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Deaf Transatlantic Cruise

August 31 - September 16, 2012

Dinner at the
Dinner at the "Old Monks Exchange" in London


Most people in our group joined a 3-night pre-cruise stay in London. We flew into London Heathrow and got on a transfer to the hotel. After relaxing a bit and catching up with the jet leg, we went to the Old Monks Exchange Pub for dinner. The food was great and we had a good time at the pub.




The morning of the next day was filled with a city tour via coach. We started at our hotel in Westminster. A drive along the banks of the river Thames took us to landmarks like the Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, the Financial District, the City of London, the Tower Bridge, the Tower and Buckingham Palace. At Buckingham Palace, we saw the Changing of the Guards. In the afternoon, some of us returned to the London Eye. Going on this giant Ferris wheel provided us with a marvelous 360 degree view over London.

London City Tour
London City Tour

Guided Tour at Westminster Abbey
Guided Tour at Westminster Abbey

Since our hotel was conveniently located in Westminster, we took a short walk over to Westminster Abbey. There, we enjoyed a very informative guided tour. While walking along the aisles, we learned a lot about the English history, saw grave stones of many famous people and enjoyed many fascinating stories. In the afternoon, we got on a coach and drove 45 minutes to Windsor Castle, the Queen's favorite residence. Our tour guide showed us the different parts of the castle, explained the importance of the place for the royal family today and talked a bit about the Queen's daily life at Windsor. We saw many lavishly decorated rooms inside the castle and had time left to stroll through the town of Windsor.

After enjoying the few extra days in the British capital, we headed towards the port in Harwich where our cruise ship, the Jewel of the Seas was waiting for us. The embarkation went very smoothly. We quickly got settled in our "floating home" quickly and explored the different venues onboard the Jewel.


Transfer to the Jewel of the Seas
Transfer to the Jewel of the Seas
Enjoying the time in Paris
Enjoying the time in Paris
Picture: Stephen & Dortothy Brenner

Le Havre in the Northern part of France was our first port of call.The majority of our group opted for a visit of the French capital. After a 2.5 hour coach ride, we arrived in Paris and enjoyed the city highlights during a guided tour: Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, the Opera House, the beautiful Madeleine Church, the world famous Louvre Museum, the island of La Cite, Notre Dame Cathedral, Hotel des Invalides, burial place of Napoleon and the Latin Quarter. Afterwards we had free time to explore on our own the city that streches on the right and left banks of the river Seine.


Back in England, the ship stopped in Portland. We went via coach to the world famous historical site of Stonehenge. This prehistoric monument is a World Heritage Site and it is as old as the great pyramids of Egypt remaining a mysterious fascination for all its visitors. After Stonehenge, we drove a short distance to Salisbury whose cathedral spire can be seen from miles away. The charming 13th century cathedral enshrining 700 years of English history and fascinating with its beauty. Salisbury is a town with narrow streets lined with black-and-white half timbered houses. Free time was scheduled for a lunch break and some shopping.

Stonehenge
Stonehenge

Enjoying an Irish Coffee
Enjoying an Irish Coffee
Our first port of call in Ireland was Cobh where we embarked a coach and went to the country's second largest city, Cork. The city tour included a stop at the magnificent St. Finbarr's Cathedral and the University College. The city tour was concluded by a stop at a local hotel located in the hilly area of the city. From there, we had a marvelous view over the city while we enjoyed a traditional Irish coffee.

The next port was the Irish capital of Dublin. It is home of the country's largest church, St. Patrick's Cathedral, a university and the vast Phoenix Park. The park has gardens, lakes, woods and playing grounds and is surrounded by a wall seven miles long.

St. Patrick's Cathedral Dublin
St. Patrick's Cathedral Dublin
Walk in Torshavn
Walk in Torshavn

Torshavn is the capital of the Faroer Islands, an island group under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark. The islands are located halfway between Norway and Iceland. Traveling the scenic mountain road from our port in Klaksvik to Torshavn, we enjoyed beautiful views of the fjords and over the grass covered mountains. After arriving in the capital, we took a short walk in Tinganes, which is the historic part of Torshavn.

The capital of Iceland, Reykjavik is the largest and most populous settlement in Iceland, a multicultural city with people from at least 100 countries. When we traveled to the Blue Lagoon, we learned many interesting features about Iceland's volcanic activity and how it is exploited for residential- and industrial purposes. Natural hot waters are used to heat approximately 90% of all buildings in Iceland. The main source is three geothermal power plants. After our visit at the Blue Lagoon, we continued our sightseeing trip with a city tour. We stopped at the Pearl, a glass dome on top of geothermal water tanks. We had a magnificent view over the old and new parts of the city from the viewing platform.
Golden Circle Tour
Golden Circle Tour
Picture:Stephen & Dorothy Brenner

The Blue Lagoon, a natural and very popular health spa is located in the middle of a lava field. We indulged in the 37-39 degree C warm, mineral-rich waters, covered our faces with healing mud and relaxed. The lagoon is reputed for its healing properties.
Others in our group participated in the Golden Circle tour. There we marveled at the island's volcanos, waterfalls and cpativating landscape. It was a full day tour with a delicous lunch.
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon
Picture: Jim & Janice Dermon




Group Picture
Group Picture


Gift Card from the group, made by Barbara Burbank
Gift Card from the group, made by Barbara Burbank


Thank you notes from our clients
Thank you notes from our clients


Thank you notes from our clients
Thank you notes from our clients


Thank you notes from our clients
Thank you notes from our clients


Thank you notes from our clients
Thank you notes from our clients



Donation for Deaf Schools in Jamaica


Fundraising Poster

We would like to thank the following people for their donation:
  • Elmer & Margie Ewan
  • David & Linda Hudson
  • Steven Wadler
  • Petra Horowitz
  • David & Barbara Burnes
  • Laura Kay Darvill
  • Linda Prokopik
  • Edith Russell
  • Thomas & Nancy Gallagher
  • Steven & Dorothy Brenner
  • Robert & Robin Fisher
  • Ruth Collari
  • Joel & Joan Joseph
  • Jim & Janice Dermon
  • Ann Hornbeak
  • Joanne Ward
  • Deborah Lokey
  • Peter & Nancy Kensicki
  • Darlene Whitt
  • David & Jeanette Daviton
  • Robert & Nancy Ackermann
  • Thomas & Greta DeCoteau
  • Timothy & Cindy Martin
  • Eileen Goran

Contact Kerstin's Travel to book your next cruise by sending an e-mail to kerstin@kerstinstravel.com



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