Disembarkation Day and Ybor City - Nov11, 2022 - Celebrity Constellation - Penthouse Experience - Western Caribbean Cruise

 I had meant to get up to go under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge which was supposed to happen around 3:15 a.m.  I remember waking up at one point and Paul looking to see we were still aways away so we went back to bed.  I was then up again about 5:45 a.m. and discovered a tugboat was following us in the channel and continued to follow us as we turned around and then backed into our berth.   

The Carnival Paradise came in behind us.  It was supposed to return to Tampa the previous day but Hurricane Nicole was making its way through Florida on that day.

A couple tugboats then helped this huge cargo ship move out into the channel.

A rainbow appeared as I was enjoying my last latte

I had a few last looks at this absolutely amazing suite knowing I may never stay in a room quite like this again.

We were supposed to be out of our rooms by 8:00 a.m. and seeing for breakfast in Luminae was only until 8:00 a.m. so about 7:45 a.m., we made our way down with all our carry ons to enjoy one last amazing breakfast.  I ordered the smoked salmon one more time.  We lingered over a last cup or two of coffee.  And then we made our way to Michael's Club where we ran into a Scottish couple (who now live in Florida) that we had talked to a number of times throughout the cruise.  They were fun to get to know a bit.  

Eventually one of the concierge's came back to Michael's and was ready to escort the five us off the ship.  The VIP treatment we received at the start of the trip was back as we disembarked.  The concierge led us to the front of the line to scan our cards one last time, directed us to the suite luggage section, and then escorted us to the front of the customs line.  The terminal at that time was a mess of people and luggage with a very long line for customs.  I can't even guess how much time we saved with this escort.

One last look at the ship as we walked off

The valet stand was right outside the door and the valet quickly had a black Ford Expedition SUV pull up to take us to our car which wasn't far away at all.  We were driving through Ybor City by 9:30 a.m., dodging chickens that seem to have taken over the city.  We parked in a public lot and then decided to take the free trolley to Parque José Martí, a small tract of land that is owned by Cuba and was created with Cuban soil.

Chickens are protected in Ybor City.  Many were brought over from Cuba when people immigrated here.  Others have been dumped here more recently since people know they are protected in this city.

A couple of the roosters got into a bit of a scuttle.

We then took the trolley back towards the Ybor City Museum which happened to be free to visitors since it was Veterans Day.

Ybor City State Museum

The museum was small but very interesting and included some history on the bakery that was originally in the historical building that now houses the museum.  

As we were finishing up, the skies opened up.  We tried to wait it out but knew we only had so much time before the restaurant we wanted to visit would get really busy so eventually Paul ran to get the car.

We ate lunch at the original Columbia Restaurant that has been in Ybor City since 1905.  They serve the original Cuban Sandwich.  The menu gives the following information about this sandwich.

The “Mixto,” as it was known in the beginning, was created in the 1890s for the cigar workers as they walked to and from work. The sandwiches underwent changes as immigrants from different countries came to Ybor City. The City of Tampa was like the sandwich, a mixture of cultures and food. The Spanish brought the fine ham, the Sicilians the Genoa salami, the Cubans the mojo- marinated roast pork, the Germans and Jews the Swiss cheese, pickle and mustard. Put it all together between sliced, freshly baked Tampa Cuban bread from La Segunda Central Bakery and life is great.

Half of a Cuban Sandwich

We were seated in the El Patio Dining Room

The restaurant takes up an entire block with many dining rooms.

We drove through Ybor City a bit more before dropping Paul's Mom off at the airport for her flight home.  We then continued to check into our hotel.  We stayed at the Fairfield Inn & Suites on Gulf to Bay Boulevard in Clearwater, Florida.  It was a really great hotel.  The only thing we wished it had was a couch or more comfortable chair.

Right next to where we parked there was a drainage pond that had attracted a large flock of White Ibises.  

There was a lone Snowy Egret was among the Ibises

The Snowy Egret

After getting settled in, we drove out to Cooper's Bayou Park to see if we could find their resident alligators.

How many lizards do you see?

I believe this is a Red-shouldered Hawk

These little anoles were all over Tampa.

After a walk through the park, we stopped by Panera to pick up some dinner to take back to the hotel (which they really messed up - no dressing on my salad, no chicken on Paul's salad) and then spent the evening relaxing, editing photos and videos, and blogging.