Week 8

14 OCTOBER 2022- BOSTON

 

We were in Boston before sunrise but it was pouring with rain so decided to take things slowly for I was not planning of walking in the rain those days are definitely over. With everyone getting off the ship and waiting for busses and pick ups the terminal was packed with passengers trying to stay out of the rain.I found a seat and there I stayed until the rain stopped.

Once there was a break in the weather I dashed for the coffee shop just around the corner but because they are building in the area no short cut could be taken and I had to walk around the building.Thank goodness the coffee shop was not full and I got myself what I thought was a mocha java coffee and a almond croissant but boy! it was some or other green looking health drink I don’t know what and did not taste great but typical me just took it and drank it.

Next time I think I will just go for plain coffee or espresso think my accent confuses them and that is why I end up with these strange things/orders.

At about lunch time the rain cleared and I made a dash for the CVS downtown to get our supplies was worries that I would be caught in pouring rain but took the chance and thank goodness it did not come back.We are suppose to leave at 16h00 but due to heavy traffic in the port we are only leaving at 7 tonight.

This cruise seems to be the most passengers that we have on board since we started sailing from Boston think getting back to normal so glad about that.Tomorrow a sea day so going to be rustig maybe we lucky and have another show by the dolphins coming past and having fun.

 

15 OCTOBER 2022-@SEA

 

The sea days are a bit challenging at the moment so time to go home.Got lots of time so thinking out all sorts of plans and the two do list getting longer by the day.At least hubby was also off for the day so had a lazy day lying around and reading.

Was amazed before 6 it was dark , so looks like winter is creeping closer fast.The sea has been rough and last night even before we left the harbour someone had an accident in the dining room but that was cleaned and cleared very quickly must have a terminator team that is called to come and clean up very quickly .Just realise how lucky I have been to not feel seasick or affected by the ships rocking and rolling.

Tomorrow I want to walk to a shop that does tie dying passed it a few weeks ago and just have not got back to it to get there name and business card hope they are on instagram or F/B the Sunday market should be in full swing but only time will tell.

We back to 2000 guests this week so ship is busy and tomorrow it is back to the immigration officers in Canada when we arrive in Charlottetown I might even have to get a new passport book for getting full quickly with this weekly story or visits from them.

 

16 October 2022-CHARLOTTETOWN

 

This morning it only got light after 7 so felt like a very long night ,customs went quickly but had to laugh for my immigration officer must have left his glasses at home for he could not see what was going on in my passport and the visa that had a line drawn right through confused him so explained the whole story again and he was happy. 

 I decided to do my wifi business first when I arrived in the terminal the wifi was good but that did not last very long and it was all over , then it was off to town just for a walk around , the street market seems to be something of the past and am not going to have my Cows ice cream this year for most of the shops in the port area have closed for the winter season and Cow,s is one of them.

So some of them seem to rent a shop for the summer season and then leave with all there stock for the winter or ? go somewhere else.

Must say it is a bit of a disappointment for does not have the same buzz it had when we first arrived in this port and the trees and plants are also busy dying off so a bit sad amazing how nature tells you the next season is on the way and the trees are dropping there leaves.

I cant help but think of all the nice compost one could be making with all the leaves am sure the trees that were blown over with the hurricane have been chopped up for fire wood for the winter. My tie dying shop has also left for the winter so that was a disappointment,I missed the boat with those two.Next week our last call to this little town and tomorrow we back in Sydney.

 

17 OCTOBER 2022- SYDNEY

 

Drill time again so I got off early and with very strong wifi in this port I could download all our things looked like I had a business going with all my and hubby electronics in-front of me , had a chirp from a passengers who said you are suppose to be on vocation then I told him hubby works on the ship.

When he arrived it was time to go for a walk and ended up at my local bookshop where I buy books to read costs me $5 for 3 so am happy with a book a week so that should get me home.Just sorry cant take the books home with me.

While I was busy browsing in the shop hubby made friends with one of the bookshop cats so that kept him busy.

The town did have some bad damage with the hurricane and passed a few trees that were uprooted huge trees so must have been scary see them toppling over. All along the walkway not any damage to the wooden sidewalk does look sturdy and well built.

Time to go now for the streets are looking sad ,leaves all over and bare trees ,so does have a winter feel to it ,no flowers or any colour , time to cleanup and prepare for winter.In port today one of the sister ships  from Regent Seven Seas was also in port but is a lot smaller than our ship.

 

18 OCTOBER 2022- HALIFAX

 

This morning I had breakfast overlooking the Halifax port area with clouds looking promising for some rain so decided to hang in for a while before I decide if I am going to take to the streets for my second last rondloop here.

Full house today with a huge Royal Caribbean ship docked next to us.Went to the local super market to buy hubby a white Lindt chocolate and was lucky to get 2 for a good prise so he will be very glad to get his gift when I get back with a little something to brighten his day.

Then it was off to the local library where a lot of people hang out and also a few of homeless people must admit listening to 3 ladies conversation and there language was not great ! Ou vrouens met gegeurde woorde vloek soos matrose!

Stayed there for a while and then decided to get some fresh air along the dockside ,sat in very comfy deck chairs with a little bit of sun peeping through the clouds made my rounds at the local vendors and think next week all will be on specials with our last visit before the winter close down.

Once I was back on board phoned hubby to come up and join me for lunch but he had a patient so that did not work out ,three weeks then time for home.

 

19 OCTOBER 2022 – PORTLAND MAINE

 

This morning we had a new routine for immigration we were docked in another area in the harbour area must say it actually did work a lot better for we had to get off the ship and go through immigration in the terminal and most of the passengers were from the States so they went to a different area we were about 30 non-us passengers.

It is cold with a very chilly wind blowing and for those that don’t like walking the ship to shore was far compared to the other ports.

I got off and hubby was going to join me later so off I went and was I in for a surprise a lady came walking down the street in only a bra , a g- string panty and shoes!! Must have been smoking something for it is very cold and my word I was dumbstruck ,could not believe my eyes that was a first for me in this part of the world.

This is a port with the most weird people just lying around living in tents on the street and even have dogs, tents , hammocks on the grass next to the port I do think they smoke or use some other things.

I find it scary and upsetting ,don’t even look their way for not shy to shout what are you looking at!!

Once hubby got off we went to The Porthole restaurant for some delicious seafood chowder soup and a beer.We sat outside for he wanted to get some fresh air because his office is on deck 4 with no porthole so does not see any daylight when he is in his office.

Very excited he is off in Boston for the first time with me so we can get off together and walk around and do some sight seeing don’t know about that for he does not enjoy walking around and sight seeing, not his thing.

Leaving at 20h00 and is beautiful being here with sunset the city lights are on when we leave the harbour.The sail in this morning was pretty with all the trees still giving there autumn show along the coast here in Maine.Tomorrow we are in my favourite place Bar Harbour just hope the weather holds up with the tendering.Our soap is down to a tiny little piece and bought some very nice smelling soap about 4 weeks ago so want to go back to get some more that should last until we go home , our little spoil ,nice smelling soap wish could buy to take home but my suitcases are going to be full.

 

20 OCTOBER 2022-BAR HARBOUR MAINE

 

Today was another busy day with 4 hours of non stop walking had my walking shoes on and felt like seeing as much as I could for one more visit then it is over.Our tender boat driver /skipper was  really good so got to shore without a bump smooth sailing and docking.

Then I went through all the little shops looking for some gifts and half price sales always nice when you see things that you have never seen before.

Stopped at the shop were I bought that lovely soap a few weeks ago but this time I went for the big soap bars that must last until we go home.These soaps are made in France with shea butter got white gardenia and a lavender soap bar.Wish I could make them myself maybe I should start experimenting.Walked along the shore walk and made time for some sitting to take in this stunning place after that I went into a suburb with huge properties that have signage up saying

 Private Property Do not enter!

Would have loved to walk onto the properties between the huge trees like a forest but did not feel like being shot at of chased by dogs ,haa haaa. Passed the trailer park with a few big trailers and must say would not mind going on holiday in one of them just looks like fun and spacious think they have everything but the kitchen sink!

Started chatting to a local and she told me that next week all the shops close down for the winter and she says everything closes down the only things that stay open for the winter are the supermarket , petrol stations , some restaurants and things that are really important is like a deserted town with nobody walking around or in the streets am sure that must be in the middle of winter.

Today I went for a walk on the beach at low tide to Bar Island and you have to plan because you have to be off the bar no later than 1.5 hours after low tide otherwise you might be caught on the island even have 2 pics of cars that are halfway under water after parking on the bar at low tide so what a shock when you get back to your car and it is under water or even missing! Stopped at the best ice-cream shop in town CJ,S Big Dipper think have mentioned that before they have been in business for 33 years and well worth a try so had to have just one scoop,I had pistachio and enjoyed every mouthful.

On my way back to the dock area I stopped at our other favourite take aways Melts and asked if I could take a pic of there delicious treat called Blueberry Poppers Creamy cheesecake mixed with wild Maine blueberries and wrapped in a cinnamon sugar shell ,the best ever was very glad when she told me they will only be closing on the 27 th next week after our last visit.So hope we can come for our last spoil before we head back to Boston and then back to Bermuda.Tomorrow is our last pick up of passengers on this years run up the east coast of America.A lot has happened on this trip like covid, the weekly testing and side stepping a hurricane but am thankful has been a good time and privilege to come to this beautiful part of the world. So until next week bye.