational signs
are found everywhere.
The gorilla area
is a favorite. Here we read about this specific gorilla group.
Another bronze sculpture
and its admirers.
This girl
naps within inches of where we stand.
Mother gorilla
leads her family group. The baby's father, a silverback male, lives in a different area.
Mother watches
as her 9-month baby and 5-year-old daughter play nearby.
Playful baby,
patient mother.
.
.
.
.
Swing-time!
This amuses the baby (and observers) for quite a while.
These lovely cranes
were a treat to see.
White-Naped Crane
at rest.
.
.
Flamingoes
and their reflections.
This life-size bronze
is outside the south entrance of the Woodland Park Zoo.
Mother baboon
and youngsters.
Father baboon,
standing guard. We'll let him serve as "The End" of this photo story of our day at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo.
Montana 08-08
Glacier National Park
Xoe's and my August road trip included seeing this beautiful place.
Our trip centered on
visiting Margo Janke, a friend since high school & college days, in Bozeman.
The U. of Montana
marching band's pre-season practice, in a park near campus in Missoula, Montana.
Section practices
after some marching practice of the whole band.
Scientists
working on dinosaur bones at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman.
Dinosaur skeleton
One of many displays at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman.
There are many models
of dinosaurs in the museum. This fierce fellow is on the back of a huge one.
Dining out in Bozeman
We used to enjoy splurging on desserts in college days; we still do!
Driving from Bozeman
to Glacier National Park was beautiful, on lightly traveled roads.
The railroad underpass
where Hwy 49 passes under the railroad tracks in East Glacier Park, MT.
East Glacier Park,
a charming village, was my favorite overnight on the trip.
Signs along the way
help travelers understand the places visited.
.
.
Great Mexican food
at Serrano's, in East Glacier Park. Its popularity often means an hour's wait.
Our favorite overnight
was at Mountain Pine Motel, in the hamlet of East Glacier Park.
A pine forest setting
is peaceful and quiet. The owner, a lifetime resident, is a wonderful host.
Mountain Pine Motel
hosts invite guests to use their living room for relaxing and visiting.
Glacier Park Lodge,
built in 1913, is across the road from the Amtrak Station -- easy for guests!
Glacier Park Lodge
has lush lawns and flower gardens for the enjoyment of visitors.
Glacier Park Lodge
.
The Lodge's doors
help tell the story.
The Lodge's architecture
is interesting; tree trunks serve as support beams.
View from
the railroad station platform, across huge lawns and gardens to the Lodge.
The historic station
at Glacier Park, MT. Many visitors arrive by Amtrak.
More
of the Great Northern Railway story.
Several forms
of public transport are offered to visitors to Glacier National Park.
These Red Buses
are seen frequently in and near the Park.
All aboard!
The red buses have sun roofs to provide air and better views for sightseers.
Early on August 23
all highway traffic stopped as 30+- horses were driven down the highway.
Here they go,
off the highway and into their corral.
This horse
didn't want to go into the corral, and required a bit of extra attention from the wranglers.
Two Medicine area
in southeast area of Glacier National Park.
Running Eagle Falls
is the focus of a lovely trail walk in the Two Medicine area.
.
.
The lodge in the
Two Medicine area.
Glacier National Park
has several grand old lodges.
St. Mary Lake,
one of many lovely views on the Going to the Sun Road.
St. Mary Lake
.
Glacier National Park
.
Logan Pass
Visitor Center.
A stroll behind
the Visitor Center at Logan Pass.
Stunning views
along Going to the Sun Road.
Road repair in summer
results in many long slow-going one-way traffic sections.
After leaving the Park,
heading towards Bonners Ferry ID, there were many historic markers of interest.
.
.
The Frater Lake area
was laced with cross-country ski trails, which in summer make fine hiking.
Xoe, the Hiking Dog
Xoe is a fine traveler: companion, protector and friend.
Here we are
in front of a warming hut (closed in summer).
An interesting stop
along Hwy 20.
The story of
"Little America" is told in signboards, sculptures and terrain.
.
.
.
.
More of the
story of Little America and Camp Growden.
.
.
.
.
Winthrop,
on the eastern slopes of the North Cascades, is a popular tourist destination.
Winthrop's main street
is created as a "frontier town".
Winthrop
.
Driving over Hwy 20
in the North Cascades of Washington.
North Cascades
.
A trailhead sign --
one of many.
Trail maps
are posted at many of the trailheads along Hwy 20.
North Cascades
in August.
.
.
Many streams
pour from granite walls.
The Lake Diablo
viewing area offers a wealth of information.
.
.
Lake Diablo
.
What a color!
. . . even on an overcast day . . .
Near Gorge Dam
.
Near Gorge Dam
.
A popular attraction
in Newhalem, a company town owned by Seattle City Light. Last stop before home!
Hawaii May 2008
Hawaii, May 2008
Mahaulepu Beach on Kauai is one of many splendid beaches we enjoyed on this trip.
Harbour Court
Our "home away from home" with Kit and Bruce, April 30-May 2, after flying Vancouver-Honolulu on April 30.
Enjoying lunch
at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, after seeing the special exhibit of the Sacred Arts of Bhutan.
Our ship comes in!
Carnival Spirit arrived at 7:00 am Thursday May 1. Giffords' lanai offers a fine view of Aloha Tower and the harbor.
May Day celebration
We enjoyed elegant dining at Chai's Island Bistro at Aloha Tower.
Nighttime view
of Spirit, seen from Harbour Court. We boarded the ship on May 2, and sailed away to Kauai at 6:00 p.m. on May 3.
We wave farewell
to Kit and Bruce, who watched from their lanai as Spirit left Honolulu.
Good-bye, Honolulu!
Harbour Court and Aloha Tower recede from view as we leave Oahu, heading to Kauai.
Diamond Head
Checking out the dining room
where we'll join Joan and Dale for dinner on the ship.
A "pet" made from towels,
created by our cabin steward.
May 4, Kauai
Approaching Nawiliwili early morning of Sunday May 4.
Coming into the harbor
Nawiliwili, Kauai.
Nawiliwili Lighthouse
Kauai
Nene goose,
the Hawaiian state bird -- Kauai.
Kilauea Lighthouse
Our rental car gave us freedom to revisit favorite places on Kauai.
Hanalei Valley Lookout,
a favorite viewpoint on the north shore of Kauai.
The taro fields
provide refuge to wildlife.
Signs explain what we see.
Waimea Canyon
Kauai
The red soil of Kauai
View down Na Pali
from Puuokila Lookout, Koke'e State Park, Kauai
View over Na Pali
Kauai
Mahaulepu Beach
is a gorgeous peaceful beach accessed by dirt "cane roads" beyond Poipu.
Good-bye, Kauai!
The trusty tugs
help big ships maneuver.
Back on board
overnight, May 4. Sushi is on offer every evening.
Pharaoh's Palace,
the theater where shows are offered each evening.
May 5, Big Island (Kona)
A bumpy Zodiak trip for wonderful snorkeling by Captain Cook Monument in Kealakekua Bay.
Crystal clear water
provides superb snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay.
Needle Urchin
Back on the ship, leaving Kona.
Lido Deck, where buffets offer breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A string trio
offered classical music several times each day.
May 6, Big Island (Hilo)
We enjoyed an excellent tour of the Puna district, which included this waterfall near Hilo.
Puna District, Big Island
Lava Tree, Alahanui, Isaac Hale, and Mackenzie Parks each have great beauty and historical and geological interest.
Lush foliage
in keeping with the high rainfall levels near Hilo.
Ferns
Puna District
Warm ocean pool
created by man.
"The Office"
. . . well, not really. A casual outbuilding in one of the parks we visited.
Coastline, Puna region
Rugged coastline,
Puna District.
Lava tube
beneath where we were walking. Some visitors climbed down and walked through it.
Pahoehoe
is the ropey, smooth-surfaced lava. (A'a is rough and spiny, a bit like a clinker.)
Black sand beach
now being recreated after the loss to lava flow of a well-known black sand beach near here.
Where lava meets the sea
Our road no longer reaches the place where lava flows into the sea. This is a distant view of steam thus created.
Current lava flow into the sea.
Go to LAVASEND.COM to see more of Jose D. Martinez's fine lava photos, taken from his skiff (a dangerous undertaking).
Lava flow in 1995
We parked very near this spectacular site/sight at the end of Chain of Craters Road in 1995 -- thrilling!
Another photo
taken in 1995 at the end of Chain of Craters Road.
Good-bye Hilo!
Back on board, the Fountain Cafe offers desserts and espresso drinks.
The atrium lobby area
A towel ray greets us.
May 7, Lahaina, Maui (Day 1)
We were anchored offshore at Lahaina, a good location from which to revisit favorite places.
Makena Landing
In a rental car we prowled Kihei, Wailea, Makena, and points south.
Makena
Molokini is in the center of this photo.
Back on the ship
after seeing Ulalena, the delightful theatrical production of Hawaii's history, myth, legend and music in Lahaina.
The library/internet room
May 8, Lahaina, Maui (Day 2)
This day, a snorkel excursion on MV Prince Kuhio that took an odd twist and became the "Snorkel Survival Adventure".
Aboard the snorkel boat
which we boarded at Maalaea Harbor. We were intended to go to Molokini but strong winds prevented that.
A member of the crew
explained we would go instead to Turtle Arches near Makena Beach, where conditions were expected to be calm.
Turtles!
We anchored and started snorkeling, in the company of turtles.
While I was enjoying
this turtle, the winds and surge came up, the anchor broke loose, and we and the crew faced major challenges.
The snorkelers were
instructed to hold onto floats while the crew tried to reposition and steady the boat so we could get back on board.
A "raft" of snorkelers
waiting to be picked up. This photo shows heads; the preceding photo shows the many kicking legs/feet/fins.
The boat pitches around
in the wind/current/surges. By the time we were back on the boat, we were exhausted and relieved to be back on board.
The bus ride
from the harbor back to the ship was pretty quiet! The excursion's cost was refunded to all passengers.
Brilliant Maui
viewed from our bus from Maalaea Harbor back to the ship.
Good-bye, Maui!
A farewell rainbow wished us well as we left Laihaina to begin our five days at sea, docking at Vancouver on May 14.
Around the ship on Sea Days
The stairway from the Fountain Cafe up to the library/internet room, and the Shanghai Lounge.
Monarch card room
There were bridge games here on all sea days, which were enjoyable.
View down into the atrium,
showing the glass elevators running between Deck 2 and Deck 9.
Position maps showing our ship
(even when, in the captain's words, going "from nowhere to nowhere" on sea days). Here, almost back to Vancouver.
Caribbean on Wind Spirit
Glorious Wind Spirit!
A wonderful ship, launched 1988, refurbished 2003, 2006, 2007. 148 passengers, 88 crew, 174 cabins.
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
We flew into STT on Thursday Jan. 10, sailed away on Saturday Jan. 12, and returned to STT on Saturday January 19.
Our hotel in Charlotte Amalie.
We arrived in the evening of Thursday Jan. 10 after long flights from Honolulu and Seattle.
Our room
at The Green Iguana, overlooking Charlotte Amalie.
Blackbeard's Castle,
next door to The Green Iguana.
The 99 Steps
are an invigorating walk down to/up from town and restaurants. Here's the view going down.
View of Blackbeard's Castle
looking up from town. The Green Iguana is tucked alongside the castle.
Sign posts
at the foot of the 99 Steps. We were told there are really 104 steps; we didn't count!
The 99 Steps
to return from town to our hotel room.
TJ's Terrific Tours.
Thomas gave us an excellent tour of his island on Friday Jan. 11.
Thomas tells us about
our views of the harbor at Charlotte Amalie.
Thomas's tour vehicle.
These safari-type vehicles were much used, very airy and comfortable.
Charlotte Amalie
viewed from above. The Havensight cruise ship docks are seen at the far left.
Views from high points
of St. Thomas.
So many islands!
This sign provides orientation to help identify the islands viewed from this grand lookout point.
Magens Bay.
Sapphire Beach, St. Thomas.
Small ducks
on parade at Sapphire Beach.
We return to our hotel
for our last overnight in Charlotte Amalie.
Our first view of Wind Spirit.
Saturday morning, from the window of our room at The Green Iguana, we see Wind Spirit docked at Crown Bay.
Noordam and Emerald Princess
were docked next to Wind Spirit at Crown Bay. In such company, Wind Spirit looks dainty, graceful, and very inviting!
Our itinerary.
Freda and Kit
on board Wind Spirit for an excellent "Sisters' Adventure".
Glorious sails
unfurl to take us away on our adventure.
Sights from the decks of Wind Spirit.
Sunset on Wind Spirit.
Navigation tool.
Captain Andrew Pedder
and staff. Having an open bridge, when safe to do so, is a great gift.
Setting the anchors.
Wind Spirit anchors at all ports other than St. Thomas. Tendering to shore from this size ship was a smooth procedure.
The crew watches
as the ship prepares to anchor.
Captain Andrew Pedder
tells us about our journey.
Introductions
of the staff.
Alejandro and Ardy,
our hard-working, helpful cruise/tour directors, taking a break for a visit to port.
Tender crew.
Sun. Jan. 13, St. John.
St. Thomas and St. John are the two U.S. Virgin Islands we visited. About 3/4 of St. John's land area is National Park.
Lowering the tender.
Tendering was handled efficiently and effectively.
Anchored at St. John.
This view was seen as we taxied to Trunk Bay.
More views of St. John beaches
as we taxi to Trunk Bay.
St. John.
Trunk Bay.
Trunk Bay.
Glorious sunset --
one of many . . .
Monday January 14.
St. Maarten/St. Martin, -- part Dutch, part French.
Wind Spirit anchors at Marigot,
St. Martin (French).
St. Martin/St. Maarten.
Joyce Prince provided us with a marvelous private tour of her island. Highly recommended!
St. Martin.
We stop at a high point for glorious views.
Overlooking Philipsburg,
St. Maarten (Dutch).
St. Maarten,
looking down on Philipsburg, on the Dutch side of the island. Note the salt pond in background.
Philipsburg,
overlooking the cruise ship harbor, with working cargo port in foreground.
St. Maarten.
Bougainvillea
seen on our St. Maarten/St. Martin tour.
Large pods on this plant,
locally called a locust.
"Bird Plant",
St. Maarten.
Banana plant and its blossom.
Vibrant color, lacy form.
St. Martin/St. Maarten.
Orient Beach,
St. Martin.
Orient Beach.
Orient Beach
is very popular!!
Back to Marigot,
St. Martin.
Marigot.
Lovely fountain, recently installed.
This sculpture on Marigot waterfront
invites visitors to take a photo through its "eye".
And here is that photo!
Birthday dinner Jan. 14.
Delicious cake!
St. Barts, Tues. Jan. 15.
Known as St. Barthelemew, St. Barts or St. Barths -- a favorite island, very walking-friendly, very French.
Gustavia, St. Barths,
where our tenders docked. A great town for walking.`
A rainbow fragment.
Wind Spirit
anchored at Gustavia, St. Barths.
Shell Beach,
St. Barths.
Shell Beach,
an easy walk from the tender dock, was covered with wide, deep swaths of shells. Good snorkeling also.
Sea shells a foot deep --
unbelievable!
Shell Beach
is meant to be kept free of cigarette debris.
Walk around the harbor
of Gustavia, St. Barths.
Yachts at St. Barths.
A happy Caribbean cat
on St. Barths.
Hotel in Gustavia.
St. Barths is French, and looks and feels French.
Fort on the hill
above the Gustavia harbor.
Sports yard above harbor
where students play after-school sports -- Gustavia.
Wind Spirit's tender
takes us to and from grand new places.
Deck barbecue Tues. 1/15
The BEST meal of the week! (All food was wonderful, but this was THE BEST.)
Come and get it!
. . . and we did . . . Yum!
The crew show
after the deck BBQ. This Michael Jackson act was the highlight -- very good, very funny.
More of the crew show.
Fine dancers
among the passengers.
Tortola, British V.I. - 1/16/08.
We anchored at Soper's Hole, thus avoiding crowds from large cruise ships docked at Roadtown that day.
Snorkeling at Tortola.
We boarded "Airborne" for interesting snorkeling along the shores of Norman Island.
Miguel,
our delightful snorkel guide.
Caves where we snorkeled.
I'd not snorkeled into a cave before -- a new and interesting experience.
92-year-old Ruth
and her daughter, with Miguel and Justin.
View from Airborne
on our way back to Soper's Hole from Norman Island.
We pass by Wind Spirit
as we return from snorkeling at Norman Island.
Returning from the tender
after the snorkel at Norman Island.
Evening views
from Wind Spirit.
Jost Van Dyke, Thurs. Jan. 17.
A favorite island! [Note: "Jost" is pronounced "Yost".]
Tender preparing for launch
to take us to shore on Jost Van Dyke.
Alejandro,
our competent and cheerful tour director, assists passengers board a tender, with the help of a rainbow.
A rainbow welcomes us
to Jost Van Dyke. The tender seems to be at "the pot of gold".
Wind Spirit
anchored in Great Bay, Jost Van Dyke.
The beach of Great Bay
where we anchored at Jost Van Dyke.
Jost Van Dyke.
We greatly enjoyed this lightly populated, unspoiled island.
Methodist Church,
Jost Van Dyke.
Jost Van Dyke,
looking back at Great Bay while walking over the hill to White Bay Beach. (Steep hot walk -- I taxied back.)
Wild goats
were seen on several islands, including these on Jost Van Dyke.
White Bay Beach,
a favorite: beautiful beach, wonderful snorkeling, few people.
Jost Van Dyke.
White Bay,
Jost Van Dyke.
Waiting for the tender
to return to Wind Spirit at Jost Van Dyke.
Virgin Gorda Jan. 17-18.
Lovely anchor site here. Tendering was provided to Bitter End Yacht Club and/or the beach on Prickly Pear Island.
We were anchored
at Virgin Gorda from the evening of Thursday Jan. 17 to 5:00 p.m. Friday Jan. 18.
Wind Spirit's unique anchor site.
Bitter End to the right, Prickly Pear to the left, a tiny private island just beyond, and Gun Creek in foreground.
Bitter End Yacht Club.
Open air lobby
of Bitter End Yacht Club.
Diagram of Bitter End Yacht Club,
Virgin Gorda.
The trusty tender
takes us away to visit The Baths on the far end of Virgin Gorda.
Our driver/guide
for our sightseeing drive from Gun Creek to The Baths.
The Baths.
We walk around giantic boulders down the path to the water.
We felt tiny
surrounded by these huge boulders at the Baths.
This shows the immense size
of these boulders.
Boulders at the beach.
The Baths.
We're told there is good snorkeling here, but there was too much surf for safe snorkeling on this day.
Take note!
Devil's Bay Trail
has its pitfalls. NOTE: There's an alternate path between Devil's Bay and the parking area. Easier and safer -- use it!
On the trail
to Devil's Beach
Along the trail
to Devil's Beach at The Baths.
The Baths.
Huge boulders
at the Baths.
Seen on the alternate trail
to/from Devil's Bay Beach. The piggy-backing "small" rock is NOT small!
Time to leave now!
Our guides at the Baths summon us back to our waiting vehicles.
Two great viewpoints
were stops for photos en route back to our tenders at Gun Creek.
The Atlantic side of
Virgin Gorda, as seen from a high viewpoint where we stopped on the way back from The Baths.
Wind Spirit
is the small white dot in the center of this sweeping landscape of Virgin Gorda.
Drawing nearer
to Wind Spirit anchored at Virgin Gorda.
We say good-bye
to our driver/guides at Gun Creek, as we board tenders back to our beach BBQ.
Back to Wind Spirit.
After our Baths excursion, we tendered back from Gun Creek to the beach BBQ at Prickly Pear Island.
Prickly Pear Island,
site of the beach barbecue on Friday January 18 -- our last day on Wind Spirit.
Farewell, Wind Spirit!
We taxied to the Marriott for a leisurely lunch, a good thing to do during the long wait from 8 am disembarkation to mid-afternoon flights from STT.
Hanging out at the Marriott.
A better plan for future would be to stay overnight in STT and fly home the next morning.
Views from the decks at the Marriott.
Interesting old structures
built into the cliffs at the Marriott site.
Treasures brought home.
The pendant's Larimar gemstone comes from Dominican Republic. The pelican came aboard at Bitter End Yacht Club.
Coming home to our view
of Useless Bay, Double Bluff, the Puget Sound shipping lanes, and the Olympics, shown with fresh snow on Jan. 28.
Mexico Riviera/Sea of Cortez
Our Mexico cruise
Holland America's Ryndam
A fine ship + a fine itinerary = a fine adventure!
Our itinerary
for the 10 days in Mexico.
Map of our itinerary
First port of call
Puerto Vallarta waterfront
Interesting artwork abounds on the waterfront walking areas.
More sculptures
Puerto Vallarta waterfront art
A whimsical fellow
on Puerto Vallarta's waterfront
Have a seat
with an ear for a back rest and "feet" for the bench's legs.
Sand sculpture of Last Supper
This was sculpted several months ago, and is tended daily by the artist.
Traditional spiral descent
from the top of this pole. The athletes do this for visitors, and hope for donations for their performance.
Down, down they spiral.
Three of the five
men who perform this act. They are dressed in the traditional costumes of their outlying province.
Our cooking class lunch
Bill is about to put together his enchilada, after making his own tortillas.
Second port of call
Our ship, the Ryndam,
as seen from the shore of Stone Island after we'd crossed on small ferries.
Pacifico Brewery
as seen from the small boat ferrying us to Stone Island.
Stone Island waterfront
Pelicans!
There's no doubt about who "owns" the waterfront here.
"In the company of pelicans"
Who outnumbers whom?
I think the pelicans outnumber the boats -- what do you think?
Small passenger ferries
that took us to/from Stone Island
Randi and Tony
Randi organizes the horseback riding excursions; Tony's family cares for and handles the horses.
At the home of the horses
where family members share their newly hatched chicks with the children who will go riding.
A child loving a baby chick
before starting on the horseback ride.
The beach where our ride ended
Unfortunately, I did not get a photo of myself on my wonderful horse, who gave me such a pleasurable ride.
Victor's restaurant
on the beach on Stone Island.
Busy in the kitchen
at Victor's Restaurant
My delicious lunch
of butterflied prawns and wonderful things to go with them. Yum!
Our first stop in Sea of Cortez
We board our small boat
for the Bay, Birds and Dolphin excursion.
Confiscated boats
Unlicensed fishermen's boats are confiscated and piled here, kept until fines are paid. There were lots of them.
Bottlenose dolphins
come to play with our boat. These were the first of many who shared this day with us.
More . . .
. . . and more . . .
. . . ever playful . . .
The dolphins come for
fun and for company. No feeding takes place.
Bird Island
is an amazing place. There are thousands of birds, of more than 50 species.
The shoreline
of Bird Island
Roseate spoonbills
are splashes of pink. Countless egrets/herons are seen.
Topolobampo
A curious town stacked up from the shores.
This ship is now a school,
permanently docked.
Second port on Sea of Cortez
Ryndam anchored at Loreto
This was the most beautiful of the places we docked or anchored.
Gorgeous horizons here.
Going to shore
in the tender at Loreto.
View of Loreto
from the ship, watching the tender come to pick us up.
Pelicans think they own
Loreto -- and maybe they do!
Pelicans, pelicans!
I loved watching them, and couldn't resist photographing them.
Lined up on the breakwater
at Loreto
A brazen seagull
keeps company with the pelicans.
Pelicans at Loreto
Loreto town square/plaza
Wonderful young soloist
This 14-year old boy gave a marvelous concert -- he is a gifted vocalist.
The church tower
The church
Church in Loreto
Church in Loreto
Yard of the mission church
Yard of the mission church.
An old sign in the museum
adjacent to the church in Loreto.
Lovely old hotel
in Loreto.
Furnishings in the old hotel
Loreto, inside hotel
Loreto
Old hotel in Loreto
Seen while walking
in Loreto.
Sailing south from Loreto
Sea of Cortez
south of Loreto.
Sea of Cortez Sunset
Next port of call!
Musicians serenade us
at the dock at Pichilingue
Marina near our ship's berth
We left from here for our day of snorkeling.
Wonderful water colors
near the Pichilingue marina.
Off we go!
The boatride to our snorkel sites was beautiful.
Views from the snorkel boat
Our boat's skipper
and his son.
Our first snorkel site
was this tiny island with a small lighthouse and many resident sea lions and birds.
Sea lions on the right --
birds on the left.
Sea Lions "own" this island.
Birds also call it home.
Our second snorkel site
was a larger island with many birds, and lovely coral near its shores, as well as fish. Note the blue heron.
Narrow passage between islands.
We approach Balandra Bay
with its gorgeous white sand beaches, uninhabited and undeveloped, described by our guide as "virgin beaches".
Shores of Balandra Bay
An idyllic day for kayakers
in Balandra Bay
My favorite snorkel spot
There were countless fish all around this tiny "islet".
Such a special place!
The water color was impossibly beautiful.
Heading back from snorkeling
Back to the dock,
then back to the ship.
Beach near La Paz
This shot was taken from our shuttle bus on the way into La Paz.
La Paz esplanade
La Paz is a beautiful small city.
Back on Ryndam
for another fine dining experience.
"Master Chef's Dinner"
We all had chef's hats -- the crew earned theirs, whereas ours were honorary.
Our dining table
at the window at the stern of the ship provided great view dining -- sometimes of leaping dolphins.
"Chef's Parade"
The dining room staff
puts on a good show.
Sunset over the Sea of Cortez
April 29, 2007.
A peaceful evening scene
on the shores of the Sea of Cortez.
A chocolate dragon
was one of many delicious showpieces at the dessert buffet.
Another dragon,
this time carved on a watermelon.
Chocolate castle!
Cake anyone??
My favorite cake,
with a whimsical frog and toadstool.
Last port in Mexico!
Cabo's shoreline
with our friends' low-rise condo complex, with many palm trees, in the center of the photo.
Lunch with Helen and Bob
at a lovely restaurant on their beach.
Leaving Cabo
Rounding the point
Good-bye, Cabo San Lucas!
A sampling of our menagerie
Each day our cabin steward left us a new "pet" made from folded towels (monkey, sting ray, bear, etc.)
The last part of the journey
HOME AGAIN!
Xoe and Danner are delighted to be home, as are we. Here they are with some of their favorite toys.
Costa Rica/Wind Star
Wind Star
is one of three ships of the Windstar fleet, all of which are powered by sail (weather permitting).
Facts and figures
148 passengers, 90 staff -- here are the details about Wind Star, "our ship".
Wind Star's Costa Rica itinerary
January 13-20, 2007. Home port was Puerto Caldera.
This charming small hotel
near the San Jose airport was a good choice for my first and last nights in Costa Rica.
My room Hotel La Riviera
Room 13 is a spacious room with high ceilings and a private lanai. A good choice!
One of La Rivera's lounge areas
Pool area
of Hotel La Riviera B&B. Lovely views.
Hotel grounds
San Francisco Church
near Hotel La Riviera, San Antonio, Belen (near San Jose airport).
The adventure begins
with Coach Costa Rica's excellent transfer service from my hotel to the ship.
Francisco and Fago
My early afternoon arrival at Wind Star allowed time to explore the ship and meet the port security team.
Feeling right at home!
An off-duty break for Fago allowed time for us to get acquainted.
Wind Star Cabin 135
Compact, well-designed, and quiet, with a marvelously comfortable bed.
Portholes with a wet view!
The sound and sight of sloshing waves were part of the ambience in Wind Star's cabins.
Cabin 135
Everything I could need, including a Bose sound system with an I-pod available on request.
The pool deck
was a very social area where food and drink were usually available.
Main dining room
Open seating meant we dined when and with whom we wished. Wonderful cuisine.
Wind Star Zodiacs
took us to shore for "wet landings" on beaches at ports with no piers.
Wind Star's "open bridge",
unusual since 9/11, was a delight. It was closed during port arrivals and departures, open at most other times.
The Bridge
At night the ship's night-watch crew pointed out the constellations. I have never seen such brilliant night skies
Wind Star's magnificent sails
unfurl. Over 90 percent of our voyage was powered by sail, which is unusually high -- we had great sailing weather!
Sail on, Wind Star!
A beautiful sight at night
Carlos, our Costa Rica expert,
gave port lectures and provided us with rich resources and information. He was superb!
Our first port of call
Nicaragua
An all-day excursion took us into this land of volcanoes, huge lakes, and a challenging history.
Our excellent guide
in Nicaragua shared his country's flag with us, as well as its history.
Masaya Volcano
This volcano is NOT one to be near when it erupts. Huge rocks spew forth, and have been deadly.
A group of dancers
performed for us in Nicaragua. Our guide introduced them and explained their dance program.
A boy selling trinkets
on the street in Granada. This was common in Nicaragua, not in Costa Rica.
La Gran Francia
is a beautifully restored historic building in Granada, which now houses a fine restaurant and hotel.
We enjoyed a fine lunch here.
The lush gardens
of La Gran Francia, Granada, Nicaragua.
View over rooftops
Granada, founded in 1524, is considered a "living museum" of Nicaragua history.
Murals in the courtyard
of the Convent of San Francisco, Granada, now a cultural museum.
Convent of San Francisco
Granada, Nicaragua.
A depiction of a game
played by the indigenous people in earlier times.
Lush, colorful art
at Convent of San Francisco, Granada, Nicaragua
Stone Sculptures
from pre-Columbian cultures in Nicaragua
Granada's dramatic skyline
Granada is on the shore of Lake Nicaragua. Volcanoes rising out of this huge lake create a startling city skyline.
A dramatic volcano view
seen from our bus as we traveled from Granada back to San Juan del Sur.
A low key port day
This day, no excursion for me -- a walk through town, a swim on the town beach, and relaxing time on Wind Star.
Social hour before dinner
with Karal & Craig from Spokane, and Lani & Sean from the Portland area -- part of my shipboard "family".
Marlene and Lowry,
from the Portland area, who were traveling with their daughter Lani and her husband Sean.
Wind Star's captain,
a fine fellow who, before joining Windstar, captained a ferry in England.
Manuel Antonio National Park
is as they say: lush vegetation, plentiful wildlife, and gorgeous beaches with good swimming.
Manuel Antonio National Park
includes several lovely beaches.
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio
Jesus Christ Lizard
walks on water . . . or so they tell me. Seen in Manuel Antonio National Park.
Camouflage is excellent.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Again, good camouflage.
Boat-billed heron
Seen at Manuel Antonio and at Rio Claro, Marenco/Drake's Bay.
White-faced monkey
Also seen both at Manuel Antonio National Park and Marenco.
A gorgeous pre-sunset sky
Costa Rican dancers
performed on board Wind Star. The two children were VERY good and of course stole the show!
The roasted pig
was a centerpiece of the deck BBQ. My favorite choice was small lobster tails -- delicious!
Line dancing
led by crew members, and joined in by almost everyone.
My favorite shore day!
This lovely area is accessible only by boat -- no roads at all. It was peaceful, lush and gorgeous.
Anchored at Marenco.
A different angle
of Wind Star anchored at Marenco, as seen while hiking a trail that runs along the west coast of Costa Rica.
My Rio Claro guide
who paddled our blue boat up river to see wildlife, then stopped for a climb to a wonderful waterfall pool.
Sitting under this waterfall
felt marvelous -- a refreshing and cooling shoulder massage!
Soaked Freda
and our trusty "blue canoe" after the Rio Claro adventure.
A lovely Wind Star sunset . . .
. . . one of many.
The chocolate buffet
We have truffles!
And rum balls! And many other choices -- even chocolate ice cream, served by the pastry chef himself.
Wind Star's pastry chef
who creates magic with his desserts!
Curu National Wildlife Refuge
The morning of our last day of Wind Star adventures.
On the beach at Curu Reserve
Carlos, our Costa Rica expert,
is ready to help us at Curu. He is superb -- answers all questions, solves all problems, and is SUCH a nice person!
An explanatory signboard
at Curu. This ecosystem was well explained by these signs.
Curu Reserve
Signs warned visitors to watch for crocodiles.
Kayaks being towed
from Curu to Tortuga Island, for the afternoon beach BBQ and watersports playtime.
What an idyllic place
for the final afternoon of our Wind Star adventures.
"Our beach" on Tortuga Island
Beach chairs and picnic tables were set up along the right side of the beach.
Wind Star at anchor
The zodiacs brought passengers to shore. Note the kayaks ready for us to use.
Tortuga Island views
Beach at Tortuga Island
Great swimming beach!
A nest of turtle eggs
hatched in our midst that afternoon. Countless tiny turtles clambered out of their nest and scrabbled to the sea.
Go, turtle, go!!
This was a thrill of our trip, and of a lifetime!
Note the size
of this newly hatched turtle -- about the size of the human footprint's toe.
These babies MOVE!
View back to the west coast
from a high point on the drive from Puerto Caldera back to San Jose with my Coach Costa Rica driver/guide.
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
was a wonderful place to visit on the day the cruise ended, before flying back home the next day.
La Paz ladies' room
carries out the theme with waterfall washbasins, stone faucet handles, and wooden soap dispensers.
Rainforest paths
lead downward to butterflies, hummingbirds, frogs, and WATERFALLS!
Ox Carts
were a common form of transportation in earlier years.
La Paz guiding sign
Butterfly Observatory at La Paz
provides an education on the lives of butterflies.
A butterfly on my shirt!
This butterfly landed on my shirt, so I held my camera out in front to try for a photo. It worked!
Another butterfly at La Paz
Nocturnal frogs, well disguised,
sleep during daylight hours. La Paz staff members place small signs near them so visitors will be able to spot them.
My favorite frog
at La Paz.
This somewhat fuzzy photo
shows the tiny frog resting on the hand of a La Paz naturalist, and is included to show size/scale.
Birds at La Paz
dining on bananas.
There are five waterfalls
at La Paz Waterfall Gardens: El Templo, Magia Blanca, Encantada, Escondita, and La Paz.
Paths, stairways, and platforms
provide close viewing of the waterfalls.
Encantada & Escondita
Photos cannot convey the glorious sounds or the feel of spray on your face!
Don and JoAnn,
fellow Wind Star passengers, visiting La Paz with their Costa Rica friends.
A coffee plantation,
one of many seen en route from Puerto Caldera to San Jose, then on to La Paz. GOOD coffee in Costa Rica!
Back to Hotel La Riviera B&B
for my last overnight in Costa Rica.
Another brilliant morning
as I leave for the San Jose airport on January 21 to fly back home. What a marvelous trip!
Mount Baker
Glacier is the small town
just before Hwy 542 enters the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Graham's in Glacier
houses a small grocery store and a casual restaurant.
Milano's Restaurant in Glacier
offers excellent Italian cuisine in a casual atmosphere.
Snowater
is a wonderfully located condominium complex on the Nooksack River, 1.5 miles past Glacier.
Our condo
Snowater is located just before park lands begin.
Just past Glacier,
heading into vast beautiful lands.
Be prepared!
A cautionary sign is posted at the park visitor center just beyond Glacier.
Picture Lake
This tiny lake is well named: Mount Shuksan is viewed above and reflected below.
Heather Meadows Visitor Center
View from interpretive trail
at Heather Meadows.
Table Mountain
and lake below, viewed from Heather Meadows interpretive trail.
Piercing whistles!
We heard the loud whistles of Hoary Marmots (nicknamed Whistle Pigs), but never caught sight of them.
Artist's Point
Nova, Adventure, Xoe and Freda set off on Day 1 of hiking.
Artist's Ridge Trail
A beautiful one-mile loop trail with interpretive signs.
View from Artist's Ridge Trail
View toward the south
from Artist's Ridge Trail.
Mount Shuksan
with drifting clouds, as seen from Artist's Point.
Fun in the snow!
Children + sled = FUN! This snow patch was by the Artist's Point parking lot.
Chain Lakes Trail
is the horizontal line about midway down this steep mountainside.
Mount Baker
viewed from Chain Lake and Ptarmigan Trails.
Xoe enjoys the view
from Chain Lakes Trail.
View from Chain Lakes Trail
Mount Baker
Off we go to Milano's
for fine dining after a day of gorgeous views and challenging hiking.
View of Church Mountain
seen from our condo and on our way to the Damfino Lakes Trail for Day 2's hike.
Deep forested canyons
along the road to the Damfino Lakes Trailhead.
Damfino Lakes
Nova, Adventure & Xoe
on the Damfino Lakes Trail.
Damfino Lakes Trail
crosses a small stream, then continues across lovely meadows and ascends to Excelsior Pass.
Mount Baker
viewed from Excelsior Pass, with brilliant blueberries and heather in the foreground.
Another mood of Mount Baker
as seen from Excelsior Pass.
Xoe by "Picnic Rock"
where we enjoyed our lunch on the gorgeous ridgetop at Excelsior Pass.
Another day, another hike!
Off to Heliotrope Ridge Trail.
The trailhead sign
A rushing stream
with waterfalls. This part of the trail was challenging.
Almost to the top!
Mount Baker from Heliotrope Ridge Trail.
Columbia Glacier
at the foot of Mount Baker, as seen from the end of Heliotrope Ridge Trail.
Mount Baker
viewed from Mount Baker Vista, at the end of Forest Service Road #39.
Mountain formations
as seen from road to Mount Baker Vista.
Mount Baker + a plane
An interesting addition to the view from Mount Baker Vista.
Belize May 2006
Welcome to Belize!
SeaTac - DFW - BZE on American, then Tropic Air to San Pedro.
Mata Rocks welcomes me.
Sea view from my lanai
Mata Rocks Room 2, my home away from home.
View of pool and sea
from my lanai
Squirrel's Nest
Nice bar on the beach. Continental breakfast is served here each morning.
Sunrise from my lanai
View from the beach
My Mata Rocks Room 2 is at the center of this photo.
Royal Palm
Private home
just a short walk south of Mata Rocks
Victoria House bar
Victoria House
Restaurant on right, casitas on left
A perfect beach scene
Oh what a beautiful morning!
Royal Caribbean Villas
Fido's Sandbar
Fido's new location, south of Victoria House, right next to Royal Caribbean.
Fido's Sandbar in background
Royal Caribbean Villas pool in foreground
Private home
Beautiful pool!
Fun art on the doors!
Private home
Sign says: "Warning: Attack trained conch!"
Beach villa
Lions Club Park
Alfonso with a nurse shark
Nurse shark enjoying a tummy rub
Holding a friendly nurse shark
is a great privilege.
Sting ray
at Shark Ray Alley
Sea cucumber
A cluster of sea cucumbers
Colorful underwater world
Brain coral
Green spotted ray
shy -- usually not seen
Starting from Mata Rocks at left
and on north to town
Banana Beach
Grand Colony
Banyan Bay
Xanadu
Caribbean Villas
Coral Bay
Perla Escondida
Pet raccoon
on the beach with its owner and his buddies
Coconuts
Corona Del Mar
Crazy Canucks
Woody's Wharf
Exotic Caye
Belize Yacht Club
Yumi Restaurant is tucked behind at left
Belize Yacht Club
Tropical Touch Massage
Ramon's Village
approaching from the south
BC's
Blue Water Grill
part of the Sun Breeze Hotel
Sun Breeze Hotel
Ruby's Hotel
San Pedro Library
Holiday Hotel
Tackle Box
San Pedro Water Taxis (to Caye Caulker and Belize City) leave from here.
Mayan Princess
Spindrift Hotel
and Caliente Restaurant
Amigos Del Mar
Fido's viewed from the pier
Fido's Pier
Water taxis go from here to resorts to the north.
Aqua Marina Suites
Paradise Villas
Blue Tang Inn
Cemetery -- right in town
THE BRIDGE!
The bridge viewed from the west
Bridge viewed from the north
The palapa construction project is where the ferry landing used to be.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
In Jan. 2006, the ferry landed where the new structure is in preceding photo.
Coming over the bridge
from the north -- toll both is at the right
DandE's Frozen Custard
Eileen scoops delicious treats!
Elito
and his wife Rebecca own/operate SEAduced by Belize and Tabu Cafe.
Tabu interior
Yolanda
who remembered me from our January conversation in the SEAduced office!
The new bakery
Wonderful whole wheat bread with seeded crust, and other goodies.
El Fogon
Recently opened restaurant that gets high praise
Pedro's
Full moon over the Caribbean
enjoyed while dining at Caliente
Nano and Willie
Our guides for a fine Bacalar Chico excursion
Under the new bridge
and on into the lagoon, to circle the north end of Ambergris Caye
Residential areas on the lagoon
Note the water towers
A resort island
between Ambergris Caye and the mainland
Cayo Iguana
A bird nesting sanctuary
Brown heron
Cayo Iguana
north end of Cayo Iguana
Bacalar Chico park headquarters
Bacalar Chico picnic area
Bacalar Chico Plumbing
is a work in process
Iguana at Bacalar Chico
Through The Cut
Mexico on our left, Belize on our right
Dinner at Blue Water Grill
with Michelle and Karen, new friends made through this Message Board
Karen, Carlos & Michelle
Carlos was K. & M.'s fine tour guide for mainland excursions.
Black orchid
National flower of Belize
The black orchid
a tiny flower
Pelican
perched on Mata Rocks pier
Away flew the pelican
Turkeys -- tom and hen
in a yard in San Pedro
Iguana
on driveway at Mata Rocks
Sunning on a sea wall
south of Mata Rocks
Well camouflaged
Beach dog
Mata Rocks in the center
viewed from the decks of SEAduction
Elito at the helm
as we set off on the catamaran SEAduction for a sail to Caye Caulker
Lovely views from SEAduction
Approaching Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker
Waterfront street
Caye Caulker beach dog
Rainbow Cafe dining deck
View from Rainbow Cafe deck
of a catamaran bringing a group of students for lunch at the Cafe.
Cut through Caye Caulker
created by hurricanes. (North of town)
Park headquarters
north end of Caye Caulker, west shore.
Timmy's & Lavin Services
Herman at Timmy's offers Chinese take-out food; Tim Lavin provides email access.
Caye Coffee
Caye Coffee
A cheerful place for a caffeine fix!
The Sausage Factory
Sausage Factory display case
Subdivision sign
Buyers inquire here
Residential area
Note tract housing in background
Model Home
Sign for Model Home
Bright new paint job!
Walking through the neighborhood
Houses along a lagoon inlet
Another bright paint job
A different shade of green
Lagoon waterfront
Beautiful 9-month old baby girl
and her mother
Lagoon waterfront
Neighborhood Church
A neighborhood
near the lagoon waterfront
Good-bye, San Pedro!
Tropic Air's 1:00 flight takes off for BZE.
Good-bye, Belize City!
Carried away by American Airlines on May 18
Sunset at DFW
Sun setting behind the control tower at DFW -- our plane is in the foreground.
Treasures brought home
Caye Coffee, Marie's Hot Sauces, and lovely sea shells, including a small conch.
Here's the real "Xoe"
Xoe consents to my using her name as my board name. She's a great dog!
Belize 2006
Over the Caribbean
between Miami & Belize.
Aerial views
coming into Belize City.
Belize airport.
Belize International Airport.
A busy place for small planes.
Lucky me -- co-pilot's seat!
Tropic Air flight into San Pedro.
Views from our Tropic Air flight.
Flying into San Pedro,
viewed from the co-pilot's seat.
Getting there is half the fun?
From Tropic Air plane to taxi to the dock, onto our boat taxi to Belizean Shores.
Belizean Shores pier.
Unit 11-B Belizean Shores.
Great accommodations at a great location.
Our home for the week.
BIG papayas!
These were part of our Lagniappe order, and were marvelous.
Our lanai.
Evening glass of wine
on our lanai.
View from our Lanai.
Belizean Shores swimming pool --
lovely pool!
Belizean Shores pool bar.
Belizean Shores
swimming pool.
Mojitos at pool bar.
Pool bar
from customers' viewpoint.
This "well"
is the source of filtered drinking water at Belizean Shores.
Rhoda and Puji,
two of Belizean Shores "office angels".
We enjoyed tiny birds
and lovely flowers from our lanai.
Dawn walk on our beach.
Tiny delicate crab
taking an early morning walk (sideways of course) in the shallows.
Early morning --
looking for breakfast?
Cement pour.
Scaffolding and construction methods in use on project by Belizean Shores.
Essene Way property,
near Belizean Shores.
The Essene Way property
was not open for business when we were there, except for the restaurant.
Caliente Norte, on the Essene Way
property, had just opened December 2005.
Jenny and Eduardo
at Caliente Norte, our favorite restaurant.
Our favorite table
at Caliente Norte.
Our "Chariot of the Day"
for exploring San Pedro and environs.
The "road" into town.
"Boulevard" section
of the road.
Iguana on the rocks.
Pulling the ferry across "the cut"
which separates San Pedro from the northern part of Ambergris Caye.
The hand-pull ferry
over the cut.
New bridge under construction,
with hand-pull ferry rope in foreground.
Election time!
Need groceries?
"Truck barn".
John Deere tractors are the hauling machines here.
San Pedro.
Craft shop in San Pedro.
Lovely wood carvings here, some of which came home with us.
Lunch at Wild Mango's.
Great location, yummy food.
We are warned!
See the crocodile?
Near the water tower south of town.
Fido's,
viewed from across the street.
The dock at Fido's.
Water taxi leaving Fido's.
Spotted ray
alongside the dock in town.
A good viewing perch.
Another good viewing perch.
Alfonso
& his assistant Angel -- GREAT snorkel guides!
Alfonso and a ray.
My friend the ray,
s Alfonso assists in our friendly nose-to-nose meeting
Ray at Shark Ray Alley.
Rush hour at Shark Ray Alley.
"Take Me to Your Leader!"
Shark Ray Alley.
Shark Ray Alley
traffic patterns are complex!
Above and below.
Snorkel day with Alfonso.
Golden coral.
Study in Gold.
Jeffrey (Searious) was our excellent snorkel guide for Mexico Rocks & Tres Cocos
Tres Cocos snorkeling.
Spiny lobster hiding
under coral at Tres Cocos.
Delicate jelly,
Tres Cocos.
See the jelly?
Tres Cocos.
Green Spotted Ray
seen at Tres Cocos.
"Parking Space"
Tres Cocos.
Study in Blue.
A rainbow marks the end of a perfect snorkel,
as we returned to the boat after snorkeling at Tres Cocos.
Off we go to Lamanai with Tanisha Tours.
Fine views of mangroves along the Northern and New Rivers.
Rest Stop in Bomba --
primitive and very welcome.
Tanisha Tours Blue Bus
for transfer from their boat at Bomba to the next boat, on the New River.
Seen along the river.
Baby crocodile
by the river.
BIG termite nest
alongside the New River.
Flowers along the way.
Ten tiny bats roosting.
Seen on the river bank, these looked like lichen 'til they fluttered away.
Mennonite Farm
on way to Lamanai.
First glimpse of Lamanai ruins
from our boat on the New River.
arriving at Lamanai.
Tanisha guides bring our picnic to shore.
We've arrived!
Map of ruins.
Lamanai.
Lamanai ruins.
Lamanai,
beautiful and steeped in history and mystery.
Lamanai.
Lamanai.
Daniel teaches us well.
We learn about Stela 9.
Stela 9.
Stela 9 details.
Climbing the ruin.
Here I'm climbing high, steep stairs for stunning views from the top.
After a long climb,
looking down at those watching from below.
Fine views from the top
rewarded those who climbed up the ruin.
Sunrise at Belizean Shores.
Farewell to San Pedro.
Farewell . . . we'll be back!
Treasures brought home from Belize:
"Alfie", my ray carved from beautiful wood, with shells and coral.
Corals and shells.
The largest is 3" long, smallest 1/2". Very intricate and beautiful.
Ucluelet
Ucluelet,
on the west coast of Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada.
Our favorite restaurant
in Ucluelet.
"Our" Tauca Lea condo.
This resort complex is uniquely situated on an island accessed by a narrow causeway.
Our building backs onto
and overlooks the inlet. Our unit is at the near end, very private.
Living room -- Tauca Lea.
Very spacious with lovely views.
Second bedroom - Tauca Lea.
Xoe makes herself at home.
View from our deck.
.
Our view over the inlet.
.
Peaceful and serene.
A bear enjoys his breakfast.
Bears frequent this beach on the opposite shore of the inlet.
Wild Pacific Trail.
A trail of incredible beauty, a few miles south of Ucluelet.
Views along the trail.
.
Lighthouse
on Wild Pacific Trail.
Lighthouse
viewed from the north.
Views at every turn.
.
.
Trail views
Trail views
.
Nearing the end
of the Wild Pacific Trail.
.
End of the Wild Pacific Trail
except for the rain forest section.
Charming tiny restaurant
on the way to Tofino.
Pacific Rim National Park,
West Coast of Vancouver Island, BC Canada.
Long Beach,
Wickanannish Restaurant & Interpretive Center, Pacific Rim Park.
Xoe the beach dog!
Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park.
What a beach!
More trails
in rainforest section of the park.
Walk through rainforest.
Misty mystical rain forest,
Pacific Rim National Park.
Stairs to the beach,
Half Moon Beach, Pacific Rim National Park.
Half Moon Beach
Pacific Rim National Park