Starting our third trip around the world on Holland America's ms Amsterdam! We sail from Ft. Lauderdale on January 4th, and on May 12, 128 days later, return to Ft. Lauderdale. 

To kick off the cruise and the new year, we arrived in Sarasota on New Year's Day for a pre-cruise visit with friends Tauna and Doug Durand. Had a lovely sightseeing "excursion" in and around Sarasota to ease back into cruise life! St. Armand's Circle on Longboat Key, created by John Ringling, one of the famous brothers. Didn't realize there were so many "keys" - small islets - just off the coast of Florida, connected to the mainland by a system of bridges. Great lunch at Columbia Restaurant, a Tampa area staple since 1905, serving Cuban sandwiches, black bean soup and other Cuban specialities. 

Two blocks away is Ledo Beach with its powdery white sand, which used to be partly a nude beach; mercifully, everyone is now fully clothed! 

An iconic Florida sight - a greyhound racetrack. Florida is ending dog racing in 2020, and the tracks will become casinos. 

Beautiful entryway to the Ca'd'Zan - House of John - the palatial home of John Ringling. Built in the mid-1920s, it was bequeathed to the state of Florida in 1936. The grounds include a fantastic art museum as well as a circus museum (currently closed for renovation).

 Another view of Ca'd'Zan, which sits at the water's edge. 

So much more to see and do in Sarasota, we definitely needed more time. What a great start to our third trip around the world! Thanks, Tauna and Doug, for your hospitality and Sarasota tour guide expertise!