1st Port of Call Azores

After  6 days at sea we  sailed into Ponta Delgada  on the island of  Sao Miguel,  Portugal.


This  lush green island is accented by white buildings  with dark trim.Perhaps the green seemed all that more beautiful after so many days at sea. Can understand how ancient mariners   were so happy to see these volcanic islands which are 9 in number  and 800 miles  west of Portugal.


very misty morning   , did see the  striking   very blue and green  lakes side by side.

harbour of Ponta Delgada
 

 Via bus we  travelled up  picturesque landscapes  to  Sete Cicadas and crater Lakes.




 So impressed with the   meadows fringed with hydrangea. Not in flower yet tho  as I was there in  April so instead azaleas  and bird of paradise and many other  flowers   were  in bloom

 

We visited Antonio Borges  Botanical Gardens , grottos, winding pathways,  fern gullies,  large magnificent trees.



Pineapple greenhouse

huge 

The brief  taste of this wonderful  island  makes me want to go back for a longer visit.

Next port of call Lisbon. 

Wish fulfilled

One of my  long time wishes was to do  a transatlantic cruise. As a child  my Grandmother  talked of her  crossings from Britain to come  to Canada. She did it  3 times and absolutely loved it.
I have finally fulfilled that dream ,

in April sailing from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton.
14 days,  6 of which were at sea. I chose Princess cruise lines Crown Princess.
My cabin was window view  with lots of room for a single.


view out my window

Was  6 days too long to not visit a port? Not for me. The ship was large enough that I explored all the venues.   Lots of activities , several of which were origami.

jumping frog
 

Plaza was a lovely spot to people watch.

piano  played every evening

balloon drop is ready

Princess Theater some very good entertainment.

bundled up for  movie watching in the evening

 One of my most favourite  things I did was Lido deck watching first run movies  in the afternoon but best was the evening   with plaid blankets, popcorn and maybe a  cocktail.

afternoon  movies as well.

Evening on the Lido waiting for movie

Evenings I found special little spots to enjoy a cocktail or 2. Crooners bar and Wheel House Bar with the ambiance I enjoyed.....


Chocolate Martini  Crooners

Tall cool one

 Attended lectures on ports of call  ahead.   Felt absolutely spoiled.
Next up some of the wonderful ports I found so interesting.

New York NewYork! in December

I finally  made a trip to New York City,  long time wish..
First sight of the skyline thru bus window.

The bus driver played Sinatra's  New York New York   as we drove thru  the Lincoln Tunnel and crossed from New Jersey into Manhattan...so apropos... Saw so many sights  from Central Park , Strawberry Fields , to  Grand Central Terminal Concourse even tried the whispering corner. It really does  work. 

windows in Grand Central

 Times Square, 

 

ball is on top
 

 

Dinner at Bubba Gumps  Times Square,


Yellow Cabs,very very busy streets;

Pier 16 and Zepher boat, candy store, Hallmark tree.

 

Pier 16

 

candy store

Hallmark Tree

Macys and windows,

Skyline, 

  boat cruise on the Hudson

Statue of Liberty , Ellis Island,


Empire State Building at sunset,

so  amazing to see city lit at night

Rockefeller  tree and rink,

Brooklyn   lights in Dyker  Heights. A magical  walk.

I have never seem so many lights  in one spot

]Radio City Music Hall and Rockettes Christmas Spectacular.

Bryant Park and Ice Rink , Christmas market  ,needed a rest so sat and watched Zamboni , laughed at this very Canadian thing to do..



Bank of America  Winter Wonderland at Bryant Park

Zamboni  at rink in Bryant Park

9/11 memorial

 

Architecture

Impressive  variety of building

Me  at  Times Square and at Bryant Park with  warm fuzzy hat  just bought at Xmas market..

Bryant Park

Times Square

Wonderful   trip; very busy, saw   the highlights of the city....