SPENDING AN AFTERNOON ON THE RIVER

Wednesday, August 8, 2012
CINCINNATI, OHIO

BELLE OF CINCINNATI

The High Street Travelers enjoyed a warm summer afternoon on a lunch cruise down the Ohio River complete with banjo tunes. BB Riverboats provided an excellent way to take in the scenery and a leisurely float.  

Shown here, Shirley and Patti - the ladies in pink, find a sunny spot mid-deck to enjoy the cruise after lunch. A talented banjo player entertained and provided helpful landmark history for us during the 2 hour cruise. Our buffet lunch was plentiful and tasty.

The morning tour of the traveling Pompeii exhibit at the Cincinnati Science Center & Museum was fascinating and informative. We only wish the 1 1/4 hour we had there could have been 3 hours, but good to see, none the less.



Miss Daisey Explores Caribbean Princess At Sea

7/18   Overcast, Then Rain, then Sea Swells...
Last night, our ship sailed past the oil-fields of the North Sea. Our south-bound route rounded Britian's most easternly coatline - Norfolk. Then we turned south-east towards France.
Even though I am just a flower that my leader Deb carries around, I have been very busy. There is the Lotus spas & fitness center complete with a scale to assess the kilos gained from too many trips to the buffet. I have checked out the magnificent art collection and items available for auction. The ship casino is paying out at the slot machines a bit. The shops and boutiques are open all day selling T-shirts, fine jewelry and sundries.

A fine gentleman named Jun at the Vines wine bar has allowed me to sample the wonderful cabernet. I'm relieved NOT to have visited the medical center on board, althougha few in the group have had to.
My leader's balcony stateroom is a relaxing spot for food delivered by room service or for reading a book. I really do LOVE cruising; it helps my blooms:)

Great Destinations Staff Aides Stranded Travelers

SHOWN: Jim & Pat McKissick get breakfast early Sat morning in New York.
Well, let's just say Friday became a rough start beginning at Heathrow Intern'l Airport. A passenger left a personal bag on the motor coach that brought us to the airport. We arrived with what seemed like 2,000 of the 3,000 cruise passengers all checking in at the same time. Two in our group were fisked going through security. Our plane was in the air for approximately 45 minutes and turned around with a passenger medical emergency (thankfully not one of us). * But I'd want the Captain to do the same if it was me! *
We endured 12 hours on the Delta plane when we landed safely at JFK airport at 8 pm. Unfortunately our connecting flight to IND left at 6:40 pm, so we are re-booked tomorrow and we must find hotel rooms.
ENTER our hero, Joe Mook. When Joe realized that our plane trip would be delayed, he immediately went to work researching options. The airline's obligation is ONLY to fly you to the final destination. Thank goodness, we always buy travel insurance for such occasions! Other weather delays in the area made JFK airport pure craziness and I don't know how Joe secured those 12 hotel rooms, but at the midnight hour (literally) we had a confirmed reservation AND many in line at the Double Tree with a Delta voucher didn't.
This is what a PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL AGENCY does for you. Folks if you ever, doubt paying a little extra for services.. STOP!
Delta didn't help us and shuttle drivers didn't care that we had traveled 20 hours, but Joe Mook went back to the office late Friday night and took care of the High Street Travelers!

THANK YOU   THANK YOU  THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US:)

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)!