Thursday, 3 April 2025
Tucson to Ft Lauderdale

I'm glad I was able to change my Thursday flights at the last minute on Wednesday--that's the advantage of purchasing fully refundable tickets. Not only was the weather fine for flying to Ft Lauderdale through Houston, but also both United flights were on time and offered excellent service. Although each flight was shorter than two and a half hours, I was treated to excellent meals on both. 

From Tucson to Houston I enjoy a cold breakfast of Corn Flakes with banana, cheese platter, pastry, roll with butter, and hot coffee:

From Houston United offers lunch with three choices for main dish--I choose the hot cheese-filled tortellini, served with a mixed salad (with olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing), bread and butter, and banana pudding for dessert:

I certainly don't need much to eat when I arrive.

Friday, 4 April 2025
Ft Lauderdale

I am always reminded at every visit how Ft Lauderdale is a perfectly blended environment  of water life and cultural diversity. From the Atlantic beaches through the Intracoastal Waterway and local canals to the vibrant shopping and museums of Las Olas, the city hums with vitality. It's unfortunate the city makes this visitor thrum to its debilitating humidity. (Remember that I live in Tucson, where the humidity is extremely low, even in summer when temperatures can exceed one hundred degrees.)

This morning there is a cooling breeze and moderate temperature (with a helpful cloud-covered sky), so after the Hampton Inn's included breakfast buffet (hot but not very exciting), I head out for a long walk along Las Olas Boulevard to admire the shops, the fine homes, and the very large yachts and sailboats.

Three Water Views from Las Olas Boulevard 

🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶

Above and Below:
Ft Lauderdale's Oldest Surviving Home (1901)

          

I stop at a local Walgreen's to buy supplies that I didn't want to weigh down my luggage from Tucson:  things like mouthwash, dish detergent (the best way to clean glasses), over-the-counter drugs, and other necessities. After a quick lunch I head back to the hotel to get ready for tomorrow's after-breakfast pick-up and checking in on the Nieuw Statendam. Hopefully you will be hearing more from LFLatSea once I am settled on board.