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Today was our last full day in Florida. A little before 9 we were off in our rental car to St. Petersburg. Surprisingly with the Google Maps on our phones, we have been able to easily find our destinations. The limited access highways in this area merge really well, often with two lanes exiting to join another highway by having those lanes go right into that highway. And the GPS even shows the two lane exits. I happily navigated while my courageous friend manned the wheel.

The ride from our condo to St. Petersburg took us about 40 minutes. The city is 26 miles southwest of Tampa and sits on the Tampa Bay. There are two causeways that connect Tampa to the peninsula and the city. Can you believe St. Petersburg has an average of 361 days of sunshine annually? No wonder snow birds flock to this area! St. Pete sounded great for our sun deprived souls!

While the town boasts of it’s Dali Museum and Chihuly Collection (celebrated glass artist Dale Chihuly), and a Holocaust Museum, we wanted to be outslde soaking in the sun with the projected high of 73 degrees. So Sunken Garden was our choice.

We joined a tour with another couple. Our guide explained that in the 1920’s George Turner began charging visitors a nickel to stroll through his gardens. In 1935 Sunken Gardens officially opened to tourists. Today visitors can follow the paths that meander through lush foliage, ponds and waterfalls. There are flamingoes, butterflies, and macaws. The gardens can be rented for special events and weddings.

A bakery was adjacent to Sunken Gardens, so we went to check out their selections. Missy succumbed to a delicous cookie while my sweet tooth was sated by a sample of key lime pie and a cola. We ate our power bars and apples on one of their outside tables. Nice! A picnic lunch on Feb. 1st!

We next headed for the waterfront. Being located on the bay side rather than the Gulf, we saw marinas, really big boats, and a wide walkway that stretched along the shore. Parking the car, we strolled up the sidewalk then headed into the downtown area. Missy wanted to get some cigars for her son. We found such a store along one of the main streets.

Going back to our car, we stopped at a bar along the harbor. It was happy hour, so sitting at an outside table enjoying the warm sunny day on the deck turned out to be a wise choice.

After our “happy hour” we walked back to our car. Seeing two bicyclists just finishing their ride, we asked for a restaurant suggestion. We programmed the address into the GPS. It was a restaurant right along Beach Drive. We choose early bird specials for $14.95 including dessert. Once again we chose outdoor seating. St. Petersburg certainly has great weather!

Ending the evening by browsing an art gallery and several shops, we were ready to head back to our condo. Our flight back to PA was in the morning. We were sad to leave the Tampa area, but we sure packed plenty into our short sojourn! Thanks for joining us on our “girls’ getaway”!

I was really looking forward to spending our day at Busch Gardens. When our children were small we had been a few times to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. The one in Tampa has a different theme. Instead of countries, it is set in Africa ; besides rides and shows there are a lot of animals in their natural habitats. It was partly sunny and reached 68 by early afternoon.

Besides the animals, we also took in two shows. One was a doo-wop show with singers and dancers. They were really talented and sang songs from the 50’s and 60’s. There was also an ice skating show that was also well done. These routines were set to more present day music, so I did not find it quite as enjoyble. Must be showing my age!

We left the park around six. After quite a busy day, we decided to head back to our rental to heat up leftovers from the past two nights. We were ready to relax and watched a few shows of Grace and Frankie on Netflix before we called it a day.

Busch Garden indeed was a very interesting place without even going on one single ride. The best part was that it wasn’t crowded! I’ll never forget our hungry giraffe!

Our first stop this morning was the Tampa Bay History Center. This was in downtown Tampa and I sure was glad that Missy was driving. The biggest hassle was construction at the museum which made parking a challenge. We found a high-rise parking garage within a block from the museum.

  First we watched a film about the Spanish explorers who came to the area in the 1500s. There was also a multimedia presentation about the Seminole Indians’ War which went on from 1835-1842. It was told from the point of view of the chief of Seminoles. After being defeated the Indians were relocated to a reservation in Arkansas. We both had never heard of the Seminole Indian Wars before. It was one of those “not so proud” moments in our country’s history.

Another section was dedicated to the cigar industry which was located in the Ybor section of the city. Cattle driving was part of Florida’s history. There was a film on the screen putting the saddle rider right in the middle of a roundup. We both had fun rounding up the cattle. Museums sure are more interesting than when I was a kid!

We enjoyed the sun while eating our apples and power bars on the museum’s outside veranda, then we headed for a stroll on Tampa’s Riverwalk. Although the Riverwalk was started in the 1970’s , it wasn’t until the project was reenergized in the early 2000’s that sections were added. It was completed in 2016. The Riverwalk is 2.4 miles in length and connects several hotels, two parks, a performing arts center and the history museum. It was fun strolling along the walkway in the sunshine and the 65 degree temperature. We remarked that back home it was in the single digits and snowing.

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Our next stop was the Big Cat Rescue. This is a 45 acre sanctuary with over 140 rescued bobcats, tigers, lions and leopards. On the tour we got to hear the story of how each animal found it’s way to their final home. I was surprised how many people think they can buy one of these wild cats and try to make them into their pet. Finally giving up they seek shelters for their cat. We even got to see a stay-vacation area where each animal is allowed two weeks alone in this larger area.

We found a nearby Carrabbas to eat dinner and relax.  It was great timing because when we were done we missed the rush hour traffic.  We had a great day exploring Tampa. Didn’t miss that snow back home at all!

My friend Missy and I left our house at 7 am for the Philadelphia airport to catch a 10:40 American flight to Tampa, Florida. Just a quick four day trip to get away from PA’s cold and snow. We got out just in time since 3-5 inches of snow was forecast for later in the day!

Poor us. We had to adjust to the temperature in Tampa. It was in the 60’s and cloudy,.

We rented a house from VRBO to the east of Tampa about 20- minutes from the airport. Here are some pictures of our rental.

We drove to the nearest store to get groceries. After putting away our supplies, we looked for a nearby restaurant. There was a local Mexican restaurant called Tres Amigos. Unfortuately, I forgot to take a picture. There was even a station in the restaurant where they fried fresh tortilla shells. We had chicken fajitas and the tortillas were fabulous.

Stayed tuned for our exploration tomorrow!

This morning was our last day in Iceland.   Our flight was at 5:00 pm with a 1:45 pm  transfer to the airport.  The Hilton Canopy had a great breakfast.  While eating, we sat next to a couple, Fred and Beth,  who had been on our cruise and in our smaller group here in Iceland.    In our conversation, we learned that Beth loves to travel and Fred not so much.  We also learned that Beth loves to research  and plans their trips down to the last detail, while Fred just goes along.  Sound familiar? By the time  we were finished breakfast, Beth and I exchanged email addresses. I promised I would send her information on a trip that I had in the works for next spring.   Maybe, just maybe,  I had found  a travel companion.  Frank might be be able to stay home to  play his beloved  pickle ball!

After finishing packing, we checked out of our room and  stored our luggage at the hotel.   We were off to The Settlement Exhibition which was within walking distance of our hotel.

The Settlement Museum shows the archeological excavations  of a hall or house  from the Settlement Age. It was uncovered when construction workers were digging the foundation for a new building in 2001.   The hall was occupied  around 930-1000 AD. This dating can be verified  because a volcanic eruption  spread a layer of material that can be found even in a glacier in Greenland.  It is the oldest structure built by humans that has been discovered in Iceland.

We tried to then find the Icelandic Phallological Museum which houses the world’s biggest display of penises with over 280 specimens  from 93 species of animals.  Frank really did not want to go,  but I thought it would make a great story for  my blog.  After walking for about a half hour and still not reaching the museum,  we decided to turn around and head back to our hotel to eat lunch and catch our transfer. I was disappointed! Can you imagine the pictures I could have gotten?

Our Iceland Air flight from Iceland to Philadelphia was about six hours.  Since we were crossing the Atlantic we figured that they would serve a dinner in flight just like we had gotten on our American flight to Stockholm.  Once we were in air, I checked the magazine in the pocket in front of me, to find out they had limited food for purchase.  The choices were two hamburgers or a pizza.  That was it.   Frank chose the hamburgers for 1, 400 Icelandic krona ($14.00) and I chose the pizza for 900 krona ($9.00).  You should have seen Frank’s face when he unwrapped his hamburgers.   There were two sliders each about the size of a half dollar! (Frank complained they were even lousier than that sandwich!)  My pizza was about the size of my hand and tasted like an microwaved cardboard pizza.   We ate our meager meals knowing that we would both be mighty hungry by the time we deplaned in Philadelphia.

Customs went rather smoothly and so did getting our car at Colonial Parking. While driving home, we Facetimed  our granddaughter Hannah to sing “Happy Birthday”.    We were home by 10:30 EST. We were both famished.   I headed for a beer while Frank made himself a cheese sandwich! (slim pickings in our refrigerator) It had been a long day.

That’s it for this trip.  Stayed tuned for more adventures.   My bucket list is rather long…  Australia? Tasmania? an African Safari?  Bali?   Can you guess where my next travels will take me?   

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was our second day of touring in and around Reykjavik.  Boarding our tour bus, the first stop was the Hofoi House. This is the site where Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev met with President Ronald Regan on Oct. 11-12,  1986.  While neither leader achieved their goals, this initial meeting  paved  the way for continuing discussions between the two countries.  It would eventually lead to the fall of the Soviet Union.

Scenes with the snow covered mountains in the background on the way to the Blue Lagoon.

The Blue Lagoon is a natural geothermal filled pool located in the middle of a rugged lava field.  The water is between 98-104 degrees F and  is blue and full of minerals.   It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland.  I thought it sounded like fun.   Frank, not so much.  There was a visitors center adjacent  to the lagoon with showers, locker rooms, a snack bar and a waiting area.  Frank took pictures of the lagoon outside of the swimming area and read on his Kindle while I enjoyed a dip.

We returned to Reykjavik by 1 and had to be back again on the bus by 2:15. (That’s  when Frank ate his lousy sandwich.) Our first stop was an open air museum of the early houses of  Iceland.

Inside the church.

After our afternoon tour, we took a break than went to find a restaurant near our hotel.   We went to the Icelandic Bar for dinner.  I had  a bowl of fish chowder.  It was packed with  shrimp and pieces of  fish in a creamy broth with a unfamiliar seasoning I did not care for.   Since  I was hungry, I ate it all. After all, when you are in Iceland you don’t expect chicken corn noodle soup!  It  was a bit pricy at 1,800 Icelandic krona  which was roughly about  $18.00.

All in all, we had a very busy, interesting day checking out the Blue Lagoon and other sites in and around Reykjavik.   I did not have any  trouble falling asleep!

 

 

 

 

 

I have already blogged about our travel day on October 6th from Bergen to Reykjavik, Iceland in an earlier post.   I will never forget that bumpy landing, the scary descent from the plane on the outdoor steps and  the “packed like sardines” feeling on the transfer bus to the terminal.   “Code Yellow” was our blustery welcome to Iceland.

After a good night’s sleep we were up and ready for our “Golden Circle” tour.  Our first destination was Thingsvellir National Park.   It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has one of the country’s   most remarkable landscapes.

Thingvellir has strong roots for the Icelanders.  Here is  where the  first parliament of Iceland met in 930.  The meetings were called the Althing at Thingvellir and  were held annually until 1262.  Every year over 5000 people participated in the gathering.  They set up temporary dwellings of turf walls and rock with temporary roofs and stayed in them for the two week meeting. Besides the lawmakers, there were  merchants, tanners, sword sharpeners, etc.   Clowns performed and ale-makers brewed drinks for the assembly members.  Games and feasts were held.  It became a grand meeting place and  laid the foundation  for the Iceland’s  language and literature.

Over time  there were clashes between chieftain families, and gradually Althing was transferred to Norwegian and late Danish rulers until the King of Denmark took reign over Iceland in 1662.

The start of the Iceland Republic took place at Thingvellir on June 17, 1944.  It is also where countrymen gathered in 1974 to celebrate the 1,100th anniversary of the country.  And to think we Americans get excited over our 240 some years!

Around the year 1000, there was a debate about a national religion.  One lawmaker,  a pagan priest, decided  after a night of meditation under a fur blanket  in favor of Christianity over Paganism.  There has been a church at Thingvellier ever since.  The present church was built in 1859.

By the time Frank and I got to the lower parking lot, there was a sea of buses.    We were worried that we were late and looked around frantically for our bus,   All the tour buses looked the same, especially all the ones with  Viking tour signs.   We met another lady from our bus who was also “lost”.  Eventually after about twenty  minutes we found the  bus with the Viking-Bus #2 in the front window   Whew!  What would we have done if they left without us?

Next we went through more fertile land on our way to Gullfoss waterfall.  Farms were scattered throughout the countryside.

All of our Viking tour buses ate a buffet lunch at a new restaurant across the street from the Geysir hot springs area.   I was amazed how well they handled serving so many of us.  I had never tried cream of onion soup before.   It was delicious!  After lunch we had time to browse the geothermal area.

We had a long tour day completing the “Golden Circle.”  We found an Italian  restaurant close to our hotel for dinner.    PA Dutchmen are very happy with known dishes. Frank enjoyed his generous portion of spaghetti with meat sauce, while I treasured my light beer and salad.  It was a great ending to our first tour day in Iceland.

 

 

Today we came to  our final port of our two week cruise- Bergen, Norway.    With a population of 240,000, Bergen  has a rich sea-trading history dating back to to the 1100’s.  Starting out as a Viking fishing village, today it  is the most popular cruise stop in Northern Europe with about 300 ships stopping each  year.   Probably Bergen’s most iconic landmark is it’s  brightly painted wooden houses along the waterfront called Bryggen.

 

Our tour this morning included a tour of the town and an a  cable car ride up Mr. Ulriken, the highest of the seven mountains that surround Bergen.  I was worried that the visibility would be poor since it was rainy.  Bergen gets an average 80 inches of rain a year.  At best, it has 60 days of sun.

Cable car taking us to the top of Mt. Ulriken.

 

While at the restaurant which of course had  big windows overlooking Bergen, we were treated to the famed “Ulriken bun” and coffee.   The bun was a very large and very fresh, warm cinnamon roll.   It was as big as my hand.  I ate the whole thing!  Frank, getting weary of all the food of late, just took a nibble of his. Very uncharacteristic!

After returning from our tour, Frank had had enough of sightseeing.   Now knowing  that the Bryggen and the shops were so close to our ship, I ventured out on my own.  I  was very glad I did.  Since it had become one of Bergen’s rare sunny days,   I got some great pics around the harbor.   I was hoping to visit the Hanseatic Museum with it’s historical displays of Bergen’s old trading days  but they unfortunately closed on Oct. 1st for extensive renovations. (Drat!) I did browse several tourist shops as well.  Frank would have hated waiting!

Since we were disembarking the next morning, I was so glad I had ventured out on my own to savor the beauty of the harbor.    Memories to last a lifetime!

Eidenfjourd is a quaint village  nestled  in a fjord surrounded by Hardangervidda, Europe’s largest mountain area.

We were off for an excursion to ride on the  Flam Railroad.   I had read a little about “Norway in a Nutshell” and I was really looking forward to seeing mountains, small villages, and fjords.    The true Nutshell tour involves ferries, buses, and the train ride.   I found out while on our tour that this tour was just by bus and train.  Even more disappointing was the weather; it was snowing/raining with limited visibility.   Pictures through rain splattered  windows are not worth taking.   At times we did leave the bus for photos. Thankfully by the afternoon the rain  stopped.

Another falls

 

The Flam Railroad was started in 1924 and  was finished in 1940.   From Myrdal to Flam, it descends  3,000 feet through 20 tunnels and one bridge.  Since the construction of the railway was done manually, it was was quite an accomplishment for the time period.  It is one of the steepest standard gauge railways in the world.   The German’s took control of the train during WWII to transport supplies.

In spite of the low visibility I was surprised how many of my pictures were able to capture  the beauty of the countryside surrounding the fjords.     To me, this rural countryside feels peaceful and serene.   In spite of the rain, seeing  this area on the Flåm Railway was an amazing experience!

 

What a blessing to be calmly docked at Stavanger, Norway.   The cobbled streets of Gamie (Old) Stavanger have  the largest number of wooden buildings in all of Europe dating from the 1600 to  1700’s.   Profitable off shore oil drilling in recent years  has spurred the town’s economy.

I was excited about our tour this  morning. We were headed for a cruise  down Lysefjord  past Pulpit Rock.   Lysefjord means “light fjord.”  Fjord means a narrow inlet  of sea between high cliffs usually formed by glaciers.      Pulpit Rock is a 2,000 foot high rock that juts out over the water and is popular with hikers.    We were very happy to simply cruise by it to marvel at scenery.   Fortunately it was a beautiful sunny day, even though it  in the low fifties.   I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Since we did not need any more food, I convinced Frank  to explore Stavanger on our own.   I had read in the Rick Steve’s travel book about a Canning Museum.   We trudged up a hill in the old section of town and found it.   Canning sardines and other fish was a big industry for Stavanger in its days as a fishing village.   The building was  one of many  canning factories that flourished in the town from the 1880-1930.  The fish were brought in from the fiords from late May to October.  The process including putting the fish in a brine solution, next threading the fish to be smoked, and finally packing them into cans.    The museum showed the first machines, up to the newer ones for each process.    Canning is no longer done in Stavanger.   Most folks are involved with tourism or the oil industry today.

After the canning museum we continued on into the town.   I wanted to check out the church that the guide book said had some interesting features.

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   At this point, we were too late to catch our included walking tour of the town which started at our ship. Fortunately, we saw a Viking group with a tour guide.  We conveniently joined in hoping that they would head to the Oil Museum which was our next intended stop. Since we did not have our voice headsets along, we had to stay close to the guide to hear her commentary.  She went through each part of the museum showing how they search for oil and set up oil rigs for extraction.

   Off shore oil drillling has changed Stavanger a great deal.   In fact, Norway as a whole has profited greatly from oil.  The profits have gone into a Norway Fund which has been invested in the stock market.   It is one of the strongest funds in the world.   Using only about 4% of the profits a year  for infrastructure, our guide explained how the Norweigans are happy that it has helped their country prosper.      

3. Back on the Viking Sun, we had dinner and then went to the theater for a show.   Our cruise director, Beven,  is a very talented singer and kept us entertained for over a hour with show tunes and familar songs.  All in all, we saw and did a lot today in our stop at Stavanger, Norway.   We’re headed to Bergen, Norway tomorrow.