Started with a quick tour of the city, much like the one we had in 2019. But fun to do with others that were first timers. At one of the stops there had been craft vendors and the native tea, stand. This year no crafts, tea available (soo bitter we couldn’t drink it, an acquired taste). However, photos had been erected in one of the vacant areas celebrating 100 years of the Crandon School. Pictures showed the progression of girls in PT in their summer attire working out in uniform rows. Our guide is from the area and attended Deutsche Schule. Also, at this location was driving school stop. We watched from the bus as a young lady tried to parallel park. As she struggled, the instructor got out of the car, scratched his head, said something to her and got back in the car. Think we’ve all been there.
Note the detail on even the most pedestrian buildings
Once a grand hotel, now apartments and offices
Sort of like the Acropolis, actually the top of the legislature building
Canada's Embassy
Being Silly
After being dropped at the ship, we walked our way back to the shopping and restaurant area housed in an old warehouse type edifice. So depressing to see many shops and eateries no longer operating. Rick lucked out at the first place and scored his replacement Uruguay t-shirt. The original one was worn out. It was closing in on our usual vacation lunch hour and we decided to have a glass of Uruguayan Tannat wine. Started to sit at the inside bar, but noticed some al fresco dining, so headed outside. A menu was given to us, but we explained we only wanted a glass of wine. The waiter understood and brought us a half bottle. Worked for us. However, sitting there and watching others eat and sniffing the air of garlic and other fine scents, we succumbed to ordering something for lunch. A discussion later and some give and take from the waiter, we decided. Ordered the hot shrimp and asparagus. Enough food to share. First of all, the wine was very good. Then the food arrived, and we were dazzled. Fresh white asparagus, maybe 12 large spears in a metal pan had been drizzled with some butter and other spices, baked, then covered with parmesan cheese and broiled. The shrimp was also visually appealing, but not like the asparagus. So, we sat and watched the world go by. Did I mention the wonderful rolls for dipping? Another ship was in port and we suspected some of the diners were from that ship. Rick later identified the ship was from also an expedition ship and heading toward Lisbon.
The Glass of Wine That Started It
So good
The Swordfish
We waddled our way back to the ship. By then, the temperature had increased to a warm lovely 78 degrees. So glad to get to the room and the AC. Rick departed for the pool as he must regain the tan he lost during COVID. I worked on my word game and then joined Rick for a few minutes. Can’t take the sun. Only 2 couples showed for the 1630 trivia competition, so we played men versus women. The guys won by 2 and I’ll never live it down. Do you know how tall the Statue of Liberty is???
After the game, we stayed in place for the lecture, only to discover we had already heard it. Hadn’t really been present for a departure, so went to the back of the ship. Watched ships come and go. Watched containers being lifted, moved and loaded onto flatbeds. One of the fun things we like to do. This is a busy, busy port. Departure was delayed, but we stayed until we started moving. Because of the delay due to another ship arriving, we were served really awful drinks with orange slices. Everything cannot be delish.
We had preordered dinner of tempera, shrimp and vegetables. Excellent. Rick opted to add slices of steak on the side. I went for the Jerusalem artichoke soup. Apricot sorbet, no sugar added, was available, so that was my dessert. Maybe I can ask my friend Leslie to come up with a recipe…