Coinciding with our vacation to Bermuda last week, was the America’s Cup Yacht Preliminaries.
As seen from the bow of our cruise ship, Norwegian Breakaway, the America’s Cup Village is seen just behind Celebrity Summit, in Bermuda’s Great Sound.Over the preceding months and many locations, preliminary races determined the ultimate “challenger” to the current “defender” (USA’s “Oracle.”) Above, New Zealand’s “Emirates” (in contest with Great Britain’s “Land Rover”) takes the lead with Gibbs Hill Lighthouse in the background, and has now earned that challenger privilege.The boats have evolved over 147 years, from more conventional sailing yachts, to highly refined and sophisticated racing platforms, now utilizing hydrofoils to significantly reduce drag and increase speed. Rules prohibit any energy sources other than the sea, air and human input. The helmsman, (see image above) who is ultimately responsible for navigation and articulation of control surfaces under race conditions, must continuously evaluate and decide when and where to guide the boat and how to do it. His hands are on a multi-remote laced steering wheel. Also, as the boat’s direction and roll-attitude changes, the entire crew will run across to the opposite (upper) pontoon to man duplicate stations. Great theater! Just after winning this heat over Land Rover, Emirates is seen here coming down off the foils. The boats often exceed 44 knots (50 mph) in racing.
Although all the 50′ catamarans are essencially the same, teams have virtually unlimited options as to trimming and power usage, including navigating savvy, and human endurance. For example, Emirates utilizes bicycle-like human power stations, while Oracle uses the more traditional hand cranked “grinders.” The science of these vessels and the methods employed are awesome, details of which can be found here .
As usual, click on the image for a closer look, and thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M 🙂
Last week, we cruised to Bermuda from NYC on the 145,000 gross ton Norwegian Breakaway. Day six of this family vacation brought us to St. George via the ferry and a short walk to Tobacco Bay, on the far north shore for swimming, snorkling and exploring,
As usual, click on the image for a closer look, and thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M 🙂
An image included in my 2014 post about Hamilton Park, Weehawken, NJ, was recently selected by “Traveling Lady” for inclusion in her “Top 10 Instagram Spots of New York.”See:
Two weeks ago as part of a memorable family cruise, Jeanne and I visited this little beach on Bermuda’s south coast.
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Our first view, from the highlands above.Secluded Beach, Pristine Water, Snorkling…Places to explore…Daytrippers, like us, coming in for a taste of paradise…Fine, soft sand… nearly transparent water… It really… doesn’t get much better than this!
Thanks for viewing, and as usual… comments are always welcome. M:-)
Last night, police, acting on a tip, arrested two suspicious young women in the the park. “Boom Boom S——,” and “Wiggle Wiggle H—–,” were obviously taken by surprise on a raid conducted moments after a tipster, only identified as one of the perpetrator’s sisters, alerted authorities of unusual activity in the park. The pair were released after being charged with impersonating broccoli. They promised never to do it again.
A retrospect inspired some years ago by my 4 year old daughter; and best friend at dance school. Neither grew up to become either dance stars, …or green vegetables.
Thanks for viewing, and comments are always welcomed. M 🙂
Captured in Italy some time ago, a few images from Assisi, birthplace of the Francician Order…
Pidgeon in a pidgeonhole overlooking the Umbria region surrounding Assisi, ItalyAlong “via S. Francesco” Franciscian Friars13th century Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi with statue of Francis of Assisi, patron saint of “animals and environment,” co-founder of the Order of FrancisciansJeanne browsing along via S. Frsncesco. Note the brick cieling in this shop amongst the medieval alleys
Posting snippets gives me an opportunity to explore some of our past experiences, images and places, in between more current travels and projects.
As usual, thanks for visiting, and comments are always welcome. M 🙂
Short on time? Just browse the images. There are fifteen in this post. Click on any to show its full resolution.
In 2011, we had the privilege of spending a week on this newly commissioned Royal Caribbean mega-ship as a few tropical islands sailed by….or at least it seemed that way. It was difficult to tell that we were in fact the ones moving. Here are some images from that cruise.
At 1,187’ (362m) long; up to 198’ (60m) wide; and 236’ (72m) high, the Allure of the Seasdwarfs conventional cruise ships, as seen here in St Thomas.
Below: The exclusive adults only solarium was one of our favorites, with its own pools, bars, café, palm trees (?) and, (not shown,) cantilevered whirlpools actually hanging over the ocean. Nice!
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With the “Boardwalk” and “Central Park” below, the center of the ship is lined with unique inside cabins.
And overhead – the zip line, with me, …9 decks above!
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There are two, 10m climbing walls overlooking the stern, and Aqua Theater.
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Our friend Judy is winning the challenge.
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The sun is no different from this ship than from other ships, except maybe it SETS a few seconds later from this height!!! Rich, Ray and Fred join me with recording the event.
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“Central Park” is a meandering outdoor garden lined with bars, and shops – really awesome.
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On the same level, the Boardwalk features more informal shops and eateries, and a carousel!
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One deck down is the Royal Promenade with more shops, restaurants, a jazz club and other diversions. Between the two is the Tide Bar, shown here, (center about 10′ (3m) up and rising, bartender in center) which like an elevator moves between these two decks… with the bar, patrons and their drinks, up and down, up and down.
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Of course there is a 1,380 seat theater – the Broadway play “Chicago” on stage during our cruise. In addition there is an ice skating rink, clubs, etc., etc.
The enormous smokestacks of this ship were built to telescope down to clear a suspension bridge in Amsterdam, where the ship was built. For perspective, it would need to do this to pass under the George Washington Bridge!
Sunrise at sea, heading back from St. Maarten to Fort Lauderdale on an itinerary which besides St. Thomas, also included Nassau in the Bahamas.
Thanks for visiting, and as usual comments are always welcome.
Around this time of year, a few years back, we had the pleasure to ride this narrow gauge railroad, tracing the path of the Great Klondike Gold Rush of 1897. From the Sea Level town of Skagway, Alaska, to nearly 3000 ft (915 m,) this unique experience features tunnels, “steep grades and cliff hanging turns,” followed by serene meadows; clear, icy lakes; and the snow streaked peaks of Canada’s Yukon Territory.
To get there from the lower 40 US States, you either have to drive a thousand miles or so along the ALCAN Highway, and then the Klondike Highway; or take one of these awesome vehicles. In our case it was the latter, The Princess Sapphire! – Awesome indeed!
As usual, click on the images for higher resolution. And… Thanks for viewing!
A few years back, as the ice from the previous winter was melting, we were fortunate to have a bird’s eye view from the deck of a Princess Cruise ship. Some of the wistful private boats and humorous sea gulls in Glacier Bay National Park, were just a sampling of one particularly memorable day.
Cruising up Tarr Inlet, this capable motor-sailer is dwarfed by the magnificent coastal mountains.
lies the Grand Pacific Glacier, 25 miles long and 2 miles wide at its terminus, shown here. Not seen here, but only 12 miles (19 km) WNW of the sailboat’s mast, is 18,008 ft. (5489 m.) Mount Saint Elias. Considering the proximity of sea level andthe top of the mountain, the perspective is dramatic.
Of course, powerboats also navigate the ice floes in these waters. Very small by comparison to cruise ships, both the beautiful sailboat and cruiser above looked to be in the impressive 50 ft.+ (15 m.) length.
Supply and Demand!
Melting ice limits real estate for these gulls.
It seems quality seafood is ALSO in demand here!
FOOD FIGHT!
The gull in front, of course, has the morsel while a no holds (or feathers) barred scramble is on!
Clicking on images will display higher resolution
Thanks for viewing, and comments are always welcomed
