The cruise ship docks in Key West are right at and close by to Mallory Square, smack in the middle of the old town district. It's hard to find a better cruise port to just come off the ship and start walking. Just as well, too, since our day in Key West was cool and breezy -- a good brisk north wind all day, and while the sun was shining the temperature never got above about 15 C (59 F).
So, in lieu of pictures of poolside lounging and beachfront tanning, here are a few pictures from my walking tour of Key West. I never got far from the ship, and didn't really feel the need to, having come to Key West just two years ago. To begin, some views from the open decks early in the morning.
Next, some views of Eurodam taken from the dock level.
The last view was taken from farther north, towards Mallory Square. Right in front of the square proper was moored this vessel, looking much more like a river cruiser than an ocean-going ship.
And indeed, American Cruises has its roots in the river cruising business on major American rivers, and has now branched out into coastal cruises on sheltered waterways such as the Inside Passage to Alaska or the Intracoastal Waterway down the east coast and along the Gulf of Mexico.
Mallory Square is famed as the site of the nightly Sunset Gathering, which happens all year round.
Not far away is the old Customs House, now a museum of Key West.
Also close at hand is the former U.S. Coast Guard storehouse, now redesigned and revived as an indoor shopping mall. These are among the very few buildings in Key West constructed of brick or stone, which makes sense once you realize that such materials had to be imported great distances to be used here.
Another of Key West's historic sites lies not far off. President Harry Truman's "Little White House" served as the seat of the President's work during his vacation months. Since communications were still very much on the lines of operator-assisted long-distance phone calls, Truman actually received permission from the Congress to carry on the nation's business from this remote location in the late 1940s. The house is a classic old Key West house, with slotted shutters to admit the wind but keep out the sun on hot days.
On the grounds you will see an interesting historic artifact: Truman's presidential limousine.
Another and much more common Key West sight came by while I was admiring the car. You can see this in any of dozens (hundreds?) of locations all over the island. Even when they aren't visible, they are most certainly audible -- all day long!
This is all the more formal side of Key West. But much of the island is more affected by a laid-back, casual attitude, reflected by the colourful buildings, whether old stores...
...or modern condos and hotels.
The survival of the old original street signs is another good pointer.
For sheer quirkiness it's had to beat a rusted cannon resting on a bed of coral limestone rocks...
...or, even odder, a sea monster made entirely out of wild sponges.
And then there's this advertising sign, which appeared in a shop window. The more I looked at this, the more I scratched my head. I mean, what would a "Key Lime Pie Cigar" look like?
Taste like?
Smell like?
Perhaps it's best to just leave you with that little mystery.
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