Granted, that although my journey will take place on a somewhat newer sailing vessel, thought this image taken from Google images would set the tone for a new (for me!) adventure.
August 4 to 5 - Home to Ship in Port of Dover, England.
SIGH! Yesterday (the combined day of August 4 and 5) was quite a day. This will be the first and last time I take a long flight and board a ship on the same day. Exhausting!
An almost 10-hour, calm and uneventful flight landed at Heathrow yesterday morning at around 10:30. Weather beautiful, sun shining, pretty clouds in the sky . . . perfect way to begin a vacation. But wait . . . then there's that awful crush when entering another country with all of the passport hassle. This shouldn't be a problem, but apparently there were long delays in planes arriving from the New York area, so lots of passengers coming into England at the same time.
There are new automated passport machines at Heathrow. When they work, this could be a perfect answer for getting people through the process quickly. However, lots of the machines were not functioning correctly, and of course, I was in one of those lines.
When the machine has reset from the person ahead of you, two gates automatically open, invite you to enter, and instruct you to put your passport face down in a tray, hold it down with your right hand, look into the mirror above that tray and wait for the process to complete. Your passport will then be scanned, a photo scan taken of your face, and you will be told to proceed. Not Working! Lots of people told to seek assistance at Desk 36. Desk 36 had a two-mile long line, not moving!! I ended up in that line after I'd tried, unsuccessfully, three times to do the automated entry.
While standing in the non-moving "queue" (we're in England now!), noticed another machine directly behind me that was working. Counted five out of five successes. Made the move to leave my place in the non-moving line and try again. When it worked for me, others tucked in behind me and hopefully it worked for them. Did laughingly exclaim that it must have been the Sign of the Cross and a quick Hail Mary that did the trick!!!
Was finally out of that sweltering mass (probably all Covid breathing people - most unmasked) and walking to find my one piece of checked luggage. More frustration as my brain was so tired from lack of sleep kept looking at the #5 carousel thinking it said #6! Luggage found, left the baggage area and went on the hunt for the Seabourn group that was to take me on a 2-1/2 hour ride to the Port of Dover. Couldn't find them!
When being thoroughly frustrated and defeated in my quest for "Quest", walked away to a quiet area, took out my phone to call Seabourn, looked up, and found that I was standing in front of a "Seabourn Quest" sign held by a gentleman. Another huge sigh of relief. There was another couple there with four of the biggest suitcases I've ever seen! We three waited and waited for two more passengers - almost one hour. There was such a mess in the passport area that they never found us. But one of the Seabourn group did find them, looked at their mountain of luggage and realized that he'd have to arrange another transport for them as all of our luggage would not fit into the current waiting van.
Finally on our way, tons of traffic in the middle of the day making our progress very slow. Half way there, our driver asked about a rest stop. We all declined, but guess he needed a rest stop. Thirty minutes (long rest stop!), later we were once again on our way to the Port of Dover.
Upon arrival, needed to get a Covid test and wait for the result. All okay - on to the ship and to my suite. At least I know this ship and found my suite quickly. With relief noted the two suitcases I'd sent on ahead, resting on my bed waiting for me to unpack. Beautiful flower arrangements and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot in an ice bucket also welcomed me. Wasted no time in opening up the champagne going out on to my balcony and gazing at the beautiful white cliffs of Dover!
After unpacking, had trouble getting on line, but with one phone call realized my problem. Then couldn't get on to my new blog site because it had been blocked by Seabourn . . . what? If you're reading this, you know I triumphed. It's the middle of the night and am awake after six hours of deep sleep, so tried again to enter the blog by going through Wix.com. It worked!
Sent a message to friends I was to meet at 6:00 for drinks prior to dinner that I'd not be leaving the suite. From room service, ordered a hamburger and salad that came with really crispy French fries (so good - I ate a few!), enjoyed that out on my balcony during the sail away, with more champagne, and went to bed!
Now I need a bit more sleep - look forward to tomorrow as I'm now settled and on my way to catching up on sleep!
August 6 - Cowes, Isle of Wight, England
Cowes is an English seaport town and civil parish on the Isle of Wight and located on the west bank of the estuary of the River Medina, facing the smaller town of East Cowes on the east bank. The two towns are linked by the Cowes Floating Bridge, a chain ferry. As of 2020 Cowes had an estimated population of 14,724.
Charles Godfrey Leland's 19th-century verses describe the towns poetically as "The two great Cowes that in loud thunder roar/This on the eastern, that the western shore".
Cowes has been seen as a home for international yacht racing since the founding of the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1815. It gives its name to the world's oldest regular regatta, Cowes Week, which occurs annually in the first week of August. Later, powerboat races are held.
Much of the town's architecture is still heavily influenced by the style of ornate building that Prince Albert popularised.
. . . and the harbor is full of regatta boats. In addition, Princess Anne is arriving to participate in some of the festivities. Because of her arrival and regatta activity, tender service was interrupted a couple of times. I stayed on board today because of a sore knee and still catching up on sleep.
Dayle and Larry (new friends from our cruise in August aboard the Seabourn Ovation) found me in the Observation Lounge before dinner, and we made plans to have dinner out on deck with another couple. Really nice dinner, albeit a bit cold. But we bundled up with blankets and enjoyed good wine, good food and good conversation.
Please note that I'm showing great restraint in not yet posting any food photos . . . but wait, they will be coming!
August 7 - Day At Sea
Easy day, a bit out on deck and more than a bit sleeping. If this doesn't catch me up, nothing will!
This was my breakfast this morning - it's called an "energy cookie". Supposedly it has only very nourishing ingredients!!!
Had a wonderful dinner at the Thomas Keller Grille. Much discussion as to how to order because the wait staff and kitchen are not in sync. At a prior dinner Dayle reported that the courses came out in the wrong order. So we ordered our starters and said we'd wait to order the rest . . . waiter appeared a bit puzzled! Really good dinner - TK Grille never disappoints.
August 8 - Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Belfast, Irish Béal Feirste, city, district, and capital of Northern Ireland, on the River Lagan, at its entrance to Belfast Lough (inlet of the sea). It became a city by royal charter in 1888. After the passing of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, it became the seat of the government of Northern Ireland. The district of Belfast has an area of 44 square miles (115 square km).
The site of Belfast was occupied during both the Stone and Bronze ages, and the remains of Iron Age forts are discernible on the slopes near the city centre. A castle, probably built there about 1177 by John de Courci, the Norman conqueror of Ulster, seems to have survived until the beginning of the 17th century. The city’s name is derived from the Gaelic Béal Feirste (Mouth of the Sandbank [or Crossing of the River]). Belfast’s modern history began in 1611 when Baron Arthur Chichester built a new castle there. He did much to encourage the growth of the town, which received a charter of incorporation in 1613. Belfast survived the Irish insurrection of 1641, and by 1685 it had a population of about 2,000, largely engaged in brick, rope, net, and sailcloth making. By the late 1730s the castle had been destroyed, but Belfast was beginning to acquire economic importance, superseding both Lisburn as the chief bridge town and Carrickfergus as a port. It became the market centre of the Ulster linen industry, developed by French Huguenot refugees under the patronage of William III of Great Britain at the end of the 17th century. Attempts to establish a cotton industry there were short-lived, but following mechanization of the spinning and weaving of linen, Belfast became one of the greatest linen centres in the world. By the 17th century, the town was a busy port with small shipbuilding interests, which became firmly established after William Ritchie founded a shipyard (1791) and a graving (dry) dock (1796). Since the Industrial Revolution, the chief shipbuilding firm has been Harland and Wolff (builders of the ill-fated Titanic). The city was severely damaged by air raids in 1941 during World War II. Beginning in the 1970s, Belfast’s traditional manufacturing specialties, linen and shipbuilding, began a long decline. These sectors are now overshadowed by service activities, food processing, and machinery manufacture.
Knee is not at all in good shape, can hardly walk. This morning I began a series of seven acupuncture treatments. Am hoping this will alleviate the pain when walking. It's a shame because at this port of Belfast, really wanted to go visit the celebrated Titanic museum. That famous and ill-fated ship was conceived and constructed here in Belfast, along with the Brittania and one other famous ship. Instead I'll be googling the museum as I sit out on my balcony in the sheltered sunshine! There is a breeze and it is nippy!
In the photo below, dead center, you can see the very modern Titanic Museum. That's as close as I'll to it this trip. Adolfo would have been really excited to tour this museum as he was a Titanic buff.
My views of the harbor were not spectacular. Looks like a pretty busy place, with farm lands up on the mountainside.
Dined tonight at a table for ten at the Colonnade, out on the aft deck, to enjoy a Thomas Keller inspired ribs spectacular which included a really beautiful baby romaine salad, followed by tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs, delicious corn bread, sautéed spinach and baked beans. Dinner was served family style. The ribs came in a huge All-Clad pan, and the baked beans in smaller All-Clad pots. I loved them so much the first time I saw them on a previous cruise, that I ordered them for home!
After dinner we all gathered in the main salon for a wonderful show put on by the Shamrock Tenors. Great music - got all of us in the mood for Ireland and Scotland. They will perform again within the week.
August 9 - Holy Loch, Scotland, United Kingdom
This morning my knee is little better. From what I've heard, if acupuncture is going to help, I probably won't notice much difference until the third treatment. Tomorrow morning I'm slated for a zodiac trip. Do hope I can make that tour. Have cancelled all walking tours for the next few days.
So once again, you'll get a chance to see this stop - Holy Loch, as I'm seeing it - from the deck of the ship!
Here's some of our Ventures team with our zodiacs.
. . . and photos of the harbor.
The bright red local ferries are beautiful against the blue water as they traverse the harbor.
The Holy Loch (Scottish Gaelic: An Loch Sianta/Seunta) is a sea loch, a part of the Cowal peninsula coast of the Firth of Clyde, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.
The "Holy Loch" name is believed to date from the 6th century, when Saint Munn landed there after leaving Ireland. Kilmun Parish Church and Argyll Mausoleum is said to stand where Saint Munn's church was once located.
Robertson's Yard at Sandbank, a village on the loch, was a major wooden boat building company in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
During World War II, the loch was used as a British Royal Navy submarine base. From 1961 to 1992, it was used as a United States Navy ballistic missile submarine base. In 1992, the Holy Loch base was deemed unnecessary following the demise of the Soviet Union and subsequently closed.
In the 13th century, Vikings settled along the "bonnie banks of Loch Lomond". Vikings carried their belongings overland in smaller boats that were often found on the long boats. There is evidence that they married into the MacFarland clan. The land from Holy Loch into Loch Lomond was then owned by the MacFarlands. Currently, the MacFarlands are engaging in a DNA program to determine lineage.
Tonight joined friends for cocktails during the sail away. Then ventured to the Main Restaurant for dinner alone. Took along a book that I've been anxious to begin reading - Triptych by Margit Liesche who happens to live a few houses up the street from me. The book follows a Hungarian family during the 1950's in Budapest, and that same family in the United States in the 1980's. Believe it is based on the author's own experiences and family memories growing up. Good, so far.
Enjoyed my dinner of Japanese Eggplant Confit in a salad followed by Salmon on a bed of orecchiette in a light cream sauce flavored with a bit of basil pesto. Really tasty. And, of course, one of my favorite wines, 2015 Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot - so delicious.
Had a lovely table for one near the window down on deck 4 which means you are right on top of the water as you sail - love it! (Of course, you are right on top of the water! - Always, one hopes!)
Finished off the meal with a Tangerine Souffle - only ate half . . . do have to be careful!
Now, it's early to bed as I have an early call tomorrow morning. Am off on a zodiac ride to Fingal's Cave, and more. Have to lay out clothing, set the alarm and be at the meeting place by 5:30 a.m. UGH! When I get back am going straight back to bed!
August 10 - Isle of Staffa and Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland.
Until today, we've had beautiful weather, much warmer than I'd expected it to be. However, this morning grey clouds fill the sky as we lay at anchor off Staffa Island, which is best known for Fingal's Cave. It will be too rough for the zodiacs to venture into the cave, but there are times when that has been possible.
Even with the weather change, the sunrise was very dramatic!
At 72 feet tall and 270 feet deep, what makes Fingal's Cave so visually astoundingly is the hexagonal columns of basalt, shaped in neat six-sided pillars that make up its interior walls. These fractured columns form a crude walkway just above the water level so that visitors can go far inside and explore the cave.
The cave was a well-known wonder of the ancient Irish and Scottish Celtic people and was an important site in the legends. Known to the Celts as Uamh-Binn or “The Cave of Melody,” one Irish legend, in particular, explained the existence of the cave as well as that of the similar Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. As both are made of the same neat basalt columns, the legend holds that they were the end pieces of a bridge built by the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (a.k.a. Finn McCool), so he could make it to Scotland where he was to fight Benandonner, his gigantic rival.
The legend, which connects the two structures, is in effect geologically correct. Both the Giant’s Causeway and Fingal’s Cave were indeed created by the same ancient lava flow, which may have at one time formed a “bridge” between the two sites. Of course, this happened some 60 million years ago, long before people would have been around to see it. Nonetheless, the deductive reasoning of the ancient peoples formed the connection and base of the legend that the two places must be related.
This basaltic formation is reminiscent of Devil's Post Pile in Yosemite, though I'd always thought the columns were 8-sided, not 6-sided. I stand corrected!
Hardly slept for fear that I'd not hear my alarm at 4:30, so was really tired when we all gathered to get into bouncing zodiacs. High swells, lots of wind, overcast - it was cold! It is truly amazing how the crew hands us into the zodiacs. Very unsettling for me, because I'm old and unsure of my footing, especially with this awful knee. But we did it. Saw a seal, cormorants, albatross, colorful jellyfish, skuas, gulls, and more. The bouncing around was very unsettling for me and was afraid I was going to embarrass myself and get sick. Was relieved when it was time to turn around and go back to the ship.
Taking photos was almost impossible for I knew that either I, or my phone, or both would land in the drink! But here's at least one crooked photo which I will try to crop and adjust before putting it in this blog. Unable to remove the hooded head of another passenger!
This island has a large colony of Puffins, though we didn't see any as they are currently nesting. We should see Puffins when we get to Greenland as their nesting time is different than here in Scotland. Had we seen them, here's what they look like!
Am shortly scheduled for my second acupuncture treatment. So far I only notice that there's a different soreness - perhaps that's a good sign? Later . . . just back - really hurt today when those needles hit sore areas. Acupuncturist wants me to begin doing straight leg lifts, up to 25 holding each for the count of 10. We shall see. Next appointment is day after tomorrow.
Tonight I joined the "solo traveller's" table. Five women and two men, none of whom I'd met earlier, made for a really interesting and funny evening. Lots of good camaraderie and laughter. So much fun that we plan to get together again very soon.
The food was unexciting, in fact, my entree was one of the worst ever eaten on Seabourn. First, the plate really looked anemic and needed more color on it, or perhaps this particular entree might have looked better served on a colored plate - maybe black? There is a photo below - calamari, on a bed of salad with a lemon dressing, and a dollop of mashed potatoes. It's not that the food tasted bad, but that the food was very bland, almost tasteless, and the calamari had the consistency of rubber tires! Additionally, the food was cold - as was the lamb chop entree of my table mate. The best of the dinner was dessert of Panna Cotta - excellent.
August 11 – Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, United Kingdom
Stornoway is the main town on the Isle of Lewis and. Is also the home of the Western Isles Council. Just over 6000 people live in the town, which represents about a third of the island’s total population. The economy is a mix of traditional businesses like fishing, Harris Tweed and farming, with more recent influences like tourism, the oil industry and commerce brought about by the digital revolution and communications.
Stornoway is the main port on the island, due to its sheltered location with the ferry to Ullapool a regular visitor. The sheltered harbor is the reason for the town’s existence and was named by the visiting Vikings as “Steering Bay” which, when phonetically translated, became the name Stornoway. The town has a wide range of facilities ranging from a large secondary school (Nicholson Institute) and technical college, to sporting facilities, which includes a brand new sports complex. The complex is the envy of most mainland small cities with a 25 meter pool climbing walls, fitness suite, soft play, etc. The town also has a golf course, Astro Turf pitch, Go-Karting and even a paintball action area. Cultural facilities are well catered for with a good museum, art gallery and library. An Lanntair, an arts complex was opened in summer of 2005, On the grounds of Lews Castle, the Stornoway Trust has developed a series so well maintained woodland walks of varying lengths and scenic features.
The Gaelic language is still spoken widely, however, it is not so common to hear it in Stornoway as in the countryside.
Even on this cold and very rainy morning, the locals are out on the bay in their pleasure craft. Though, with this weather, I do at last feel that I'm in the British Isles. For me, it's another day nursing my knee, doing exercises recommended by Shun, staying warm and dry, some needlepoint, a nap - easy peasy!!
After a glass of wine in the Observation Lounge, dined alone in the main restaurant. It's getting easier and easier - especially with a good book along. Only this evening, there was more . . . Because I was in the midst of some very funny texting with John and Sandi, I looked like the crazy drunk lady, dining alone but with a beautiful bottle of wine on her table, laughing out loud at the antics of my kids! It was such fun!
The salad was a real winner - figs, prosciutto and some greens - wonderful!
Then came the filet of sole with thinly sliced potato, carrot and onion stacked and cooked in a broth . . . yum.
August 12 – At Sea
A very rock and roll day and high seas. Holding on wherever we walked. Enjoyed a nice quiet lunch in the main dining room with four other solo travelers. Lots of chatter about all things and particularly the state of Seabourn.
One interesting note is the sighting of a group of “engineers” who boarded the ship somewhere in England prior to my boarding. They wore shirts with a logo that identified them as being from the Saudi company that is purported to be making an offer to purchase Seabourn. They were spotted, walking throughout the ship with clipboards, taking notes. Hmmmm. . . . .
The gossip aboard ship with regard to the sale of the Seabourn brand is most interesting. Three things that make me giggle are:
1. If the Saudi’s buy the brand, women will be required to cover their heads while on board.
2. If the Saudi’s buy the brand, the menus will no longer include pork or alcohol.
3. The Saudi’s are only buying one ship, and they are anchoring it off the coast of the UAR and will fill it with prostitutes for use of local men.
Finally managed an almost liquor free day – wonder of wonders! Only one-half glass of white wine. Certainly will feel better tomorrow for my discipline.
Dinner in Thomas Keller Grille was, of course, wonderful. Had my first red meat since coming on board – the half portion of a perfectly cooked steak. Tasted good!
Cancelled another trip for tomorrow morning as part of the trek required sturdy walking shoes over rocky terrain. Don’t want to chance hurting the knee more. Had my third (of seven) acupuncture treatments in the morning. Tomorrow am going to begin a two-day regimen of doubling my Aleve for two days. Am determined that tomorrow’s off-ship tour will be the last one I cancel. Am hoping that a spot on a helicopter ride will open up in Iceland as I’m on the wait list. (Didn't happen . . .)
August 13 – Heimaey, Westman Islands, Iceland
The Westman Islands are Iceland’s best kept secret rich in history, unique landscape and heartwarming inhabitants. Heimaey is the largest island of the Westman Islands and the only one that is inhabited. It has a population of approximately 4,300 people and a fascinating dark history.
Surrounded by 15 other uninhabited islands (although six of them have single hunting cabins) and around 30 rocks and skerries, Heimaey is rich in wildlife with whales, seals and even dolphins making an appearance here. Heimaey is considered to be the largest Atlantic puffin colony in the world. They nest here in large groups and in August and September, the puffins can even be seen inland at times in the town area because they get confused by the town lights thinking it is the ocean and then wander in. It is a true Heimaey tradition to catch and safely foster the puffin before releasing it back into the water the next morning.
The Eldfell Eruption of 1973
44 years ago, on January 23, 1973, a previously-unknown fissure in the Earth beneath the small Icelandic island of Heimaey opened up less than a mile from the town of Vestmannaeyjar, which had a population of about 5,000 at the time. Within a day’s time, almost the entire island was safely evacuated, and geologists began to monitor the eruption. The newly-formed Eldfell volcano erupted for about six months, covering much of Vestmannaeyjar in ash, destroying several hundred homes, and sending lava flows toward the harbor—at one point raising the water temperature to 111° F (44° C). An enormous and largely-successful effort was made to slow and control the lava flow by pumping seawater and spraying the leading edge of the flows. Within a year after the end of the eruption, most residents had returned, and today, the island remains inhabited, with a population of about 4,500.
Found the following photos on Google:
The town as it looked prior to the volcanic eruption.
The town as it looked after the volcanic eruption.
Dinner tonight in the main dining room began with some hummus and eggplant - very good and beautifully served, followed by grilled scallops over a risotto that included corn.
While the entree looked very attractive and the scallops were cooked to perfection and tasty, the risotto was bland - not at all a complement to the scallops. The corn kernels in the risotto were tough. Didn't have that wonderful burst of sweet corn that it should have had. But then, am almost always critical of risotto. It's one of the things I cook best!!!
There have been lots of comments about the dinner on the formal night last evening. One couple left the dining room after being seated one and a half hours with no service. Others said it took over three hours to complete the dinner - that's way too long!!!
There is definitely a shortage of staff on this ship, and additionally, those here are not at all well trained.
August 14 - Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik is the nation's capital and main hub in almost ever sense of the word. It is the closeness to nature that makes this city truly special. Situated on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the sea and dutifully watched over by the kindly but imposing hulk of out Esja, the visitor is never far from the water in Reykjavik, The old wooden buildings and fishing village atmosphere of the old town only sere to enhance that sensory connection with the city's history. Reykjavik offers an exceptionally wide variety of museums, galleries, theaters and cinemas, as well as a lake in the city center parks and sculpture gardens.
The summer brings 24 hours of daylight, while the winter ushers in the beautiful Northern Lights.
Lots of new crew expected to board today. Hopefully this increase in staff will solve some of the service problems aboard ship. We all hope so.
After another acupuncture session, decided to try out my knee with a walk around town. It was good to get off the ship and wander through this beautiful and very clean city, but, alas, an hour was all I could handle. Decided not to push the knee further and returned to the ship.
The concert hall here is a magnificent structure of glass in modern architecture and whimsy. It leans out toward you and away from you, every level is at a different slant, and if you're not careful, you begin to feel as though you've had too much to drink!!! The photos I took really do it no justice. I didn't venture inside, but understand that the interior design is also very innovative and beautiful.
The city is neat and tidy, with nothing out of place. People out for their Sunday walk look fit and healthy. Most shops are closed today, but the few that were open certainly make this place the best to shop for winter clothing. Did buy a pair of pants that I'll use on future zodiac rides under my waterproof outer layer - they are fleece lined - will take them with me to Antarctica in January!!
Waiting for the shuttle to return to the ship, noticed that on the very rocky, large expanse of shore, there were hundreds of small rock cairns, some just a random jumble, and others given great consideration in their makeup as to size and balance. Whimsical, and perhaps some sort of memorial? The most usual use for these rock cairns is to mark trails in national parks at home.
A very nice dinner last night in the Restaurant. Shared an extremely fine wine with others at table. The Caymus was so incredible, will have to see if I can find it when I get home.
But when we tried to order a second bottle, were told that there was no more. What to do? Upon recommendation of the sommelier and of Onur, who is now Restaurant Manager, but used to be Head Sommelier, we got this next one. Good, but not as good as the first. Had we tasted the Far Niente first, and the Caymus second, it would have been better for my palate!
August 15 - Isafjordur, Iceland
Isafjordur is a town in the northwest of Iceland and the largest settlement of the Westfjords of Iceland. It is considered the capital of the region and is the center of trade, commerce, fishing and tourism. Isafjordur is located on a spit within the fjord Skutulsfordur, which is part of the larger fjord Isafjaroardup. The settlement is one of the few large enough in the Icelandic Westfjords to be considered a town, with a population of around 2,600 inhabitants.
The climate of the Westfjords and Isafjordur is tundra, bordering closely on subarctic, meaning the winters are cold and the summers cool. Due to Isafjordur being located in a fjord surrounded by steep mountains, during the peak of the water solstice, the rays of the sun don't reach the town for weeks on end.
The Westfjords have a wealth of birdlife, and Isafjordur is no exception; many species can be seen on several hikes out of the town, When on such trails, keep an eye on the landscapes to spot Arctic Foxes, on the coast to see seals, or the ocean to spot a whale. Isafjordur, despite its isolation and small population, boasts a proportionately urban atmosphere. The town hosts a multitude of events and festivals attended by people from all over Iceland, and you will find many hotels and hostels, restaurants and cafes, and also tour operators offering trips out into the Westfjords. The oldest house still standing in Iceland, built in 1734, is located in Isafjordur town as part of the local folk museum. The area also teems with old timber frame houses out in the country.
Rather than being at anchor in the fjord by this town as previously planned, the ship was able to moor so that walking off the ship is possible. However, it's about a mile into town . . . and a mile back. So to spare my knee, have taken photos from the ship. This is a beautiful and dramatic setting, with high mountains all around, colors on the hills from dark brown, to new growth green ground cover . . . and to finish off the color palette at the bottom of each view with varied blues of the water. In the distance there is snow.
There is a road at the foot of the mountain where every couple of minutes cars go whizzing by. Don't know where they are coming from, or where they are going. There must be life on the other side of this land mass!
Taken from the patio deck on the ship.
Was shanghai'ed to dinner in the Colonnade tonight with a group leaving the bar at the same time as I. A really fun and delicious Japanese themed dinner, except that the sun wouldn't set soon enough and I felt as though I was being grilled under a spotlight. A delightful table mate made me a hat from my napkin, which I wore for almost one hour - lots of laughter!
August 16 - At Sea in the Denmark Strait
This channel also called the Strait, is partially within the Arctic Circle, lying between Greenland (west) and Iceland (east). About 180 miles wide at its narrowest point, the strait extends southward for 300 miles from the Greenland Sea to the open waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. The cold East Greenland Current flows southward along the west side of the strait and carries icebergs, which originate in the Arctic Ocean and on the Greenland ice cap. A branch of the warmer Irminger Current flows northward near the Iceland coast. The channel has been known as the Denmark Strait since at least the late 19th century.
Awoke this morning to very calm seas, but a storm is approaching . . . .
Today's big event is the Sommelier's Lunch - looking forward to some wonderful food with pairings of new-to-me wines. So, here we go.
$100
Oh My, Forgot The Photo of the Food!!!!!
$100 per 1/2 bottle
$115
$250
The Port Fonseca was replaced by a beautiful Dow's Vintage Porto 1985
$100
Got back to my room at 3:00 p.m - yep, a three-hour lunch! No way I'm dining this evening, so it's early to bed and getting ready for a morning in the zodiac cruising the Prins Christian Sund (sic), Greenland.
. . . and the storm has arrived!!!
August 17 - Cruising Prins Christian Sund, Greenland
First ice berg sighting from the breakfast table.
It is a glorious day - the sun is shining, everything around us is washed clean from thunderous storms throughout the night. The ship rocked and rolled, things fell off shelves, some almost fell out of bed, but all-in-all, the storm spent itself in the night and today all is well!
This morning was slated for a zodiac ride out to a glacier and around the Prince Christian Sound. We were supposed meet at 11:00, but apparently there were a couple of announcements that I didn't hear - those announcements bumped up the time of our tour. After breakfast I was in my suite when the phone rang and destinations manager asked me if I was coming on the zodiac ride. Within eight minutes I'd finished layering clothing, grabbed my life jacket, and was at the appointed meeting spot. When it was time to walk down to the zodiac loading zone, took out my room key holder (which must be presented when entering or leaving the ship). Oh No! I'd taken an empty holder. Almost ran back to the other end of the ship to retrieve the key (thank heavens, housekeeping was there to let me in!) and raced back to the group. My knee paid for my rush - UGH!!!!
The zodiac trip was absolutely wonderful. Towering rock cliffs all around us, waterfalls in abundance, lovely, clean water of varying blue shades, bits of floating ice - some larger than "bits", and finally a huge part of the Greenland Ice Fields was visible. As usual, glacial ice always takes my breath away. The wonderful colors from white to intense turquoise amaze me. Never tire of taking it all in.
If there were a zodiac at the foot of this glacier, it would be so small as to not be visible to the naked eye - this glacial field is massive!
Our zodiac driver, Juliana, was charming, knowledgable, and got us quite close to the ice. We saw and heard lots of glacial calving. Just a wonderful experience. This is whetting my appetite for my third trip to Antarctica in 2023.
Felt like I was awash in a giant slushy Margarita!!!
Then it was back to the ship. As soon as I shed the life jacket and waterproof outerwear, sought out a hot chocolate, flavored with a jigger of dark rum - PERFECT!
I would guess that all zodiac rides have been completed, as the ship is once again on the move.
The day continued with beautiful scenery as we sailed through the Sound, waterfalls everywhere cascading down from the steep cliffs on either side of the ship and tons of ice (some big, some not so big) in the water.
A group of us opted for dinner on the patio, so we all scrambled from the Observation Lounge and our cocktails, back to our suites to change into heavy outerwear. While the dinner was good . . . what is it - this thing about only one (or none!) menu at the table. What happened to a menu under each and every plate when you sit down?
We finally ordered after sharing the menu, only to be told 15 minutes later that the computer had gone down, so orders must be taken anew - this time with pad and pencil! Almost one hour between service of starter and entree . . . something still not right here on service! There did seem to be plenty of staff in attendance. . .
Finally completed our dinner as we sailed on with steep craggy cliffs on either side of us! Really spectacular! Then back into the Observation Lounge as we watched the end of the Sound and entered the Atlantic Ocean - all the while sipping a Courvoisier (haven't tasted that in years!). So very windy outside!
August 18 - Qaqortoq, Greenland
Cradled between rolling steep hills dotted with brightly colored houses, Qaqortoq is a melging pot of art, culture, Norse history and outdoor adventure. Featuring sculptures by some of Greenland and Scandinavia’s most famous artists, Qaqortoq’s compact colonial heart is centered around the country’s oldest fountain and is the perfect place to oenjoy cultural demonstrations and join locals in watching daily life unfold.
We are blessed with another amazing day. Sun is shining, water sparkling and we are anchored off shore of Qaqortoq. Tenders necessary to get ashore. Began my day with my fifth acupuncture session (one more to go), and a fresh manicure. As soon as I finish a very small lunch, will be heading for the tender and a short jaunt around town in hopes of getting some photos of what appears to be a very colorful town nestled into this harbor.
Before grabbing my jacket to go ashore, checked Seabourn Square to see if the lines had diminished. Everyone is looking for help to fill out the Arrive Canada papers on line. The system is hideously awful. Tried completing this prior to leaving on this trip (five different times), and they made it impossible - not accepting my passport or immunization scans. Apparently I'm not the only one. All the gals in Guest Services have these huge cheat sheets so that they have answers to each and every request from Canada. Believe this is the only task they are repeating throughout the day. Okay, that's done! Off to Qaqortoq!!!!
Walked around - weather lovely in the sun, but frigidly cold in the shade. Saw the oldest fountain in the town, beautiful art work carved into the natural rocks along a walkway, but most of all enjoyed the color of this town. The houses are all painted in bright primary colors. Against the stark landscape, the color makes for a happy scene!
Back to the ship for a short nap, nice cocktail hour and dinner with new friends, and the show tonight which featured the Seabourn Singers and Dancers doing the music of The King of Pop, Michael Jackson; Queen of Sons, Whitney Houston; and, the incomparable Prince. Four singers and two dancers put on quite a show!
Having an awful time trying to save this blog. .. perhaps it is the length . . . so am going to break it up into two parts. So far, have typed and lost, typed and lost, so much info that I now have most of it memorized!!!! Please see Path of the Vikings, Part II to continue. . . . Well, that didn't work . . . so will try to continue!!
August 19 – Paaimiut (formerly Frederikshaab), Greenland
People have lived in the Paamiut area since around 1500 BC. The name Paamiut is Kalaallisut for "Those who Reside by the Mouth (of the fiord)".
The trading post of Frederikshaab (sometimes anglicized as Frederick's Hope) was established by Jacob Severin's company in 1742 and named in honor of the Crown Prince Frederick (later King Frederick V of Denmark). The community prospered on trading fur and whale products. It also became known for its soapstone artists. The town has one of the finest churches in Greenland, built in 1909 from wood in the Norwegian style.
Following the warming climatic trends since the 1920s, Paamiut developed a booming cod industry between the 1950s and 1989, when the stock dwindled. In connection with a development plan called G60 Paamiut was chosen as to be the place to live for the entire population of the former Paamiut municipality. Therefore, the number of people living there rose significantly during that period.
There is local museum downtown in original buildings from the previous century, among them a carpenter workshop and a salt warehouse. The Danish Crown Princely family visited the town as part of an official tour of Greenland in summer 2014.
The weather is “iffy” this morning. Of course, we couldn’t count on three days in a row with sunshine. The weather forecast is for rain to begin around midafternoon. Meanwhile, am slated for another zodiac ride around the little islands of Paaimiut. Water is very calm. Temperatures are dropping since yesterday, so have added one more layer to my clothing.
Lots of interesting information this morning. In this area, they’ve found a bird nest that is 3000 years old and it has been used all during those many years. Lots of bird life here, but the one we want to see is the White Tailed Sea Eagle. A couple were spotted but unfortunately I was facing the wrong direction! Here’s a photo from Google – majestic bird, really beautiful. Has a wing span of about eight feet and the female is larger than the male.
We spotted four dead carcasses of local seals that had been skinned and the meat left for the foraging birds. We were told that most often the locals will eat the meat so that nothing goes to waste. Look for the spots of red in the photo.
Lots of little and not so little boats have met their demise in this area.
. . . and always there is beautiful ice . . .
After one and a half hours out in the zodiac, came back frozen like a popsicle, even though I was dressed well. Back on board the Quest, headed for a hot Caffe Mocha (without rum today!). Beginning to get my warmth back!
For a minute, must come back to Greenland Ice. From a ship, one mostly sees barren coast, lots of rocks, and wonders about the vast fields of ice in this country. We can't see most of it from the sea. So here's a map showing how much of Greenland is ice - absolutely amazing.
August 20 and 21 – Days at Sea
Day One: We are cruising the Labrador Sea, a body of water between Greenland and eastern Canada where the ocean churns, allowing the deepest layers of the ocean to bubble up to the surface and take in oxygen from the atmosphere. The research of scientists from Canada and Germany measured how oxygen flows into the ocean’s interior, just like you might measure oxygen as it flows to and from the heart. Each winter, the Labrador Sea behaves like the ocean’s lungs, as the ocean’s cool, oxygen-rich surface waters sink to its depths. Those deep currents that flow thousands of feet below the surface of the Labrador Sea carry that oxygen throughout the Atlantic Ocean into Antarctic waters, and eventually into the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Labrador Sea is the North Atlantic Ocean’s northwestern arm, formed from the separation of the Greenland Plate and North American Plate about 40 to 60 million years ago.
The sea is connected to Hudson Bay (on the north) through the Davis Strait. Labrador Sea contains a large turbidity current channel system and is a major source of North Atlantic Deep Water. It contains numerous icebergs restricting major shipping routes to the eastern part. The Labrador Sea covers an area of approximately 841,000 square kilometers between the Labrador Peninsula and Greenland. It has a maximum length of 1,000 kilometers and is 900 kilometers wide at its widest, the point at which it enters the North Atlantic Ocean. Labrador Sea has an average depth of 1,898 meters and a maximum depth of 4,316 meters. The region near Baffin Bay is much shallower than where the sea joins the ocean. Continental shelves flank the Labrador on the northeast, northwest and southwest.
We’re bouncing around pretty good today. It rained throughout the night, and is threatening once more. Very cold, very windy. It’s a good day for Trivia, Needlework, and a nap.
Finished my last of seven acupuncture sessions this morning. There is improvement. Not certain if it is directly attributive to the acupuncture, or perhaps a combo of that, along with exercise and a raise in Aleve intake. At any rate, am no longer limping.
Tonight Dayle arranged an East Indian dinner. The chef aboard the Quest is Indian. There were ten of us, and much more food than we could eat. Not certain what I was served, but it was all delicious.
Day Two: We are now in the Atlantic Ocean. Weather much improved today. Clear skies this morning, but it is slowly getting gray. Temperatures slightly warmer. Played Trivia at noon, then went down to the restaurant for a cup of soup, and a meeting with the head Sommelier and Restaurant Manager. Dayle has arranged an Italian dinner for the 26th, and I'm going to supply some Italian wines.
Finally able to load up some photos to this blog. I'd almost given up hope!
Also, received an invite to the Hotel Manager's table this evening. Seabourn is restarting the hosted tables as of tonight. They'd stopped that very nice tradition due to Covid. Things are beginning to look up . . . yet there is the telltale sign of Covid on board . . . a small table outside a suite, with food being delivered, or dirty food dishes ready for pickup, red plastic bags for soiled laundry, etc.
August 22 - St. Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada
The tip of the Great Northern Peninsula on the island portion of Newfoundland is the port of St. Anthony. Here, history and scenery meld to form a landscape that will capture your imagination. And while Saint Anthony himself might be the patron saint of the lost, this bustling little town has been hosting visitors for generations.
This stop on the historic Viking Trail is an excellent hub for exploring this beautiful area, and places like the Viking encampment at the L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site or berry picking barrens in St. Lunaire make for perfect day trips.
Not all visitors to St. Anthony come on two legs though. Located along the northern portion of Iceberg Alley, iceberg and whale seasons run a lot longer than in other parts of the province. In fact, the Iceberg Festival starts on the first Friday in June to celebrate the annual arrival of these floating ice castles - celebrating with music, food, Viking history, culture and great hospitality . . . and maybe a whale or two . . . keep your eyes peeled!
This is beautiful anchorage. The sun is shining, the sea is calm, temperatures are in the high 70's and I might not tender into the town.
Dinner last night at a hosted table by the Hotel Manager, Klaus, was most enjoyable. It was a small table of four which makes it so easy to have conservation. Both Klaus and the other gentleman, were originally from Germany, so there were stories about childhood.
Food was superb and wish I'd taken photos. The starter was a large artichoke heart cooked to perfection, filled with a leek confit and a sauce that was so tasty and included chopped hazelnuts. My entree was a special by Chef Bala, a mild Indian concoction that included savory couscous, a couple of asparagus and the most tender lamb tenderloin. I was very hungry because I only had a small bowl of soup during the day. After the Indian dinner the day before, had to cut back!!
The wine was a really good Amarone which we all enjoyed so much, Klaus ordered a second bottle. We all decided to continue with the wine and ordered cheese plates for our dessert.
Tonight, Carol, whom I've met on other cruises, has put together a Thanksgiving dinner for a group of 10 or 12. Yep - Thanksgiving in August - because we are so thankful that we are once again cruising. She has checked that they have a turkey aboard. Will report back later . . .
They did indeed have a turkey on board. . . and to go with the wonderful dinner, we again enjoyed the Buglione Amarone. There were eleven of us, and enough turkey dinner to serve three times that number!! Turkey with a stuffing that was much like a bread pudding with raisins in it - different; roasted sweet potatoes and regular potatoes, sauteed green beans (haricot vert) with onions, and of course, gravy, plus cranberry sauce!
August 23 - St. John's, Newfoundland (Canada)
St. John, capital of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, is the perfect combination of big-city luxury and traditional small town charm. It is one of the oldest and most easterly cities in North America, and has become a rare destination full of chardacater and charisma, with a contemporary, sophisticated edge. Wander down the narrow, criss-crossing streets naturally carved by horse and carriage. Pass the colorful jellybean row houses wedged together, lining the sides of steep hills and hidden alleyways.
Hike up nearby Signal Hill through the Battery, where tiny colorful wooden homes cling valiantly to Cliffside's ravaged by ocean waves. The hill is home to the unmistakable, iconic Cabot Tower, a castle-like structure built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's voyage to Newfoundland. It was here that Marconi famously received the first transatlantic wireless message in 1901.
From Cabot Tower you can look out over the cliffs and harbor to see a captivating skyline. Perched high on the horizon is The Rooms - home to an extensive collection of artifacts, art, and archival records - standing next to the strikinig twin clock towers of the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.
There's a whole lot to do here - but have decided to do a meander on my own. Many guests are doing a pub crawl. Apparently this city boasts the most pubs on one street in all of North America! Hope they can all find their way back to the ship! But then, we don't leave port until 8:30 p.m. That gives them ample time to recover . . . maybe . . .
Though I'd felt as though I'd walked nearly five miles, had only completed about one mile! Beautiful day, interesting town with lots of history, a ton of pubs, and almost one cannabis store to each block!! A few people begging on the street.
This is the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist that boasts the largest and oldest collection of stained glass windows in all of Newfoundland. Had the church not been at the top of a very large hill, I would have visited it, but alas, got this information from the internet. There are 28 large and 35 smaller stained glass windows, all created in the late 1800's by artists William Warrington of London, Charles Leveque and Louis Lichtenheldt-Koch of Beauvais, France. Because the Great Fire of St. John's in 1892 did not burn the basilica, this historic collection of stained glass is in tact.
The Main Street is cordoned off to traffic during the peak day hours, and locals and tourists walk along, browsing and visiting. People can purchase food and take it to one of many colorfully painted picnic tables, of various style, to eat their meal.
Back to the ship for a rest and my knee exercises!
August 24 and 25 - Two Days at Sea
Day One: Lots of “down” time. Trivia, stitchery, reading and resting. The highlight of the day was a wine tasting of good wines from Napa, Australia, Spain, Italy, and various champagnes of France.
Dinner at the Thomas Keller Grille, and a show by an entertainer whom I won’t mention by name – one of the worst singers ever on a Seabourn ship. She was so off pitch that my teeth itched!!! . . . is that possible?
Sandi, the Caesar Salad is back to its perfection! Have never tasted such wonderful croutons - waiter told me the bread is olive oiled, salted and peppered, and then baked in the oven. Am going to try this when I get home after I can purchase some really good bread from Rustic Bakery!
Day Two: Cruising the Gulf of Saint Lawrence which covers about 60,000 square miles at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. It fringes the shores of half the provinces of Canada and is a gateway to the interior of the entire North American continent. Its name is not entirely accurate, for in a hydrologic context, the gulf has to be considered more as a sea bordering the North American continent than as simply a river mouth. Its boundaries may be taken as the maritime estuary at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River in the vicinity of Anticosti Island, on the west; the Strait of Belle Isle between Newfoundland and the mainland, to the north; and Cabot Strait, separating Newfoundland from the Nova Scotian peninsula, on the south. The gulf us also a relief phenomenon, for the underlying topography is in fact made up of submerged portions of the northern end of the Appalachian mountain range as well as of the southern periphery of the vast, ancient rock mass known as the Canadian Shield. Part of the North Atlantic Ocean and located in the north east of Canada, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence borders the Labrador Peninsula and Quebec to the north, Newfoundland to the east and Nova Scotia to the South. The sea acts as the outlet of the North American Great Lakes via the Saint Lawrence River. It has a surface area of around 226,000 kilometers. The sea contains many protected areas, due to them containing important migratory bird sanctuaries or Canadian National Park Reserves.
Had some unexpected guests waiting for me in my suite this afternoon when I got back after lunch.
A busy day today with Trivia, then lunch, an exciting game of "name that tune" (our team got 23 out of 30 points - highest scoring team had 25 points!). The music game was very clever because one often had to name the musical, the song, and the composer. Sometimes we had to name the original recording artist. Following that I joined the stitchery group - that was fun as I met a woman with whom I'm going to have dinner in the TK Grille Saturday evening.
Southern fried chicken dinner in the Colonnade (inspired by Thomas Keller) - really delicious - best I've had of the three times eaten on other cruises. Interesting conversation at table and accompanying our dinner, the Good Lord performed the most glorious sunset right outside our table's window!
But the best of the evening was the show by Michael Lynche, a former contestant on American Idol. "Big Mike", has a voice to match his size making for a totally enjoyable evening. Will hope for another show prior to my getting off the ship on August 29.
August 26 - Saguenay, Canada
A deeply forested, craggy cleft tears into the heart of this province: the Saguenay Fjord. Overlooking its deep blue waters are windblown lichen and pine studded cliffs that stretch some 500 meters high. Formed during the last Ice Age, the fjord is the most southerly one in the northern hemisphere deep as 270 meters in some places, the riverbed rises to a depth of only 20 meters at the fjord's mouth near Taddoussac.
This makes the relatively warm, fresh waters of the Saguenay jet out atop the frigid, salt waters of the St. Lawrence, leading to massive volumes of krill, which in turn attract the region’s visitor highlight: whales. The marine life, and the entire waterway, now enjoy protected status.
Saguenay is the 7th largest city in Quebec with a population of 146,000 over a territory of 1,165 square kilometers and is twice the size of the Island of Montreal. As a result of the municipal amalgamation in 2002, it includes the districts of Chicoutimi, Jonquiere and La Baie, in addition to the sectors of Laterriere, Shipshawn Lac-Kenogami and Canton Tremblay.
Saguenay offers high quality reception facilities, a dynamic cultural and urban pulse in addition to a host of activities no matter the season. Snow conditions during the winter are nothing but exceptional.
Renowned as one of the most beautiful regions in Quebec, Saguenay includes 14 municipalities stretching from Larouche to Tadoussac, through the City of Saguenay and the entire Saguenay Fjord territory.
Saguenay is a very beautiful port. We have lovely vistas from the ship. I have cancelled the two remaining tours I'd booked because my knee is feeling so good I want to go home healthy. Further, the skies are threatening to spill the contents of lots of dark grey clouds - any minute!
I did have a cooking class scheduled in Quebec City tomorrow, but that has been cancelled by the tour operator. So this afternoon, I will begin packing up all of the waterproof and heavy outer clothing. All good things must come to an end . . .
Didn't get much packing done, because a nap took precedence!!! However, and Oh My Gosh!, the Italian dinner tonight was so awesome - so much food - such heavy food! One would think I've been in training these past weeks, but this dinner was stupendous - way too much food!!!!
We began with antipasti. The table was littered - every available surface covered by a plate filled with food. Antipasti included pickled mushroom, salumi, olives, marinated cherry tomatoes, prosciutto, pasta salad, white asparagus, marinated fire roasted red bell peppers, a delicious cheese, and all topped off with a huge Caesar salad. That would have been quite enough, but there was more to come.
What came next was the biggest Osso Buco I’ve ever seen – almost too large for the plate in which it rested over a delicate lemon flavored risotto and topped with a saucy gremolata – absolutely delicious, tender, positively yummy – only too much of it!!! That would surely have been the finish of the meal, but along with the Osso Buco came large pans of pasta Bolognese. Neither one of these Italian dishes could have been any better in Italy (or at home!).
Along with these gastronomic delights we drank two outstanding wines, particularly the Amarone.
The dessert was a barely tasted tiramisu – good, but would have been happier with some fresh fruit!
August 27 - Quebec, Canada
Quebec, French Quebec, eastern province of Canada constitutes nearly one-sixth of Canada’s total land area. Quebec is the largest of Canada’s ten provinces in area and is second only to Ontario in population. Its capital, Quebec city, is the oldest city in Canada. The name “Quebec”, first bestowed on the city in 1608 and derived from an Algonquin word meaning “where the river narrows,” beckons visitors to the city’s splendid view of the majestic St. Lawrence River and the pastoral Orleans Island.
The province’s major metropolis, Montreal, is the second largest city in Canada. Quebec is bounded to the north by Hudson Strait and Ungava Bay, to the east by the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, to the southeast by the Gulf of St. Lawrence, New Brunswick and the U.S. state of Main, to the south by the U.S. states of New Hampshire, Vermont and New York, and to the west by Ontario, James Bay and Hudson Bay.
The city’s historic core is unlike any place else in North America, with hundreds of gorgeous mansard-roofed old stone buildings clustered inside a perfect frame of crenelated town walls, but the heart and soul of the province is the fiercest of grips on French-Canadian identity and the French language. It is something people here have fought and died for and something they treasure deeply. Quebecois grow up studying English, but because the anglophone minority here is so tiny – just 1.5% of the population speak English as their mother tongue – they rarely use it outside of major tourist areas.
With a cliff-top position and captivatingly picturesque old streets, North America’s oldest French speaking city is a gorgeous, seductive place.
There is the funniest restaurant just off the ship - believe it is a taco bar. It has an outdoor seating place for lunch, HOWEVER, all seating is in a shallow pool. So, you eat your lunch while you are wading and splashing about!!
One suitcase is packed and closed. There was an email saying that I had to reprint all of my tags for Luggage Free to send them home. After a bit of frustration, I did get them printed out by Guest Services . . . only to come back to the suite and find that the purveyor for Luggage Free will have the new papers waiting for me when I debark in Montreal. All that frustration for nothing!!!
Lovely dinner tonight in the TK Grille with two women whom I've met quite by chance at a stitchery session who both lost their husbands to pancreatic cancer. We toasted our dear husbands, shared some positive life lessons, and enjoyed a very nice dinner.
August 28 - Trois Rivieres, Canada
Located halfway between Montreal and Quebec City Trois Rivieres is a vibrant harbor city, nestled between the St. Lawrence and Saint Maurice rivers. North America’s second oldest French speaking city, it is justly proud of its historic quarter where museums, art galleries and boutiques celebrate over three hundred years of history. Bursting with urban appeal and cultural attractions, Trois-Rivieres is a relaxing destination with local color, delightful restaurants, unusual museums and a lively downtown, all nestled on the St. Lawrence waterfront. This contemporary town has plenty of style built around a historic district with plenty of soul.
The three rivers of the city’s name are the fingers of the Saint Maurice River flowing into the St. Lawrence River.
Second suitcase is almost full and ready to close. It, too, will be sent home by Luggage Free. That leaves one suitcase that I will check (yet to pack!), plus my carry on. Almost there - tomorrow morning I'm on my way home.
Meanwhile, having my last lunch out on the Patio Deck, and am celebrating my last full day with a Bloody Mary prior to eating something. As I sit here waiting for the lunch buffet to open, am looking out at a parade of pleasure craft from locals up and down the river, many coming close to see the moored Seabourn Quest - she is a very pretty ship!! Along with the smaller craft and jet skis zooming around, there are lots of working large ships carrying goods to and from local ports. This is a busy waterway!
Weather today is hot and beautiful. Just enough wispy clouds in the sky to make all views from the ship really lovely.
More packing, and then the traditional on-deck party to thank all crew for their service. Lots of beautiful music from the Seabourn Singers, and special food stations for nibbles. "The Group" of ten gathered at an outdoor table in the Colonnade for one last dinner together. Featured this evening was a Canadian Market. Don't know exactly what made it Canadian, but there was lots of good food, including Chateaubriand, beef bourguignon, an assortment of salads, lobster mac 'n cheese, roasted potatoes - enough food and choices for everyone! I'd hoped to see Big Mike perform again, but was just too tired, so finished packing and went to bed.
AUGUST 29 - MONTREAL, CANADA
Montreal, an island city of approximately three million people, claims to be the largest French-speaking city outside of Paris. It was here in 1535 that Jacques Cartier, the first European to explore the St. Lawrence River, founded a small settlement on the island. This settlement failed, so the official founding date of the city is May 1642. In modern days, major conventions, film festivals and cultural events are held in Montreal, attracted by the city's extensive facilities, fine hotels and excellent dining.
Woke to this beautiful sunrise and then took a couple more photos from my balcony.
Said goodbyes to new-found friends and it was time to leave the ship. My departure was really easy. Luggage was where it was supposed to be, the Luggage Free representative was standing right by my two suitcases that were to be sent home, and a gentleman nearby was holding a card with my name on it - my transport to the airport.
And then the fun began. Check-in was fairly easy, EXCEPT . . . the handle on my one suitcase to check wouldn't collapse back into the case. So, it couldn't be checked without probably being broken on arrival in San Francisco. I took the case to "extra large suitcases" section, so that they would ship it with the handle open!!
That done, I proceeded through the security check, very long and tedious line. Whatever happened to old men and women not having to remove their shoes?!?!?!? By the time I got through the process and put everything back together, I got the dropsies!!! If I wasn't dropping my boarding pass, then I was dropping my passport. Oh, and where was my mask, because I now had to put it back on!
Finally found the Air Canada lounge and that's where I sit now, waiting for a couple more hours before boarding is called for my flight home.
It's been a wonderful trip, bad knee notwithstanding, but am ready to go home, sleep in my own bed and just be in my own home. Within a month I'll be off again, this time to Windstar for a culinary and cultural cruise from Istanbul to Haifa. Stay tuned . . .
Sounds spectacular, Auntie! I really enjoy reading your blog. 😘