The Azores, Island Sao Miguel:
We were up and had coffee in the lounge and while waiting for the sun to rise. Next we had breakfast at Cabanas, bacon and oatmeal. Then it is to deck 10 to watch our arrival at at Ponta Delgado. As this was the first time Disney Cruise Line has visited this port, a fire boat met our ship with a spray down salute. Always nice to see this.
We were soon docked and we prepared to go on an excursion called Best of the West and wine and Cheese. Franciscan Monks brought wine making to the Azores and dairy production is a main product produced in the Azores.
We were to start our excursion in the Concierge Lounge and were escorted to our awaiting bus, here we had to wait for the others in our group to arrive. Our Guide was Marco and he did an excellent job sharing much about the many facets of the Azores.
Soon we were on our way heading to the west side of the Island. Island Sao Miguel is one of the nine islands which comprise the Azores Archipelago. I was surprised at how green the island is, very much with many species of plants and trees. There are very few endemic species there, as many of the plants were brought to the island by the islands early wealthy residents as a sign of their wealth. These species flourished and in many places have taken over. I was expecting the island to be more of a basaltic barren environment, not at all the case.
One of the main businesses on the island is dairy production, as there are 250,000 people and 500,000 cows. Mostly Holstein and very few Jersey cows. A majority of the dairy products used in Portugal are produced here in the Azores. The dairy operations are not like we have in the US, as the cows are rotated in the fields they graze and a milking station is brought to them. There is some corn for production and some turned into chopped silage for the winter months. The temperatures here are rather moderate and we were told range from 21-25 C. Very nice in my book.
Our bus took us to the edge of some of the calderas where we enjoyed very nice vistas of the islands. We did make a stop at a small town and visited a bar/cafe. Sete Cidaes is the name of the village. Here I had an expresso and cheese sandwich, made with local cheese, Lynn had a coffee and milk and a “conventional cake” (made from recipe from the Convent). The cheese sandwich was excellent with a nice chewy bread and a creamy cheese, Lynn’s cake was a moist sponge cake, sweet and eggy. Our snack was a total of 4.50 euro and was simply excellent.
From the village we drove to another overlook on the south west side of the island. The Vistas on this island are very nice. One thing we learned is there are many hiking trails all over the islands. From the trailheads they all looked wide and very well groomed. One could spend a few days exploring the trails.
We soon found our way back in Ponta Delgado where we went to a local hotel for a sampling of local wine and cheese. The wines were dry and good, both a red and a white. The cheeses were all a light white cheese. The St. George was my favorite as well as a garlic.
After the sampling, we struck out on foot to find the local farmers market. We did locate it and it seemed to be a very quiet time at the market. We were able to locate some gifts as well as some jam for us. Next we made our way to the city square by walking along the cobblestone streets. The streets were designed with different patterns where imported white stones were incorporated with local black lava rock to make a design. The early days each street was different and it was a system used to identify the street one lived on and used to give direction to a persons house. Most of the architecture in the down town area was baroque and enjoyable. The temperatures started to to warm up and we searched for local super markets and did find a couple where we bought some Jam and honey.
Knowing our concierge staff was not getting much time off in port we did get them some local pineapple jelly as pineapples are a locally grown product.
Our time in port was growing short and a light refreshing rain had started to fall and we made our way back to the ship.
I could really see returning here to spend some time hiking the trails and hanging out in a local coffee shop. There are flights from Boston and Providence, RI. Also from London with Ryan Air. Makes one think.
Sydney Nova Scotia:
Sydney at one time was an major industrial center for Nova Scotia. A location where steel and coal were king. Yet, time changes and so must cities, when the mills and mines closed Sydney turned to tourism and the harbor now hosts thousands of cruise ship visitors.
Sydney is an entry port for Cape Breton Island, known for it lake areas, scenic drives and the town of Baddeck where Alexander Graham Bell lived and worked.
Sydney was founded by British Loyalists who had fled the newly formed United States. The mills and mines attracted many workers from around the globe and I understand immigrants from the Scottish Highlands and garlic is still spoken. Celtic music also is a local favorite as is evidenced by the 50 foot fiddle found outside the cruise terminal.
I was expecting to see classic New England Architecture and was not disappointed. I also expect to find a quaint coastal village, we will see.
We have read about a couple of the older buildings to be found in Sydney. The first is the Jost House, which is the oldest wooden building in town. Here I hope to get a feel for the early days in Sydney.
We have also learned about a the Cosset House Museum, one of the oldest houses in Sydney. This house was built by Reverend Ranna Cosset, a loyalist who was induced to move by the Crown with the gift of land. His wife, Thankful, died in childbirth delivering their 13th child. The family continued to continuously live in the residence until 1975 when it was restored to it’s period glory. I do hope this gives me a glimpse of the early days in Sydney.
Our plan for this day is to simply walk about and see what we can find. We do have some information on a couple of local pubs and brewhouses.
Sydney did not disappoint as I found it to be a not very small port town, yet not large. The Old Town area is made up with well maintained old houses. One thing I really liked were a couple local craft markets where local crafts people offered their wares. I appreciate these offerings much more than the rubber tomahawk shops.
We first visited the Cosset House. Here the house had been restored with many period items. This made the early life in Sydney come to life.
Next we visited the Jost House where an interpreter guided in through the house starting in the basement kitchen area and ending in the upstairs areas. I especially liked this visit as the rooms contained really nice artifacts of the period. One thing which was also nice was several displays and books dealing with the local flora and fauna.
We next visited the Saint George church. One of the oldest churches in Nova Scotia and the stone used for construction were brought from LO???????.
Next we tried to find a local craft society shop and found it closed. Then we went to a local pub called The Old Triangle Irish Ale House. Here we had lobster sliders for lunch and a local stout. The location was quiet when we arrived and then a couple of the ships tours arrived along with several crew members. I always like to see the crew members off the ship and having some time off.
There was free internet at the port and in the pub, but with the volume of people on line the service was slow but not as slow as the ship.
Halifax:
Busy busy busy is the best description I can say about this port city. The Disney Magic was berthed in an outlying working dock area and we had to take a shuttle bus to the main port area. We were treated to a ride on a school bus. At the main terminal we were dropped off at the Cunard Pavilion the farthest terminal out. We really did not mind as our plan was pretty much one of walking about.
We stopped in the one of the cruise terminals where the Farmers Market is located and scoped out the wares which were available. Yes there is free WIFI at the Port but with three ships in, with every passenger and crew member trying to access, it was really slow. I did check email to check on The Boys (our dogs). Our plan was to walk further afield and shop on the way back.
We did find a guy selling dog toys and yes The Boys got one. I hope they like it.
We continued along the water front past the Maritime Museum to a local ferry terminal. Before riding the ferry across the harbor to Dartmouth, we found Tim Hortons and had a Fruit Explosion Muffin and coffee. We then boarded the Ferry to Dartmouth.
Arriving in Dartmouth after a 15 minute ferry journey we found a nice uncrowded city with some nice uncrowded parks. One park is called the peace park and from our research we learned it contained parts of the Berlin Wall and the Great Wall of China. Not what I expected and found it to be rather interesting. The display was an enclosed rather large display case. In the case were rocks, bricks, and debris from around the world. Yes there was a 2 foot piece of the Berlin wall and a brick from the Great Wall. There were rocks from here, there and every where. The US contribution was a chunk of concrete from a decommissioned missile silo. The park was enjoyable to walk around and if time had allowed we would have ventured further into Dartmouth.
After the return ferry ride, we made our way slowly back looking for gifts and an item for a Christmas ornament for the travel christmas tree. Along the way we grabbed some street food. We shared a Hot Dog and a Beaver Tail. Both were very good.
We did get to take a double decker bus back to the ship. Fun as we were not sure it would make it, and there was discussion we may have to get out and such.
Back to the ship for typical ship activities like eating LOL.
AZORES PHOTOS
SYDNEY PHOTOS
HALIFAX PHOTOS
Mine Mine Mine
