Distance from Boston to Newport: 292 Nautical Miles
Port Information. Newport -founded in 1639 by folks fleeing the Puritans – became a place of religious tolerance. The population of Newport is approximately 25,000. Rose Island Lighthouse is located in front of the Newport Bridge. Pineapples can be seen on most homes doorways (kept well on long sea voyages and prevented scurvy). Real pineapples were place by merchants at the entrances of their stores indicating another successful voyage – now metallic and stone pineapples mean welcome. “Summer Cottages” overlooking the ocean were part of the Gilded Age of the Rich. The Touro Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in the US and was visited by George Washington in 1781. The name, Rhode Island, comes from a Dutch Explorer who named it “Roodt Eylandt” of Red Island because of the red clay he found on the shore. Jack and Jackie Kennedy were married in St. Mary’s Church in 1953.
A nice day in Newport RI…today we are tendering into the town.
After the usual breakfast routine (I am still liking the breakfasts), we went to the Princess Theater to dispatch the various tours. We are both on “Scenic Drive and Touro Synagogue” so we caught the appropriate tender and we were off.
It was warm enough – barely – to sit on the top deck of the tender, where I could get get some nice pictures of the ship.
Top Deck of the Tender
Caribbean Princess from Tender
On the way in, I snapped a picture of the Fort Adams State Park (including the Naval Garrison). The Park named for then President John Adams, was built in 1799, as coastal protection. It is now a venue for the Jazz and Folk Festivals as well as for fishing, swimming, and other sports.
Fort Adams State Park
Newport From Tender
We had a little time before we had to meet our bus so we walked through the streets neighboring the pier.
Statue on Pier
Newport is all about the “America’s Cup” so it is only fitting that there would an inn named after the yacht race near the pier.
Port Area – Newport
We found a Shorex person and asked about our bus – she told us it was not here yet. A few minutes later, we found out that the bus was here and in a different spot and would be leaving very soon. We sprinted for the bus and we were on our way around Newport. Our guide was Vinnie and he was very Rhode Island.
After a short tour of Newport proper – we passed by St. Mary’s Church but were unable to get any pictures – we stopped at the Tuoro Synagogue. The grounds surrounding the synagogue is called “Patriot’s Park”.
Patriot’s Park
Tuoro Synagogue
We were met in the synagogue by a guide, who gave us an excellent overview of the institution and its history. Photography is not allowed in the synagogue so I had to quickly take a shot of the interior as I was leaving. Not bad.
Interior of Synagogue
From the synagogue we headed over to the adjacent museum (washrooms and exhibits). But on the way, we had our picture taken at the oldest Shul in the United States.
Synagogue from the Museum
The remaining part of the tour involved the famed Newport Mansions. This was the disappointing part of the tour because the route taken by the bus and the speed of the vehicle made it impossible to get any pictures of some of the more notable homes.
The only picture I could get (and it wasn’t easy) was that of the Newport Golf Club.
After the tour, we waited for the tender line to dissipate at bit, then hopped the tender back to the ship. As the sun was setting, we could get a good look at the Rose Island Lighthouse (build in 1870 but now inactive) and Newport Bridge in Narrangansett Bay.
Rose Island and Lighthouse
Sunset in the Bay
Moonrise – Newport, Rhode Island
Showtime tonight featured singer Solomon Jaye, who specialized in the songs of the 70s and 80s. We weren’t quite sure about this show but it turned out to be quite entertaining.
A big day in Newport…
No comments:
Post a Comment