Deb Travels the World

Steve decided to stay on board as we’ve previously been to Bar Harbor. With the opportunity, therefore, for a longer more difficult hike, I walked up Dorr and Cadillac mountains in Acadia National Park. It was technically difficult, with steps, boulders and tough climbs both up and down. Dorr is 1270 ft and Cadillac is 1560.
Here are views of the trail:

Some views from the path and the top:

I arrived back on board safe and sound 7 hours later (one hour for beer in the pub, trying the Bar Harbor Real Ale, which was a yummy brown ale that was purchased for me by the group at the next table). Very nice.

Another perfect day for walking. We started with a walk around Pleasure Bay, visiting Castle Island and Head Island. This a lovely circle walk a couple of km from the dock.

An Uber took us to Emmet’s for beer and shared potato skins for lunch and then we walked to Boston Commons and the adjacent Public Garden.
Cute frogs and ducks. And the famous Swan Boats.

Walking back to the ship we passed the old cemetery with Paul Revere’s gravestone and Boston’s Chinatown.

First stop on this second cruise and we tendered into Newport via the marina full of expensive yachts.

As usual, we had no shore excursion booked, but just a loose plan to try the cliff walk and see The Breakers, former home of the Vanderbilts. On the way, we stopped to see a few of the historic older homes in town, peek at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and look into the Trinity Church. The Church was particularly interesting and set up differently from any church I’ve ever seen. There are no rows of pews, but just sectioned seating areas, where we assume families gather and keep themselves separate from others. It seemed somehow not inclusive but not sure how it works in their congregation.

We strolled through town and arrived at the start of the cliff walk and followed it for a couple of kilometres, about half-way, to The Breakers.

The Breakers house / museum and grounds are opulent and touristy, but interesting.

Afterwards, we Uber-ed to a restaurant we’d passed on or walk through town, the Gaslamp Grille, and shared our first lobster roll. Big chunks of lobster with a little mayo and celery on a roll. Enough for two, along with a flight of beer to share. We decided not to become members of the bourbon-infused whiskey club, which includes a personalized bottle of whiskey.

Back on the ship by 3; in time to dress for formal night and meet up for drinks and dinner with Pam & George, who we met in the Crooners bar yesterday. Great day and great conversation.

The transition from the first cruise to the second was a quick vetting onboard by US customs at 6:45 am, followed by breakfast. Then we waited for the line up of departing cruisers to disappear. Leaving the ship for the day required finding the customs agent that had cleared us earlier so we had permission to leave. This all took some time, so we were finally departing for Coney Island at about 11:00.

The closest subway station is Smith and 9th, which is about 1.5km walk through the Red Hook neighborhood, followed by 35 min on the “F” subway.

Coney Island has been around for over 100 years, with amusement parks, 3 miles of beach and boardwalk and pier.

The iconic wooden roller coaster, the Cyclone debuted in 1927 and the Wonder Wheel in 1920, both of which we rode (screaming!).

Wonder Wheel at Coney Island

Nathan’s hot dogs was founded in 1916 and is home of the famous hot-dog eating contest. We didn’t try to compete, but had to try a hot dog (with chilli for Steve).

At Coney Island Brewing (a latecomer in 2007) checked our IDs and hand-stamped that we were “over 21”

After our visit to the historic park, we retraced our steps back to the ship, a little queasy from the coaster, but satisfied with the day.

And our sail-away from Brooklyn terminal.

Beautiful day in St. John’s. we just wandered all over town, starting with a walk up Signal Hill to see the historic site of the first trans Atlantic wireless communication and ending with beers and nachos in the Yellowbelly Brewpub.

En route we stopped at the Terry Fox memorial and saw where he put his foot in the water to signal the start of his heroic marathon.

A few sites along the way up

Signal Hill. Note the Newfoundland-centric view of the world.

Stopped for chocolate

And walked through town coming back, seeing the Rooms (didn’t go in) and a cathedral. We overheard a guide doing a tour, saying it was interesting that the side windows were asymmetrical, with double windows on one side and singles on the other.

Sail-away, followed by cocktails . People lined the streets to wave goodbye
Very nice.