Cruise Day 1: Leaving Stockholm

Cruise Day 1:  Leaving Stockholm

Well, I got to the ship around noon.  I had lunch becomes rooms opened at 1 PM for guests. 

Stockholm is interesting because of the length of the day (it’s latitude is close to the Arctic Circle).  Sunrise is at 3:30 AM and sunset is at 10:00 PM.  So, there’s only about 5.5 hours of darkness.  It’s interesting because the streets are alive in Stockholm at 3:30 AM which people out and about in the streets. 

I’ve met lots of folks from the US in getting here.  Some are from Florida.  I’ve met a few from New Jersey.  I’m sure I’ll meet more as the tour progresses.

There’s six hours time difference from South Carolina to Stockholm.  We have to move our clocks up another hour this evening as the ship enters Finland.  Finnish time is seven hours ahead of SC. 

The Baltic Sea area is beautiful.

Sunday, June 30, started out a little overcast, but it was beautiful by the time we set sail from Stockholm, Sweden.

Boats approached the ship as it exited for the  archipelago to the enter the Baltic Sea.

The boaters would yell and wave as we left Stockholm.

Day 2 - Stockholm, Sweden

I learned a great deal about the Swedish way of life today.  I had a great tour with five other Americans who also were to be on cruises in the next day or two.

The tour guide was a 72 year-old retired military pilot.  Although his father was originally from Switzerland, he migrated to Switzerland prior to the outbreak of World War II.

Here are a few shots from today ...

The lion, a representation of Swedish royalty, is represented in most areas of the city.

Athough the exterior doesn't look very prominent, the interior is where the Nobel Peace Prize is handed out.

Much of the art carries a message about Swedish thinking of participation in war and violence.

There are 12 major islands that make up the port city of Stockholm.  Here's an amusement park that's along the harbor.

Our tour guide outside of one of the oldest buildings; he loved to share his exploits as a pilot.

It was a beautiful day, and we saw lots of wedding parties.  A bride and groom posed in the street after leaving a church here.

Day 1 - Summer Tour - Stockholm, Sweden

Well, I've arrived in Stockholm, Sweden.  Everyone has been extremely friendly, and almost everyone speaks English, too.

The bellman gave me excellent directions to walk to "Old Town."  Someone important was at the Parliament building as I walked by, but I'm not up on Swedish politics.

I had dinner (it was 4 PM, but 10 PM according to my body) at a Swedish-Italian restaurant.  The food was great, as was the local wine.

Here are few pictures from my day.  I plan to crash in a few minutes.

Walking and biking are the mode of transportation in Old Town.

Statues are everywhere, and this one is outside of the theatre where the Nobel Prizes are awarded.

Locks of love... There's a bridge where they do this in Paris, too.  

Hey, I saw Pippi Longstocking.

It's truly a pedestrian city.

Harbor view from Old Town.

The gates of Old Town and the Parliament.

It was a beautiful day in Sweden.  

The police were in full force to guard some politician outside of the Parliament.

The final day …

Well the cruise will come to an end.  Today is a sea day back to Port Everglades in Florida.  I’ve had a great trip, and I plan to relax today.  

Falmouth and Montego Bay, Jamaica

I arrived at Falmouth, and visited the Rose Hall Great House.  The final stretch was in Montego Bay.

Arriving in Falmouth, Jamaica

Rose Hall Great House was once a sugar plantation

Annie, the White Witch, lived here.  She was cruel and killed many husbands and lovers.

The appearance of the house in the 1960's when a Delaware family purchased it (they also own the Ritz Carlton across the street)

A shot of Montego Bay before my camera battery died on the tour.

Our guide sang us the Johnny Cash song about Annie Palmer by her grave.

Georgetown, Cayman Islands

They feed the fish to get them to the glass bottom boat.

The ships dock and send folks by the lifeboats to Georgetown.

I've been to hell and back.  A photo of Hell's Post Office in the Cayman Islands.

A turtle farm raises them for the meat in the Cayman Islands.

The breeding pond ... a little turtle love in the afternoon.

A picture of Hell in the Cayman Islands.

The baby turtles love having their necks scratched.

I'm not used to eating in restaurants where chickens are patrons, too.

The life boats coming in handy in order to get you to shore in Georgetown.

Roatan, Honduras - April 2, 2013

It was a beautiful day on the island of Roatan.  The beaches are beautiful and I ventured to a small key with a group from the ship.

Here are a few shots from the island ...

A fishing village 

This fishing village is known as the Venice of Roatan

A beautiful key (island) known for snorkeling and lounging by the sea.

African descendants put on a show of native dances

The crystal clear waters of Roatan

All aboard ... The view from my balcony stateroom.

Cozumel, Mexico - Day 2

I'm tired, but had a great day exploring the Mayan ruins of Tulum.  The area of the Maya Riviera is beautiful, too.

Here are few pictures from today ...

Mayan ruins at Tulum

A picture of the ruins and the sea in the background

The Mayan Riviera at Playa de Carma

Aerialists at the beach

The iguanas are everywhere, and they like to pose at the ruins.

The Mayan pyramid (a castle) at Tulum.

Returning to the ship after a hot and tiring day of exploring the Yucatan.