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2nd Port of call Rockland and Camden

This was our one and only tender landing during the cruise. The following photo shows the tender craft which doubles up as a rescue boat if there was an emergency. It can carry about 100 – 120 people when used as a tender but up to 150 in a real emergency! There were three of these crafts continuously deployed for the day.

Upon arrival we were able to access the shoreline via a floating jetty.


We had a nice walk around Rockland where we spent the morning before setting of on a sightseeing bus tour to explore the surrounding area including a stop over in the small town called Camden. Camden has a small harbour which is home to a wide range of sailing craft including a number of two masted Windjammers. Had we been here earlier in the season we could have booked to sail in one of these. But on this occassion the crafts were all made good for the winter season with their deck covered over with a custom fitted tent. This allows the owners to perform a range of maintenance tasks under cover from the winter weather.

I saw two people doing some painting work – see below!

Here is a closer view where you can see that these chaps were taking some real risks to do this work. In this situation I would expect that they would put the following motto into action “One hand for your master and one for yourself”

Camden it seems is a famous place! It is where the American film and early soap opera called Peyton Place was filmed. This is a series I can recall seeing on TV when I was quite young although I cannot actually remember much if anything about the story line! I did however find the following church spire to seem familiar.

We stopped for coffee in the following coffee shop/restaurant which has been preserved to be just like it was when featured in the film!


1st Port of call – Portland and Kennebunkport

First port of call was Portland where we took a bus tour to Kennebunkport. This was the first time this ship stopped here – the usual being Portland. We were able to walk ashore and took a bus tour which was great fun and we saw lots very interesting scenery. Following is a picture of the Jewel of the Seas moored in Portland.

So below are some photos of firstly Portland where we spent the morning. We saw lots of interesting things here but I choose to feature two below – a very modern American Fire tender.

and then a more traditional but no doubt enjoyable mode of transport.

And then on to Kennebunkport where we spent an hour which was enjoyable. The houses are all of wooden construction and many are built on wooden piles which have been driven to a watery foundation! First we crossed this bridge which is said to be the oldest in the area!

We saw an equally old America Classic antique classic car

En route to Kennebunkport we passed by Walker point which is family retreat of the Bush family – they say that security is so tight here that even a whisper on the passing bus will be heard by the monitoring security staff. I am not sure if this just an American exaggeration or not!

Once back to the ship we had dinner and then returned to our state room to be confronted by a large wild animal on our bed!!!!

First Day Aboard the Jewel of the Seas

I have been a bit behind with my posts due to having difficulty finding time for this – a very busy holiday routine. Things have been hectic since we joined the Jewel of the Seas. Some. photos here of the day we boarded the ship. First photo was the Boston Skyline as we left Boston Port

Aboard the Jewel of the Seas – the Centrum. This is the part of the ship which is more or less in the middle of the ship measuring from front to back (stem to stern). This provides a stunning feature which is 11 deck deep and had stairs and lifts providing access to all 12 of the passenger accessible decks.

and finally Boston skyline as the ship set sail at approximately 6pm

Boston 2010 Day 5

We spent Friday in Boston. As it was raining we decided to visit the Aquarium and also see a 3D movie. The movie was all about the Hubble Telescope and showed in 3D of the amazing photos it took. This was really mind blowing for sure.
Then we went to see the Penguins which was excellent. Did you know that Penguins live in South Africa???


The amount of interesting fish on display was amazing – see this example below. It was very difficult to get a decent photo!!!!! Here is one I will not throw away!


The the apex of the day!!!! We found Nemo – proof below 😉


So next stop if the Cruise ship Jewel of the Sea – Roll on!!! Well not literally I hope – we don’t
want too many rolls do we!!!!

Boston 2010 Day 4

We travelled back from Cape Cod via the scenic route which was absolutely fantastic. See the following map http://bestreadguidecapecod.com/maps/ – we travelled as far as Chatham before turning on to the I93 to head back north The roads are very interesting in as much as they are fully lined with trees! So it almost feels like you are travelling in a tunnel with no roof 😉 Autumn is just closing in and the trees are of course starting to change with their leaves changing colour which is very nice – I think we were seeing – I did not get any photo while we were travelling but did get some at places we stopped along the way. The most interesting stop for sure what to see the Plimoth exhibit which included the Mayflower.

The first photo shows a native ( role playing ) of the Wampanoag indian tribe who were the original settlers of the areas click here for more information. Below you can see a canoe being made from a tree trunk using a burning and scraping technique.

Next we are able to see one of the tribe houses which has been build using traditional methods – here we see stripped tree bark sheet used to provide a water proof skin.


Then for the English settlers – their houses used also natural materials but the houses were more European in design. The people who are dressed in authentic costume were very happy to talk to us an answer questions about their way of life! This whole site is set up to be “not for profit”.

The Workshop was something to see with loads of early wood craft tools which were still being used to make furniture and chairs etc……
As part of the deal we were then able to travel along the coast abot 3 miles to see a replica of the Mayflower – called Mayflower II – she was made 55 – 56 and to complete the project many retired craftsman needed to be enlisted to work on the project – the completed craft was then sailed across the Atlantic to its now final birth. It is still sailed on special occassions.


We had a very comfortable couple of days of travel due to our 7 seater Chrysler which is pictured below at one of our stop off points during our journey back to Boston. This was a holiday with in a holiday!!!! This morning we will be heading by taxi to the docks where we will join the ship Dual of the Seas – I do hope to make some more posts during the next weeks assuming I can get some internet access – but we will have to wait to board before we know that position in that regard!