Chicago & Wilmette, Illinois
(9/23~24) We are the members of the Baha’i Faith. On our bucket list is to see as many of
The Bahá’í Houses of Worship as possible as much as we want to see the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Currently, there are seven Houses of Worship around the world, plus one being built in Santiago/Chile, and there was one in Ashkabad/Turkestan, which was demolished. We have already seen the Houses of Worship in Frankfurt/Germany, Sydney/Australia, and this time, in Wilmette, Illinois, Mother Temple of the United States of America. Next year, we are planning to visit the one in Delhi / India! All Houses of Worship are open to people of every religion. There are no sermons, rituals or clergy.
We spent an afternoon and a lovely evening in downtown Chicago. The following day, we visited the House of Worship.
(Make sure to touch your cursor on each photo to see the captions!)
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Niagara Falls, Canada
I had heard of Niagara Falls as far back as I can remember. When I heard that it was number one on couples’ honeymoon lists, it made me more curious and strengthened my desire to see this phenomenon. So, my dream came true. We had a room with a view of both falls.
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New York, New York
(9/26) We just passed through the city to reach our ship and start a 10-day cruise to Quebec City on the Emerald Princess. Once situated in our stateroom, we went to the top floor food court and vista point of the ship to enjoy this world-famous city’s skyline and Statue of Liberty.
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Newport, Rhode Island
(9/27) We started with an all-day, scenic drive along famous Ocean Drive, with views of Newport’s rocky coastline and a visit to The Elms, one of the grandest villas built in New England in the early 20th-century. The Berwind Family’s stunning home was modeled after an 18th-century French Chateau and showcased the lifestyles of America’s Gilded Age.
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Boston, Massachusetts
(9/28) Boston is New England’s largest city and one of the most influential spots in American history. Boston is a harmonious blend of modern skyscrapers and historic, old world charm.
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Bar Harbor, Maine
(9/29) A small port in Maine, famous for its lobsters…
So~ famous for their lobsters, and therefore, McLobster®! 100% Atlantic lobster meat is what this classic is all about.
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Saint John, Canada
(9/30) We strolled the port area and explored its inviting, Old City Market.
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Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
(10/1) The Halifax waterfront is a popular destination. It is home to historic buildings and ships, plus shops and the Maritime Museum of The Atlantic.
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Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
(10/2) Although the first inhabitants of this area were French Acadians, they were eventually mainly succeeded by British, Scottish and Irish immigrants. Proud of their Celtic background and Gaelic language, Sydney is host to many colorful festivals reflecting the music, cuisine, culture and natural beauty of the island.
As we got off the ship, we were greeted by this gigantic fiddle. Translated from the Gaelic, ‘Fidheal Mhor A’ Ceilidh’, it’s actually the world’s largest fiddle. ‘Ceilidh’ is Gaelic for a social gathering, so that should give you some indication as to the personality of the people of Sydney.
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Charlottetown, Canada
(10/3) Green Gables, the 19th-century farm located in Cavendish, the farmhouse that belonged to cousins of Lucy Maud Montgomery‘s grandmother and that served as the setting for Montgomery’s much loved Anne of Green Gables novels, was the most favored visitor’s destination.
— Introduced to Anne Shirley through an anime feature of Anne of Green Gables (Akage no An) made in 1979 and re-broadcast for years, many Japanese tour groups were on our ship mainly to make their pilgrimage to the setting of the story of the redheaded exotic orphan who was outspoken and given to fits of temper, hardworking and studious and loved apple and cherry blossoms. —
Other main attraction was, at nine-miles in length, the Confederation Bridge is the world’s longest bridge over ice-covered waters and links Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick.
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Quebec, Canada, UNESCO World Heritage Site
(10/5) Québec [kebɛk] City, often referred to as the ‘crown jewel of French Canada’, impresses everyone with its classic European architecture, imposing bastions, romantic promenades and picturesque plazas.
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Note: As you can tell, not all photos are mine. Many of my photos did not turn out right. I borrowed some from municipal, travel and Wikipedia sites. The ones with dates on the corner-bottom-right and the video of Niagara Falls are mine.
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Your trip touched on many places near and dear to my heart. I am from Maine so it makes me happy to see your pictures there (oh, how I miss lobster). And I used to babysit in Wilmette as a college student in Evanston. The Baha’i House of Worship was a place I would stop in to catch my breath, do some thinking about my life. I loved how the doors were open to anybody, no matter their religious affiliations or other background. It certainly is a peaceful, beautiful place. Thanks so much for sharing your travel photos and stories. -Laura
Laura, It is a small world after all. How interesting. I’m glad my post brought back some fond memories to you. Truly, it is a serene place to visit and have some meditating moments. 😀
I know you must have had a wonderful trip. I’ll have to refer this cruise to friends that want to see the Northeast and Canada…it sounds perfect.
Hi Karen, For that area, cruising definitely is a relaxing way to travel. Sept, or even better, Oct is the best time. Of course you know those details better than me. 😀 )))
It sounds like a fantastic trip!
Looks like an amazing holiday! Beautiful pictures, and amazing food too :). I lived in Boston for 5 years and your pictures really made me miss it :).
I love Boston too! I like to go back and spend more time. I’m glad it brought back your nostalgic memories. 😀
I wondered if all was well with you Fae, not seeing any post from you. Now I can see why! What a wonderful post you put together. First, thank you for introducing me to the Bahá’í Faith. It seems quite interesting and definitely something I want to explore more of. Secondly, what beautiful photos. Funny, I stayed at the Hilton in Niagara Falls this past August! It was the very first time for my girls. Except for Newport, I have been to all the cities you visited while on your cruise. Lucky us!
I was just lazy and taking it easy. 😀 ))) The trip was wonderful as you know first hand.
Sounds like an absolutely wonderful trip, Fae! You saw so much!! Thank you for sharing your travel!
How wonderful Fae!! We did the fall colors trip two years ago, loved it. Admire the Bahai faith greatly!
Thank you very much, Dear Cindy!
The only place we saw the autumn foliage was in Quebec. We have more foliage in our own neighborhood. 😉 I am definitely a city girl. I enjoyed the major cities the most… would have loved more time in Chicago, Boston and Quebec.
Sounds like an excellent cruise! Love looking at all the photos. Have heard of The Bahá’í faith before, but will now read up on it to get re-familiarized. Thanks for the post, Fae!
When I was young, I traveled by plane and train. Carrying, unpacking/packing luggage were of no issue, and I traveled with a young child. Now, cruising seems to fit our energy level. Not only many destination in a short period of time, but also, I enjoy being pampered, activities and shows on the ship. 😀
Yayyyy you’re back! It looks like you had the trip of a lifetime! I was just at Niagara Falls this past May… My mother was visiting from California and we decided to take her and my father on a short getaway 😀
Niagara Falls truly is majestic. How wonderful that you got to spend a fabulous time with your parents at such a beautiful place.
Good to “see” your trip. It seems forever since we visited NY and Niagara Falls, 18 yrs is a long time. I was entranced by the mighty power of the falls, it was early spring, there was still ice in the river. I was a huge fan of Ann of Green Gables, I had my Mums copies of the books, so I have a very romantic vision of PEI? I confess to knowing little of your faith, that’s today’s lesson for me. Thanks for sharing your journey
Yes, ‘mighty power’ are perfect words to describe the falls. It was fast, easy and delightful trip. One Sunday, many years ago, I watched TV marathon broadcast of Anne of Green Gables. I did not know of this book/story before that. The book must be so much better. Those books of your Mom’s must worth quite a bit now. A treasure! 😀
Amazing pictures, Fae! Looks like you had a wonderful holiday. Have you visited the beautiful Baha’i (or Lotus) Temple in Delhi, India, yet? Do come over. I would be more than pleased to host you!
We are planing to visit the Lotus Temple in April 2014. Our schedule is so fast paced, we would be in Delhi for two days only. How kind of you Divya to offer to host us. I will be in touch with you as the time nears, to see if there is time to at least get to see you. 😀
I certainly look forward to meet you, Fae! Hope you love India and Indian food as well!
Fantastic photo’s the House of Worship is just beautiful and I was knocked out by that estate. Amazing all of them. I am not familiar with Baha’i will have to read about it.
Thank you Suzanne, it really is breath taking. 😀
Fae, I opened your post with my morning drink and I am still here reading and learning. I was so interested to read about Baha’i Faith. I went off and read about the relationship the Faith and its community has with Iran and the problems in Egypt with the identity cards. Such an interesting post and I really have learnt a lot. The only thing that worried me was the McLobster!!!! I couldn’t believe it. Over here in England lobster is a luxury ingredient, how could they?! but I liked the clip you added. Wonderful account of what seems a wonderful trip.
Sweet Maria, Indeed you are a reader! I’m glad you found it to be interesting.
Lobster is a luxury for us too. 😀 ))) I had fun putting the post together too.
What a very interesting cruise, you visited so many cool places! Waw even! great fab pictures & super video’s too.
Thank you Sophie. The only way to really show the mighty power of Niagara was by filming it. I’m glad I thought of it before we left. 😉
Dearest Fae!!!
What a cruise! I caught a whiff of holiday just from seeing the wonderful selection of photos here. Did you take any food photos? 😀 Which was your favourite stop? I am a big fan of L.M. Montgomery and have read her entire Anne of Green Gables collection. Oh so many questions, so excited to see you had a marvellous cruise. Now you have made me want to take a cruise too! 😀 I can’t wait to see your photos when you visit the Bahai Temple at New Delhi next year! Thinking of you with so much love always, Sharon
My Sweet Sharon,
– Cruising is wonderful! I have not taken any photos of food. My camera does not take good photos in the dark, and neither with flashlight.
– Stops definitely worth more than one day are Chicago, Boston and Quebec. I had been to Boston before, and I like to go back for the 3rd time and really spend time strolling the streets.
– Not only Baha’i Temple in Delhi I am looking forward to, but also the very land you were born in.
Sharon, please publish a book (on social issues and its remedy?) so I can be proud to say, I have been to best-seller author’s birth country.
I love you, Fae.
Very interesting! Some very close family friends of ours are Baha’i. I wonder if they’ve visited any of those places/houses of worship? Hope you’ll get to see everything on your list
Thank you Ms Marzipan. I will share all my adventures. 😀
Looking forward to following them! 😀
I hope you enjoyed your stay here in Chicago. I’ve been to the The Bahá’í House of Worship many times, often taking out-of-town guests there. It is a beautiful and serene place.
I have been to Chicago a few times, always on business and never got the chance to really see the city. This time also, all we had was less than a day. We enjoyed it tremendously and would love to visit for more days next time. The House of Worship is so majestic, and a serene place as you said.