Flying Home to Colorado

Tim and I had a flight from LaGuardia to Denver today, so I called the same taxi driver, who had whisked me from Battery Park in the rain, to take us to the airport. The traffic was light on a Sunday morning, and we arrived with lots of time to spare.

We settled in the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, where we had a bite to eat and drink, as well as a quiet place to relax until it was time to board our plane.

Enjoying the Chase Sapphire Lounge

Our United flight left on time, and we had a good view of New York City as we took off. Tim could even see Yankee Stadium, where he had watched the game a few days ago.

Welcome Aboard - Thank You, Viking, for the First Class Seats!

Flying Over Yankee Stadium As We Left New York

The flight was uneventful, which is always a good thing, our bags arrived with no issues, and we caught a Landline bus that took us to Northern Colorado Regional Airport, where our neighbor picked us up. We were soon home after more than six months of travel. It was a bit unreal!

Tim and I had a good time in New York, but the heat really had a negative impact on what we felt like doing. Neither of us wanted to spend much time outdoors, which certainly limited the places that we were able to see. I was also drained both physically and emotionally from our amazing World Cruise, so I was happy to take it easy while we were in the city. I guess New York is another place that calls for a return visit.

"& Juliet" on Broadway

As I mentioned in an earlier post, one of Tim’s priorities (and mine as well) was to attend a Broadway musical. I would have been happy with almost any of the ones that were playing, so I left the choice up to Tim. This afternoon, we walked to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre for a performance of & Juliet.

Stephen Sondheim Theatre

Once again, it was very hot in New York, and we arrived at the theater with a bit too much time to spare. Therefore, we had to stand in line outside in the heat and then outside the doors to the mezzanine before they opened. I started to feel weak, and I fainted. Tim said that I was out for only a few minutes, just time enough for the manager and others to arrive and see what happened.

Thankfully, they opened the doors for me, and I was able to sit down. An ice pack on my neck helped a lot, and I soon felt much better and was able to take my assigned seat. The manager had Tim sign some type of paper and provide my contact information. I guess she thought I might sue!

I had no idea what & Juliet was about, but I soon learned that it asked the question, “What would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?” We were “whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.”

Scenes from the Theater As We Waited for Act 1 of & Juliet

The show was upbeat and funny, and it was just the type of entertainment that I needed today. Although I have to confess that I wasn’t familiar with most of the iconic pop songs that were performed, I loved the music. It was also fun to watch the many teenage girls, who were there with their mothers, mouthing the words to each song. It was a great show, and I’m happy that Tim picked it.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Tim and I spent much of today at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. One of the temporary exhibits that I was most interested in was “Sargent & Paris.” This exhibit traced the early career of American painter John Singer Sargent from the time he arrived in Paris in 1874 as a young student through the mid-1880s, when his infamous portrait Madame X created such a scandal at the Paris Salon.

Although I checked out his earlier portraits, it was Madame X, one of my favorite paintings, that I focused on. The exhibit not only displayed the finished portrait, but also many of Sargent’s preparatory drawings and sketches, showing the evolution of this amazing painting.

Sargent & Paris and the Various Stages of Madame X

I love the American Wing at the Met, but I was not feeling well when we arrived there, so I found a seat while Tim wandered through the rooms. I was sorry to miss seeing some of my favorite works.

I did manage to take a look at the Frank Lloyd Wright Room, the living room from the grand Francis W. Little House that was built in Wayzata, Minnesota in 1912–14. I never found out what had happened to the house and how the room ended up at the Met.

Frank Lloyd Wright Room

After a nice lunch, Tim and I toured the Art of the Ancient Americas galleries, which had recently reopened after four years of renovation. We were especially interested in the art of ancient civilizations of today's Peru, since we will be spending several weeks there in December. The gold, silver, ceramic, and textile items that we saw clearly demonstrated the sophistication of the many societies that flourished in the Americas long before European colonization.

Items from Today's Peru in the Art of the Ancient Americas Galleries

Yankees and More NPS Units

When Tim and I planned activities for our five-night stay in New York following the conclusion of our World Cruise, I focused on National Park Service units and museums. Tim wanted to attend a Yankees game and a Broadway musical. After admiring our daytime view of the Empire State Building this morning, Tim headed to Yankee Stadium, while I made my way to Lower Manhattan to check out more National Park Service sites.

Our Daytime View of the Empire State Building Is Also Great

New York was experiencing an unusual heat wave, and the ride on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus was extremely uncomfortable. There was no air conditioning, and I just assumed that it was broken on this bus. Luckily, the walk to the African Burial Ground National Monument, my first destination, was a short one.

In the Visitor Center, I learned that the African Burial Ground is the oldest and largest known excavated burial ground in North America and was the resting place for both free and enslaved Africans during the 1600s and 1700s. The burial ground, which had been neglected and covered over by two centuries of progress, was accidentally discovered in 1991 during the construction of a federal office building.

African Burial Ground National Monument - Exhibits and Original Map

Construction was halted due to public protests, and archeologists excavated about one-sixth of the original cemetery, removing 419 skeletal remains from the ground.  Concerned groups eventually succeeded in persuading Congress to stop construction to allow time to alter the building plans to provide space for memorialization.  After the human remains were extensively studied, they were reinterred close to where they were originally found.  An outdoor memorial was erected to serve as a place of remembrance, and it honors the contributions of free and enslaved Africans to the city’s history. 

African Burial Ground National Monument - Archeological Exhibits

The exhibits in the Visitor Center were fascinating, but, sadly, I was unable to visit the memorial itself. It just so happened that today was the Junteenth holiday, which commemorates the end of slavery. Although that seemed to be a fortuitous coincidence with my visit here, I found out that federal security officers had cordoned off exterior access to the entire site to protect the federal building from possible demonstrations. How disappointing.

African Burial Ground National Monument - Model of the Outdoor Memorial

After leaving the Visitor Center, I grabbed a bite to eat across the street and planned my next step. By this time, the heat was in the upper 90s, so I decided to catch the next Hop-On Hop-Off bus and make my way to Castle Clinton National Monument, located in Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan. While on the bus, I learned that none of these buses have air conditioning! The heat was so oppressive on the bus that even the driver was complaining. Luckily, the ride wasn’t too long, and I quickly made my exit, vowing not to board one of these buses again.

Battery Park was overrun with construction activities, but I finally found Castle Clinton, where tourists were purchasing tickets for the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.

Castle Clinton National Monument

I entered a small exhibit area where I learned about the history of Castle Clinton, but I probably spent more time there because the room was air conditioned. Castle Clinton was built as a fort in 1811 to defend New York against a possible British attack. This sandstone structure was located just off Manhattan Island’s southern tip and was one of four forts that were integral to the defense of New York Harbor.

Castle Clinton National Monument - Original Plan

The fort was transformed multiple times over the years as New York developed, the harbor surrounding Castle Clinton was filled in, and the fort was joined to the mainland. In 1824, the fort became a cultural emporium known as Castle Garden, and later, it served as an immigration center and an aquarium. It became a national monument in 1946 after it was saved from demolition.

Castle Clinton National Monument - Witness to a Changing America

As I left Castle Clinton, the skies were threatening, and I was sure it was going to rain. When I happened to see a taxi driving by, I raised my hand, he pulled over to the curb, and I gratefully got in. On the way back to the hotel, the skies did open up, and I was so happy to be cool and dry inside the taxi.

Tim returned to the room later and said that he had had a great time. It poured rain during the game, and he seemed to be happy that I had insisted he pack a raincoat.

Sightseeing in New York

After a restful day yesterday, when we did nothing at all after arriving at our hotel, Tim and I decided to do a little sightseeing today. When we were in New York last year, we managed to visit two National Park Units. There are quite a few of these sites in New York, so we set out to see additional ones on this visit.

I thought a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus would be an economical way to visit these sites, so we bought our tickets and hopped on board just a few blocks from our hotel. Our destination this morning was Stonewall National Monument. The walk from the closest stop to the monument was much longer than I had anticipated, but we saw a bit of Greenwich Village on the way to the recently opened Visitor Center.

Stonewall National Monument interprets the Stonewall Uprising of June 28, 1969, which became the turning point and catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. On that night, a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar, sparked a spontaneous act of resistance. Prior to the 1970s, almost everything about being LGBTQ+ was legally forbidden, institutionally prohibited, and economically, socially, and scientifically attacked. Before Stonewall, there were barely 50 LGBTQ+ organizations. A year later, there were over 1,000.

Stonewall National Monument - The Stonewall Inn

We toured the exhibits at the Visitor Center, which is housed in one section of the original Stonewall Inn, and watched several excellent films to learn more about Stonewall and its legacy. I especially enjoyed the jukebox and the listing of songs that captured both the rebellious spirit and collective joy of the Stonewall community. Many were songs that I still love.

Stonewall National Monument - Exhibits

We then crossed the street to Christopher Park, where demonstrations continued for several nights after the police raid. Today, the park fence is festooned with pride flags and photographs that visually tell the story of the gay rights movement. A sculpture by George Segal honors and commemorates the events at the Stonewall Inn that gave rise to the movement. The small park was filled with people enjoying their lunches.

Stonewall National Monument - Christopher Park

After our own lunch nearby, we walked to the next stop to catch our Hop-On Hop-Off bus and considered whether to stop at another site. We reluctantly decided that another visit would be too rushed, so we went back to the hotel instead.

After returning to our room in the evening, we were so surprised to look out our window and see the illuminated Empire State Building. It had been foggy this morning, so we had no idea that we had such a great view.

A Great View of the Empire State Building from Our Room

Day 180 – New York, New York, USA

Viking Sky sailed into New York harbor early this morning, thus ending the eighth and final segment (from Reykjavik, Iceland, to New York City) of our World Cruise.

Segment 8 - Reykjavik to New York

The Statue of Liberty was shrouded in mist and fog, so unlike the blue skies we encountered when we arrived in New York on Viking Polaris last year. The weather today matched my mood.

Statue of Liberty

Tim and I vacated our stateroom before 8:00 am, so the crew could prepare for a complete turnaround. Every passenger was disembarking today. Since we will be staying in New York for five nights, we didn’t need to worry about getting to the airport.

After a brief delay, we disembarked, passed through Customs, retrieved our luggage, dropped off three bags with Luggage Forward, and found a ride to our hotel. We checked into the Grayson Hotel, a boutique hotel in Midtown Manhattan, where we crashed and slept for much of the day.

Grayson Hotel (photo courtesy of the hotel website)

We learned that we had sailed 43,140 nautical miles over 180 days from Fort Lauderdale to New York. We circled the globe and crossed multiple imaginary lines, some more than once. These included the Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Equator, International Date Line, Prime Meridian, and Arctic Circle. We visited six continents and 36 countries. It was the trip of a lifetime for Tim and me.

Yes, We Circled the Globe!

Day 179 – Sail the Atlantic Ocean

Today is the last day of our World Cruise on the Viking Sky. How did the time pass so quickly? When Tim and I boarded the ship in Fort Lauderdale on December 19, 2024, it seemed as though we had all the time in the world (literally)! 180 days! Wow! Now, I can’t believe it’s almost over.

Viking still offered lots of things to keep us entertained today as we sailed from Halifax to New York City, but I skipped those. Instead, I spent the day packing, one of my least favorite activities. I also continued my rounds of saying goodbye to crew members and friends, not knowing if or when we might see them again. It was a very melancholy day.

One highlight, however, was a performance by the Viking Sky Guest Choir, and they did a wonderful job, despite their short rehearsal time. It’s been a pleasure listening to them throughout the cruise.

Viking Sky Guest Choir Led by Assistant Cruise Director Patricia

I had very high expectations for this World Cruise, and even after 179 days, this experience has far exceeded even those high expectations. In fact, everything continued to get even better as the cruise continued, which was completely amazing to me. I cannot say enough good things about the ship, the enrichment, the excursions, the food, and especially the crew. Everyone, from the lowest to the highest, has gone out of their way to please us.

I firmly believe that the best part of Viking is the crew. These wonderful people became family to me, and it has been so rewarding getting to know them. The ship has been our home for six months, and every crew member has taken very good care of us. It is still amazing to me how the crew can work so hard, for so long, without a day off, and still maintain such a positive attitude and continue to have genuine smiles on their faces.

The officers on the World Cruise have been the friendliest and most helpful I’ve ever encountered since sailing with Viking. This is the first cruise during which I have been able to get to know many of these talented people. Marcel, and Ronald before him, have been wonderful and thoughtful Hotel General Managers. Associate General Manager Shauvik is also an amazing and kind person, and I wish I could remain on the Viking Sky when he takes over as Hotel General Manager when we arrive in New York.

Chef Alastair and his culinary team always delighted us, and the special events in the World Café and on the Pool Deck added so much to our journey. Restaurant Managers Asep and Antonio have been a delight to know, and both have been so kind, as has Beverage Manager Marko.

Shore Excursion Manager Chantelle and her team have often accomplished the impossible and have managed to present excursions that are enriching and fun. I even got to know Executive Housekeeper Febron, one of the unsung heroes on the ship.

Most of all, I would like to acknowledge Captain Markus and his team for keeping us safe, despite the violent seas and terrible weather that we recently encountered.

Hotel General Manager Ronald, Restaurant Manager Asep (top row); Executive Housekeeper Febron, Shore Excursion Manager Chantelle (center left); Cruise Director Cornelia and Hotel General Manager Marcel (center); Restaurant Manager Antonio, Beverage Manager Marko (center right); Executive Chef Alastair, Associate General Manager Shauvik (bottom row)

Viking’s commitment to enrichment is one of the major reasons I continue to sail with Viking. Learning about all aspects of the places we are visiting has been critical to my appreciating and understanding new cultures, and we have had so many excellent lecturers on this cruise.

So many memories, so many adventures, and so many special people have made this journey a trip of a lifetime. Although I seem to focus on the officers and crew, since I somehow seem to relate to them more than to many of the passengers, I have also made wonderful friends. Jacquee and Larry were our semi-constant companions at our many meals in the World Café, and I expect that we will continue to keep in touch with them. Nancy has been a delight since the first week I met her, as has Susie. I will also treasure the times I spent with Heather and Jim, Todd and Michael, Anthony and Joe, Idalie and Jocelyn, and Carol and John.

Jacquee and Larry; Nancy; Todd; Anthony and Joe; Idalie, Nancy, and Jocelyn; Jim and Heather;
Carol and John; and Susie

Day 178 – Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Viking Sky sailed into Halifax, the capital and most populous municipality of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, at 8:00 am this morning. Although I have visited Nova Scotia on several occasions, Halifax is new to me, as is Peggy’s Cove, my destination for today.

Sailing into Halifax and Passing Georges Island National Historic Site -
The Lighthouse Guided Sailors through Halifax Harbor

While Tim had chosen the “Tall Ship Harbor Sail” for his excursion, I had selected the optional excursion, “Coastal Drive to Peggy’s Cove,” described as follows:

Journey to the quaint fishing village of Peggy's Cove, steeped in Atlantic sea air and a simple seafaring heritage. Drive with your guide along the winding scenic coastal highway affectionately known as the Lighthouse Route. Upon arrival at Peggy's Cove, you may join an optional walking tour past colorful houses and fishing shacks perched along the rocky shore, with spectacular views of the roiling Atlantic beachhead. During your stroll, learn more about the local delicacy, lobster. Continue to the most photographed lighthouse in the world, part of a breathtaking seascape that you will also see depicted in a granite sculpture by local artist William deGarthe. There will be time to wander this rocky shore on your own (be sure to wear sturdy shoes with rubber soles), ponder the unusual rock formations forged by glaciers and browse the village shops before returning to your ship.

I had always wanted to visit Peggy’s Cove, due to its reputation as one of the most picturesque towns in Nova Scotia, so this excursion seemed to be perfect for me. It was a beautiful day, and the drive to Peggy’s Cove was a scenic one.

Scenes Along the Way from Halifax to Peggy's Cove

Peggy’s Point Lighthouse is one of the most photographed sites in Canada, and that’s where I headed after exiting the motorcoach. Located on a barren granite outcrop at the entrance to St. Margaret’s Bay, the lighthouse is certainly photogenic. For me, the dramatic setting was just as impressive as the lighthouse itself, if not more so.

Peggy's Point Lighthouse

I next wandered down along the harbor to explore more of this fishing village. I passed boats and charming old houses painted in bright colors that reflect the vibrant seafaring heritage of this community.

Scenes Along the Harbor

A Charming Fishing Village

I also wanted to check out the Fishermen’s Monument, which I had noticed on our way into town. This monumental work of art was designed by William deGarthe to honor the hard-working fishermen of Peggy’s Cove, as well as their contributions to the community. Carved in granite, it is divided into three sections. On the left is Grace, featuring a guardian angel watching over a fisherman and his family. Bounty is in the middle, celebrating the riches of the sea. On the right is Work, showing local fishermen hard at work.

The Fishermen's Monument - Grace, Bounty, and Work

I toured the adjacent deGarthe Gallery and Museum to learn more about this artist, who was born in Finland but immigrated to Canada in 1926. He spent summers in Peggy’s Cove and eventually made it his home. He was one of the many artists who were drawn to Peggy’s Cove and whose works inspired worldwide interest in this seaside community.

deGarthe Gallery and Museum

I had hoped to see a bit of Halifax after returning to the city, but there simply wasn't enough time, given our relatively early departure. I’ll add Halifax to the growing list of places in Canada I’d like to visit.

Tim and I had decided to enjoy one last evening at the Chef’s Table, and tonight’s menu was Mexico: Cuisine from the Inside Out. I enjoyed every course, although I have reluctantly concluded that I’m not a huge fan of mole.

Mexico Menu, With Descriptions of the Five Courses Pictured Below

Amuse Bouche, First Course, Granite, Main Course, and Dessert

Although the World Cruisers had our own farewell event last night, Viking hosted its traditional Farewell Reception this evening. I always enjoy these receptions, especially when the various crew members march down the aisles to join the officers on stage. Did the standing ovation last longer than ever tonight? I believe so!

Captain Marcus, Cruise Director Cornelia, and Hotel General Manager Marcel
Toasting Our Memorable Journey

Celebrating with Officers and Crew

The evening ended with A World of Memories, a Farewell Variety Show. Cruise Director Cornelia, Assistant Cruise Director Patricia, all the vocalists, and the band put on quite a show, and it was great to see every performance by this talented group of entertainers.

A World of Memories, a Farewell Variety Show

Day 177 – Sail the Labrador Sea

Instead of watching new lectures, whose subjects were not too interesting to us, Tim and I decided to catch up on ones that we had missed as we spent the time on this last sea day before we arrive in Halifax, Nova Scotia, tomorrow. Russell Lee is always a favorite lecturer, so we viewed “The Pursuit of the Northwest Passage.” Here, we learned about the explorers who searched for a western sea route from Europe to Asia.

The Pursuit of the Northwest Passage

Ever since the majority of World Cruise passengers disembarked in London on May 6, 2025, more than a few of the remaining passengers have taken issue with an apparent inconsistency in Viking’s definition of a World Cruise. Shortly before our arrival in London, for example, we received an invitation to celebrate our “continued adventure beyond the official Viking World Cruise.” I admit that was a bit strange, as I thought the official World Cruise ended in New York. Other special events arranged just for us referred to us as “all of you continuing with us” or “ongoing voyagers” or “in-transit guests.”

Although I, too, was puzzled by these references, I was not bothered by them. The officers and crew of the Viking Sky have made it a point to create special events for those of us remaining onboard until New York, and I have not been too concerned about what I am called. I still consider myself a World Cruiser. These special events and gestures by the crew have made me feel appreciated and valued, and I am sad that others have not felt the same way. Several days ago, I did prepare a letter to Viking to make the company aware of this issue, as I thought it could rear its ugly head on future World Cruises.

I was reminded of this matter when we received an invitation “to share one last special moment just with you” for a private gathering this evening. It seemed to be all that people talked about today.

An Invitation to a Private Gathering

When Tim and I arrived at the Star Theater, there was a “receiving line” along both hallways. Of course, Captain Markus and other officers were there, but so were kitchen and housekeeping crew members, including our Stateroom Steward Gusti and Assistant Cook Ashwin, whom we have fondly called “Pizza Man.” Special cocktails and canapes were plentiful.

We Were Welcomed by Both Officers and Crew Members

The event, “Honoring Our Journey – World of Thanks,” prominently featured “World Cruise” on the backdrop, hopefully satisfying everyone present. Cruise Director Cornelia invited the officers to the stage, and we all raised a glass to celebrate our amazing voyage.

Honoring Our Journey – World of Thanks

After a performance by the Viking Vocalists, various officers and crew members appeared on screen, offering their best wishes and thoughts about what had made this voyage so special. The invitation had promised smiles and a few tears, and I doubt there was a dry eye in the audience. I was certainly happy that I had brought a few tissues with me. All in all, it was most definitely a very special event.

Beautiful Words and Sentiments from Many Beautiful People

The evening was not over, however, as we headed to the Pool Deck for a Surf and Turf culinary highlight. Delicious and fun!

Enjoying Lobster Surf and Turf with Tim, Nancy, and I Made

Day 176 – Sail the Labrador Sea

NOTE: I am actually posting this update on September 29, 2025, more than three months after Tim and I disembarked from our World Cruise. I had hoped to finish the final postings (as well as the ones for the British Isles) before now, but, alas, it never happened. I told myself I would sleep for a week once we returned home, and then get to work, and I did a pretty good job with the former! The latter, however, not so much. Adjusting to “reality” was very difficult for me, and it took me quite a while to feel “normal” again. I don’t believe I’m the only passenger who felt this way! The fact that Tim and I arrived home to a hotter-than-normal summer also didn’t help my outlook! Anyway, enough complaining and excuses! It’s time to wrap up the posts about this incredible voyage!

Today is our second of three days at sea as we make our way south towards North America. Halifax, Nova Scotia, will be our final port-of-call and our only stop in Canada before we arrive in New York City on June 17. Our New York Disembarkation Briefing this morning was another reminder that the end of our World Cruise is approaching way too quickly.

I have not yet begun to pack, but I did take time to sort through some of the things that I plan to leave behind and donate to the crew. Since I have lost weight on this cruise, my larger-size pants made it into the pile.

Today was also a good time to hunt down as many of my favorite crew members as possible and take their photos. These wonderful people, and many others, have become a part of my family, and I will miss them. Photos, at least, will help me remember them and remind me of the wonderful times we had. (I did include a few earlier photos of crew members who had already left the ship, so as not to forget them!)

A Few of My Favorite Guest Services Crew Members - Moa; Ramon; Margie; Lovejoy; Ela; Monica; Sardo, Ela, Margie, and Efren; and Joseth

A Few of My Favorite Restaurant Crew Members - Asop and Nitin; Priya; Angela; Michael; Carlito and John Paul; Minor; Anna; and Grace

A Few of My Favorite Beverage Crew Members - I Made; Mike and Nestor; Carl and Joel; Christian and Chris; Karen and Carol; Joel; Arima; and JunJun

Our Two Fabulous Stateroom Stewards - Gusti (Porto to New York) and Jayson (Fort Lauderdale to Porto)

Day 175 – Sail the Labrador Sea

It was another rough night and day, but it certainly did not approach the violent conditions we experienced two days ago. We are just rocking and rolling along, and everyone looks as if they have had too much to drink.

Knowing that the end of the World Cruise is fast approaching has made me quite emotional, and I have found myself tearing up at the drop of a hat. I also started to pull back from the events on the ship and retreat to my room. This morning, for example, I should have been first in line to photograph the extravagant displays at today’s Brunch. Instead, I did not even attend, let alone take photos. I stayed in my room and ordered room service.

Remaining in the room was a perfect opportunity to catch up on more lectures. Tim and I watched Dr. Robert Cribb’s talk on “Canadian Exploration,” where he reflected on the motivations and legacies of key figures during the late fifteenth to seventeenth centuries.

Canadian Exploration: First Contacts

During Captain Marcus’ noon announcement, we learned of yet another change to our itinerary. I was not at all surprised to hear that our diversion to Nuuk due to the medical emergency, as well as the rough seas that we are still experiencing, meant that we would not be able to arrive in L’Anse aux Meadows in time to conduct our port call. Therefore, we will now sail directly to Halifax as scheduled. We were also advised that Viking’s Customer Relations team will contact us when we return home with an offer of compensation.

I watched Russell Lee lecture on “The Tragedy of the Acadians – Canada’s Lost Colony” in the afternoon. Although I was familiar with these seventeenth-century settlers who got caught in the colonial wars between France and England, I learned much more about the background and reasons that led to their expulsion from Nova Scotia.

The Tragedy of the Acadians - Canada's Lost Colony

Since we no longer needed a port talk for L’Anse aux Meadows, the Viking Sky team arranged an impromptu talk about “Navigating in Polar Waters,” courtesy of the Ice Pilot who has been with us since Reykjavik. It was very interesting to hear about all the resources that are consulted to decide whether a port is safe to visit, due to the amount and location of the ice around it. He also discussed the various tools that are used to help navigate a ship through areas where icebergs are present.

Navigating in Polar Waters

After resting during the afternoon, my typically-happy self somehow reappeared, and I was ready for a dinner that I had facilitated in Manfredi’s Private Dining Room. This time, I was merely the booking agent. Several days ago, I suggested to our friends Nancy, Heather, and Jim that we get together for dinner and that each one invite another couple. They did, and we had a very fun evening. It was a good thing we were in the private dining room and not the restaurant, since there was so much laughter.

A Fun Evening with (l-r) Sarah, Evelyn, Dave, Tom, Valerie, Heather, Jim, Nancy, and Tim