I. New York City
Around the world, we few gals hunkered down
around our computers, tablets, and phones,
not knowing what to expect, hoping for
a magical trip during the pandemic.
Facebook Event nurtured our imagination.
We flew to New York City to tour
the Empire State Building at night to view
the lights, a romantic scene via video.
We slept in the Roosevelt Hotel, roamed
the Garden, caught a concert at the Music
Hall, and climbed The Statue of Liberty.
We munched on scrumptious burgers and fries.
II. Nova Scotia
We boarded our Norwegian cruise ship
to sail the seas to Nova Scotia,
and along the way, we picked up more
passengers, creating a Facebook Group.
Willow hosted us in her Nova Scotia
home, showing us whimsical wood carvings,
a teapot collection, her precious dog
Marley and two cats Leila and Kaylee.
Crostini of homemade sourdough baguette:
tuna spread with tiny sprigs of lemon thyme;
ricotta, basil pesto, chilli flakes;
pea pesto with sliced tiny tomatoes;
mushroom pesto with lemon zest;
ricotta, fennel sous vide with orange zest.
Then I was introduced to tiramisu
Cheesecake *—remember Sleepless in Seattle?
Willow showed us the Bernart Maze Museum
with concrete sculptures, big spider greeted
us at the entrance. We loved the tile
mosaic bench with music keyboard.
We were off to see Ovens Park, history
of gold mining. We walked the trail to view
the incredible caves entrances,
rainbow colours with turquoise water.
Then the ship took us near an offshore
Island. We boarded zodiacs to ride
to the beach where Marley enjoyed wading
while I admired wild irises.
A magical land behind the sand dunes,
it’s the beach where Willow and Jamie camp.
Sun was going down and we pitched into
sweet peppers, mushrooms, shrimp, lobster
Another option was a platter of
salmon, asparagus, lobster, artichokes.
We waded along the beach edge, the sky
lit up with phosphorescence. No sharks!
The ship stopped at Peggy’s Cove, famous
for seafood, waves, and the big lighthouse
we hiked up, panting, took big breaths of fresh
air, while we gazed at the Atlantic Ocean.
III. Slumber Party on Board Ship
We boarded our Norwegian cruise ship
and became bored until Cousin Barbie
invited us to a slumber party
at her spacious suite with large deck,
grand piano, board games, Sound of Music,
chocolate fountain, birthday cake for Joy.
Then massages, manicures, pedicures,
facials, brow waxes with candle light.
We enjoyed drinks, snacks, deluxe fruit plate;
apple slices, chives, cream cheese, pomegranate
seeds, pecans; nachos, bacon cheeseburger meat balls;
hot cocoa. The waves rocked us to sleep.
Breakfast fit for queens or princesses,
kitchen island was loaded with muffins,
bacon and eggs, French toast with blueberries.
Captain’s chef served us whatever we wanted.
Barb offered to help with genealogy
mysteries or questions—a newspaper
article, marriage certificate—
before we left with full tummies.
IV. Prince Edward Island
Our Norwegian cruise ship sailed around
Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island.
We had a retreat at the farm house inn
of Cavendish, ate halibut and yam fries.
We learned about Lucy Maud Montgomery,
the author, viewed the house where she was born;
visited the fictional village
of Avonlea where her stories took place.
We reminisced about Anne of Green Gables
books, movies, and photos. We looked at
Anne’s quaint bedroom in the museum.
Wanting to get to know the red sand roads,
we took a carriage tour with “Matthew,”
viewed a video of Lover’s Lane,
the Haunted Woods, The White Way of Delight,
The Lake of Shining Waters, the school house.
We celebrated Kerry’s birthday,
wished Kristen happy anniversary,
Willow’s anniversary took place
after our lockdown cyber adventure.
We came away with Anne’s words in our hearts:
“True friends are always together in spirit.”
“Dear old world, you are very lovely
and I am glad to be alive in you.” **
*Sleepless in Seattle scene:
https://hollywoodsuite.ca/sleepless-in-seattle/
**Quotes from Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
BIO: Louise E. Sawyer is a senior on Vancouver Island. She recently moved near the ocean and loves the fresh air, rural setting, and her guinea pigs. She is in the MFA nonfiction certificate at WVU. She enjoys writing memoir poems. This one was a result of pioneering a travel group through photos and imagination during COVID-19.
Photo: Permission from Kathi Petersen to use Offshore Nova Scotia Island
The Lockdown Cyber Trip
