Disembarkation Day 16

WOW - Princess Cruise Lines has perfected getting passengers on & off a ship down to a science. Best I've ever experience - BRILLIANT!
At precisely 7:50 a, our group of 24 proceeded down the gangway for the final time.
Interesting facts from our 13 days on Caribbean Princess:

• we traveled 2,282 nautical miles
• Captain Manfuso resides in San Lorenzo, Tuscany Italy
• number of eggs used daily 20,000
• max passengers 3,740  crew 1,160
• The bridge is manned 24/7 by 2 officers working a 3 watch system
• Port of Southampton  is same as RMS Titanic sailed in 1912

LeHavre, FRANCE

Thursday July 19      The Beaches of Normandy & Paris
BON JOUR!
After quite rocky night on the seas we awoke to the large port of LeHavre, literally meaning "the harbor". It is an early day for most of the group to be on our way to one of two tour destinations. Eight have chosen to go to Paris for the opportunity to stand on the steps of the Eiffel Tower, see Notre Dame Cathedral, cruise the River Seine pass the sidewalk cafes along the Arc de Triumph - truly a once in a lifetime day.
The remaining 16 opted for the area of Norman and the beaches made famous on 6 June 1944.  In the seaside town of Ammanche is the official D-day Museum & Theatre with displays and memorabilia. We stood on Omaha beach and in the bunkers of Cape de Hoc. Pictured below is the American cemetery containing 9,387 graves and crosses of David.

The emotional day was very humbling as we stood where brave infantry men stormed the shores almost 70 years ago. The June 6th day is forever a liberation day; one celebrated not only by the French, but the world.

A wonderful lunch included cheese souffle and wine, always a staple when in France. An awesome day. Merci mon ami! 

Belfast, Northen.Ireland

Well, Miss Daisey is NOT happy - the Abbey Tours bus is 1 1/2 hrs late to pick up the group for the city and north coast tour:(
DID YOU KNOW? Mashed potatoes are known here as "champ"? An industrial giant in the 19th century, Belfast is named famous for its linens and shipyards. Outside the city, a visit gets underway to the north coast to see the marvels Giants Causeway & the Carrick A Rede rope bridge. Unfortunately, today is Friday the 13th - and the late start puts the group behind all the other tour buses (and crowds) at these attractions. Virginia, the wonderful guide salvages a nice day, treats us to a tradional "Irish stew" lunch and the sun comes out to enjoy a high 60 degree day. All is well with the Travelers.  dh

Edinburgh (S Queensferry) & St. Andrews SCOTLAND

Tues  7/17  Mid 70's  More Sun!
A chance to see a unique part of the Celtic culture of Scotlahnd, South Queensferry is a part of the Firth of Forth, an arm of the North Sea and a point of access to the capitol city of Edinburgh. A country about the size of the state of Maine, the country is part of the northern-most in the U.K. and one of the prettiest capitols in all of Europe with a castle perched high above for defensive reasons.
Visits to see St. Margaret's Chapel, the Crown Room and apartments are popular in
Edinburgh Castle. Outside the castle, the Esplanade is a military parade ground where musicians thrill spectators during the annual Tatoo ceremonies.The Royal Mile consists of a number of streets that join each other downhill at Holyrood Palace - a royal retreat since the 16th century. Many in the group chose the hop on/hop off bus to see the most popular sights in Old Town.
The golf lovers in the group made a pilgrimage to the ancestral, "Home of Golf" - St. Andrews for an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of the game. The Royal & Ancient Golf Club - one of the oldest in the world - is a site like no other with the picturesque and famous clock greeting golfers on the 1st tee and 18th green. The town is also host to some 9,000 univeristy students where Kate first met her "Prince" William.
The golf match between Dave & Deb (5 rounds) ended with a decisive female victory at the newer Kingsbarns Golf Links. Deb embraced the seaside course carding an impressive 81 and found the modern-ness of the linksstyle course with the help of 18 year-old caddie Ruri.
The sunny day (10 out of 12!!) by the sea or the top of castle hill made for brilliant photo oppts as well. Not sure if anyone was brave enought to try the Haggis dish, but a few of us enjoyed a Pint of Tennants (or 2)!

Inverness (Invergorgan) Scotland

Monday     SUN!!!!!!                 High 60 degrees:)
Invergordan was a naval base in the early 20th century and our dock @ 6:45 am this morning.
Admirality, our pier, once docked admirality warships to take on fuel and water during WW 2. Today the town is known for the repair of oil rigs.
Many in the group today will boat ferry on Loch Ness and castles - some just can't get enough I guess.
In 1933 an enterprising journalist in Inverness, Scotland enlivened a slow news week with a story of an odd sighting in Loch Ness. The legend grew overnight - and today folks can still scan the waters of the Loch for a "Nessie" sighting... the Loch Ness monster! The lake today is the largest freshwater lake in Scotland.
Also on tour is Cawdor Castle - famous for its mention in Shakespeare's Macbeth, the castle is considered one of the finest Medieval buildings in Scotland. Also a stop to Culloden Bbattlefield - the 1st battle fought on British soil and the defeat in 1746 of Stuart forces spelled the end of royal dynasty.
However, it was also day 4 for the golfers in the group. The Royal Dornoch Golf club hosted several from the  US (Ohio, Depauw U) today and the links style course was an extremely hard challenge. Score is 3 - 1 for those keeping track:)
dh

SEA DAY Sunday Cool Temps

FINALLY.... a day of rest! OR continue doing it all. We really are trying.
As far as navigation, we left Glasgow and cleared the Firth of Clyde and the No. channel. We sailed passed the Hebrides Islands and the northern tip of mainland Scotland. It will probably be a leisurly day... enjoying the Lotus spa, steam room, hot tubs, music in the Piazza centrum, a movie on Lido deck OR a nap!
Another formal night and the opportunity to take a nice portrait. It is also Princess Pop Star - The Grand Finals. I wonder if anyone we know is one of six Karaoke singers in the final competition??

Glasgow, SCOTLAND

Saturday, July 14  Low 70's   All 24 of our Group
The chief port in western Scotland, Glasgow was point of access to tour the Scottish Highlands. We enjoyed a fantastic day in the heart of the scenic countryside situated among lakes, valleys, and mountains.
Fraser, our guide greeted us in FULL Scottish dress - his tarten kilt! We pulled lakeside at Loch (lake) Lomond - a mere 22 miles long. A group photo will be posted layer.
A morning stop to the lovely village of Inverary, home to the Duke of Argyll (yes like the socks) was serene. Great Scottish wool & cashmere shopping was a must here. then we traveled further west and over the "Rest & Be thankful" pass, named for a treacherous mountain pass and observed the remains of Kilchurn Castle situated at the head of Loch Awe and surrounded by towering mountains. Lunch was enjoyed in the  seaport town of Oban, famous for the local scotch whiskey distillery.
Then our skilled coach driver, Kenny navigated a hilly mountain road thru Glencoe Nat'l Park affording views of Ben (mt) Nevis and also passing the popular hiking area of Rannoch Moor. The entire day was full of impressive Western Highlands and we are so blessed to have experienced:)