Jun 29 Cork

The Irish weather kept us from our first scheduled port visit in Waterford.  We had visited Waterford about 10 years ago on a lap around the British Isles.  And, as it turned out, that was the only period when the Waterford Crystal factory was shut down.  It's back in operation, with tours and products.  Sorry we missed it this time.

So it's Cork we visit, although the boat actually docks in Cobh (pronounced Cove).  Cobh is famous as the port of embarkation for thousands of Irish emigrating to the United States.  Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic before crossing the Atlantic to America.  And the Lusitania was torpedoed within 20 miles of Cobh, hurrying the US entry into WWI.

A mural opposite our ship in the port.

 We toured the area, going to Kinsale.  The Irish coast is a series of inlets and bays, this one leading to Kinsale.

 Charles Fort

 We strolled though Kinsale.  Everyone is proud of their strawberries on this trip.

 All of the houses are painted bright colors to make up for the dreary and grey days of winter.  And the Irish curbside pickup/delivery in operation.

 Now a museum, this was originally the courthouse where the Lusitania inquest was held.

 No Waterford Crystal here -- Kinsale has their own crystal company.

 Just a pretty picture

 Kinsale harbor

 This is Luke, the Destination Services Manager on the boat.  We became good friends during our Around the World trip in 2016.  He was quite happy to see us on this trip.

 Dominance

 Kinsale, and all of Ireland we've seen so far, has bright and colorful flowers everywhere.

 A couple purchased this castle and has spent 3 million euros on it so far, but they're more than halfway there.

 Back at Cobh, this is the monument to Annie Moore.  This statue of Anna "Annie" Moore (aged 17) and her two brothers Anthony (aged 15) and Philip (aged 12), commemorates their embarkation from Cobh on 20 December 1891 and as a tribute to all who emigrated from Ireland. Annie Moore was the first ever immigrant to pass through the newly opened Ellis Island Immigration facility in New York Harbour."

 The view from St. Colman's Cathedral

 St. Colman's Cathedral

Domestic Life in Cobh

 The view on sail away

Jun 26 & 27 Dublin

Flying from Berlin to Dublin was a lot of waiting around and the terminal was warm since the day was hot in Berlin (in the 90s--made world news!)  It was a blessing to board the plane and open up the air vents for some cool air. Perfect weather in our stay in Dublin--20 degrees cooler.

Ireland looks just as expected as we fly in to Dublin.

 First up is Molly Malone, located outside Trinity College.

 The Temple Bar area, very colorful.

 The Ha'penny bridge

 I believe the Irish refer to this as the individual serving size can of Guinness.

 The Daniel O'Connell statue, marked by bullet holes from the 1916 revolution.

 Bullet hole at the clavicle

 Trinity College

 St. Stephen's Green--The Irish revolutionaries took over this area in their uprising against the British

 Fusiliers Arch- records the names of the Irish killed by British army at St Stephens

 shamrocks at top curve of street light

 A common morning sight outside the pubs.  Return the empties, get the refills.

 Dublin Castle

 St. Patrick's Cathedral

 Christ Church Cathedral

 Interesting art piece outside the Christ Church Cathedral.  Note the feet.

Jun 25 Berlin

Last day in Berlin, so let's take a boat ride.

Into downtown Berlin

 The Reichstag

 Back to the Brandenburg Gate

 Early in the morning, so fewer people here

 The East German walking man, now an icon

 A sister of the boat we'll be boarding

 Berlin Cathedral

 A lock on the River Spree.  Water level difference is about two meters.

 Some of the bridges are a little challenging for the upper deck passengers.  However, it was a very hot and sunny day, so the shade, brief as it was, was enjoyable.

 When they built the bridge along the river to carry the UBahn, they added dwelling units within the arches.  I'd think the train noise would overcome the desirability of the view.

 The section of Berlin Wall we saw from the other side.  Here the river was in the east.

 Oberbaum Bridge

 

Cantilevered construction for this apartment

 East German TV tower -- the cross really shows in this sunlight

 Berlin Cathedral going back the other way

 The Reichstag from the river

 Modern architecture building with bridge connecting across the river

 Sunbathing area about to become crowded

 The "Pregnant Oyster", also known as "Jimmy Carter's Smile"

 Beginning to reach the western suburbs of Berlin

 Outside the big city, we dock and find our way back to the hotel.

 Another family traveling on the river.

 Painted on the apartment building

 We find the UBahn station.  A lot of composers lived in Berlin.

 The Macy's of Berlin.  Known as KaDeWee (Kae de wee), it takes up an entire city block.  If they don't have it, you don't need it.