Camilla and Charle Motoring By

Cruise Day 3 - Halifax NS – Prince Charles – The Titannic Museum and Graveyard.

Lulu Moonlighting as ship librarian

Prince Charles and Camilla

J Dawson buried here

So far – the busiest day was Monday in Halifax, Nova Scotia. To speed the day up – we were awakened by the porter with our breakfast in bed. Every night you can leave a checklist on your doorknob of everything you want. Eggs – bacon – ham – toast – tea – coffee – Danish – cereal – fruit – anything you could think of us – arrived – on the house.

 

Halifax was going to be busy. Rumors had it that Prince Charles and Camilla would be there. We got off the boat and scurried toward city hall. We were on a back street and all of a sudden a cop halted us. He said nothing but I had the camera ready. All of a sudden a large motorcade came flying down the hill missing us by about 10 feet. It was Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. They were going to city hall to put a wreath on the war memorial and be welcomed by Canada – Nova Scotia – and Halifax. We watched the whole ceremony from about 50 feet away.

 

After the ceremony – the Maritime Museum was just down the hill. We had come to see the relics from the Titanic. We weren’t disappointed. After that – the museum host called a cab for us and we visited the Fairview Cemetery where 150 Titanic passengers are buried. We expected the ride to take 20 minutes- but in 6 minutes we were there. We had the cab wait and we went to the gravesites. We leached onto another group’s guide and enjoyed some of the lore. The cab dropped us off at the farmer’s market on the pier where we sampled some of the local ware.   As we left, Charles’ and Camilla’s motorcade was a block down the street again, having just visited the farmer’s market too!  I purchased a large jug of cider forgetting that the ship crew confiscated any booze. Lulu ran ahead – but to my surprise they did not take my two quarts of cider. I am drinking it as I type along with a little Canadian Club booty.

 

We just learned that they do not confiscate your booze – they charge you an $18 corking fee to drink it on the boat. Highway robbery.

 

We are on the high seas again – this time cruising over the famous Grand Banks – some of the betst fishing grounds in the world. This area is directly on the line between New York and England. It was the busiest ocean highway for hundreds of years. Halifax is the closest North American major port to Europe. They are also proud of their second largest natural port in the world. Both Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart stopped here for their final fueling spots on their famous non-stop flights.

 

Tomorrow is an exciting day. Sydney – Nova Scotia – is/was the center of the coal industry in Canada. We have rented a car to go tour a mine that extends out under the ocean. Welsh – Irish – and Scot miners came from Europe to work here – just like back in Tamaqua. Then we go on to Prince Edward Island and Quebec.

 

 

Cruise Day 2 – Bar Harbor ME – Lobster – Huckleberry Pie - Contraband

 

We pulled into Bar Harbor about 6 AM. We had breakfast in the buffet lounge on the top deck. Then they ferried us ashore on one of the life boats – about 70 people at a time.

 

Bar Harbor was overcast all day – but no rain – it was only 50 but there was no wind and it was nice. We shopped – looked at scenery – had lobster and blueberry pie – before we went back to the ship. Even though they do a body search when you get back on ship – a pint of Canadian Club slipped through. I guess this is what they meant when they said Joe Kennedy was a bootlegger. Bar Harbor must be busy in the summer – but this day it seemed that our ship kept the stores busy. Lulu got some blueberry soap.

Cruise Day 1 – Boston MA – Irish Pub – Fenway Park – Red Sox and Rain

We arrived in Boston on Friday evening just in time for supper and a ball game at Fenway Park. It was 70 degrees but it looked like rain. We took the free Silver Line form the airport to our Hyatt downtown. So far we had not spent much money. We were using some flight coupons that had to be used by June. Then Lulu had some hotel points with Hyatt – so it was light on the pocket so far. We decided to walk to the game – have dinner at an Irish pub – then try our luck for game tickets.

 

It was 2 miles thru the Boston Commons to the game. Nothing like a chicken pot pie at an Irish pub to get your blood stewing for a game. We had no trouble getting a couple game tickets for $20 – the clouds were dark so we were sure ot get under cover seats – even though they were in right field. After 3 innings the heavens opened up and we had an hour rain delay. The Red Sox were losing and we caught a cab back to see the end of the game in our room. A nice warm swim ended the first day.

 

The next morning the air cleared and it was an easy walk to the seaport – about two miles east. The ship was waiting and it was an easy on. We carried our bags to our room 347 – and it was off to the buffets.

 

We pulled out in 70s and sunshine.

Halifax - Maritime Museum and Titanic Exhibit

Halifax Nova Scotia - just was within 10 feet of Camilla and Prince Charles - will post video this afternoon

We arrived in Halifax Nova Scotia this morning at 8 am. Will be here until 5 pm. We attended welcome ceremony for Prince Charles and Camilla. It is cold but not unbearable. No rain but heavy overcast.

Our ship is smaller but a lot of fun. Things are closer. We have short walks to meals and shows.

We are going to titanic museum and cemetery now.

Will hook up regular computer this afternoon and push pictures.



Harry

Bar Harbor - Enjoying Lobster With Kathy and Fred Zimmerman

Bar Harbor - Maine - Picking Up Lobster For Jameis

Bar Harbor Maine - 50 And Overcast

We are having breakfast overlooking harbor. We are about to go ashore.

Our ship is very nice. About 1300 people. Surprised it is booked solid. Very few kids. Very few under 70 ;-)

Food is fantastic. A large variety.

We have phone service here but it is the last port in USA.

There was more movement than on the big new ships. You walk around like a drunk sailor :-)

We walked onto the ship early yesterday. We carried our bags and went right to room.

On trip you can still email me. Each port has some free wifi. Internet is crazy expensive on the ship - like $1 a minute.

Here we go.

Push off

It is 4:20 and we promptly brushed off. We are having fantastic weather For Boston -74 and bright sun.

Surprised the ship is full. About 800. We have seen 1 kid! Mom looks like miss America - she looks like the youngest person on board.

We are about 1 mile east of the south train station. We walked here from our hotel. About 2 miles.

It is a nice ship - veendam. About900 feet long. 14 decks. A theatre. Library. Casino. A large dining room. And a cafeteria on top deck. The pool roof opens and closes. There is a basketball court.

We are almost clear the harbor now just south of the airport.

Bar harbor tomorrow.

Mom loves not having work to do. Just relaxing and me not having the net. :-)

Bon voyage!

Harry

On Board realty to go

Boston - Enjoyed Fenway Park And Rain

Lulu got us a great free room at the Hyatt Regency downtown. She had points from a previous visit. We are right downtown at Boston Commons. We stopped at an Irish pub for supper on our two mile trek to Fenway park. We got tickets under cover for $20. It was a good think because it started to pour in the third inning. We has an hour delay - lucky it stayed warm - about 70. We ate junk food - cotton candy - fried dough - and chocolate ice cream. After 6 innings of a yawner and the score 1-0 we left. We went outside and a limo offered us a ride for $25. Lulu said no and we got a cab. It only cost $10 and got we back quickly. It poured off and on all night.

This opening we got up. The weather cleared a bit. I brought breakfast back to our room on the 20th floor. We will return to a nice heated stainless steel tube for a swim before we catch our ship at 1 pm. We pull out at 4 pm. I have tons of pictures if I find wifi before we pull out. The ship's internet is insanely priced.

Our first stop is Bar Harbor - Maine tomorrow.

Lulu said she could live in Boston if the pay were high enough.

Red Sox lost 1-0. FSU boys beat Duke last night and girls beat South Florida. They are both in the NCAA playoffs.

For the trip Lulu bought me a new iPhone 5S and a new Mac Book Air laptop. This is from the phone.

Fenway park from right field - sox 0 tigers 1. - tickets $20

Free silver line bus to our Hyatt downtown

On the plane to boston. No bumps.

We are in Atlanta on our jet to boston. We were hoping to get a volunteer bump ticket but no luck. We will arrive in boston at 3. Lulu has visions of seeing a ball game at Fenway park. We are staying at the Hyatt hotel downtown tonight. Our ship veendam leaves tomorrow at 4 pm for bar harbor Maine. The weather was perfect in Tallahassee when we left and Atlanta is the same. Looking forward to 40s and 50s for the next week. :-(


Harry

We Are On Our Way On A One Week Cruise Thru Maritime Canada

Who would be nutty enough to take a one week cruise in Canada in May? Yep - you guessed right. We are at the Tallahassee Airport - waiting on a flight to Boston via Atlanta. Tomorrow we board the Veendam on a cruise to Quebec City via the Maritime Provinces. Why? We had planes tickets we had to use by June - then Lulu found this cruise for under $400. We have never been to Newfoundland - Nova Scotia - New Brunswick - Prince Edward Island - nor Quebec City our final destination. We will then drive a rental car back to Boston - and return home next Sunday. We will not have many chances to hit free Internet - so this might be the last time your hear from us - if we freeze.

Tonight We Went To See Tommy - The Who's Live Rock Opera

JP and Wanda invited us to see a rock opera tonight. If you are as old as I am - you my remember The Who writing an performing a rock opera - Tommy. 

The students at Lincoln High School on the east side of town - took the challenge to perform this difficult piece. 

I was 20 when the double LP album was released. I used to play it over and over - many of the songs are classics like - Pinball Wizard. 

For $10 - we got to hear some very good musicians do an excellent job on this almost 50 year old piece. A spectacular light show helped move things along.