Winding it down...

With only a few days left on our trip around the world, passengers are beginning to prepare for Miami, the same port where this journey began last January 6. Yesterday about 20 persons disembarked in Boston, it being closer to their home than Miami. Others are starting to pack their bags, deciding what will fit and what they will leave behind.

Yesterday we were able to go through immigration on board the ship where we took possession of our passports again. This will make it easier for us when we reach Miami. Our ship didn't arrive in Boston until 4 p.m. Having hit the "high spots" there some years back, we didn't have anything special planned. So we hopped on Oceania's complimentary shuttle to go to Quincy Market downtown. We walked around the market area for a bit but it was really hot. It’s definitely summer time in the good ole USA!! Even so, it feels good to be back on home soil and particularly so as we see and feel the excitement of America’s preparation to celebrate its 250th birthday tomorrow! 💖💙💖

 

Quincy Market Hall

 

Located right outside the market is a life-sized sculpture of Red Auerbach, the legendary Boston Celtics coach relaxing on a park bench with his signature cigar (below, right). Other bronze sculptures nearby celebrate Boston's sports and political history.  

 

  

Wild Benches of Hope

  

We enjoyed some yummy fruit drinks while walking through the giant food hall but caught the shuttle back to the ship in time to have pizza for dinner. 

Just before dark, we climbed to the very top of the ship in hopes of seeing fireworks from there. They were going off on both sides of the ship, but at a distance so unfortunately I wasn’t able to get any really good shots. 

 

 

For us, the winding down of our time onboard means sharing meals with special friends we’ve made on this voyage, likely for the last time. Today we completed our study of Colossians with the friends we’ve made in our Bible study. Afterwards all the ATW passengers gathered on the deck for a group photo.

 

gathering for ATW group photo

Ronnie with friend Tom Hanley

 

Tom is from Ft. Worth and a very nice guy. We met him and his wife Diane on the 2023 ATW cruise on Oceania's Insignia. Sadly, she passed away while snorkeling in the Polynesian Islands only weeks after joining us.

After the photo gathering, we met our Bible study leaders in the Dining Room for lunch. I had the "Impossible" Burger (alternative to meat) with all the fixins. However, this bun was a first. Apparently this is the way they make them in Aquamar Restaurant (the 'healthy" restaurant on board). It was delicious, in spite of the color of the bun. I jokingly said it was probably colored with squid ink. I later googled and think I may have been right - yikes! It didn't taste weird; in fact it was delicious! And their sweet potato fries are soo good - crispy on outside, soft on inside. I will miss these, and that's probably a good thing!

 

Below is a photo I took of Ronnie's ukulele group after practice yesterday. They sounded pretty good! (some are not present in photo) I recorded a few of their songs but unfortunately I can't post videos here.