Tarpon Springs,Florida - Sponge Capital of the World

Tarpon Springs is the oldest city in Pinellas County, Florida.

With a population of around 30,000 , it is not far from Tampa, Florida

Downtown Tarpon Spring, Florida

We have never heard of this city before until we are in Florida. While chatting with the hotel staff, one of the friendly staff personnel recommended us to visit this place not too far from where we are.

We came across a winery on our walk to Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs used to be the playground of the wealthy northerners .

These seasonal residents  built luxurious estates along the Spring Bayou.

A poster with a sponge diver in Tarpon Spring, Floride

In the 1880's, people discovered the rich sponge beds under the waters in the Gulf. A sponge industry started to flourish. 


Experienced and young sponge divers were recruited from the Dodecanese Islands of Greece to Tarpon Springs to dive for these sponges.

By 1905, there were five hundred Greek sponge divers working with fifty boats in Tarpon Springs.

The sponge industry lasted for over thirty years becoming the most important industry in Florida, more important than the citrus and tourism industry.











With many sponge divers and their families coming to the city, from Greece, a Greek community was established and has been thriving in Tarpon Springs since 1905.

Tarpon Springs has the highest percentage of concentration of Greek Americans,

A Greek Orthodox Church, Tarpon Springs 

Tarpon Springs is a unique town with two cultures coexisting and thriving in harmony: a rich Victoria culture and a thriving Greek community.

Downtown of Tarpon Springs

As we strolled along the downtown streets and historic area of Tampa Springs, we saw shops, buildings and churches from both cultures.

It is a beautiful town with an interesting
 and a non violent past!

R.T.
Tarpon Springs
Florida

Taking a Bus from Port Richey to Tarpon Springs, Florida

Day 2, Florida

Near Tarpon Mall, Tarpon Springs, Florida

We are in sunny Florida!  After a good night of rest, instead of facing snow and frigid temperature, we were greeted by a warm sunny morning. We leisurely strolled into the breakfast area to enjoy our breakfast and all the while discussing where we should visit today.

Anne, the staff member serving at the breakfast, recommended  to us to visit Tarpon Springs.
This weekend being President Day's weekend, there was no rental car available despite us calling all the rental car companies in the city.
 Undeterred, we went exploring the city by public transit and on foot.

Not long after we were walking, our friend spotted a dry snake on the grass! Wow! This is Florida, we need to be careful of all kind of alligators and reptiles!

We took a break and googled the bus schedule at McDonald's

We took a break from our walk at the nearest McDonalds and googled the bus schedules in the city.

Tarpon Springs, Florida is about 20 miles from Port Richey. Imagine our delight when we found that there was actually a public bus which could take us there!

Doing my stretching exercises while waiting for the bus

At the Intersection of U.S. Highway 19 and SR 52, we waited for the Route 19 Bus.

At most bus stops, there is a bench and sometimes a shelter where passengers could sit and wait.

A bus waiting area in Port Richey, Florida

The fare was very reasonable: U.S. $ 1.50 one way trip and for $3.75, we could have bought a day pass with unlimited rides on all the city buses.

For American residents, the fare could be even cheaper with a discount card for students or senior citizens.

The bus ride was comfortable with air conditioning inside. At the front of the bus, there were bike racks for passengers to place their  bikes while riding.

There was Free WiFi on board the bus too!

We took the public bus to Tarpon Springs

Unsure of where we should get off for Tarpon Springs, I asked the bus driver a number of questions. She was patient, helpful and directed us where to get off.

We could have connected to the Route 18 bus which would have taken us directly to the Sponge Dock in Tarpon Springs.

Desiring to have more walking exercise and taking in the sight of the neighbourhood, we decided to walk instead of taking the connecting bus.



We were not disappointed of what we saw on our walk to the Sponge Dock in Tarpon Springs, Florida!

R.T.
Tarpon Springs
Florida, USA

Taking a Shuttle Bus from Tampa Airport to Port Richey, Florida

We flew down from Toronto to Port Richey, Florida on Valentines Day!

The hotel we booked in Port Richey, Florida, did not provide a courtesy shuttle bus to pick us up from the Tampa airport. We were wondering how to get to our hotel. Fortunately, we learned that we could take the Super Shuttle,  a company providing passengers shuttle services from the Tampa Airport to  various hotels in nearby towns/ cities.

Waiting Room for Shuttle Buses, Tampa Airport

The process was simple.

There was no pre-booking necessary. After we picked up our luggage, we went straight to the shuttle service booth. We told the lady staff member where we wanted to go, paid US$22.00 per person and were each issued a numbered ticket.

We were told to wait in a designated area for the ride.

We waited in this waiting area for the shuttle bus to take us to our hotel in Port Richey, Florida

The waiting room was an enclosed area, a spacious, well lit air-conditioned area with comfortable seating. The wait was not too bad, about 15- 20 minutes.

A few drivers drivers came in calling out the different numbers. When our number was called, we went to the  mini van waiting outside.

The Super Shuttle could seat 4 passengers. The driver was very polite. It was a long ride to our hotel  and it took almost an hour.
The ride was a comfortable one.



We were glad that we found a solution to our transportation needs. We look forward to spending the next few weeks in a few sunny warm locations.

R.T.
Port Richey
Florida, USA

Getting Ready for Our Big Trip to Sunny Warm Places!

A snow scene in our neighbourhood

Toronto has had an unusual cold winter this year. We have experienced - 15 degree C or lower for a few weeks and there was a lot of snow and winds.





We are ready to leave all the cold weather behind and are travelling again soon! It is absolutely exciting as we are going to embark on another totally new travel experience this time.

The apple tree in our front yard is often covered with snow this winter.

We have been doing a lot to get prepared for this trip: coordinating with our friend as to where we would be staying, when to travel, making sure all our medical issues, banking and bill payment, our elderly mother's transportation, my work assignments etc. etc. are all looked after.

Ah, one more thing, making sure that my computer will work so that I can do my blogging. That is vitally important to me. I even bought a brand new lighter model laptop as it would be easier to carry.

We went to our computer guy who loaded up all the necessary software and set things up for me so  there would not be any technical issues during our trip.

I got my brand new computer all set up about a week ago before our trip. For the past week or so I have been writing on my new computer and testing it. I have gotten used to the 2016 Microsoft Word.

Our house has been cleaned; we had dinner with Mom.  My computer works well; we are good to go!!!

R.T.
Toronto
Week of Feb.11

Welcoming Our Quebec Visitors to Toronto

Jan, 2018

During the winter holidays, I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from a lady whom I befriended while vacationing in Cuba last year. Sandra is from the French province of Quebec, located right next to Ontario where we are residing. She is a Quebecer while I am an Ontario.

We met at a Cuban resort where we were vacationing. We went to the dance classes together and we got along really well. After finding out that we were both from Canada, we exchanged contact information hoping to visit each other some day.

St. Lawrence Market, Toronto

I was glad to hear from Sandra and we invited her and her husband to our house for dinner. The next day we  played host to our Quebec visitors and took them to see a few places in Toronto. The first place we took them to visit was St. Lawrence Market, a popular place for both Torontonians and tourists alike.

This store at St. Lawrence Market sells coffee from around the world.

St Lawrence Market has been around for a long time. It has three buildings. 

We were in the main building where stores were selling fresh meat, coffee, teas, rice, pasta and spices from around the world.

The main building has three floors including the basement level. 

The main level is filled with shops selling  fresh seafood meat and games of all kinds, such as buffalo, venison, ostrich, and even kangaroo meat! 

We and our visitors tried some fresh seafood at St. Lawrence Market.

We tried some fresh seafood at the seafood place, yummmmy!

St Lawrence Market is also a great place to buy Toronto and Canadian souvenirs. 

We even found flags of different countries. With a Brazilian background, Sandra and her hubby were excited to find the Brazilian flags among many others.

Sandra was lucky enough to find a beautiful hat matching the colour of her coal perfectly from one of the stores. She was happy!

The second floor museum at St. Lawrence Market

On the second floor of the St. Lawrence Market is a small museum displaying some documents and items about the history of the place. 

It was interesting to learn about the past and recent development of this area. 

Admission to both the market and museum place is free!

Nathan Philip Square, Toronto

Visitors to Toronto always  visit our famous Nathan Philip Square. 

Skating at Nathan Philip Square is a favourite activity for many in Toronto

Especially in the winter months when the fountain is turned into a beautiful skating rink.

There is nothing more Canadian than skating under the stars serenading by beautiful music playing in the background.

Another favourite spot tourists often visit is the Eaton Centre about a stone throw away from the Nathan Philip Square.

Eaton Centre, Toronto

We took our visitors to the Eaton Centre too.

We took our visitors to Eaton's Centre

It was great reconnecting with Sandra and showing her and her husband around in Toronto. I am glad that we could play host to our friends from Quebec!

R.T.
Toronto

Indigenous Culture and Artwork Honoured at the Vancouver Airport

Finishing our visits to the Canada's and U.S.' west coast, we were at the Vancouver International Airport   returning home via Air Canada .

I love looking at displays of artwork, sculptures and architecture wherever we happen to be at the time.

We travel a lot and have gone through a few international airports.


The artwork displays and decorations in the Vancouver International Airport are quite different from most of the airports we have gone through.

I liked the aboriginal theme used in the airport's decorations and art displays.

As a member of a visible minority, I understand and appreciate the significance of having these artwork recognized and displayed.

Indigenous people in Canada have been misunderstood and mistreated for generations. It's time we recognize and honour their people, culture, traditions and arts..

Indigenous sculptures displayed at the Vancouver International Airport

Displaying their artwork in public places such as our international airports is a good place to start recognizing our indigenous people's  value and contributions to Canada!

Two thumbs up to the Vacouver International Airport!

R.T.

Vancouver International Airport

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada

De Dutch - B.C. Restaurant Serves Great Food and Entertains Young Customers

We got back to Vancouver and spent our last night there before heading back to Toronto.

Vancouver Train/ Bus Terminal, British Columbia, Canada

Our friend came to pick us up from the Vancouver terminal. Smaller in size and scale, but grand and magnificent,  the Vancouver terminal reminded me of the Grand Central Station in New York City. It is a gorgeous building!

The next morning, our friends took us to have breakfast at De Dutch.















We always like to try different food from different cultures and countries.

This place has a good reputation of serving delicious Dutch food.

I like the decor of this restaurant too.













This old fashion style teapot reminded me of the movie
" Beauty and the Beast"!

We tried the restaurant's famous dish - Pannekoeken,  made from the secret family recipe bought to Canada by a Dutch immigrant.

Pannekoeken is Dutch pancake, nice and thin,  similar to French crepes.

I ordered the sweet pancake with bananas and walnuts; Jeannie had bananas and strawberries with cream.

Andrew and my husband ordered the savoury pancakes with mushrooms, vegetable and chicken.

The pancakes melt in my mouth, delicious!

I saw a young couple leaving with their toddler at the next table.  There were some nice toy cars and trucks on their table. I ran up to tell them that they left their kid's toy cars behind.

Politely, they informed me that these toys were from the restaurant, used to entertain their young son while they were eating.

How thoughtful was that! I wish we had a restaurant like De Dutch in Toronto when our kids were young. It would have been a very pleasant dining experience for them!

R.T.
De Dutch Restaurant
Richmond
British Columbia
Canada