DH’s small private tour was also picked up at the ship, with tour guide/driver Michael. I also booked this tour with Philippe from the website www.best-of-france.com, and paid in advance via a faxed credit card authorization. Here at La Havre the forecast included rain, yet most of the day was sunny with clear skies and a refreshing breeze. Five on this van were friends, and the other three are new friends Mike, Jen, and Jerry, who we invited at our roll call on www.cruisecritic.com.
It’s 17 Sept as I write this account, and we are at sea. The Splendor has bow to stern wireless, but I am offline at the present time, sitting at the cushy banquettes along the 5th deck promenade. Unfortunately I have not found any ready electrical outlets here, so on battery the screen is dimmer but perched on my lap I am able to position my laptop so I can view the length of the promenade while typing away! The good news is I am aDble to see those in our group as well as our blogger friends who I now recognize as they stroll by en route to one of the many ship’s activities. The bad news is this blog will need to be continued at another time, as I stop to chat with them about the current shipboard news.
It’s great to have your own private guide which gives you the flexibility to stay at a sight longer or move on as finished. The visits on this tour included several small museums, as well as sites and promontories overlooking the D-day beaches as well as the US cemetery. The sights, especially at Point Duhoc, made the stories of author Steven Ambrose come alive. DH had read two books of this era prior to the trip. Seeing remains of the bunkers and foxholes as well as the fields of fire overlooking the beaches was simultaneously inspiring and horrifying. The group was moved beyond words as they saw remnants of the war still remaining, though aged thru the passing of many decades.
Only the cemetery was groomed as a pristine, peaceful paradise for the final resting place of so many soldiers, sailors, and airmen. It was an experience they will long remember.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment