The "other" Portland - and, some general ship observations and catch-ups

Photobombed by the Portland Head Light!

Today (Thursday), we woke up in Portland. Another lovely, sunny, crisp day.  Watched the Nova Scotia ferry, m/v Nova Star, as it arrived in Portland.  Apparently, this ferry, which is a fairly new operation, is losing money (it takes about ten hours to sail from Portland to Yarmouth, N.S., while it takes about 10-12 hours to drive the same distance. So.... not much of a time savings.)

Anyway, I am going to keep this entry somewhat short, owing to energy and time. Maybe it is because we are nearing the end of the cruise, and the fact that last night the Internet went Tango Uniform.  It's all good.

We had a day-long tour today, billed as "The Best of Maine."  This included a trip to Kennebunkport (and its sister, Kennebunk), a short boat ride to see that area from the water, along with how lobstering works, then a lobster roll lunch at a local resort, and finally, a trip to Portland Head Light.  It was all very well done, and the day couldn't have been better.

In Kennebunkport, we got to see where George and Bar hang out in the summers (as well as where Bar insists on taking her beach walk, with dogs and walker, and Secret Service agents.)  We got to swing into the cove next to the compound, because the Bushes left last week for Texas.   There are buoys that mark the security area - when (either) Bush was president and in residence in Maine, lobstermen were given about a day's heads-up to get their traps out of the secure area, because they would have no access when the family was present.  We got the impression from one of the other guides who lives there and has been guiding for many years that some family members are liked much more than other members.  You can figure out which ones. <grin>

Kennebunkport is charming, if a bit precious.  It has been the playground of the very wealthy for many years, after all.  We saw numerous other houses belonging to famous people, including the founder of EHarmony - notable, because we were also told the story that this fellow is currently undergoing a divorce because his wife met someone else on EHarmony.  Not sure if that is true, but it's a good story....

Once we returned to the dock, Nancy and set out to explore Portland a little bit.  In my couple of hours (which is hardly anything,) I found it to be delightful, and about what I expected. I expected it to be: a bit funky, a bit hipster, a little gritty, a lot charming and historic.  Kinda like that other Portland, I suppose.  We wandered the streets, dropped some cash here and there (in stores, mind) and soaked it all up.  Thought we would dine off the ship tonight (late sailing) but neither one of us was hungry at the right time.  Oh well.  We returned to the ship and enjoyed dinner as Portland slipped away.  Had a contingent from the Coast Guard escorting us, and saw the Portland Head Light doing its thing.

So, some somewhat random observations before I forget:

• New Brunswick
• one of the most popular snacks is dulse, the seaweed that tastes like bacon. They were eating it long before it became the new super food
• Our guide passed around on the bus a "moose call" - a big can with a leather string attached to it.  You run your fingers up and down the leather and it makes a funny squeaky sound.  Not sure if that truly duplicates the mating call of the moose, or if we were just being made to look ridiculous <grin>
• Maine
• If you stretched out all the coastline in Maine, it would measure about 3,600 miles
• Most of our tour guides have been retired folks (as compared to most of our guides on our last two summer cruises, where the guides are schoolteachers on summer break)
• If you are not a native Mainer, you are "from away"
• Portland's airport is called the "Jetport"  That's fun
• I forgot to wear my PDX socks today in Portland, Maine, darn it
• On board and in general
• We have yet to see our next door neighbors, and wonder if they ever leave the suite. We hear them all the time (especially on the phone) and they always have a Breakfast order hanging on the door, or else a "Privacy Please" notice. And, they leave their balcony light on all night
• Frat boys are frat boys at any age, even in their sixties-seventies (seeking out the nearest beer in Kennebunkport at 10:30Am, for example, or talking through the dance performances)
• Regent staff are, without exception, absolutely spectacular.  Well, except maybe the I.T. guy. We have been amused by several Windows errors showing up on the in-house TV presentations.

Well, as usual,that wasn't short after all.  And I'm sure I'll think of more stuff that is relevant to us, but not particularly interesting to anyone else, ha ha!  

Tomorrow, Boston.  We're touring the JFK Library, and the Adams (John, and John Quincy) museum.  Then, we're getting together with friends.