17 August Quebec City 

My thoughts were confirmed today - Quebec City would have to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  We didn't dock until 9.45 due to strong currents in the St 

Lawrence River and as our tour wasn't until 2 pm we walked around the city for well over 2 hours.  Walked along the lower part, checked out a few shops, marvelled at the beauty of it all, the narrow cobblestone streets, the lovely boutiques, etc then took the funicular to the top level. Perfect weather made the day even more enjoyable.  Stopped for a baguette and coffee then back to the ship for our tour at 2 pm.  

In four hours we covered a lot of ground - it was 'Countryside Quebec' and so we left the city and travelled towards the Laurentian mountains, past ski fields and recreation reserves.  The mountains are not very high but there are very suitable looking runs and facilitates  for family skiing and hiking.  And only 40 mins out of the city.  From there we went to Lac Beaufort, a very upmarket looking lake area where most people have private beach/lake access. We went to a public beach for a look and it was really lovely,  with people paddling, kayaking and sunbathing.  

Next stop was at Manoir Montmorency, a beautiful mansion built near Montmorency Falls back 200 years ago.  Unfortunately it burnt down in the 90's and has been rebuilt. We were served afternoon tea - a rich pastry and a strawberry dipped in strawberry couli.  We viewed the falls from there but later drove down to the base and had a great view.  

We then drove across a long bridge to the island of Orleans which sits in the middle of the St Lawrence River.  This island has a long history, the majority of people who live there are 7-8th generation and the houses and buildings have been sympathetically preserved.  They farm corn, squash, potatoes etc and maple syrup.  At the Sugar Shack there was a demonstration on how to tap maple syrup then taste their maple taffy. It was one of the better tours we've had. 

Back at the ship it was time to begin packing out bags as main bags had to be in the corridor by 11 pm.  Went to dinner late but dined with 2 couples we'd not met before. Tomorrow we have the long haul home so this is it for the Panama Canal Cruise. Thanks for reading!!!!!!

16 August Sept Iles

Straight off the ship and into a Zodiac this morning here in Sept Iles.  Was cold and rainy when we arrived but fortunately the rain held off until just as we were re-boarding the ship again at 3.30. There were 4 Zodiacs at that time, each carrying 12 passengers.  It was billed as a wildlife, scenic tour but other than a huge flock of cormorants, some seagulls, a few ducks and towards the end a few dolphins, it was fairly tame.  The Zodiac ride is always fun but we needed a younger driver to give us more of a buzz!  Thought we might have seen a whale but was the old story 'should have been here yesterday'!!!!! 

Back at the port we got straight onto a bus for our afternoon 'Highlights' tour.  This involved an hour at the museum, a drive through town, further on to a very  pretty beach area and it finished with an hour at a reconstructed Innu village/trading post. Sept Iles was based on fishing and the fur trade and Louis Joliet established trading posts by 1679.    It was very interesting, and we learned the history of the Innu tribe who've been here for several thousand years.  Sept Iles has a population of around 28,000 people, it is a nice place but would be bleak in the winter.  

Because we missed lunch I didn't feel bad about having afternoon tea back on the ship.  Tea time was 'chocolate tea time' and the pic below will confirm that however there were scones and finger sandwiches as well.  I enjoyed watching some kids have the best time dipping strawberries in the chocolate fountain!  

Back now after a really nice evening.  At 6pm they had Krew Kapers (again) and pretty much the same show as earlier in the cruise but still good.  Then we were guests of the Food & Beverages Manager, Ricky Ballinger, along with another couple from Perth.  Ricky is Australian, has been with cruise ships for 17 years, 6 of those with Regent.  He is married to an Indonesian girl and has a baby girl.  The executive chef came down to meet us and I was able to complement him on his piano playing when he did a cooking demonstration a couple of weeks ago.  

The late show was very good, again we had seen a similar version of it before. The dancers and singers are excellent and nice with it.  We met Tilly, one of the singer/dancers on the first day and have little chats with her from time to time.  She is English and her profile has been written up several times, and each time I wonder about her name which is Matilda Waltzing!  So tonight I asked about it and apparently her real name is Rebecca but she was asked to change it for a more suitable stage name & came up with Matilda Waltzing.  

Stopped by the roulette wheel on the way back to our room, I didn't have any money on me but borrowed $20 from George and 10 mins later walked away with $77.   

We are in the Gulf of St Lawrence now, heading to Sept Iles and will be there in the morning.  At midday the Captain announced that due to the environment and because there have been some accidents to wildlife in the Gulf recently we would now be travelling at 10 knots per hour!  It feels like we are on Pop-Eye on the Torrens!!! But if it saves a whale or dolphin from being injured then that has to be good. Have still only seen 1 whale in nearly 4 weeks however.

The galley was open for a walk through buffet again today.  All very nice with plenty of choices. We played our last games of mahjong this afternoon, the American girl, Janine, is captivated by our version of the game.  One lady came over to investigate at one point and asked what we were playing.  Told her, & she said 'but you don't have any sheets'. She just couldn't believe us when told we were playing Aussie rules with a touch of NZ.  She then said she's only ever heard of American and Jewish mahjong!  When she left we all fell apart laughing & I told Janine she was smart not to open her mouth or she might have been reported to the Association of US Mahjonggers LOL!!!

At 5.30 there's a drinks party for the Australians and New Zealanders. 

Sept-Îles (French for "Seven Islands") is a city in the Côte-Nord region of eastern Quebec, Canada. It is the northernmost town in Quebec with any significant population. It is among the northernmost locales with a paved connection to the rest of Quebec's road network.The population is 25,686 according to the 2011 census, with an added population of around 3000 Native Americans living in the Uashat mak Mani-Utenam Indian Reserve located in the city.

The only settlements on the paved road network that are farther north are Fermont, Radisson and Chisasibi, the latter two in the extreme western portion of the province at the north end of the James Bay Road. The remaining settlements at higher latitudes in the province are mostly isolated Cree, Innu, or Inuit villages, with access limited to seasonal gravel roads. We have a couple of tours booked but more about that tomorrow.

Back now from the drinks, dinner and the show.  The comedian was appalling, he was on a few days ago & bad then but thought it might just have been me so gave him another chance.  Guess some people can laugh at anything.  No pics at the moment. 

14 August Halifax Canada

Today's theme for us  was 'Lighthouses and Lobster' so the excursion took us back into the Atlantic on a boat that held about 180 people.  We circled around, saw 3 Lighthouses, all famous I gather (couldn't really hear the commentary) and a whale (Orca) and they took some Lobsters from the pots and we got to hold, touch, etc.  Then back to Murphy's Restaurant in the harbour where we were served a 1.25 lb lobster each with salads.  Those lobsters, of course, aren't like ours and have less meat I always think.  But they were delicious! 

Walked in a leisurely way back to the ship, past all the cute shops, farmers' market, brewery, monuments to the Titanic and rested for a bit.  It was 30C but not humid.  

At 6 pm there was a concert recital by the resident pianist who works with the show band.  His name is Pavlo Cherniavskyi, and he played Beethoven, Chopin and DeBussy.  Excellent!  Hidden talent aboard this ship for sure!  

Have just been to the show, alone, and while it was very good, I needed to be told the end was nigh!    Must have dozed off due to that French coffee I had at dinner - wow!  It nearly blew me off my feet!!!!  Thank God for an extra hour tonight LOL!!!!!  

13 August At Sea

Not much to report today.  Firstly, the weather is windy, rainy, foggy and cool and the ship's horn has been sounding all day.  All the sun worshippers have had to step inside and the breakfast room (the Coffee Connection) was crowded when I got there after 9am.  We can go to the dining room or the buffet but the CC offers fruit, cereal and things to toast so that is perfect for me.  

After yesterday's mammoth walking stint I can barely put one foot in front of the other today.  Apart from a couple of hours playing mahjong I've stayed in my room, even to have my dinner.  Pic below!!!!!  George went off to a lecture and to the Sunday Service, but otherwise it's a perfect day to catch up on some reading.  I have also watched  a film, there is a very good selection of films available but until tonight no time to really watch any. 

When I went to order room service for dinner I couldn't find a menu so called reception to ask and they told me it is all on the TV screen!  All too easy!  Should be like that at home LOL!

Tomorrow we're in Halifax, Canada.  Not many days left now. 

12 August New York City

Tonight I am happy but my feet are totally exhausted!  I handed in my ticket for the excursion to Lady Liberty and Ellis Island and instead took myself off for some time wandering in the shops and exploring.  I've just had a quick count and think I walked over 50 blocks - of course the north/west blocks are shorter than cross town ones but are still blocks!  Walked from the ship to Central Park, had a pastrami on rye and coffee at a favourite deli on 8th Ave then walked back down Fifth as far as St Pat's and got a bus to 34th, Herald Square.  Spent an hour or so in Macy's, mainly just looking, and finally found a comfy chair outside the fitting rooms.  (Doubt there would have been a fitting room door big enough for me to fit through at the moment LOL).  Was able to use the wifi and take a rest at the same time.  On the way back uptown I called into some fabulous stores, fresh food ones, so much more attractive than ours with interesting produce.  I crawled back to the ship just after 4pm - George had already come back from his excursion by then.  He was pretty exhausted too, in fact if we'd had a lemon could have made a gin & tonic!!!!! But instead of sitting for too long I showered and went to the theatre as there was a special 5.30 performance by a wonderful husband  & wife team.  They are old friends of our Cruise Director and did this as a special favour and were  able to disembark just before we sailed.  They had the most beautiful voices, gosh, I think it was probably about the best act I've ever seen on a ship.  She is Michele McConnell, is currently playing Carlotta in Phantom and has just had her 2152nd performance!  He is also a singer/actor called Duane McDevitt.  They sang beautiful songs from Puccini, Phantom, Sound of Music, and South Pacific etc.  Not often you get quality performers like these two on a ship!  

So, we ate dinner later than usual tonight as George wanted to watch out for Swinburne Island on our way out of the harbour.  He did take some pics which I will post later on - Swinburne Island is where they dumped all the passengers suffering with diseases before arriving at Ellis Island!  

Sat at a table for two at dinner, most other oldies who eat at sparrows' and who would normally share a table were already there.  Anyway, was quite nice and we were next to a table of 8 of mixed ages.  Looked like three generations.  Eventually some left and the lovely young boy in his late teens showed his new Nikes to the man on his left.  They all took great interest in the shoes, and I heard him say he'd bought them in NY today.  We got talking, as you do, and turns out the old man is Don Shula, former coach of the Miami Dolphins.  Meant absolutely nothing to me but people kept coming to his table to talk and after most had gone Don's daughter came & talked to us for 10 minutes.  Told us her father and mother take the family on a cruise every year, this year is just 16 of them but usually it's 32! You just never know who you will meet. 

11 August New York

Had a wonderful sail into New York, docking at noon.  Perfect weather for viewing all the landmarks and of course the Statue of Liberty.  We are parked at Pier 89, right next to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum and the British Airways Concorde is located just outside our suite.  

Our first tour was at 1 pm and that was Highlights of New York.  It was great to have a tour and to see a little of NY in the comfort of an air conditioned coach.  Some people had never been here and it gave them a good overview of the city.  Stopped at Rockefeller Plaza for half an hour, popped into St Pat's Cathedral which was looking fantastic after a zillion $ being spent on it, then on to Ground Zero.  Last time we were here there was just a big hole in the ground but to see it now is amazing.  

Back to the ship for a quick dinner before the next tour, NY by Night.  We were taken across Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn and Fulton's Landing.  In the twilight it was beautiful looking back across to Manhattan - should be a must on every itinerary.  From there we went to the Empire State Building - we were the lucky ones with prepaid tickets but even so the lines were incredible!  There are hundreds of kids and teenagers around, still being on school holidays.  But to see the city at night from the 86th level was fabulous.  Didn't go the full 102 levels as tickets didn't include that last bit.  We were then dropped at Times Square for an hour, it was absolutely jam-packed with people and we needed a restroom.  Our guide mentioned restrooms in the M & M store so in we went -music blaring, kids everywhere - had to go to the 3rd floor, lift took 5 mins to arrive the. 4 mins to go 2 levels, the line there was incredible so, 

long story short,  we'd already used up 20 mins of the hour LOL!!!!! Then walked a few blocks looking for a coffee (by how it is 11.20 pm) and had to admit defeat and buy a Starbucks!!!!  Which was actually quite nice.  

Got back to the ship at midnight after a fun day.  

10 August Norfolk Virginia

Norfolk - Loved it!  When I woke at 6.30 this morning we were on the long approach to Norfolk, having come in from the Atlantic, then into Chesapeake Bay and finally Into the Eliabeth River to dock at the Half Moon Centre.  We were parked right next to the Battleship Wisconsin and the Naval Museum.  The Wisconsin was one of the largest and last battleships built by the US Navy and she served in three wars.

Our tour was called 'A Taste of Norfolk' and I think when we booked it months ago we couldn't have imagined needing tastings of anything after being on a cruise however off we went on a beautiful air conditioned bus with two lovely ladies as guides and in pleasant weather conditions for a change.  It was 28C with low humidity so more to our liking.  First stop was at The Hermitage, a beautiful old house built for the Sloane family in 1908.  Mr Sloane was part owner of Berkeley Knitting Mill in Chesapeake whose his wife busied herself with the construction of this house.  She was an avid collector of art from all around the world, there are collections from Asia, Russia and Europe.  Included in the collection are paintings, sculptures, ivories, ritual bronzes, jade, Oriental rugs, tapestries, laces, embroidery and furniture. 

Lunch was at Freemason Abbey restaurant, located in a 135 year old renovated church.  The church was built in 1873 by the Presbyterians and in 1988 was converted to a tavern.  

From here we visited a modern gallery where artists were at work.  It was very interesting, some fabulous work with the artists happy to talk about their particular field.  

Doumar's was our next stop and the Doumar family are famous for having created the first waffle cone for ice cream.  It all began in 1904 at the St Louis State Fair when the ice cream vendor ran out of dishes for his ice cream - nearby a man was selling thin wafers made in a single waffle iron to which he added whipped cream for garnish.  Long story short, Mr Doumar took a waffle, rolled it into a cone shape and the rest is history!!! The grand nephew of Abe Doumar welcomed us and made everyone a waffle on the original three irons and we took them to the counter to be filled with icecream. 

Staggered back on the bus for our last attraction, the Norfolk Botanic Gardens.  Wow! They were beautiful and would be even better in spring.  There are 155 acres of roses, azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias and wonderful trees and shrubs from all over.  Crepe Myrtle is the flower of Norfolk and there are literally thousands of them in the gardens and lining the streets of the city.  They are almost at the end of their season but still lovely.  We were fortunate enough to view these gardens via a little trolley car - couldn't have done it all in an hour otherwise but it would be a fabulous walk for locals. 

Back on the ship just after 5 for a 6 o'clock sailing and the 'block' party again where we all stand outside our suites and have a drink and canapés and talk to our neighbours!!!

After dinner we did go to the show, was a comedian but not great.  I get more laughs playing an hour of mahjong!!! 

9 August At Sea

Time to catch our breath today and we enjoyed one of our last three sea days before the cruise ends.  Not a lot to report really - I did go to a morning lecture " Virginia:Riot and Revolution" which was very interesting.  We now have a new lecturer from the Smithsonian on board, Dr Bruce Chadwick.  He spoke about the Revolution, Norfolk, Jamestown, Williamsburg and the importance of these cities in the early days.  

Since I was very comfortable in the theatre I decided to stay for the next talk on Tanzanite - have heard it before but on a different ship and standing in a confined area!  It turns out that Tanzanite is now the official birthstone for December.  

After lunch three of us played mahjong - Aus/NZ style!!!!  Terri (Aus) is still learning really, and Cynthia from NZ has a different slant on the game so between playing US, OZ  and NZ rules we may all need to be retrained when we get home.  

Dinner in Prime Restaurant was nice and we shared with a couple from Hervey Bay, QLD.  

8 August Port Canaveral

Port Canaveral is a cruise, cargo and naval port in Brevard County, Florida, and is one of the busiest ports in the world with 2.8 million multi-day cruise passengers passing through during 2010 so many more 7 years on.  It is the home port of Disney Cruises and it is a deep water cargo port, with over 3 million tons of cargo each year which includes cement, petroleum and aggregate.  The port also exports fresh citrus and bulk frozen citrus juice stored in one of the largest freezer storehouses in the state.  Port Canaveral lies in the middle of Florida's 72 mile Space Coast where the main attraction is the Kennedy Space Centre.  The Centre is 34 miles long and roughly 6 miles wide, covering 219 sq miles.  The Vehicle Assembly Building is the fourth largest structure in the world by volume. Since December 1968 all launch operations have been conducted from Pads A and B at Launch Complex 39 and both are on the ocean 3 miles east of the Assembly building.  

Having told you all that, I didn't go to the Space Centre today, I handed  my ticket in last night in favour of a day out of the heat.  Instead I took a free shuttle to the Merritt Square Shopping Mall for a couple of hours!  Needless to say, I won't ever need to go there again but it did provide some nice airconditioning!  

George now back from the excursion and he said the Space Centre is much different from how it was 20 years ago but I'm still glad I passed!  

Have been to dinner and the show.  Dinner with a couple from Montreal, his family are originals from France but I had difficulty hearing the whole story.  He is a retired journalist and writer.  The show was good, an old bloke, Paul Edison, singing Frank Sinatra, Neil Dimond, Johnny Mathis etc.  

7 August Miami

Not quite sure how to describe today.  Probably a day of 'non-events' really and had it been 15 degrees cooler with half as much humidity then might have been a different story.  At the end of the day I am reminded of the few times I had the privilege of picking Chloe until from day-care and each time I would ask her 'so what did you have for lunch today, Chloe?' and every time she would answer 'nothing'!!!  A bit like that today.  Firstly, we docked at 6.30 am, had the most beautiful view of Miami from our suite and by then it was already hot!!!! We think Regent dudded us today - it is really the end of one cruise and the beginning of another but for 179 passengers who are going through to Montreal we expected to have some sort of excursion options.  (Personally, we had decided to go to a shopping mall and spend a few hours in air conditioning but the best laid plans......!! ) So Regent threw in a complimentary ticket for the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus.  We all got the bus from the ship to the bus terminal and from there we were going to find this Mall but instead we stayed on the bus as it was going to South Beach, a round trip of 90 minutes. Best laid plans, eh? The trip was  interesting as drove through the Art Deco area, saw hundreds of beautiful hotels, the Versace mansion, etc etc but by the time we got back to the bus depot we were so hot and uncomfortable despite the air con on the bus.  Decided to take another bus to a 'Mall' (in all our travels have never seen a more incompetent group of people, the worst HoHo people ever)- got off at the stop, walked 2 blocks in the heat to this shopping centre, found it was an open air place with a few restaurants and a  couple of up market interior design shops and a Nordstroms department store!  By now we are at boiling point!!!  So, needing to use a rest room we decided to pop into Nordstroms - great idea, was cool and facilities there but looking so bedraggled was not the time to browse through the shop.  Decided to get a cab back to the bus depot (where there were shops all the time!!!!) and were lucky enough to get one straight away, got a block away & George couldn't find his glasses.  Did a u-turn, back to Nordstroms where he'd left them in the restroom and by now they'd been handed in so lucky for him.

Had a bite to eat, a quick look at the touristy shops and couldn't wait to get back to the ship.  We have been to Miami before, in the winter, and enjoyed it but  I can not believe how people live here in the summer months.  

This post is so trivial - I'm almost embarrassed to send it off but it really does sum up our day.  

Dinner was nice, new people on board tonight and we sat with a couple from Cincinnati, Ohio.