At Key West, Florida

We arrived at the dock at Key West at 8:00am today and we are docked at the Navy dock at their base there; so there was no walking around or taking photos .  As we got off our ship we boarded an "Old Town Trolly" bus that took us right into the center of town.

From here we paid for the day and then boarded another trolly bus and you could get off at any stop and back on at anytime. A great baggain and the bus drivers were also tour guides and some were very funny as well as knowing all about Key West. 

Our first stop was at Ernest Hemmingway's House & Museum. We spent a good 2 or more hours here. You may go through on your own or wait a few minutes and have a tour. We waited and looked around the drawing room at all the photo's and antique furniture there, as well as petted a couple of cat's, and took the tour.

Our tour led us through the first floor to the upstairs and then out his bedroom unto an upper balcony that went almost completly around the upper story. We had gone through the upper rooms so when we got all around the balcony we descended down an outside stairway. From here we then went to the cottage where he did his writing upstairs and then back down to look around the grounds at the pool, many pathways and the cat cemetery.

Actually, I believe the flower photo is one taken of the African Tulip tree that was in bloom. I had taken so many photos while here that it's just not possibl to post them all, sorry.

After we departed the Hemmingway house we walked across the street and down about a half a block to catch the next Trolly; we only had to wait about 10 minutes and thankfully there were lots of trees for shade as it was 80 degrees F or more and high humidty.

We then took the full tour around the city and then hopped off atthe city center and went to the "Hog's Breath Saloon" for a late lunch. Even though it was past lunch time it was very busy but we only had to wait for about 5 minutes for a table.

It is not only a bar - restaurant but there is also a Mercantile store that <they claim< sell World Famous TShirts. there were also novelyy gifts, seasonings & hot sauces.  The Bar was doing a much better business than the store. We did have a good meal and cold beer to go with it; as well as a large glass of water ehich I was most thankful for.

After our leisurely meal we went outside and I opted to catch the next trolly back to the Nieuw Amsterdam and the girls went shopping.

All Aboard today was 4:30 and the girls arrived back about 4:oopm estatic with their purchases. Actually the first shopping they have been able to do since leavinf Fort Lauderdale a week ago.

After sail away we got ourselves ready for dinner. We had previously booked the Pinnacle Grill for dinner tonight; but since this was the last night we would be seeng our new friends, and dining companions ,we canceled there and ate in the Manhattan Dining Room. It was also the "Around The World " dining tonight. I am not a fan of that but we did have a nice dinner and were glad we went there.

Tonightin the Showroom at Sea was a spactular song and dance finale, as six of our fellow guests stared and one was crowned "Dncing with the Stars at Sea." as the cruise champion.  I didn't go that as it didn't start until 9:30pm and since we have a tour booked for tomorrow in Fort Lauderdale I decided I needed my rest more. So it was green tea and a sit on our deck for me, but the girls have more stamina than I. 

We receivedour "Cruise Log" for this segment of our Collectors cruise and we have travelled 1895 nautical miles since we departed Fort Lauderdale last Sunday March 23/14.  One Nautical Mile equals 1.15 statute Miles.  Our Fuel Consumption  was 90 tons of Diesel a day (25,125 gallons).