Over Spring Break and Easter, Dawn, Carly and Daniel visited us in Annapolis. We toured the Naval Academy and downtown Annapolis. We also spent time in Washington, DC at the National Cemetary, World War II Memorial and other monuments around D.C.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Daniel and Carly and Dawn's visit
Over Spring Break and Easter, Dawn, Carly and Daniel visited us in Annapolis. We toured the Naval Academy and downtown Annapolis. We also spent time in Washington, DC at the National Cemetary, World War II Memorial and other monuments around D.C.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
St. Patrick's Day Celebration
St. Patrick’s Celebration in Dover
Today we did one of those things that you read about in the paper, maybe a week before the event, and say “We should do that” but then you never do. I often even rip out the article and put it on my desk but somehow as the day arrives, other things have come up or it just doesn’t sound as interesting as when you first read it.
To my surprise, Doug said yes to my idea to drive over to Dover, Delaware on this beautiful, almost-spring Saturday and celebrate St. Patrick’s a couple of days early. According to the Washington Post, the annual parade drew over 2,000 people last year and promised to be a slice of small town America. It was a beautiful hour and a half drive through the back roads of rural Maryland and we entered Delaware at the crossroads village of Marydel (wonder how they came up with that?).
Well, we didn’t have to worry about beating the crowds to find a place to park. Even on a normal Saturday I would have thought we’d see people on the streets but it was very quiet. A few blocks from the parade route we found the Johnson Victrola Museum and figured we’d have time for a quick tour and still be able to get a bar stool at the only Irish Pub in town. Our tour guide was young and enthusiastic and happy to take us on a delightful journey through the history of recorded sound, including a cute story about Nipper the little dog that has become the mascot/logo for Victrola.
It was a short stroll to the pub where we surprisingly had our choice of tables or stools. It was a small but happy crowd enjoying their green beer and Irish whisky and we joined in and sang along to the familiar Irish tunes. The potato soup was pretty good (we opted for the grated cheese and corned beef toppings) and the Rueben was excellent. Tearing ourselves away just before parade time, we found a couple of seats on the edge of a brick planter and settled back to enjoy the festivities.
As the photos above will show, we enjoyed watching the people watching the parade as much if not more than the parade itself, which was just what I thought it would be: high school marching bands, scout troops, military groups, car clubs, beauty pageant winners, politicians and local individuals in a variety of green costumes. What fun! And there were probably over 2,000 spectators though they were spread out over several blocks of the parade route.
We finished our day with a little walk about town, enjoying the beautifully-maintained park and State Capitol Houses, decided to forego the Museum of Small Town Life since we felt we’d seen it, (never found the ice cream cone I thought I’d have), and headed back to Annapolis.
I wonder what the travel section will have for us next time? Stay tuned.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Annapolis
Settling In
1/10/08
After a year of travel, it’s nice to finally stop.
A five-day cross-country drive (from Phoenix to San Antonio driving one car and from there to Maryland in two), brought us to our current home of Annapolis on the 5th of January. Bill and Genevieve were there to greet us and make us feel welcome with flowers, wine and the essentials for preparing our first meal. We unpacked our bags, leaving the unloading of car trunks for later, showered and changed, and headed out to a nearby Italian restaurant for our first dinner in our new neighborhood. The first couple of days, were also welcomed by unseasonably warm weather (as high as 70°) which made it comfortable to explore our new community by foot. The above photos are of our new neighborhood (how nice of them to keep the Christmas decorations up for us).
I hadn’t realized how tiring our drive had been until I awoke the next day at 10 AM and realized I had slept eleven hours straight. Perhaps it was a combination of being travel weary and the relief of finally being in our own place after so long.
Downtown historic Annapolis is one of the most charming towns I know and we feel fortunate to have found a place here. Being boaters and loving the water, we feel so at home. Also the close proximity to D.C. is wonderful since I spent thirty years living and working in the Northern Virginia/D.C. area and that also feels like home. In fact, our very first week here, using the excuse of dropping off our printer for repair, we found ourselves headed for an exhibit at the Corcoran Art Gallery. After spending a few hours enjoying two extraordinary photographic exhibits - Annie Leibovitz and Ansel Adams - we completed the perfect day by having a late lunch at one of our favorite haunts, - The Old Ebbitt Grille. The following Wednesday found me, accompanied by Genevieve, again in the city attending a Harman Center for the Arts brown-bag lunchtime performance of the Tehreema Mitha Dance Company. Tehreema Mitha started, in 1993, the only dance company that has existed in Pakistan, but later came to the U.S. seeking more choreographic freedom. Her work, in the world of Asian Dance, defuses the line between what was considered classical and what would be considered contemporary. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
The winter weather was soon upon us and we were thankful we had spent time our first week buying some warm clothing and boots. Our second week here, I walked out of the grocery story and was greeted by a beautiful winter wonderland with big fat wet snowflakes coming down, blanketing the parking lot and already making my car a big white blob. With no snow scraper (I put that on the list) I laughed as I scraped the snow from the windows with the first thing if saw - a map of San Diego. Bet it was never used for that purpose before.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Reflections on Cargo Ship Travel
Reflections on cargo ship travel
Trip ended in Houston 12/24/07
Our only prior experience of this type was an 18-day cruise aboard a container ship from Auckland, New Zealand to Seattle, Washington in 1996, which we thoroughly enjoyed. This time, for a four-month around-the-world cruise, we purposely chose a break–bulk cargo ship because, as the name implies, the cargo is bulk pieces as opposed to containers. The off-loading and on-loading of containers is much faster, which results in shorter times in port. While this is great for the shipping company, it doesn’t give the passengers much time in port. We were told, for this trip, we would have at least 15 stops with from one to three days at each stop.
We were happy with the decision we made and were in each port from one to five days. Actually, a “day” was sometimes only six or eight hours, (our biggest disappointment being our short stay in Genoa, Italy) with very little advance warning, but overall it all worked out o.k.
Our accommodations were quite spacious and very comfortable, plus there were other public areas where we could relax and play games, exercise, paint, swim, and sit on deck chairs to enjoy the sun and sea.
The meals were very good, with lots of variety of menus and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Since we changed crew two thirds of the way through, we experienced two chefs and two different stewards, as well as officers and other crew.
There were parties held periodically, with meats on the grill (and several times a roast pig on a spit) and lots of music and dancing. We were told by our crew that all Filipinos sing and dance (and I would add they are all warm, friendly and fun-loving).
We had three different captains - one from Houston to Hamburg, another from Hamburg to Shanghai, and the third from Shanghai back to Houston. The first two were Polish and the last Hungarian.
Weather-wise, we had a complete mixture and were glad we’d brought clothes for all seasons. It was warm when we left Houston in August and continued through our Atlantic crossing. Hamburg and Antwerp were very cold and we had rain for our short stop in Genoa. It became warm again for our trip through the Suez Canal and Red Sea and stayed warm from Singapore through Malaysia. Our next cold weather started with our first stop in China and we didn’t get warm again until we crossed the Pacific and arrived in San Diego. The remainder of the trip south to the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Gulf of Mexico to Houston was beautiful, warm and sunny, with calm seas.
When we boarded in Houston, there was one other passenger aboard (Jack from Canada) and with the two of us, plus our sister-in-law Martha, that made four. Unfortunately, Jack took ill and had to be taken off the ship in Camden, New Jersey. In Hamburg we took on two more passengers (a Swedish couple, Sunhilde and Helge) and the Captain’s wife, Barbara. When we changed crew in Shanghai, Barbara left and we were six from then until Martha left the ship in Costa Rica and Doug and I finished the trip in Houston. The Swedes continued on to Hamburg to complete their around-the-world trip. It was good to have others to talk with at meals and exchange books and videos, and we sometimes toured together in the various ports.
Setting up a blog, prior to the trip, made it easy for family and friends to follow our travels and eliminated the need for us to individually keep in touch with everyone. So, I hope you’ve enjoyed traveling with us, not only on our freighter trip but for the past year, and will continue to check our blog from time to time to see what we’re up to next.
Happy sailing and may all your landfalls be intentional.
Rebecca and Doug
Trip ended in Houston 12/24/07
Our only prior experience of this type was an 18-day cruise aboard a container ship from Auckland, New Zealand to Seattle, Washington in 1996, which we thoroughly enjoyed. This time, for a four-month around-the-world cruise, we purposely chose a break–bulk cargo ship because, as the name implies, the cargo is bulk pieces as opposed to containers. The off-loading and on-loading of containers is much faster, which results in shorter times in port. While this is great for the shipping company, it doesn’t give the passengers much time in port. We were told, for this trip, we would have at least 15 stops with from one to three days at each stop.
We were happy with the decision we made and were in each port from one to five days. Actually, a “day” was sometimes only six or eight hours, (our biggest disappointment being our short stay in Genoa, Italy) with very little advance warning, but overall it all worked out o.k.
Our accommodations were quite spacious and very comfortable, plus there were other public areas where we could relax and play games, exercise, paint, swim, and sit on deck chairs to enjoy the sun and sea.
The meals were very good, with lots of variety of menus and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Since we changed crew two thirds of the way through, we experienced two chefs and two different stewards, as well as officers and other crew.
There were parties held periodically, with meats on the grill (and several times a roast pig on a spit) and lots of music and dancing. We were told by our crew that all Filipinos sing and dance (and I would add they are all warm, friendly and fun-loving).
We had three different captains - one from Houston to Hamburg, another from Hamburg to Shanghai, and the third from Shanghai back to Houston. The first two were Polish and the last Hungarian.
Weather-wise, we had a complete mixture and were glad we’d brought clothes for all seasons. It was warm when we left Houston in August and continued through our Atlantic crossing. Hamburg and Antwerp were very cold and we had rain for our short stop in Genoa. It became warm again for our trip through the Suez Canal and Red Sea and stayed warm from Singapore through Malaysia. Our next cold weather started with our first stop in China and we didn’t get warm again until we crossed the Pacific and arrived in San Diego. The remainder of the trip south to the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Gulf of Mexico to Houston was beautiful, warm and sunny, with calm seas.
When we boarded in Houston, there was one other passenger aboard (Jack from Canada) and with the two of us, plus our sister-in-law Martha, that made four. Unfortunately, Jack took ill and had to be taken off the ship in Camden, New Jersey. In Hamburg we took on two more passengers (a Swedish couple, Sunhilde and Helge) and the Captain’s wife, Barbara. When we changed crew in Shanghai, Barbara left and we were six from then until Martha left the ship in Costa Rica and Doug and I finished the trip in Houston. The Swedes continued on to Hamburg to complete their around-the-world trip. It was good to have others to talk with at meals and exchange books and videos, and we sometimes toured together in the various ports.
Setting up a blog, prior to the trip, made it easy for family and friends to follow our travels and eliminated the need for us to individually keep in touch with everyone. So, I hope you’ve enjoyed traveling with us, not only on our freighter trip but for the past year, and will continue to check our blog from time to time to see what we’re up to next.
Happy sailing and may all your landfalls be intentional.
Rebecca and Doug
Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
12/20/07
After slowly moving through the Panama Canal, we accelerated to our normal cruising speed of 18 knots and headed north up the Caribbean coast to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. Around 1 AM we dropped anchor until morning when the pilot boarded and we finally began our entrance about 9 AM. It was a beautiful, sunny day and we were welcomed by the sight of sand, surf and palm trees.
I was surprised to see two cruise ships at the dock since we typically arrive at commercial ports, far from the cruise ship terminals. This was a good thing because that meant there would be good public transportation for Martha. She had booked a flight from San Jose, Costa Rica on the following day to ensure that she could get to New York in time to fly to India on the 25th. So, last night was our last dinner together and this morning she said a tearful goodbye to everyone. She will especially be missed by all the crew who we all have had such a good time with. We didn’t get to know them as well as the former crew but they were all great fun. In a few days we will also be saying goodbye, when we reach our final destination of Houston.
A short taxi ride took us to the bus terminal where Martha was able to get a 2 ½ hour express bus to San Jose where she’ll stay until her early morning flight on the 21st. Doug and I continued on with the taxi to a surf-side restaurant where we dined on broiled lobster, beans & rice and fried plantain - a real treat. Our driver stayed with us and took us to do some shopping, for specific items, before returning us to the dock. I stayed ashore to stroll the shops for local treasures and a few postcards and also treated myself to a pedicure (two treats in one day). At one shop, I met a little boy (helping in his father’s business) selling cans of macadamia nuts and post cards. After buying some of each I then asked if he had stamps. First he said yes but when he went to get them, told me he was very sorry but the people from the cruise ships bought all the stamps. Just then, his father appeared and said if I wanted to give him my post card, he would have more stamps the next day and would mail my card. I said “Well, I haven’t written it yet.” and the little boy said “Come around the counter and sit down and you can write it now.” He was so cute. So, I addressed the card to our two young grandsons, Zach (6) and Taylor (9), and suddenly had a thought. I said, “Can you write English? Would you write the message on the card?” He shyly said “I guess so. What should I write?” I said “Write whatever you like”. So he wrote: My name is Alex. I am 8 years old. I live in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. And he wrote his phone number. I thanked him but explained that they might not call him, but if he would give me his address they might write a letter. He said: “Or maybe a postcard!” What a cutie he was. (See photo below of Alex writing the post card)
Nothing was being loaded on the ship here, we were simply off loading lots of new refrigerator containers, which we were told will be used to ship Costa Rican cantaloupe to the U.S., so we departed that night. It was great to be back in the tropics.
12/20/07
After slowly moving through the Panama Canal, we accelerated to our normal cruising speed of 18 knots and headed north up the Caribbean coast to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. Around 1 AM we dropped anchor until morning when the pilot boarded and we finally began our entrance about 9 AM. It was a beautiful, sunny day and we were welcomed by the sight of sand, surf and palm trees.
I was surprised to see two cruise ships at the dock since we typically arrive at commercial ports, far from the cruise ship terminals. This was a good thing because that meant there would be good public transportation for Martha. She had booked a flight from San Jose, Costa Rica on the following day to ensure that she could get to New York in time to fly to India on the 25th. So, last night was our last dinner together and this morning she said a tearful goodbye to everyone. She will especially be missed by all the crew who we all have had such a good time with. We didn’t get to know them as well as the former crew but they were all great fun. In a few days we will also be saying goodbye, when we reach our final destination of Houston.
A short taxi ride took us to the bus terminal where Martha was able to get a 2 ½ hour express bus to San Jose where she’ll stay until her early morning flight on the 21st. Doug and I continued on with the taxi to a surf-side restaurant where we dined on broiled lobster, beans & rice and fried plantain - a real treat. Our driver stayed with us and took us to do some shopping, for specific items, before returning us to the dock. I stayed ashore to stroll the shops for local treasures and a few postcards and also treated myself to a pedicure (two treats in one day). At one shop, I met a little boy (helping in his father’s business) selling cans of macadamia nuts and post cards. After buying some of each I then asked if he had stamps. First he said yes but when he went to get them, told me he was very sorry but the people from the cruise ships bought all the stamps. Just then, his father appeared and said if I wanted to give him my post card, he would have more stamps the next day and would mail my card. I said “Well, I haven’t written it yet.” and the little boy said “Come around the counter and sit down and you can write it now.” He was so cute. So, I addressed the card to our two young grandsons, Zach (6) and Taylor (9), and suddenly had a thought. I said, “Can you write English? Would you write the message on the card?” He shyly said “I guess so. What should I write?” I said “Write whatever you like”. So he wrote: My name is Alex. I am 8 years old. I live in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. And he wrote his phone number. I thanked him but explained that they might not call him, but if he would give me his address they might write a letter. He said: “Or maybe a postcard!” What a cutie he was. (See photo below of Alex writing the post card)
Nothing was being loaded on the ship here, we were simply off loading lots of new refrigerator containers, which we were told will be used to ship Costa Rican cantaloupe to the U.S., so we departed that night. It was great to be back in the tropics.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
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