Monday 9th October 2023
Portland, Maine
Mary wrote: We had to be up early and have our breakfast by 0800 as Customs start checking us before going ashore. They started with people on tours, and then from the top decks working downwards and starboard cabins before portside ones. We were finally done at 1120 but we were very cold so we went and had hot chocolate in the Bookmark cafe prior to going ashore.
We wanted to use the hop-on hop-off trolley bus. but no tickets where available, so we went on a free tour around Portland on a Minibus which showed us the layout. We had not been impressed with the old port area we had walked. Cobbled streets were red rectangular brick pavers which had been disturbed by tree roots. Everything seemed dirty and run-down. We walked along to the beach we had seen on the bus trip, where there are various trails, and also a narrow-gauge railway on which several of the people from our ship with travelling. Tony and Jill had enjoyed their ride later in the afternoon. We walked for a while and had a chat with two American ladies who said that there were several things to see, and we would make the highest point.
We reached the red-tiled observatory which had been used as a lookout in a similar way to Signal Hill in Newfoundland. It was an easy walk from there, as it was all downhill. It was all aboard for 1930 for setting off at 2000 for Boston. The weather had been sunny - meant to be 15°C, but I had been too hot and ended up having to carry my down coat.
