Feb.13-16 Tampa Bay to Sarasota

February 13 - 16

We are cruising again!  We had a wonderful holiday with family and now we are back at sea.
We flew into Tampa, Florida and rented a car for a few days which enabled us to get provisions for the boat.  Next day we headed off to Tarpon Springs, Florida which is known for the worlds finest sponges and fantastic Greek restaurants and bakeries.  We toured the sponge museum and went to
the aquarium where they were feeding the sharks.  Great town with lots of atmosphere.
Then Wednesday we took off on the boat to Sarasota.  It was good to be back on the water and we had a company of dolphins escorting us to our next adventure!!

Sponge boat at Tarpon Springs
 

A diver on a sponge boat came into Tarpon Springs and was cleaning off the roots from the sponges.  Note all of the sponges hanging from his boat.

The variety of sponges at the museum was fascinating

                                      

Watching the shark feeding at Tarpon Springs aquarium

                                 

Dolphin escort off the bow of Loop Dreams

 

Four mile long Sunshine Skyway bridge spanning Tampa Bay

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Let's all hang out on the ship wreck and wait for lunch to swim by

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Puerto Rico

February 9

I won a Huntington Trip to San Juan and the builder treated us like royalty.   We stayed at the Ritz Carlton and the hotel was first class.  The weather cooperated and it made for a perfect 4 day get away.  We toured the rain forest and one of the Spanish Forts.  There were 116 people on the trip and the last night we ate at the Pearl where we were taught to salsa!  Ken even gave it a try! 

Scenic falls in Puerto Rico

Lush landscape

                                                 

Overlooking old stone bridge
 

The ancient stone walls of the Forts of Old San Juan rose majestically above the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.  Tunnels and staircases wind through the interior, which lead us back to the time when the fort provided the keystone to protection of the Spanish Empire that spread across the Caribbean.  The massive masonry defenses, which were begun in the 16th century, today exist at the oldest European style fortifications within the territory of the US.

In 1493, Christopher Columbus became the first European to visit Puerto Rico, an island situated at the gateway to the Caribbean from Europe. The Spanish then ignored the island until 1508, when Juan Ponce de Leon established a small settlement in Puerto Rico. Spain soon discovered that its people and possessions needed protection from both the native population and from other European nations who wanted the region's wealth. To protect it's empire, Spain developed a series of forts and among the most important are the two in Puerto Rico.  We enjoyed touring one of the two forts.  Caught the trolley and rode around town to see the sites.

Lookout tower at old fort

                                                        

Looking over the Caribbean from old fort walls