July 31, 2012 -- Amsterdam, Netherlands
After 12 exciting days on the Celebrity Constellation, we pulled back into port in Amsterdam. It was an awesome experience, and I truly enjoyed sharing my knowledge of the Baltic region with the passengers of the ship. It was also a great time meeting so many people, dining with great new friends, and watching people dance to rock songs I've never heard.
No, I didn't dance during the 70s Disco night!
July 30, 2012 -- cruising in the North Sea
Nikolaos Frantzis was our captain, the Master of the Vessel. I had a short meeting with him on the Bridge, and he was very engaging and interesting. He did, however, say he'd have to wait until his vacation to read the copy of Missing in Mexico that I gave to him. He felt that sitting in his chair and reading a book probably wouldn't look to good; I agreed with him!
July 29, 2012 -- Copenhagen, Denmark
As we entered the harbor in Copenhagen, we were welcomed with an innovative sign saying that Copenhagen is OPEN!
If you can't find your way around town, you can always advertise that you're lost!
The Little Mermaid statue, commissioned by the son of the founder of the Carlsberg Brewery in 1909, is always a hit for the tourist buses.
Her pensive face was modeled after opera star Ellyn Price. She refused, however, to model in the nude, so the body is that of the wife of the artist.
Not too far from the Mermaid is Nyhavn canal, a rowdy "sailor's area" built in the 1600s to bring water from the sea into King's Square. It's still a "lively" place today!
On another canal you'll find the new Opera House, plus an imaginative advertisement for a sand company. Looked like a pretty neat sand castle!
The old Stock Exchange has an interesting spire -- it is four intertwine dragon tails. The top of the spire shows the three crowns -- Denmark, Norway, Sweden.
The guard the Royal Palace would let you take his picture, but you just couldn't get too close to him.
A shot of our ship, Celebrity Constellation, as we were out on our canal cruise.
Denmark captures the energy from the wind that is mildly constant. The artist in me said to grab an image of the windmills that's "different." Not sure if I succeeded, but I like them anyway!
Tivoli Gardens, known as "The Old Garden" to locals, was built in 1843. The developer got the land from the King by saying, "If the people have something to keep them amused, then they won't think about politics." Ya think?
There are a lot of beautiful roses through the gardens (it's also an amusement park, but there are only 25 rides), and even a few peacocks roaming around.
Yes, the riders screamed the entire 35 seconds of the ride as the were spun upside down and sent into a twisting turn at about 45 mph.
The Pantomime Theatre has a peacock curtain that takes 5 men to open for each performance.
Some actors are talking to a very interested 5-year old fan.
The statue on the right looks quite like one of the actors (or, perhaps, the other way around)
Back to the ship, and a little kiosk on the pier had refreshments for people of all ages. The draught beer was cold and it was VERY good.
The little boy on the right was pointing to several colorful delights that had caught his attention.
July 27, 2012 -- Talinn, Estonia
Tallinn is the oldest capital city of Northern Europe, a city of about 400,000 on the Baltic Sea. Our ship sat there shining in the sun.
The sun also gave life to the rooftop flowers!
A city of contrasts, you see the old town in front, and the modern buildings (not really skyscrapers) in the distance.
The Song Festival Ground holds over 100,000 for the gathering every 5 years.
As the capital city, it houses the country's Parliament, situated across the street from the centuries-old Nevsky Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox Church that is still in use today.
The city -- an easy walking town -- is a mix of walls, towers, and forts the protected the old town from potential invaders hundreds of years ago.
July 26, 2012 -- St. Petersburg, Russia (Day 2)
We left the ship early, so we got a bonus stop at the Synagogue, the second largest one in all of Europe.
St. Isaacs Cathedral is one of the many well-known cathedrals in St. Petersburg. This was my first time to visit this magnificent creation. Photo on right is of the model of the cathedral.
The doors are huge (about 20 tons each), and are intricately carved (somewhat like the doors on the Baptistry in Florence, Italy)
The view to the top is quite amazing.
Below are inside views, and the one in the center is St. Isaac himself.
Here is a statue to Nikolai the First.
July 25, 2012 -- St. Petersburg, Russia (Day 1)
Our Greeting signs in St. Petersburg, Russia -- one of my favorite cities in the world!
A beautiful cathedral near Peterhof. No, this is NOT the famous Church on the Spilled Blood where Alexander II was assassinated.
Recognizable anywhere!
Yes, there are still signs of the Soviet (USSR) era, although it's not talked about.
Caviar at lunch.
Closeup of one of the golden statues in the Great Cascade at the Palace at Peterhof.
Side view of the Great Cascade at the Palace at Peterhof.
View from the balcony above the Great Cascade at the Palace at Peterhof -- view to the sea.
View appraoching the balcony above the Great Cascade at the Palace at Peterhof
One of the 150 fountains at the Palace at Peterhof
The Russian flag.
I like STOP signs in different languages.
The Victory Arch.
July 24 -- Helsinki, Finland
Olympic Stadium, actually built for 1940 Summer Olympics, which were moved to Tokyo due to War, then cancelled. Finally used in 1952. Statue and plaque are of Pavoo Nurmi, the Flying Finn who won 9 Gold Medals and 22 World Records
The "Rock Church" -- blasted out of a granite rock quarry in the middle of town. The acoustics are awesome, and the 3,00-pipe organ is also a highlight.
Senate Square -- statue of Alexander II -- Lutheran Cathedral in background.
Lutheran Cathedral in Senate Square, up 47 carved granite steps.
Pipe organ inside Lutheran Cathedral.
Bust of Jean Sibelius at the Sibelius Monument; bust was added later because people didn't understand the abstract design.
Up-close picture of open and closed decorated pipes of Sibelius Monument.
Sculpture's signature on Sibelius Monument.
Sibelius Monument; bust of Sibelius is visible to the left of the "red
hat" in the picture.
July 23 -- Stockholm, Sweden
City Hall, where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each December 10th
The Golden Chamber, where banquet takes place. The hall consists of over 19 million golden mosaic tiles.
The place setting for the Nobel Prize banquet.
One of the 23,000 islands in the archipelago leading into Stockholm.
House on a small island
Caption needed?
Guard at Royal Palace
Ship "Vasa" that sunk after only 1,300 meters on maiden voyage in 1628. Raised after 333 years.
July 22 -- My two talks in the Celebrity Theater were the lead article in today's ship paper.
July 22 -- a close-up of the lead article in today's paper!
July 21 -- St. Christopher statue inside Evangelical Church in Warnemunde -- the only church in town.
July 21 -- 1898 lighthouse in Warnemunde that is still in use today.
July 21 -- Windmill that sits atop a restaurant where we visited in Warnemunde.
From our sail away on July 19th out of Amsterdam
Our ship "Celebrity Constellation" -- as I approached the terminal walking from town.
A crowded bicycle parking lot near Centraal Station.
Approaching the lock that will take us out to the [very rough] North Sea.
Entering the lock.
Our side clearance inside the lock
An interesting piece of art on board. Not real ties, but crinkled and accordioned paper.
July 17th -- original flights: Boise - Chicago - Amsterdam. Re-routed Boise - Chicago - Munich - Amsterdam. One of my bags went via Frankfurt instead of Munich.
Here is the right engine of Boeing 777 from Chicago to Munich. I was in a rear-facing sea, so the window was to my left. I saw these Nap Cabins in Munich airport; a quite respite for sleeping while waiting; rate is 10 - 15 Euros per hour, two-hour minimum. One looked occupied.
No, I didn't dance during the 70s Disco night!
July 30, 2012 -- cruising in the North Sea
July 29, 2012 -- Copenhagen, Denmark
As we entered the harbor in Copenhagen, we were welcomed with an innovative sign saying that Copenhagen is OPEN!If you can't find your way around town, you can always advertise that you're lost!
The Little Mermaid statue, commissioned by the son of the founder of the Carlsberg Brewery in 1909, is always a hit for the tourist buses.
Her pensive face was modeled after opera star Ellyn Price. She refused, however, to model in the nude, so the body is that of the wife of the artist.Not too far from the Mermaid is Nyhavn canal, a rowdy "sailor's area" built in the 1600s to bring water from the sea into King's Square. It's still a "lively" place today!
On another canal you'll find the new Opera House, plus an imaginative advertisement for a sand company. Looked like a pretty neat sand castle!
The old Stock Exchange has an interesting spire -- it is four intertwine dragon tails. The top of the spire shows the three crowns -- Denmark, Norway, Sweden.
The guard the Royal Palace would let you take his picture, but you just couldn't get too close to him.A shot of our ship, Celebrity Constellation, as we were out on our canal cruise.
Denmark captures the energy from the wind that is mildly constant. The artist in me said to grab an image of the windmills that's "different." Not sure if I succeeded, but I like them anyway!
Tivoli Gardens, known as "The Old Garden" to locals, was built in 1843. The developer got the land from the King by saying, "If the people have something to keep them amused, then they won't think about politics." Ya think?
There are a lot of beautiful roses through the gardens (it's also an amusement park, but there are only 25 rides), and even a few peacocks roaming around.
Yes, the riders screamed the entire 35 seconds of the ride as the were spun upside down and sent into a twisting turn at about 45 mph.The Pantomime Theatre has a peacock curtain that takes 5 men to open for each performance.
Some actors are talking to a very interested 5-year old fan.The statue on the right looks quite like one of the actors (or, perhaps, the other way around)
Back to the ship, and a little kiosk on the pier had refreshments for people of all ages. The draught beer was cold and it was VERY good.The little boy on the right was pointing to several colorful delights that had caught his attention.
July 27, 2012 -- Talinn, Estonia
Tallinn is the oldest capital city of Northern Europe, a city of about 400,000 on the Baltic Sea. Our ship sat there shining in the sun.The sun also gave life to the rooftop flowers!
A city of contrasts, you see the old town in front, and the modern buildings (not really skyscrapers) in the distance.The Song Festival Ground holds over 100,000 for the gathering every 5 years.
As the capital city, it houses the country's Parliament, situated across the street from the centuries-old Nevsky Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox Church that is still in use today.The city -- an easy walking town -- is a mix of walls, towers, and forts the protected the old town from potential invaders hundreds of years ago.
July 26, 2012 -- St. Petersburg, Russia (Day 2)
We left the ship early, so we got a bonus stop at the Synagogue, the second largest one in all of Europe.
St. Isaacs Cathedral is one of the many well-known cathedrals in St. Petersburg. This was my first time to visit this magnificent creation. Photo on right is of the model of the cathedral.
The doors are huge (about 20 tons each), and are intricately carved (somewhat like the doors on the Baptistry in Florence, Italy)
The view to the top is quite amazing.Below are inside views, and the one in the center is St. Isaac himself.
Here is a statue to Nikolai the First.July 25, 2012 -- St. Petersburg, Russia (Day 1)
Our Greeting signs in St. Petersburg, Russia -- one of my favorite cities in the world!
The Victory Arch.
July 24 -- Helsinki, Finland
Olympic Stadium, actually built for 1940 Summer Olympics, which were moved to Tokyo due to War, then cancelled. Finally used in 1952. Statue and plaque are of Pavoo Nurmi, the Flying Finn who won 9 Gold Medals and 22 World Records
Sibelius Monument; bust of Sibelius is visible to the left of the "red
hat" in the picture.
July 23 -- Stockholm, Sweden
City Hall, where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each December 10th
July 22 -- a close-up of the lead article in today's paper!
From our sail away on July 19th out of Amsterdam
Our ship "Celebrity Constellation" -- as I approached the terminal walking from town.A crowded bicycle parking lot near Centraal Station.
July 17th -- original flights: Boise - Chicago - Amsterdam. Re-routed Boise - Chicago - Munich - Amsterdam. One of my bags went via Frankfurt instead of Munich.
Here is the right engine of Boeing 777 from Chicago to Munich. I was in a rear-facing sea, so the window was to my left. I saw these Nap Cabins in Munich airport; a quite respite for sleeping while waiting; rate is 10 - 15 Euros per hour, two-hour minimum. One looked occupied.
I have been in a self-cleaning bathroom at the Tower of London, but have never seen a nap cabin. Sounds useful.
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