Freedom's Royal Promenade

Good morning,

The center point of Freedom of the Seas is the Royal Promenade.  It's arranged as a city street with shops and entertainment on a street longer than an American Football field. 

Sorrento's Pizza is a favorite...

...as are other restaurants and shops along the way.

Bridges span the Royal Promenade and provide a place for entertainers at various times during the cruise.

Forget something?  You'll surely find it here.

The bridge to the left side of this image is where the Captain and other officers will be introduced before the Captain's formal dinner.

Oooooh, ice cream!

This "Get Out There" shop carries merchandise with the Royal Caribbean logo.

And, at the opposite end of the Royal Promenade from where I started is this glorious atrium.  Look carefully along the side walls of the Royal Promenade and you will see the windows of guest cabins that overlook this busy street.

You can see the guest staterooms that overlook the Royal Promenade more clearly here.  This image is of the bridge I just crossed and is looking back in the direction from which I had just come.  The colors on the columns and bridge change to provide a different look every few seconds.

More tomorrow about this truly unique ship and cruise!  I am having so much fun here!  In another couple of weeks our daughter and a friend will join us, too.

Very best,
Lois

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 Royal Caribbean International Cookbook

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Sailing Out of Port Canaveral

Good morning,

My Honey and I are aboard the gorgeous Freedom of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world.  There is a total capacity of 5, 728 people, 1,400 of whom are crew. 

I'll share more images and information about the ship and ports as we go.  Today, however, I have images of sailing out of Port Canaveral.

This port has a totally different feel from the Port of Miami where we were last month.

 It's a combination of commercial...

and shipping...

...sections in addition to being a cruise ship port.

 It is also home to pleasure fishing boats...

...and...

... container shipping.

 We passed a tour boat in the small outlet to the sea...

...and some very barren land...

...before we sailed off into the sunset.

Parking at Port Canaveral is very, very easy.  We had been sailing out of the Port of Miami for the past few years where everything was much more congested.

Tomorrow I'll share more about this ship.  Although I have seen it on Freedom's sister ships, I haven't been down to the ice rink yet.  Yes, there is an ice rink here.  This will be so much fun!

Very best,
Lois

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 Modern Times Wonders VOYAGER OF THE SEAS

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The Announcer

Good morning,

How old were you when you knew what you wanted to do in life?  Probably older than five!

My grandson decided he wants to be a TV personality. Maybe he'll want to be something else tomorrow, but today, it's a TV personality.

He had carefully developed his script.  He recorded it.

Then critiqued his work.

He practiced over and over and over until he had his delivery exactly the way he wanted it.  He is so very serious and persistent.

Whatever he decides to do when he grows up he will surely be successful.

I just had to share these darling pictures.  ;)

Lois

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 Olympus Digital Voice Recorder (VN 6200PC)

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The Shadow Knows

Good morning,

That's Kate with her older sister's cat, Shadow.   Shadow's full name is Shadow of Merlin since he looks like Merlin who was Kate's Dad's cat many years ago.

Shadow is the most tolerant, wonderful cat with children I have ever known. 

In a house with many children he tolerates all the extra loving children can give to cats.

When he has had quite enough, he doesn't get upset.  He just moves to the window...

...and watches the birds.

Shadow is a very, very good cat.

I hope you've enjoyed meeting our Shadow.  :)

Best,
Lois

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Bergan Turbo Track Cat Toy 

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Krohn Conservatory Desert House and Orchid House - Part 3 of 3

Good morning,

This is Part 3 of a series of images captured at the Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati, Ohio.  In Part 1 and Part 2 we visited other "houses" of this large complex of beautiful plants.   Today we are in the Desert House and, my favorite, the Orchid Room.  In the image above you see my grandchildren, Anna and Alex on a path in the Desert House.

As in other "houses" in the Conservatory, the ceilings are high and the plants are huge.

I am sure many of these have been here since the Conservatory opened in 1933.

In addition to these beautiful plants...

...there is also artwork displayed.

Tequila in the raw!

The paths wind through each "house" of the Conservatory so visitors can see and photograph them all.  Above is our granddaughter, Katie, capturing images.

When we were here a couple of years ago, there were baby quail in this room.  I would guess they did a good job of finding and eating any insects in the room.

It was time to move on to my favorite part of the Conservatory, the Orchid Room.

Inside My Honey, Katie, and another visitor were capturing images of absolutely gorgeous blossoms.

So very pretty!

The Orchid Room is very warm and humid...

...which seems to suit these beauties just fine.

The delicate petals and colors are just so lovely.

A friend had an orchid plant like the one above.  When he went on vacation he asked me to care for it and I managed to keep it alive and happy until he returned. 

I saved my favorite image for last.

I hope you've enjoyed our visit to the Krohn Conservatory with us.

Very best,
Lois

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 2 Oncidium sphacelatum Species Orchid Plants Potted

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