WEEK 2

27 AUGUST 2022 - BOSTON

 

I was up early to get ready for my immigration visit, did not take too long then I had to get my new room keycard for the next cruise and was glad to have a nice breakfast before I got off the ship and walk around.Doing it on my own for hubby cant join me today,  it is hot outside so not really pleasant to walk around.Am spoilt we are use to driving around with a air-con, they said was going to be 31 degrees and very humid.

I took Summer Street towards downtown and just kept walking until I got to a big park with a area called frog pond and a little playground called tadpole playground, thought that was cute. Made a stop at MACY,S and our old favourite CVS.

Took time to just sit in the park and enjoy the surroundings, that is one thing in the states that is lovely, they have parks in the middle of the city, green spaces.Took a photo of a guy who was sleeping with a cigarette behind his ear, he started smoking it then it actually fell out of his hand, must be really tired!On my way back I got lost and had to make a u turn, not to impressed when the guy that helped me said go this way for it can be dangerous if you go that way, well that caught my attention.

The further I went the slower the walking went but reached  the terminal in the end,  flou en gedaan, walked for more than 3 hours with sloffies, my feet were also sore.

Did not even try the wifi just wanted to get on the ship and was so glad when I could jump the very long queues, I had my big In-Transit sticker on my chest and that let me walk straight through, felt like a VIP guest even if it only was for a short while, haa,haa.

The cold cool-drink and salad went down well and got 3 new books to read in the library, so very chuffed, the weekend started on a good note.Sail away happened in the middle of a storm with lots of lighting and hard rain.Glad they know where they are going for I am sitting on deck 13 in the observation lounge with big windows and can see nothing!!!

 

28 AUGUST 2022: @SEA

 

Slept like a baby and when it was time to get up I said, no lets snooze for another 10 min and the rest is history, like they say, feel very guilty but then decided tomorrow another day.After breakfast I went to the port excursions presentation but that was a waste of time, the guy just read the things off in a voice that nearly put me to sleep again and no photo presentation like they normally have,  that is a mistake for when you see all the beautiful places with a photo presentation I think they would definitely get more people to go.

I then landed up in the library on a very comfortable lounger and there I stayed for most of the morning.Reading and sailing go well together but you do get sleepy.I have found my favourite spots on the ship after a week of rondloping and trying out different places,I prefer the quieter spots, must be getting old, don’t like the noisy places with the loud music and talking.

This afternoon I got given another round of custom forms to fill in, so this is going to be the norm from now on, until we stay in the same country all week.A lot less passengers on this cruise but I am not complaining for just feels a lot quieter and calmer.Easy to find a sitting or lying spot all over the ship.Still have to decide what excursion I am going to go on, I will look this week and maybe go on something next week but Murphy Law, the things that I like are very expensive or should I say for us South Africans.

Hubby on duty today but not too busy at the moment.Think they are glad for his team are all new crew and need time to teach them the right way of doing things, same all over the ship and that does put the old staff under a lot of pressure.This covid monster did turn the world upside down that’s for sure.This afternoon I saw the new ships and port itinerary presentation and wow, would love to be on the Prima looks fantastic with beautiful outside decks, think only 3000 passengers which is also nice, not too many people.So go check it out.We arrive in Charlottetown at 12, looking forward to Canada.

 

29 AUGUST 2022- CHARLOTTETOWN/CANADA

 

Last night my poor husband only got to bed after 4 in the morning and today they have this big coastguard inspection so he will not be bright eyed and bushy tailed that’s for sure.I was so relieved when I went to immigration and they jokingly chirped that I need to get the officer who made a mistake on my visa in Halifax in 2015, the officer put a line through my new visa instead of my old visa, thank goodness he put the date down of making the boo,boo and on the next page I entered Canada with a stamp as proof, so all was good.

Was great to get off and walk around in this beautiful town, just love Canada.I did a quick walkabout and popped in to some shops here and there.My eye and nose caught some very nice soaps so got a few different ones to try out.One of our spoils since we have been doing the ship thing, soaps, a luxury.Did my first round on my own and was going back later to meet up with hubby, so had time to take some pics without any groans!!

Passed some smart boats/yachts with cool funky names like:

Livn the Hood Life

Need a Lift

Reel Estate

Impulsive

Let her Go

Inve$tment

Super small floating cottages to rent on the water and shops with these cool names,My little Stash,How Bazaar, and a bag that says Emotional Baggage!! People are just so talented with all the arts and crafts around, just too much to all take in.

Water bowls for the doggies outside a shop with the following saying:

Water station for pups or folks with low standards, haaa.

So much to see and do here and great weather.Then it was time to meet hubby for a Lobster roll and Blueberry beer, flip maar is duur was $42 en vrek lekker maar seker die laaste een vir die maand.

Then it was time for hubby to get some sleep before his next shift starts and I had time to enjoy the free wifi in the terminal building, that was great.Amazing how important being connected is and at home you have wifi 24/7 and here you don’t, unless you are going to break the bank, so is a bit of a bugger!Tomorrow we are in Sydney ,Nova Scotia, Canada.

 

30 AUGUST 2022- SYDNEY /NOVA SCOTIA/ CANADA

 

We managed to get up early, get our walk in, a cup of coffee on deck 12 at the back of the ship, only us and the ocean, that was special.We arrived in Sydney at 8 and after 9 it was time to go ashore to explore.

Hubby working so he was not going anywhere for the day.Once I saw the huge fiddle in the port I remembered this port.The fiddle stands 17meters tall and was built over a 8 month period by a guy called Cyril Hearn, a Sydney artist and welder, it is very impressive and huge.I first took the wooden walkway all along the water edge passing a lot of locals on there morning walk.Then I turned up towards town and landed up in a bookshop that I definitely will visit again, books for $3, will read them and donate them to the library on board the ship.

A Friendly cat was lying in the sun on some books just outside the shop.Popped into a craft market with locals selling there handmade goods and bought some homemade cookies for hubby and had a cup of tea.If I had to choose yesterday’s town would win, not much to do and see in this town think you need to go on the excursions.

In the building that the craft market was in, I saw this electric chair/railing that is used to get people that cant climb steps to the top, thought that was nice, have seen them advertised in the USA.On my way back to the ship I saw a pulley with a wire attached to a window of a house on the top story and then the next thing a lady starts hanging up her washing on this line and the pants start moving all along the wire and above the car, attached to a pole at the end of the property, chatted to her and said taking a video for I have never seen this before and think very clever. Never to old to learn something new.

In the building next to the port a guy was playing his bagpipes in his traditional outfit and that was great to listen too and we loved it. Another lot of ladies were doing some line dancing that I also enjoyed ,so these folk really went to a lot of trouble to make our visit special.Think they are so glad to see the tourists come back for this port ,was buzzing today, not sure how many guests we have on board but the places were crowded and busy.This afternoon it is back to sea and tomorrow our port of call is Halifax also a nice port with lots to see and do.Starting to think a sea day not bad after all for now we are in a port everyday so no time for just hanging around,jy moet beweeg en rondloop!

 

30 August 2022- HALIFAX / CANADA

 

This is also a place with lots to see and do.While waiting to go ashore another huge cruise-ship sailed in and docked next to us,New Statendam Rotterdam.Well docking is a very slow process and while sitting on the open deck having breakfast we could watch. Have said this many times before but imagine 6000 tourists arriving in any harbour in our country for a day and how that would boots the local economy,  time to get our act together we have so much to offer and they would just love it,  no skollies mugging people then that would also be the end, maybe one day!! Another option is going to ports were it is safe for tourists with lots to offer.We could have all the different cultures and there traditional villages, clothing, music, food, noem maar op.

The crew had there weekly emergency drill so while waiting for hubby I landed up on deck 12 and with most passengers off the ship had an opportunity to lie on one of the big loungers while reading my book that was lekker . Cant even start to imagine what it must have been like for the crew too not get off the ship during covid, months at a end, scary thought.

Our first stop was at the Botanical gardens in Halifax it is just beautiful and my happy place for sure some flowers were still in full bloom like the Dahlias wow what a sight to behold actually look fake they are so pretty.Think all the dahlias you can get they were here to see, did have a show on for the week.

The bees were in heaven that’s for sure for they were all over the place and busy,busy with there little pockets fulled to the brim got some nice photos of them working sommer 2 bye op een blom Got the boss a iced coffee in the little café in the park and free wifi so left him there while I walked around enjoying the beauty around me.Next week I will come again and just spend time sitting in this beautiful place.

We took the waterfront walk back to the ship where you walk along a wooden deck area or walkway really is nice with all the little cafes, boats and people.Will take a video to show you next week then you get the feel of the place.Last visit there was this warehouse with all sorts of local foods and crafts but looks like covid got its claws into that too so very sad for wanted to try there dumplings.Back on the ship I had al sorts of plans but landed up watching a series on TV and next thing hubby walks in after work and I could not believe it was time for supper.Tomorrow we are back in the USA in Portland.Bar Harbour the following day and we tender into that port with the life boats which takes time but is also something different and nice,  an experience.

 

31 August 2022- PORTLAND/MAINE/USA

 

Only arrive at 11 and then I will be walking around on my own today so want to try an see as much as possible and take photos.Last week I did not walk too far because had to turn back to meet hubby after they had there drill and we left early afternoon, today we only leave at 8 tonight.We had 2 time chances this week so then it is 1 hour forward and last night it was 1 hour back so dis kop hou met die tyd.

I was sitting on deck 13 with a beautiful view while the ship was sailing into Portland next minute I hear the announcement that we have to be ready at 11 to go through immigration, so that was the end of my peaceful sail-in and view ,  had to get to the cabin to full in my forms and get my passport.

The lounges were packed with people waiting-for immigration and after an hour the officers arrived and we could get going.So only left the ship late but went on my walk only to discover that I had the wrong town in mind and had this one muddled up with another port and I cant remember which one.

Did the gift shop thing but am over that and have been warned we have enough stuff so not planning on getting anything for our house.Stopped at a sweet shop to get hubby a little something just to spoil him after a days work ,  they were selling all sorts of homemade fudge and chocolates.

Popped in at a factory shop where they make handbags out of old cloth that is used for making boating sails and could also see how the people work, bags very pricy so just shopped with my eyes then it was back to the Porthole for some wifi before returning to the ship. On our walk early this morning it was very misty and wet on deck but once the mist cleared it turned out to be a lovely day. Leaving at 8 tonight so should be a beautiful sail away with sunset.

I am sitting in the library with a beautiful view over the bay and have counted 28 sail boats out sailing on a perfect afternoon, so sailing is big here that is for sure on the other side of the ship are the seagulls with there cries, that I also love.

 

1 September 2022 - BAR HARBOUR / MAINE:

 

Today we are in my favourite place it is just beautiful , all off it and it is the 1^st day of Spring .We have to take the tender boats ashore for they don’t have docking facilities for our big ships so they take us ashore in the rescue boats.Think is a good thing then they also have time to test them and the drivers get some time on the sea for looks complicated when you see all the panels and watch them driving them.Its a 30 min ride to shore and you dock in the downtown area.The gardens and flower boxes are stunning picture perfect, so went mad with all the photos.

Hubby was off so waited for him and we could get off together to explore . Our first stop was the beach and then we stopped to get him a sandwich for he was hungry and was amazing to just sit on the grass with a stunning view over the harbour area.He also had time to just relax and lie on the grass and take in this beautiful view.

After that we took a walk on the shore path that takes you past all these huge beautiful homes right on the sea most houses have these deck chairs packed around a fire pit or facing the ocean that must be amazing at night at sunset or early morning.Want to google Devilstone Cottage just to see what there website looks like it is a historic Bar Harbour Estate.

By this time it was nearly time for hubby to return to the ship so we decided to get some ice-cream when we passed a couple on our walk asked them where they bought theres and the shop was just around the corner.Dit was vrek lekker but next visit we want to go for the Lobster rolls again for we are in lobster world after all! Hubby returned to the ship and I went walking about on my own, this time I did the whole shore path until the end and then came back via a busy street with all the shops.Ended up at the stunning Harbour Inn right on the beach and enjoyed the beach and put my hand in the sea water had to feel if it was cold but was not too bad.Very glad to say that we will be back in this place on Saturday on our way to Quebec City it is our first port of call going up on the east side of the coast.End of week 2 and beginning of our Quebec run.