WorldTravelReynolds

 

Lots of Sailboats in this port town. Definitely windy enough!

Cherbourg was so nice. We enjoyed the walk around the town. We stopped at a very old train depot that had videos of the war and the Titanic. Apparently the first stop after leaving Southampton, England on her maiden (and last) voyage for the Titanic before its dreadful crash, was Cherbourg.

Replica of the Sea Orbiter

Another museum of sorts was about all underwater vessels. One was very interesting that was being developed by an explorer named Jacques Rougerie. He designed the Sea Orbiter, an international ocean flowing vessel designed for research. As proposed, the laboratory would be a semi-submersible oceangoing craft weighing 1,000 tons.

Other sea craft inside the buiiding

It would have a total height of 167 ft with 102 ft below sea level. It is designed to float vertically and drift with the ocean currents but has two small propellers allowing it to modify its trajectory and maneuver in confined waters. Underwater robots would be sent from the laboratory to explore the seabed. It looks very futuristic. Work was scheduled to start on the $52 million project in 2012 but has stalled as of 2021 and only the eye (top) has been built. Not sure if it will ever get started again but it was pretty interesting to look at. Similar to a space station only for the depths of the sea.

Look at all those cookies! YUM!

After exploring the museums, we walked over to the middle of town and had tea and macarons with the locals. Most merchants spoke decent English. We were surprised especially since the last time we spent 30 days in Deauville, France, barely anyone spoke English.

Very gloomy out. The water from the fountain was blowing in our face we had to turn out backs.

Not sure how we got into an hour-long conversation with this guy from our ship but he jut kept taking and talking and would move from one subject to another without you even knowing it. We were standing when he saw Chucks Normandy hat that he bought for his dad the last time we were here in 2019 and struck up a conversation.

Lots of old french books for sale

I was sitting at the table and after about 30 minutes Chuck decided to sit down as well. This guy and his wife just pulled up a chair and kept on talking. We finally had to get up and say, we need to go get some souvenirs before heading back to the ship. Oh my goodness that guy could talk. Very nice but just didn’t have a stop button! Whew!

Dogs are welcome in the stores. Especially this handsome little guy!

I decided on this trip to Europe that I would pick up some Christmas ornaments this time instead of key chains, so I have two so far to take back with me. Since our traveling began, I laid out a plan for decorating our walls when we stopped traveling.

A clothing store for women

Since that original plan came to a sudden halt, I had to come up with that plan quicker than expected. For cruising we are buying a model ship of each ship we cruise on. So far, I have room for 18 ships on a wall shelf and have purchased 13. After this trip we will have 2 more to add to the collection.

The two french ladies sitting are the typical french ladies with their big glasses and sharp clothing. The one standing up is the shop owner.

We have a picture taken in front of the ship, usually with the photographers’ backdrops on board, and I put it a frame behind the model ship. Very cool looking. Tonight, we saw a virtual symphony orchestra in concert in the Two70 by The American Philharmonic. The orchestra and the sound was amazing in itself but add in a 105 feet expansion across the vistarama screen and it brings beautiful music from the likes of Gershwin and John Williams We truly enjoyed it.

Narrow streets and small cars

The sun sets so late here, we couldn’t believe it was already 10 pm and it was still light outside. The sun set around 9:30 pm.  Time to head off to bed. We arrive in Le Havre, France tomorrow morning. All the excursions booked up to Paris and with it being a little over 2 hours away, we just can’t jump in a car and head out.

Memorial for those lost at sea that never returned.

Although, we could have taken the train, if there is one nearby. We know there is one in Deauville. It was very convenient and a short walk to our condo. Not quite sure what we will do tomorrow but I’m sure we will find something. We have been to La Havre while staying in Deauville in 2019 so it should jog our memories. We’ll find out in the morning when we dock!

May God bless you and keep you safe.