Not many non- Americans know that Washington D.C. was not always the capital of the United States of America. In fact, the original capital was the beautiful historic city of Annapolis, the capital of the state of Maryland. Us lucky SEAYLP-ers got to visit this beautiful city and take a tour of Annapolis, as well as visit the Annapolis Maritime Museum and take a wonderful cruise out on the Chesapeake Bay.
It was probably the windiest day I have ever experienced in the U.S., with the winds in Annapolis blustering past making me feel like I was being swept off my feet! Cold brisk air always makes a nice time to be by the water, and that was exactly what we got to do at the Maritime Museum! We learned a lot about oysters and the important role they play both economically and ecologically for the people of Annapolis and areas surrounding the Chesapeake Bay. I found it so fascinating that oysters, being filter feeders, actually filter out the plankton from the water and clean the waters of the bay! Did you know that years back, when the population of oysters was still abundant and there was no industrial and agricultural pollution, the oysters in the Chesapeake Bay could filter out ALL the water in the bay in only three days?! That, to me, is AMAZING. It really opened my eyes to the huge roles that all life on earth plays; and that even an oyster, does so much more that produce pearls and sit on our dinner plates.
We also extremely enjoyed our boat ride out on the Chesapeake Bay. The wonderfully helpful volunteers and staff of the Maritime Museum took us out on a cruise, and it was just breathtakingly beautiful to see the skyline of old colonial-style Annapolis from the waters of the Bay. The scenery was beautiful, the weather was just lovely and the people were so nice to all of us; a recipe for a wonderful cruise! We also got to talk to a real waterman who told us about how he makes a living off the waters of the Chesapeake Bay catching oysters, crabs and fish. It was very illuminatiing to talk to a real waterman who truly depends on the bay for his livelihood. I also loved how down-to-earth the people at the Museum were, because they were people who really grew up with hands-on work with oysters and were truly passionate about what they did.
After the boat ride, we went to the Boatyard Bar and Grill for lunch! This fabulous seafood restaurant was famously visited by First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughter. The food was mouthwateringly delicious, with the freshest seafood we have ever tasted. YUMMY! Thank goodness we had to walk a lot after that, at least that helped us burn off the calories from lunch! Delicious! :)
Lunch was followed by a walking tour of the historic city of Annapolis, where we got to see the State House with its beautiful architecture and the opulent houses of Senate and Representatives. The truly luxurious and lavish decor of Italian marble and genuine Tiffany's ceilings were just breathtakingly beautiful and we are at a loss of words to describe it. We also visited the Jonas Green House, or rather as we were told, the Anne Catherine House; which was the first printing press in the United States and the cradle of what is now the ideal of freedom of press that is so upheld and constitutionalised in the United States of America.
Finally, we went to the Annapolis Mall to do some shopping, teehee! Tired and spent, no doubt, but who among us can say no to shopping? ;) Tata! Here's to a wonderful visit to Annapolis, and may we have many more in the years to come!
Posted by Marina Tan
