Home again in Tucson. It was great visiting old friends and old haunts in Richmond, but I still have to report on the rest of the cruise and our visit to New York City.
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
We have another shore excursion this morning, this time through the older parts of Sydney before heading about 30 miles across Cape Breton Island to the reconstructed site of the Fortress of Louisburg. We learn the difference between a fortress and a fort (this cruise is so educational!)--the former is a garrisoned town with shops and residences for the famlies of soldiers, the latter is a smaller installation manned only by soldiers.
The Fortress of Louisburg, founded by the French and then attacked and taken over by the British, was leveled in the early part of the 18th century. Like Williamsburg, Va, the foundations of most of the buildings remained intact and the original plans were found in an old library. Thus, major accurate reconstruction work could be done and today the Fortress stands as it did in 1744 when occupied by the British. Like Williamsburg, too, the buildings are furnished with original objects and the guides are dressed in original costumes and play the part of soldiers, innkeepers, wives, and others. The buildings cover extensive grounds and today's overcast and windy weather provides a perfect backdrop for the gray stone and red brick.
Back on board the Maasdam there is another cocktail party with the Captain and Officers before we head to dinner. After dinner is Holland America's (in)famous Dessert Buffet at the Lido Swimming Pool. Most cruise lines have tried to eliminate some of the waste in food service and have cut back on the nightly Midnight Buffets. Holland America has a small "late night snack" every day at 11pm and the dessert extravaganza once per cruise. But since we have just finished dinner Will and I take only pictures of the magnificent desserts.
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