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.