Day 4 (January 10, 2025):



 




It's so nice to stay in a place where, when you fling open the curtains in the morning, you have such an interesting view.  This is the view from our hotel room, looking south to the opening of Tampa Bay, with some noteworthy places listed.

The entrance to Harbour Island, a manicured peninsula of ritzy gated communities, hotels, and country clubs, just south of the Tampa Convention Centre.  Notice all the poinsettias in full bloom.

We came to one intersection and realized we could go no further:  in every direction was the entrance to a gated community!  So we had reached a veritable dead end on our walk!


American flags are on a 30-day half-masting in honour of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29 at age 100.

Today was the 'hottest' day of our visit, with temperatures reaching 20C.  Mind you, between the wind and the overcast skies, I sat on the pool deck almost shivering for two hours - foolishly determined to get in a couple of hours of sitting in a lounge chair!



The Margaritaville Islander sounded its horn and pulled away from Terminal 6 in the Port of Tampa at 4:07PM, as I was walking by.  Built in Finland in 2000 for Costa Cruises, it was later sold to Carnival Cruises and was acquired by Paradise Cruises in June 2024.  It has a passenger capacity of 2100.

We had dinner at the Melting Pot Social, which specializes in cheese fondue dishes.  Pam enjoyed this Monterrey Jack fondue.

The historic Platt Street Drawbridge soaked in violet light.

Colourful fountain between Ashley Avenue and the Tampa Riverwalk.

The silver minarets of the Henry B. Plant building on the University of Tampa campus made us feel like we were in a European capital!  Hardly a scene that one would expect to see in south Florida.

The Tampa Riverwalk at night is a well-lit, safe-feeling, and pleasant experience, as the nighttime lighting presents the walk entirely differently.'

Some Concert Scenes from Today

West Orange High School Percussion Ensemble.

All-State Middle School Treble Chorus.

All-State Middle School Mixed Chorus.

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