At Sea - On the way to Quebec

The ms Maasdam left Boston at about 5:00 PM yesterday.  As we were leaving Boston Harbor we noted the pirate ship pictured above on the port side.  Apparently these pirates were not associated with those off the coast of Samolia as most appeared to be drinking and carousing! 

Last evening activity included  the essential cruise ship ones - martinis, dinner and the casino.  Today we get down to the serious cruise business - BINGO!  And, of course, more martinis and more eating as we sail up the east coast on to our first port of call - Iles de la Madeleine, Quebec.  Unfortunately the captain informs that the weather for tomorrow is probably rain.  Today it is cool (in the 60s) and very foggy.  The ship's horn has been sounded every so often all last night and most of the day. 

One thing that the Holland American ships have is excellent libraries.  I picked up a book titled The First Wall Street: Chestnut Street & the Borth of American Finance by Robert E. Wright.  One of the amazing items I have come across in the book is the fourth endnote: "A  superb introduction to the colonial economy is John J. McCusker and Russell R. Menard, The Economy of British America: 1607-1789 (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1985).  I have seen McCusker cited in other books and know that he is an expert in colonial money.  In addition, he is also the John McCusker of West High Terrace in Rochester and a member of the Class of 1953, St. Monica's School.  At least one of the local boys made good!

The rest of the day will be more reading, trivia, bingo, martinis and eating.  All in all another day in paradise!  Will try to keep everyone posted.