Hello again friends. Wow, another cruise down as time continues to fly by. I am now off on another cruise during which I will celebrate my one year anniversary with the company and celebrate my 100 days onboard this contract! All on the same day, 10-10-10, nonetheless.
Before I delve into my adventures of last cruise let me clarify something from my last post. I’ve caught some flack for my comments about our older guests. I think it’s awesome that they’re cruising with us. I hope that I’m out exploring when I’m in my eighties. I love seeing them out here and seeing them have a good time. My comments were only in regard to Peggy’s Cove. I just didn’t think that climbing on the rocks around the lighthouse was the best spot for these folks. That’s all. I really do think it’s terrific they’re here and I hope to have the longevity of my adventurous spirit that our guests have. Understood?
Now, on to the new stuff.
I was blessed with the opportunity to visit with my dear friends Jerry and Arlene while I was in Portland. For those of you that don’t know, these two are like a second set of parents to me- they’re my Pittsburgh parents. They took me under their wings and under their roof for the two years that I lived in Pittsburgh. They few hours I spent with them was refreshing and rejuvenating. It is so nice to connect with “normal” and “real” life every once in a while. Don’t get me wrong, the fantasy-vacationland I live in is a nice place to be, but it’s nice to be reminded of not only what I left behind, but what is still waiting for me back home.
I had to stay onboard longer than I had intended on Portland morning due to our monthly all crew meeting. I had been asked by the Cruise Director and Staff Captain to make a music video for the meeting. I ran around the ship with 2 afro wigs and had to convince various crew members to but them on and show me some martial arts moves. Then I edited the footage to the song “Kung Fu Fighting.” It was a lot of work, but it was fun and people seemed to enjoy it. As a “thank you” for the video the Staff Captain invited me to the bridge to watch the sail out. While on the bridge he told me that this port has one of the most beautiful sailouts he’s ever seen. Although he as certainly seen more, I would have to agree with him. Portland harbor is breathtaking with many gorgeous homes and, of course, the Portland Head Light. Adding to the beauty was the sunset at the same time of the sailing. I have never seen a sail out from the bridge and although it was a little awkward (where do I stand, what do I say, when do I leave), it was a really great experience and I’m grateful for the invitation.
The next day was my favorite port of any cruise- Bar Harbor, Maine. I love Bar Harbor for many reasons, but Acadia National Park is certainly a big draw for me. On my first visit I did a bus tour that served as a great introduction to all the park has to offer. I hiked the ocean trail on the next visit- a mostly easy stroll along the coastline with a couple challenging spots. Since my first visit, I had been hearing about a trail known as Precipice. We paused there briefly on the bus tour for the guide to tell us about how after half a mile into the trail the terrain goes straight up for 500 feet. The only way to navigate it is via the steel rungs that have been hammered into the rock face. There is even a ladder fastened to the cliff at one point to aid climbers. About a month ago I attempted our onboard rock wall and failed three times. Because of this I was fairly certain I should not try this trail. However, it’s usually my fear of things that drives me to do them so I decided I must conquer precipice. It was awesome! A little scary at some points, but I just tried not to think about it. I had been calling it a hike, but at the trailhead there is actually a sign that says “This is not a hiking trail. It is a non-technical climbing route.” I want to do it again some time. The adrenaline and the views were phenomenal. This was the hardest trail on all of Mt. Dessert Island and therefore all of Acadia National Park. I did it! I wasn’t sure I would make it, so I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but I am pretty proud of myself.
I’m always sad to leave Bar Harbor. It was especially sad this time since I had such a great time there and really didn’t have anything planned for St. John, New Brunswick the next day. I have never taken a day there to just walk around town so I decided that it was time to see what St. John had to offer. Apparently it can offer restaurants and a mall, because that was all the further I made it. Maybe next time I’ll actually make it past the two main streets- which was my goal this time. But it was nice to be in a mall. Even though I don’t enjoy shopping, it was just one more thing this cruise that made me feel semi-normal- walking around a mall, window shopping, browsing a book store, etc. It was much different than my day in Bar Harbor, but I needed a little bit of rest after that climb anyway.
Halifax, Nova Scotia was my next destination. I had heard about a Titanic museum in Halifax, but I had never been. I really didn’t know much about the Titanic disaster- iceberg, sunk, blockbuster movie. That was about it. So I went to the museum and learned some more about it. Lots of ships from Halifax were part of the rescue and recovery effort- in fact, many victims are buried in Halifax. I also got to tour the CSS Acadia. CSS stands for Canadian Scientific Ship. This ship had cartographers aboard and were responsible for mapping uncharted territory. It was neat to see. It’s also nice to know that my accommodations are much better than the crew of that ship. They had private showers, but only the Petty Officers and above had private toilets. Everyone else used one of the 3 side by side toilets. No stalls, no curtains. Just toilet, toilet, toilet. Yikes! I could have easily spent all day in the Maritime Museum, but I was hungry and wanted to visit the public gardens and find a little mall I had visited before so I took off around 2:00, had a disappointing lunch in the public gardens as I fought off a duck and sea gull, and then headed off for the mall I once saw. I finally found it and was disappointed by the fact that I had apparently saw all it had to offer the first time around. By now it was time to head back aboard.
After a day at sea it was time for Boston again. I slept in a little bit and didn’t head out until about 9:30. I caught the shuttle to Faneuil Hall, sent my sister a very, very, very belated birthday card (sorry again 🙁 ), and then I found a Bruegger’s Bagels and had one of my most missed land meals- Asiago Parmesan Bagel with cream cheese and sprouts. Then I finished the part of the Freedom Trail I didn’t get to last time. We ended at Boston Commons where we had hoped to ride one of the famed swan boats. Boy were we disappointed. Apparently they are done for the season :(. Boo. But the walk in the park was nice and I found a statue of a duck that I sat on to make up for the lack of swan boat ride. Before returning to the ship we had time to browse another bookstore and grab some lunch in Quincy Market.
And that’s the cruise. It doesn’t sound quite as busy as it felt. We have 2 more Bermuda cruises and one more Canadian cruise left before we start in on our longer itineraries to the Caribbean. Although I love the ports we do now, I am looking forward to the change as those ports will give me more free time since I won’t be dashing off to hike trails and see all the historical stuff.
I’m also preparing to speak in church again. I’ll be speaking on the next 9 day voyage. I don’t remember if I commented on the first time I spoke. I think it went fairly well. I really have no idea how to describe the church onboard. You kind of have to see it to believe it. It is strange, and remarkable, and wonderful all at the same time. My pulpit was a small end table with an upside down garbage can on top of it. Since the crew training room is our sanctuary, there was a poster about infectious diseases behind me. I’ve been in lots and lots of venues, but this one is by far the most unique. I spoke on how our mouths are a window to our minds and hearts. I was grateful for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to speaking again. I continue to be amazed at how God works- just when I thought I was moving away from speaking as ministry God blessed me with an astonishing new opportunity. Praise God!
