Caribbean Cruise: Tampa Return

Well, the elevator tells us it is Sunday so we must be in Tampa. We went to the Lido restaurant for the last time and had a great breakfast. We scheduled a tour of Tampa which started at 8:30 so we had to get off the boat early. We had Holland America pre-board us for our flight home and check in our luggage so we did not have to get our luggage. We were the first in line to get off and when we got to the customs clearing station, there wasn't a custom officer there. We had to wait for awhile, but, did manage to get cleared and make it to the bus for our Tampa tour. The tour started with a stop at an old hotel that had been sold to the University and converted into offices and class rooms. I think there was also some dormitory space in the building. It was a grand old hotel and still retained the charm of its golden days.

After the visit to the hotel, we went for a windshield tour of Tampa to see the different communities. We stopped in old Tampa where the old tobacco factories used to be located. We toured the old German Club and Spanish Club then walked around old town. It was a great day for sight seeing--warm and not too many tourist out. I guess Sunday mornings is always that way in Tampa. We went to one of the old restaurants and ordered hamburgers. We sat outside and enjoyed the meal. After the meal we toured some more of Tampa and then went to the Airport. We had a few hours to wait for our flight so we got to finish our books before taking off. The flight to Dayton was uneventful and we arrived a little ahead of schedule.

The Park-n-Go driver picked us up at the arrival terminal and we went to get our car. The whole process from airport to in the car and on the road probably took less than 15 minutes. We got home and lite a fire in the stove. Back to reality and the troubles life has in store for us.

We had a great trip, but it was good to get back.