TA Day 14. Bruges, Belgium (Part 2)

We stumbled across a canal tour that was off the beaten path with no long lines. It was a 30 minute ride and lots of fun. I took way too many pictures so here's just a few (pics. 1 - 10). I was sitting in the back of the little boat and couldn't turn around so I put my cell phone on reverse camera (like I was going to take a selfie) and just pointed it behind me but didn't realize I wasn't holding it up high enough not to get part of my head in the shots! Oh well, I can crop that part out if I print any of them! 

Here's what helped us decide we should take the canal trip (11, 12 & 13).

The town isn't that big, but it's all cobble stone with lots of people. I don't know how far we walked but my legs and feet are very tired. I'll definitely sleep good tonight!

And finally, probably our last towel animal (pic. 14), a dinosaur. After tomorrow's day in Amsterdam, we have one final sea day before debarkation in Copenhagen. 

TA Day 14. Bruges, Belgium (Part 1)

My first view of the morning (pic. 1). I wasn't sure if it would pour on us all day or not. At one point before we got to the port, I kept hearing a noise that didn't belong on the ship. I can tell you the world could take a lesson from the port here about the size of their pilot boats (pic. 2).

Our driver into town, and also back from town to the ship, Patrick (pic. 3), made very good time (he apparently likes to speed a lot)!

Bruges is a medieval city with plenty of old buildings. I just couldn't take enough pictures. Here's a few of my favorites (pics.  4, 5, 6, 7 & 8).

After we grabbed a bite to eat (pics 9, 10, 11 & 12), we found the chocolate store (pic. 13).

TA Day 13. Paris, France (Part 2).

We finally made it back to the meeting place for our bus (pic. 1) and the long ride back to the ship.

We passed through a huge downpour and on the other side saw this double rainbow (pic. 2). Awesome, huh?

There were fields and fields of this yellow plant (pics. 3 & 4). We thought it was mustard seed, like is planted in Quincy. It's actually used to make canola oil.

I'm sure glad we weren't flying through those clouds (pic. 5)! Or having to drive a big bus through the rain!

The ball like clumps on this tree (pic. 6) are actually mistletoe. I had no idea it grew like that.

And finally, we crossed that cable bridge (pic. 7) over the Seine River (pic. 8). I don't know if the river is always that muddy looking or if it's because of all the rain they've been getting.

TA Day 13. Paris, France (Part 1)

When I woke up this morning we were backing into the dock at the port (pic. 1). It's cloudy and cold.

We rode the ship's bus (pic. 2) into Paris since it was by far the least expensive and safest way (meaning if the bus was late, the ship wouldn't leave without us) to get there. It's a 2 1/2 hour trip each way.

Our driver was Pascal (pic. 3) (that's him in the rear view mirror), and Katarina was our guide. She had us follow her lollipop (cardboard circle with our tour number - 23) to show us where to return to the bus.

We had pre-bought our Hop On Hop Off bus tickets and the stop was across the street from our tour bus. Our first stop was at the Trocadero where we walked over to the Eiffel Tower (pic. 4). And yes, Tracy and I were 12ing again (pic. 5)!

We road the red Big Bus through the route where we saw the Champ de Mars,  Hotel de Invalides, the Place de la Concorde, the Eglise de la Madeleine, the Opera House, and the Place Vendome (pictures to be added later as they are on my camera and not my phone).

We passed the Hotel du Louvre (pic. 6) before driving through the walls of the huge building that surrounds the Pyramide du Louvre (pic. 7).

We stopped for a quick bite to eat at Cafe la Corona Brasserie (pic. 8) for a Croque-madame non fromage e chocolat (toasted ham & cheese with fried egg only I held the cheese, and hot chocolate) (pic. 9). It sure hit the spot! 

After getting back on the bus, we saw Notre Dame and Musee D'Orsay before driving down the Avenue Des Champs Elysees and around the Arc de Triumphe (again, will add pictures later after getting them off the camera).

TA Day 12. At Sea

I slept 9 hours last night. After all the walking and climbing we had done, and little sleep the night before, I knew I'd sleep good! My first view this morning (pic. 1) was much better than yesterday morning.

We entered the English Channel about noon which explains why we've been seeing more freighters (pic. 2) and why we're only going 13 knots.

We got our passports back today. Customs officials really had their work cut out for them having to stamp all the passports for everyone on the ship. That explains why there were over half a dozen of them on board when we were getting off. I do have a pet peeve about how the Passports are stamped. Check it out (pic. 3). Notice it? They stamped it on page 19. It's the first stamp in my new passport. Why in the world couldn't they have stamped it on the first empty page?

We decided to not eat lunch today, since we ate breakfast late and instead decided to have strawberries and scones at 3:00. I had an individual serving size of trail mix as a snack to hold me over until 3:00. Why did they have to put in so many cashews (pic. 4)? Yuck! I saved them for Jim!

You can really tell we're in the English Channel. At one point, there were 7 freighters off our starboard side (note to self: make sure future cabins are either aft or the port side since smoking is allowed on the starboard side on decks 5 & 9 and occasionally the smell reaches my balcony).

I did a little bit of hand washing today including Jim's Seahawks shirt (pic. 5)

We met at the pool bar at 6:00 for Round 5 of sail-away drinks. Unfortunately it was too cold so we headed in to dinner a half hour early.

I got back to my cabin in time to video Ferdinand making our towel animal tonight, a frog (pic. 6). He's so proud that I video him!

The Captain earlier today said we were cruising about 13 knots. I think we've slowed down since this loaded down freighter (pic. 7) is passing us.