9/28–Portland Maine

No pictures – sort of odd – don’t really know how we didn’t take any pictures…but…we went on a great Duck tour through Portland and into the little bay there.  Well, it is really the ocean, which apparently makes a difference because the Duck vehicle we were in was one of a kind. The owner (driver) actually built it.  The typical duck vehicles are amphibious war vehicles, but they are not allowed here in Portland for some reason or another, so this is a one of a kind Duck.

The tour itself is very fun and informational.  Our tour guide (who never gave us his name!) was cute and funny and told us the history of Portland in between jokes and “quacking” at the people we passed in the street.  A brief overview:  Portland’s city symbol is the Phoenix, because the city has burned to the ground four times.  The last time it burned from a firecracker that set a boatyard on fire. There are quite a few things invented here in Portland – one of which was gum (and also something to do with hot dogs…but we sort of missed that part).  The harbor is historical – civil war and WWII – a US ship was sunk by a German U boat there.

Outside of Portland is an island called Peak Island. It is here that Steven King was inspired to write Pet Cemetery (from, you guessed it, an actual pet cemetery on the island).  The island is also  home to a woman who collects umbrella covers – you read that right covers – not the umbrellas themselves.  She has even established a museum for them.   There is also a Crypt Zoology museum in the area.  The only one of its kind – and you can probably imagine why!

After the tour, we wandered about talking pictures of some of the fall scenery.

Then we headed back to the ship for lunch, while Gaby and Sigis stayed outside to sample the local fare.  We later went back outside to sample the local internet fare – as well as the local liquid fare!  Back aboard we met for sailaway and watched the Maine coastland slide past us, taking pictures of the light houses along the way.

 

Beautiful sunset at sea.

Tomorrow Halifax, Nova Scotia!