On the Celebrity Summit cruise through New England, the Maritimes and Quebec…
The one thing I remember about Portland, Maine, had nothing to do with lobsters, artists and presidents who spent time up the road at Kennebunkport. Portland was where Elvis was supposed to start a tour of six cities a few days after he passed away in 1977. I know that’s not relative today but I just had to add it.
Portland IS all about lobsters, Victorian buildings, a lovely waterfront and — yes — the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It’s a thriving art community and you don’t have to stray far from the ship to see the works.
Once you’ve scoured the waterfront, head to the Old Port District. Lots of shops, galleries, and some interesting and colourful pottery.
You will find city hall here, along with Longfellow’s home. You can’t take pictures inside, so the best I could offer is the front of the house and the 
garden behind. Longfellow, who was embraced by the world, is held in the highest possible esteem here. It is well worth a visit if for no other reason than to remember when you studied Longfellow’s work in school.
There is also a kind of hippy feel — in a good sense — with the many 
creative centres of learning. A Children’s Museum sits beside the Portland Museum of Art.
Restaurants, with some exceptions, serve lobster in some form or another. In fact, those on the waterfront smell of the sweet fragrance of the sea. I came across two that had customers jammed to the walls. I ate lunch at the Portland Lobster Co. (above), just a few blocks from the ship. Keep in mind that lobster on a bun was $14.95 and not all that big. Fries 
and coleslaw went along with it. Passing on the fries, I found that double coleslaw was plenty.
Down the street was Gilbert’s Chowder House where your chowder came in a fresh large bread bowl. The bread (my opinion) was surely part of the reason the place was full inside and out.
My final memory is a stand on the street called Redneck Wallets. Yes, 
these artisans — is that the right word? — made wallets out of duct tape. Ahhh, Red Green would have been so proud.
Tomorrow, I’m going lobster fishing in Bar Harbor. That can’t happen soon enough!
All for now.
