Port of Call - Newport, RI
We were awakened around 6:30 a.m. with what we thought was the anchor being dropped, but later realized it was the "tenders" being lowered. This means the ship doesn't dock-- you get on a much smaller boat and ride in.
We ordered room service for 8:00 a.m., as we were hoping to get into Newport as early as possible. We almost gave up on room service around 8:30 and were getting ready to find food, which is of course when they showed up. We ate it on the balcony--a little scanty but good.
View from our balcony.
The tender process went smoothly--they really pack you in them. It's the nautical equivalent of a clown car.
A meandering ride later, we landed in Newport, RI. It's basically split into historic (pretty and vibrant) and touristy (loud and crowded).
A gorgeous city hall.
A very fancy dentist’s office.
Touristy Newport.
The former included a well maintained historic museum--they manage a number of local buildings.
Off to the bus for a tour of historic mansions--The Breakers and Marble House, both built during the "Gilded Age" by the Vanderbilts. Obscene excess? You got it.
The Breakers - An unassuming “cottage” for the Vanderbilts.
Note the four taps on the tub—two for hot and cold, and two for salt water, hot and cold.
Yes, that’s the kitchen.
Off to Marble House—another Vanderbilt joint. The floors, walls, ceilings—all marble. I’m sure this is freezing in the winter, but this was a “summer home”.
I’m glad they labeled this.
The Gilded Age families would go to Europe, buy an entire lot of related stuff, have ti shipped over, then have their designers build a room around it. This all came from European churches.
The Mistress of the home’s basic bedroom.
In case you want some tea in the backyard.
We had a very entertaining guide on the bus named "Huw"-- a proper British gentleman. His only problem was that he didn't enforce the "we're leaving without you if you are late" bit. So we had to wait quite a while in line to get back on the tender. They did hand out hot towels and hot chocolate though. An enterprising guy rolled up with a lobstah roll truck.
We managed to make it to the ship before it headed out. A quick shower later, we went to one of the "specialty" (aka not complimentary) restaurants. Our cruise package included two of them, one of which was Moderna--a Brazilian steakhouse. You start with a high-end salad bar (caperberries, lobster bisque, etc). Then it's time for meat, in multiple varieties, brought on long sticks to your table, until you tell them to stop. One of the options: roasted pineapple, something I would normally avoid. I had two helpings.
From the fancy salad bar.
View from our table.
Other options: filet mignon, flank steak, top sirloin, parmesan crusted chicken drumettes, lamb top sirloin, pork loin, Brazilian pork sausage, pork belly, and one we did not try, bacon-wrapped chicken breast.
And then dessert, which is putting a hat on a hat.
We also had the signature cocktail, which was the caipirinha, plus a glass of wine. It was two more drinks than I would normally have.
We had planned to do more activities that night, but between the drinks and the meat coma, we were bushed. Not even a walk on the outside deck could stop the yawning. Off to our room to crash!
Tomorrow--Portland (the Maine version).
#escapetothegrwatwhitenorth