STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

We started our day with a drive through the countryside before reaching the city limits. Then we covered the main sights of the city. We crossed the medieval Old Town and we passed the Royal Palace overlooking Stockholm’s inner harbor.  On the nearby island of Riddarholmen, we passed the impressive church with its cast iron steeple, known as a place for Royal burials.  The Old Wrangel Palace, once known as the King’s House, today houses the Court of Appeals.  From the waterfront there is a wonderful view of the impressive City Hall site of the annual Nobel Prize Banquet.

Next, we visited the Vasa Museum, housing the Swedish warship Vasa – once among the world’s largest and most prestigious warship. The museum is literally built around the 17^th century warship, which sank in Stockholm’s inner harbor on her maiden voyage in 1628. Salvaged in 1961 and today restored to much of her former glory. 

Stockholm is built on 14 islands and there are 37 bridges. 

This was the last port on our cruise.  We are now heading to Rotterdam where we will disembark, spend the night, and then fly home from Amsterdam. It has been a wonderful cruise, a great history lesson, and we’ve met some great new friends. See you soon.

HELSINKI, FINLAND

Finland is a small country, a little bigger than Italy, on the Baltic Sea. The country lies just below the Arctic Circle. The Sea is frozen nine months out of the year.  All the boats must be taken out of the water during that time.

For the last 600 years Finland was under the rule of Sweden but when the 1917 Revolution came along Finland declared their independence.

We saw the monument of approximately 600 steel pipes honoring the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.

The 1952 Winter Olympics were here in Finland. In the winter they have only five hours of sunshine.

We visited the famous Rock Church. It is a Lutheran Church built in 1969. It was entirely built into bedrock and quarried stone.

The day we visited the sun was shinning and the temperature was in the 50’s. Everyone was outdoors enjoying the sun at side walk cafes or sitting on grassy spots.

ST PETERSBERG, RUSSIA

There are eight hundred and twelve thousand people living in Saint Petersburg and five million living in Moscow. St Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great.  He found the land and decided to build a city to rival any in the world. He wanted canals like Amsterdam, so he had them built. He traveled the world and brought back ideas and all kinds of things from other lands.

We visited the Hermitage Museum which Czarina Catherine the Great created in 1764. Her original purchase of 225 canvasses by Dutch and Flemish masters provided the nucleus of today’s collection, which consists of almost three million exhibits and represents many cultures. The museum boasts 353 rooms, filled with masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, Giorgione, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and others.

Located within the Winter Palace on the banks of the Neva River, the Hermitage Museum is a work of art in itself.  As we marveled at the wonderful paintings and tapestries that adorn the walls, we also marveled at the spectacular staircases, marble structures, malachite columns and highly decorated floors and ceilings, in this former residence of the mighty Russian Czars.

We visited the magnificent Catherine’s Palace in a brief drive to the countryside in a town of Pushkin. It is named after Catherine the Great and restored over the past 40 years to its original splendor. It was almost destroyed during World War II. Inside the palace, we marveled at the magnificent Grand Hall (or Throne Room) – a gilded wonder with a spectacular painted ceiling and mirrored walls that are breathtakingly beautiful.  We also saw Alexander I’s State Study with its splendid marble fireplace.

At the main staircase we looked up at the palace ceilings decorated with paintings by Italian artists of the 17^th and 18^th centuries.  Decorative plates and vases of Japanese and Chinese porcelain are placed throughout.  The Picture Gallery contains more than 130 paintings by Dutch, Flemish, French and Italian masters of the 17^th and 18^th centuries.

Above all, we saw the outrageously beautiful Amber Room, a brilliant and painstaking re-creation built in semi-precious stone by Russian craftsmen, after the original amber panels were stolen by Nazis during World War II. They have never been found and what happened to them remains one of the great mysteries of the 20^th Century.

We visited the Church on the Chilled Blood which was built in 1907 on the spot where the Russian Czar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881.  Part of the area, about 23, 000 square feet, is covered by mosaics, believed to be the largest indoor mosaic in the world. The best painters, masters of mosaic stone carving, ceramic and enamel of the 19^th and 20^th centuries, took part in the decoration of the church.

The two days we were in Russia it was sunny and about 50 degrees. The Russian people were surprised with the warm weather and they were glad Spring was finally here. I was surprised to see there were almost no bicycles on the streets. The guide said the people had only recently received cars and their driver’s licenses and it was too dangerous to ride a bicycle on the streets.

TALLINN, ESTONIA

Tallinn, the capital of the Republic of Estonia, a small, but unusually beautiful medieval city on the Eastern shore of the Baltic Sea.

Throughout its stormy history, despite the changing foreign rulers, wars, fires and reconstruction, the city has nevertheless retained its beauty and integrity untouched, maintaining its medieval environment and atmosphere. In fact, one of the main values of Tallinn is that a large share of the old buildings has been preserved almost undamaged, which turns it into one of the best-preserved medieval trading towns in the whole of Europe.

The present Tallinn area was first inhabited approximately in the end of the 10^th century, when the Estonian tribes built a stronghold on the Toompea hill, in the immediate vicinity of the port, thanks to its advantageous location near to the sea and the position at the East-West trading route.

Crusaders led by King Valdemar II of Denmark conquered the Tallinn stronghold in 1219, built their own fortress there and began the seven-hundred-year period, during which the town was ruled by foreigners. The official name of the town until the beginning of the 20^th century was Reval.

Tallinn was 50% flatten during the World War II. It has been reconstructed preserving its medieval history. There are 1.3 million residents living in Estonia and 440 thousand residents in Tallinn. Estonia received their independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. They have a Parliament that elects a President. Presently they have a female President. Estonia is on the same latitude as southern Alaska, so they have the same weather.  Today it was a beautiful sun shinning day in the 50’s. People were in the large market square at side walk cafes enjoying themselves.

Estonia is a member of the EU and NATO. They have six State Universities and a literacy rate of 99.9%.

BERLIN, GERMANY

We docked in Warnemunde and then took a motor coach drive for three hours on the Autobahn to Berlin. We toured Berlin all day.  I had been to Berlin as a young Army wife in 1964 when the wall was still up. We went through Checkpoint Charlie and visited East Berlin under the watchful eyes of soldiers with guns.  Tom had not been to Berlin before.  

Germany has opened its doors to refergees. They are not allowed to work the first year and the State feeds them. There was no word on what happens then, but they are a problem it was stated.  Now there are 2.3 million people living in West Berlin and 1.3 people live in East Berlin.  

There are five Universities in Berlin and they are free for Germans with good grades to attend. A student just must find and pay for housing.

There is an odd shaped building that was a gift from the USA. Our guide said it looks a pregnant oyster or Jimmy Carter’s smile.

The Brandenburg Gate, the only remaining city gate, was originally built in 1791.  It was damaged some in the war but has been repaired to its former beauty. 

In July 1961 the Wall between East and West Berlin was put up over a weekend. The wires were ordered from the UK without their knowledge what they were going to do with it. The wall was 12 feet high. Between 1961 and 1963 about 150 people were shot trying to scale the wall.  In all about 700 died trying to escape to the West. 

Checkpoint Charlie was still in the same location as it was when I was there with some men dressed in uniforms to reenact how it might have looked.  East Berlin has rebuilt and is thriving just like the West side.

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

Copenhagen is one of the most fascinating cities in the Baltic region, and during our panoramic introduction to the Danish Capital we saw close to 850 years of recorded history. Most people own two bicycles – one to use to go to work Monday through Friday and a good one to use on the weekend for long distance use. Needless to say, the Danes are slender and in good shape.

From the City Hall we saw the mile-long Stroeget pedestrian street, brimming with shops, boutiques and cafes, which connects City Hall Square with the King’s New Square.

We saw the world-famous Tivoli Gardens, founded back in 1843, offering a wealth of flowers, restaurants and entertainment.

We saw the Glytotek Art Museum with the modern architecture and Christiansborg Palace – home of the Danish Parliament and the Queen’s reception rooms.  We saw the old Stock Exchange building in Dutch Renaissance style, with its spire of entwined dragon tails. We drove through the colorful canal area of Nyhavn – once a grubby sailors’ quarter with bars offering entertainment of questionable taste, but now the most charming part of Copenhagen, with brightly colored houses stretching along the canal.

We visited Almalienborg – the winter residence with its four identical Rococo palaces and octagonal palace square. There are four palaces around the large center. One houses the Queen, the next one houses the crown Prince and his Australian wife and the other two are for visiting dignitaries. While we were there the Queen arrived in her car and was driven inside her palace. The press was there trying to get a glimpse of her and a drone was flying overhead, too. Next behind her the Prime Minister followed her in his car and was driven into the palace. They were to have a meeting we were to learn.

We also saw the famous Little Mermaid sculpture modeled on the fairytale creation of Hans Christian Andersen.

Copenhagen is one of the cleanest cities in the world. It was in the 50’s today and the sun was out all day. It was a beautiful day to sight see.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

We docked at Zeebrugge and then on tour we drove an hour and forty-five minutes to the capital of Belgium, Brussels. Upon arrival we took a panoramic drive around Brussels. As usual it was raining so it was hard to take pictures from the bus.  The city has many beautiful buildings that were not destroyed in the war. They were of the Baroque style. We were let out of the bus at a covered shopping mall that was constructed for the wealthy centuries ago. We were in the old town area and around the Grand Palace with its Baroque guild houses and ornate Town Hall. We walked a few more blocks to view the Manneken Pis Statue. It is a famous statue of a small boy high up on the side of a building who is urinating.

We ate lunch in a restaurant on the town square that was 300 years old.  There were 39 of us on the tour and we were seated on the third floor. The stairs were winding and very narrow, but the ceilings were wonderfully decorated. The lunch was wonderful from salad to dessert.

CHERBOURG, FRANCE

A lovely port town, Cherbourg has a long history as a naval base, a concentration of power against British invasions. These days, there’s a British invasion of a different kind happening daily: Cherbourg is one of the main landing places for ferries coming from England and Ireland.

It was also famously one of the last stops for the Titanic on its fateful maiden voyage. The city played an important role in the liberation of France during World War II, with the Battle of Cherbourg taking place here soon after D-Day in 1944. During that it sustained much damage but now can claim pride as the first city to be liberated. Cherbourg is an active port and gateway to the many attractions in Normandy.

Not far from Cherbourg, visitors can immerse themselves in history, with small towns dating back to medieval times and beautiful chateaus.  The Normandy beaches and battle sites stand testament to the sacrifices made by Allied forces during the liberation of France, and the American Cemetery, with its over 9,000 marble crosses, is a moving monument to those who gave their lives. 

We did get to see Omaha Beach and the remains of the artificial port built there. It was one of the most extraordinary industrial and maritime achievements of the whole war and enabled Allied forces to land in France and begin the counter-invasion.

It was another cold, rainy day. We are told this is regular weather for Spring in Europe. No one can complain about one day of weather in Panama City , Fl. I look forward to it. 

BREST, FRANCE

Known for its naval history, Brest was once France’s first line of defense against attacks by sea and has long been home to the French Naval Academy.  Its beautiful natural harbor proved important for fishing and shipbuilding and the ruling Richelieu family built a fortress here in the seventeenth century, part of which houses the city’s naval museum today. Brest was heavily bombarded by the Allies during the liberation of France, and most of it was destroyed, leaving only a few of its medieval buildings and fortifications intact.  The town rebuilt, erecting what became Europe’s tallest drawbridge in 1953 and growing to a population of over 300,000 in its metropolitan area.   

 

We took a lovely panoramic drive to Plouguerneau, where the tallest stone lighthouse in Europe is located.  This impressive structure guards the Abers Coast.  Since the 5^th century, this Leon country has upheld the history of Welsh and Irish immigrants who landed here on there mission to bring Christianity to Brittany. A few miles on we saw the ruins of Saint Mathieu Abbey. It was constructed in the 4^th Century.

The whether was dismal with on and off rain, temperatures in the 40’s and winds that got up to 50 miles an hour.  Not a very nice day for sightseeing.

I am going to send a blog from each port but without pictures. The software I was using to downsize the pixels of the pictures I had taken so I could put them in the blog now says: OK you have used this for free now you have to pay for it. I am using my new tablet and I will not use my credit card to order anything on it. So, if you are interested I will show the pictures when we get home.   

Bermuda

A maritime calamity began modern Bermudian history.  In 1609, the British vessel Sea Venture, caring English colonists to Jamestown, Virginia settlement, grounded near Bermuda. The survivors were stranded, but with some ingenuity the unwilling new residents established the first permanent settlement. It took a year to build new ships and by the time they were ready to sail, some of them decided to remain.  Three years later, Bermuda colonization began in earnest, and by the end of the century, the island was a Crown Colony.  Bermuda, Britain’s Atlantic Star, is one of the world’s best known resorts – so well known many visitors are surprised to learn that the total land area is only about 20 square miles!

The archipelago is 600 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Hatteras, North Carolina in the direct path of the warming Gulf Stream current.  A protective undersea coral wall rings the chain. The climate is semi-tropical, so the islands are richly blessed with colorful marine life and magnificent flowering plants.  Bermuda is famous for its beautiful scenery, and its proud residents are determined to keep it that way. There are no high rises, no parking meters, no neon signs, no smoke stacks or pollution, and no income tax. Bermuda is a holiday destination, but it is also a major financial center. Visitors are welcomed as guests and while Bermudians see themselves as self-reliant.  Politeness and courtesy are treasured here.

The weather was about 75 degrees with the sun shining brightly.  We took a glass bottom boat ride to see the sights.  We saw a sunken ship that was being carried out to deeper water but it broke in two and there it stayed. But it was good for fishing around.  We fed bread over the side to the fish and they came swarming. This island is really a wonderful island to visit.

                                    

There is a bridge far out there 

AZORES

We traveled to the archipelago of Azores and arrived at the city of Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel.  What was established as a fishing village in the mid-15^th century was later elevated to city status in 1545 after the island’s original capital was devastated by an earthquake.  Architecture enthusiasts will want to make sure to visit the city’s three major churches: Matriz de Sao Sebastio (St Sebastian’s), Sao Pedro (St Peter’s) and Sao Jose (St Joseph), all dating from the 17^th and 18^th centuries. 

We saw the Sete Cidades “Seven Cities” region. It is dominated by an impressive five-mile wide caldera from a volcano.  Within the crater lie two volcanic lakes, one green and the other blue. There has not been a volcanic eruption since the early 1800’s. There is a settlement of about 800 people that live around the lake. They primarily are farmers. They do not own the land because the original people who owned it pass it down and never sell it. This Region is on the western end of the island and it is at the island’s highest elevation. This settlement is very isolated.

KEY WEST

Travel almost 130 miles southwest of Miami to the island of Key West. Known for its popularity with cruisers, the area is also an important naval station and vacation destination for thousands of visitors every year.  The island’s tropical savannah climate offers pleasant conditions, with year-round temperatures hovering in the 80s with frequent thunderstorms.  Ernest Hemingway called Key West his home in the early 20^th Century. Today visitors can look at where the famous writer kicked up his shoes with a trip to 1301 Whitehead Street.  Another famous writer, Tennessee Williams, made Key West his home around the same time.  

                                       Famous Pub we looked up

                                       Tom and Sandy

                              House in Truman Annex Neighborhood

On the Move Again!

Here we go on our next big adventure. We leave on April 15, 2018 (yes, we have done our Income Tax) on our favorite cruise line, Holland America, leaving from Tampa to go to Europe for 27 days. We hope the weather will be warmer in Key West and Bermuda and during the five day crossing over to the Azores than it has been in the Pan Handle so far. We look forward to France, Germany, St Petersburg, Russia and then the Baltic countries. I will be blogging about how I survive the cold, I'm sure. I hope you enjoy the journey with us.