Grand Turk Continued

Moises and me on Grand Turk

I found this photo my sister-in-law, Mariana, took on our holiday Caribbean cruise pretty amusing. It says prison with an arrow pointing to us. This was taken on Victoria Streeet in Cockburn Town, one of the oldest towns I have ever been to in the New World.

Victoria Public Library

Wikipedia has this to say about Cockburn Town ... "The seat of government ever since 1766, Cockburn Town was the first permanent settlement on any of the islands, founded in 1681 by salt collectors who arrived in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The city supposedly lies on the place where Juan Ponce de León first landed on the island."

Display at the National Museum of Grank Turk

Some of the oldest buildings are still used, but they seem to be only open at rare times. Maybe a few hours in the morning and a bit in late afternoon. The entire island has a feel of mañana time, like nothing happens fast and maybe not at all. The people are friendly and seem good natured, and nobody is in a hurry.

But by and far the best part of Cockburn Town for me was the National Museum. It is quite an impressive little place. 

Introduction to Grand Turk Island

Beach at Grand Turk seen from the cruise ship

My husband, sister-in-law and I took a cruise over the Christmas holiday on the Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam. One of the nicest places and a complete surprise was the island of Grand Turk. The beach is just absolutely gorgeous. Cozumel still has a beautiful beach with clear waters, where we live. But it was nice to see a place with so little activity, still so laid-back and with crystal clear waters.

There was a variety of transportation options - local cabs, ATVs to ride along the main road, and golf carts as seen above. We opted for a local cab as I only knew I wanted to see Cockburn Town, which boasts a local musem (quite good) and some of the oldest buildings I have ever seen outside of Europe.

Cockburn Town Museum porch

We had a bit of a scare when we first arrived by taxi to Cockburn Town though. The driver of the van who drove us in to town was drinking Budweiser. Now this was 9am. I found it amusing, not really frightening. I mean the island is pretty small, seems to be comprised of mainly one road and the driver was not going fast. 

Once we arrived in the town, it appeared to be mostly just a sandy road with a few souvenir shops and a bunch of older men, you guessed it, drinking Budweiser at an old picnic bench. The scary part came about when one of these men appeared behind us and started to follow us down the road. In my nervousness, I ran over to another van driver and asked him if he was heading back to the ship. I wasn't too comfortable with this guy, but he assured me he was harmless and just mentally ill. He laughed and said it really isn't good for business how he follows the tourists around. So we stayed and enjoyed ourselves! I am really glad we did.

Palma de Mallorca: A Magnificent Place

Cathedral at Palma de Mallorca

Detail of the Cathedral

Palma de Mallorca was everything I expected and more. The day was hot in the sun and cool in the shade. We took a taxi from the Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam to the Cathedral before it opened and waited. The first few hours were sheer bliss. As the day wore on, it got hotter and way more crowded, so we actually returned to the ship early. That is the blessing of doing your own thing and not going on an organized tour. It was the last stop of our cruise, and I think we were all pretty tired.

Nieuw Amsterdam docked at Palma de Mallorca

The day was short but wonderful. My favorite place at Palma de Mallorca was the Basilica of Saint Francis from the 13th century. La Seu is also very impressive, the Cathedral, but I found the Basilica more spiritual. I will report on both Churches in other posts.

More information on Palma de Mallorca can be found here on wikipedia. Here is is a photo below of people returning to the ship.

Bye bye Palma de Mallorca

Palermo Cathedral: Holiness in the Midst of Chaos

Palermo Cathedral

The Cathedral in Palermo is not only impressive, but a Holy Place. It just feels so wonderful to walk in. The guide books say the most impressive part is the outside of the building, but I loved the inside too. Information on the history of the Cathedral can be found on Wikipedia here

It is a jumble of Norman, Renaissance and Gothic elements. Tour groups were everywhere and we made our way in to the Cathedral with a group from the Holland America Eurodam. I couldn't have been happier with the Cathedral. It just felt right. We were on a tour that took us to Monreale, but we stopped first here and I am so glad we did. I loved the Palermo Cathedral so much more than the one in Monreale. I also loved Palermo more. Monreale is a quaint, lovely town but it doesn't have the vibrant nature nor the pandemonium or joy of life of Palermo. 

Palermo Cathedral

Closeup of statue at Palermo Cathedral

Closeup of floor design - interior Palermo Cathedral

Interior Palermo Cathedral

You decide but my vote will be for Palermo! Photos of the Cathedral at Monreale coming tomorrow. 

I was again on a cruise, this time from Rome to Rome, Western Med, traveling solo. I have to admit. I missed my husband a lot this trip, probably because even though I did meet some great people and had a few dinners with them ... it was not like 2011, where I had a group of 2 couples I did almost everything with. I missed you this trip ... Yvette, Ray, Neal and Tiara!

Remembering Taormina: Gargoyles Wanted

Gentlemen in Taormina

It has been four years since I went on the Roman Empire cruise with my niece, Sarah. There were so many wonderful things about that cruise - great ports, the perfect amount of days on the cruise (10) and a fabulous traveling companion. Since that year, I have traveled solo on most of my trips. In 2009, I went to Barcelona and Athens for 5 days each by myself. In 2010, Moises and I went to the Baltic to celebrate our ten year anniversary. In 2011 and 2012, I cruised solo. I have decided after these last two cruises that I definitely like traveling alone. It's not perfect as there are a few lonely moments, but I also get to do what I want when I want. And cruising is a perfect venue for a single middle-aged woman (eeh gads, did I actually say it out loud ... middle-aged.)

Taormina street

I will be 57 this month, so I guess I must admit it, but what is it about getting older that feels the same? Now I understand when a group of 80 year old women out to lunch call each other girls. I just don't feel old. Everybody else just looks way too young. I catch myself in awe when a young person drives by and I think they must be 12. Instead of me being old, the world just looks too youthful!

Moped in Taormina

In celebration of my upcoming birthday, I want to revisit Italy, starting with Taormina. There is something ageless about Rome with its crowds and crumbling ruins, graffiti and traffic, smog and confusion. It is somewhat sad but mostly hopeful. But one of my favorite places in Italy is Taormina, Sicily. It is a wonderful, quaint and friendly small town. Where Palermo, Sicily's capital, is like a loud belch, Taormina is a quiet whisper. 

Greek Theater at Taormina

Taormina is a place that beckons one of my favorite things ... gargoyles. I need to go back to try to find them. I am sure they are hidden there somewhere. If any of you readers have photos of gargoyles in Taormina or other parts of Sicily, I would love to post them here!

Almost gargoyles

Cinque Terre Once Again

Beautiful photo of Cinque Terre

I read recently that the number of guests that are allowed to enter the villages of the Cinque Terre are going to be limited. Crowds enter these villages during the summer months from the cruise ships.

Vernazza of the Cinque Terre

I did see the villages of the Cinque Terre once from far away when on a tour to Santa Maria Ligure and Portofino. The sherbert colored buildings could be seen atop the mountain cliffs from the highway. I look forward to an actual visit there next year!

Gargoyle-Inspired Photographs by Stephen Crome

Cemetery at Glendalough by Stephen Crome

I love reading the posts by fellow travelers on Holland America Line fans Facebook page. I especially love the photos of Stephen Crome, and all the wonderful places he visits. His recent photos of Dublin include an area I knew nothing about until today. That is the Glendalough area that was founded in the 6th century AD by St. Kevin and became a monastic city. 

Another from Stephen Crome of Glendalough

by Stephen Crome

More information on this wonderful place can be found here.

Another great photo by Stephen was taken at Irishtown, Dublin. It lies outside the medieval city walls.

Irishtown by Stephen Crome

Thanks Stephen for the wonderful, gargoyle-inspired photos and my chance to learn new things today! Finally my favorite photo ....

Photo by Stephen Crome

Stephen mentioned on Facebook he took the tour with Paddywagon Tours. Looks like a great one for anybody who makes it to Dublin. That is one of my bucket list dreams.