M&L flew to Boston on Friday, Sep. 13th. P&S flew in on Saturday, Sep. 14th, and began their journey via the Light Rail (from Mesa to Phoenix Sky Harbor airport).
We flew on Southwest Airlines with a stop in Chicago. Our hotel in Boston provided a shuttle. We had a delicious dinner (at a NinetyNine restuarant) right next to La Quinta (where were staying): focaccia crusted haddock, Greek salad and grilled asparagus for Shirleen, and blueberry and watermelon salad with grilled chicken for Paul. Great food and we weren't even on the cruise yet! We watched a fireworks show while waiting for our table.
Evidently there was a special event, and they weren't celebrating our being in town!
Sunday, September 15th
We were staying in different locations, and made separate plans for attending church, but ended up in the same building, although in different wards, at different times, at the Cambridge 1st and 2nd Wards:
Each couple took an Uber to church...
... and later to the pier, where we boarded the Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas cruise ship. We found each other and spent time together before dinner. Here is one view of this remarkable vessel:
The ship left Boston that evening, and we enjoyed (the beginning of a week of) fine dining on board in the main dining room at our table for four overlooking the ocean: After dinner we enjoyed a walk on the deck and watched the moon come out and shine across the water. We played games and appreciated the wonderful start of a beautiful cruise.
And, of course, one can enjoy many interesting scenes while on board, including ones like this view near the bow of the ship:
And here are some other things to see, and do, and watch in & around the ship:
Food was available at the main dining room, at the Windjammer buffet, poolside, and at a snack center mid-ship as part of our cruise ticket fare. Here is part of what was available:
During the cruise and in the various ports we generally had breakfast and dinner on-board. Occasionally, we got something to eat while on shore.
And, from time to time, interesting towel artwork would appear in our cabin.
Monday, September 16th -- Portland, Maine
The waterfront, as seen from the ship (note the nest on a piling near the ship):
We went on a trolley tour of the area.
 |
| Henry Wadsworth Longfellow statue |
One highlight was the Portland Head Light:
Later, after the tour, we walked to a donut shop we learned about months ago when researching our itinerary for locations that serve gluten-free and regular treats.
Paul enjoyed a pomegranate-flavored donut that he had looked forward to for a long time.
After the trolley ride ended, P&S walked to the Portland Observatory, where Captain Lemuel Moody watched for arriving vessels with a telescope. He then flew merchant flags corresponding with the incoming ship to notify owners, so they could prepare to offload cargo, etc.
P&S climbed the stairs to the top, and got some nice photographs of the area, including these that show views of Portland and our cruise ship, Serenade of the Seas:
If you go back and look at the first photograph for this visit to Portland (the waterfront photo) you will be able to see the observatory on the skyline.
An interesting sign seen in a church parking lot:
The ship left Portland that evening. We had an amazingly delicious dinner and watched a musical show. We liked the Argentine bolo dancing best. Shirleen's phone indicated we had walked 5.7 miles and climbed 12 flights of stairs, but it was probably even more. Another amazing day!
Tuesday, September 17th -- Bar Harbor, Maine
The four of us took a tender boat to the dock and then began a van tour of the area. We went through the town, then into Acadia National Park which includes Cadillac Mountain, where (during a few months of the year) it is the first place in the United States to receive morning sunlight. Here we are at the summit (note our ship and some of the Calendar Islands behind us):
And some pleasant scenes elsewhere in the park:
Down by the ocean, near Thunder Hole:
And, we had lunch featuring lobster rolls at the Side Street Cafe in town:
Beautiful fall New England foliage:
Autumn leaves and summer flowers:
The ship left Bar Harbor that evening. At dinner, the wait staff entertained us with a song and we learned they come from over 60 countries. There are 140 chefs, 61 waiters, and 65 assistants. The Dining room seats 1200 and the ship serves 10,000 meals a day. With 2100 guests, and 900 crew, some of us were eating more than 3 times a day! Later, we listened to a musical show and played games.
Wednesday, September 18th -- Halifax, Nova Scotia
We walked along the waterfront...
... then went our separate ways when M&L rented a tandem bicycle:
Not all the ships in the harbor are large; some are small...
Some other photographs taken in Halifax:
The ship left Halifax that evening. We had dinner on the ship and then played games in the Windjammer (buffet area) so we could have readily available treats, in addition to nice tables!
Thursday, September 19th -- a day at sea
We had breakfast in the main dining room and then played games. We had lunch also in the main dining room. We went on the All Access tour of the ship and saw the galley, provision room, engine room, bridge, and laundry.
It was amazing to see how big the food preparation area and laundry were. We learned they have desalinization systems to provide thousands of gallons of potable water.
After dinner we watched a talented singer, then played games back in the Windjammer.
Friday, September 20th -- Saint John, New Brunswick
One goal was to see the reversing falls in the Saint John River that were 3.4 kilometers (approximately 2.5 miles) from the dock. It was a long walk, uphill, with lovely flowers and art along the way.
And here is a photograph that will give some idea concerning the tidal activity down in the harbor:
Beautiful flowers and fall leaves:
We walked through several malls to the City Market.
Later, after the tour, we walked to a donut shop we learned about months ago when researching our itinerary for locations that serve gluten-free and regular treats.
Paul enjoyed a pomegranate-flavored donut that he had looked forward to for a long time.
 |
| Fall colors beginning |
After the trolley ride ended, P&S walked to the Portland Observatory, where Captain Lemuel Moody watched for arriving vessels with a telescope. He then flew merchant flags corresponding with the incoming ship to notify owners, so they could prepare to offload cargo, etc.
P&S climbed the stairs to the top, and got some nice photographs of the area, including these that show views of Portland and our cruise ship, Serenade of the Seas:
An interesting sign seen in a church parking lot:
The ship left Portland that evening. We had an amazingly delicious dinner and watched a musical show. We liked the Argentine bolo dancing best. Shirleen's phone indicated we had walked 5.7 miles and climbed 12 flights of stairs, but it was probably even more. Another amazing day!
Tuesday, September 17th -- Bar Harbor, Maine
The four of us took a tender boat to the dock and then began a van tour of the area. We went through the town, then into Acadia National Park which includes Cadillac Mountain, where (during a few months of the year) it is the first place in the United States to receive morning sunlight. Here we are at the summit (note our ship and some of the Calendar Islands behind us):
And some pleasant scenes elsewhere in the park:
 |
| Shirleen, our "At Your Service" van, and a touch of fall colors |
And, we had lunch featuring lobster rolls at the Side Street Cafe in town:
Beautiful fall New England foliage:
Autumn leaves and summer flowers:
The ship left Bar Harbor that evening. At dinner, the wait staff entertained us with a song and we learned they come from over 60 countries. There are 140 chefs, 61 waiters, and 65 assistants. The Dining room seats 1200 and the ship serves 10,000 meals a day. With 2100 guests, and 900 crew, some of us were eating more than 3 times a day! Later, we listened to a musical show and played games.
Wednesday, September 18th -- Halifax, Nova Scotia
We walked along the waterfront...
Not all the ships in the harbor are large; some are small...
Some other photographs taken in Halifax:
 |
| Sea Bridge (a temporary detour during boardwalk construction) |
Note the clock tower between the buildings up on Citadel Hill
After P&S climbed a steep hill with more to go
 |
| Includes Titanic Exhibits |
 |
The ship left Halifax that evening. We had dinner on the ship and then played games in the Windjammer (buffet area) so we could have readily available treats, in addition to nice tables!
Thursday, September 19th -- a day at sea
We had breakfast in the main dining room and then played games. We had lunch also in the main dining room. We went on the All Access tour of the ship and saw the galley, provision room, engine room, bridge, and laundry.
It was amazing to see how big the food preparation area and laundry were. We learned they have desalinization systems to provide thousands of gallons of potable water.
After dinner we watched a talented singer, then played games back in the Windjammer.
Friday, September 20th -- Saint John, New Brunswick
One goal was to see the reversing falls in the Saint John River that were 3.4 kilometers (approximately 2.5 miles) from the dock. It was a long walk, uphill, with lovely flowers and art along the way.
And here is a photograph that will give some idea concerning the tidal activity down in the harbor:
Beautiful flowers and fall leaves:
We walked through several malls to the City Market.
 |
| Note ceiling resembles ship framework |
Later, P&S bought $1 scoop ice cream with the extra benefit of providing a chance to sit and rest. That night when checking her phone, we discovered we had walked 9 miles today. Back on the ship, we had dinner in the main dining room, and tried a Broadway music show, but left early and joined M&L in the Windjammer for games and treats. The ship left Saint John that evening.
Saturday, September 21st -- a day at sea
We had breakfast before P&S played miniature golf on deck 12. We watched an art auction for awhile before having lunch. We played games with M&L. They played pool on a table that moved with a gyro to keep it level. Amazing!
That night the staff and diners in the restaurant did the "Chicken Dance".
After dinner, we went to a variety show featuring a comedian and the ship's singers & dancers. We played more games and had snacks in the Windjammer.
... including a visit to the Old North Church [where lantern signals were used to alert the colonists to British troop movements (you remember: 'one if by land, two if by sea')].
We rode the ferryboat "Rita" through Boston Harbor to get to our next destination.
Again, along the Freedom Trail:
Then, Paul & Shirleen got on a trolley tour of Boston, in one of these:
Some of what we saw:
And here is a memorial at one of the Boston (Marathon) bombing sites:
Then it was back to the subway/railway to get back to the La Quinta Inn & Suites.
Saturday, September 21st -- a day at sea
We had breakfast before P&S played miniature golf on deck 12. We watched an art auction for awhile before having lunch. We played games with M&L. They played pool on a table that moved with a gyro to keep it level. Amazing!
That night the staff and diners in the restaurant did the "Chicken Dance".
After dinner, we went to a variety show featuring a comedian and the ship's singers & dancers. We played more games and had snacks in the Windjammer.
Sunday, September 22nd -- Boston
We had breakfast, finished packing, and disembarked. We used two Ubers to get to church (with our luggage). We were again at the same church building, but this time we were together at a stake conference. The temple president's counselor gave a thought-provoking talk about imagining Jesus attending a meeting someday and how He would individually contact each person in attendance. The stake Relief Society president spoke of service and how we each provided mortar for the building of Zion. Following that meeting we all four went (by Uber again) to the same La Quinta Inn. We had lunch, then traveled by train/subway, and walked to see some of the city.
... including a visit to the Old North Church [where lantern signals were used to alert the colonists to British troop movements (you remember: 'one if by land, two if by sea')].
 |
| Inside the Old North Church |
 |
| LeAnn & Mike in Capt Timothy Daniel's box; perhaps a relative? |
 |
| They still use the beautiful pipe organ |
Moving on (notice the red inlaid bricks of the Freedom Trail) ...
 |
| We saw several of these short doors |
Monday, September 23rd
Michael and LeAnn went to the airport, and flew home. Paul & Shirleen went sight-seeing:
 |
| Bunker Hill Monument |
 |
| Acorns by the Bunker Hill Monument |
 |
| Burying acorns |
Up we went inside (Shirleen part way, Paul all the way):
Next was the Boston Harbor Waterfront including USS Constitution (Old Ironsides); note the red Freedom Trail bricks in the crosswalk:
Dry Dock
 |
| World War II Destroyer |
We rode the ferryboat "Rita" through Boston Harbor to get to our next destination.
 |
| Fall colors and our lunch stop |
Again, along the Freedom Trail:
 |
| Paul Revere house |
Then, Paul & Shirleen got on a trolley tour of Boston, in one of these:
 |
| Beautiful old buildings |
 |
| Boston brownstones |
 |
| More brownstones |
 |
| Beautiful architecture and ivy |
 |
| Trinity Church |
We also saw, at various locations, some interesting artwork, as follows:
And here is a memorial at one of the Boston (Marathon) bombing sites:
Then it was back to the subway/railway to get back to the La Quinta Inn & Suites.
Tuesday, September 24th
Paul and Shirleen had breakfast in the hotel, got an Uber, and traveled several miles to see Lexington Common (aka Lexington Green). We saw the temple and some beautiful fall leaves along the way. We went to the visitors center and walked a few blocks to Lexington Green. The first shots of the American Revolutionary War were fired here.
Later in the day they got an Uber back to the La Quinta, got their luggage, then shuttled out to the airport, and flew to Phoenix with stops in Baltimore and Atlanta. They then got on the Light Rail, and traveled to Mesa, where Michael & LeAnn met them, and provided a ride back home.
All in all, it was a remarkable and rewarding vacation!
No comments:
Post a Comment