Pont du Hoc

My tour in Cherbourg and Normandy ended with a visit to Pont du Hoc. The 2nd Ranger Battalion scaled a 100 foot cliff to disable the German guns that threatened the beach invasions. Of the more than 200 Rangers, only 90 survived. It was breath taking standing on the top of that cliff, knowing that so many gave their lives to take it.

Rather than tell you about it, I'll just show you.

Once again, all too soon, it was time to board the bus and head back to Cherbourg and board the ship. On the way back, we passed by Ste. Mere Eglise, the town near Utah Beach, the other American landing zone. It was at Ste. Mere Eglise, where paratroopers, blown off course, came down in the middle of the town occupied by Germans. Many were killed, and one trooper, whose parachute got caught on the steeple of the church, played dead. We were able to see the church from the road but unfortunately, didn't get to stop.

We ended the day watching the tug boats in the harbor. Until next time, Normandy region, Adieu.

Day at sea

Spent the day enjoying doing very little. I walked deck 13, which is open, but it's windy and wet. Took a nap this afternoon. Cruising the North Sea and heading into the Strait of Dover at midnight. Sad that I won't get to see the cliffs because it will be dark. That's more of my history nerd leaking out. I've learned that okay in any language sounds the same. Spent some time talking with an older German couple who have been to the U.S. multiple times. They were very eager to talk to us. Also, 99 percent sure my family are the only African Americans on the ship that aren't crew and staff. We get some funny looks from some - we're told they're Russians - but other than that, people are friendly. They have a staff of entertainers, called the Animation Team, who do all kinds of crazy stuff to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves. One night they had Viking night. (yeah, okay.)

Anyway, here's Kathy and I with Mohamed and Henricka, who were trying to entice us to come to the Viking party. Henricka, who is from South Africa, is wearing the Missouri Enjoy the Show pin I took along. There are about 600 English speaking folks on board, less than 70 are American, and around 35 are Canadian. Met some crazy fellow country men (and women) in the elevator. Recognized them immediately when they spoke. One couple from Tennessee and one from Florida. We spend the evening watching the television show "Castle" in German. I don't even like Castle, but I'm tired of cycling through CNN, which is hte only English-language channel we get. Incredibly excited about the next stop in Cherbourg, France. I'll get to visit to the American Cemetery, Omaha Beach and Pont du Hoc in Normandy. This history nerd is going to totally geek out.

Omaha Beach

Cornelius Ryan wrote the book The Longest Day, which was made into a movie in the '60s with a plethora of Hollywood's biggest stars. It tells the story of the invasion from the American, English and German points of view. I watch this movie nearly every year. Not as graphic as movies would later become, it still gives you a little of idea of the challenges the allies faced on the morning of June 6.

The Americans had a tough go of it at Omaha Beach, and very little went as planned. By the end of the day, the forces had obtained a small foothold and it took them several days to achieve their initial objective. We didn't get long at Omaha, but to be there at all was enough for me.

Next we headed to Pont du Hoc, the 100 foot cliff that the 2nd Ranger Battalion scaled to disable the German guns that threatened the beach invasions. Of the more than 200 Rangers, only 90 survived. Along the way, we passed many other reminders of the war, including German bunkers and other memorials.

Cherbourg and the American Cemetery in Normandy

The English Channel is rough! Started the morning rocking and rolling on this ship, and gave this history nerd a new appreciation for what the soldiers landing in Normandy on D-Day experienced. I have a special appreciation for World War 2 history and the opportunity to visit one of the American landing beaches, code named Omaha along with the American cemetary and Pont du Hoc, is one I couldn't pass up. My regret is that I couldn't stay longer and I definitely need to go back and stay longer to take it all in. We docked in the port town of Cherbourg, an important naval town in France and home to the submarine industry. I shot these pictures as we came into port.

I took another guided tour to these important sites in the history of the second world war. My only disappointment is that I couldn't stay longer. Our first stop was the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, in Colleville-sur-Mer. There are 9,387 headstones of the soldiers who gave their lives in the assault on Europe.

No matter how many pictures or video you've seen of the site, nothing can prepare you for the neatly-manicured lawn, with row after row after row of white crosses and Stars of David. Our guide told us to only spend about 10 minutes in the cemetery, to ensure there would be time to take in the visitors center. That didn't happen. There is simply too much to see and I wanted to see it all. The names of 1,557 soldiers missing in action also are inscribed in the memorial. Two of the Niland brothers are buried here; this is the family on which the movie, Saving Private Ryan, is based. General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., son of the president, also is buried here, next to his brother, Quentin, who was killed in World War I. The cemetery is a beautiful tribute to the Americans who died fighting the Axis powers.

At the top of the hour, the chimes sounded and the carillon began to play "This is My Country," a song I hadn't heard in years, followed by the national anthem. I wasn't really paying attention, messing with my camera and phone and when I realized what was playing, I stopped and looked for the American flag. All around me, everyone had come to a standstill.

When I checked my watch, I had a small amount of time to check out the visitors center. As I race walked through, I saw all manner of exhibits and videos that I will have to go back and experience.

I reluctantly headed to the bus to head to the next stop on tour, Omaha Beach.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen is one of the oldest capitals in Europe. After returning to the city from Dragor, our tour became a whirlwind, and I took a whole lot of pictures out of the window of the bus. Some turned out pretty good, but I can't necessarily tell you what's what, with the exception of Hans Christian Anderson's little mermaid statue.

After the official tour ended, I had some time to wander the city on my own. So here are some pictures of a beautiful city where I want to spend more time.

And finally, for all you Little Mermaid fans out there, here's one more of Arial's ancestor

Dragor, Denmark - a fishing village

Our first stop was in Copenhagen. As we approached the harbor, I noticed these windmills and went out on the balcony to take a few pictures and watch the city come into view.

While it wasn't one of the reasons that inspired me to pick this trip, I was interested in seeing the city. Now, I have a new love! I signed up for a guided excursion of Copenhagen, and I had a moment of panic on the bus, when the guide began by greeting everyone in German. I thought I'd ended up on a German-speaking tour, which would make a long day. Fortunately, it was bi-lingual and Hans, our tour guide, switched back and forth.

We started by driving out of the city to the Danish fishing village of Dragor. It looks like a it could have come out of a fairy tale. Many of the houses had thatched roofs.

Hans told many stories. One, that he tried to tell very delicately as we walked among the houses, was about the meaning of seeing two dog statues in the window. If the dogs are facing out, it means the husband is at sea and the wife is looking for company. If the dog statues are looking in, he is home.

I also got to indulge my history nerd-ness, when he shared that some of the 7000 Danish Jews rescued from the Germans during WW2 escaped from the harbor in Dragor. Approximately 400 were captured. The evacuation was done in less than 40 hours.

We also got a peek at part of the Oresund bridge which connects Denmark to Sweden. This bridge goes to an artificial island, where it turns into a tunnel.

All too soon, it was time to board the bus and go back into Copenhagen.