2025 NE Cruise - Saguenay, 2-shot Panorama of Drained Shoreline

Just a couple more items of interest about the town of Saguenay - one is the presence of school buses, which were sequestered for use in transporting tourists from the ship to the various excursions out and about.  The other is the absence of water beyond the levees, where the family is walking (better seen when clicking the photo on a larger screen).  When Chenjean  and I got back from our jaunt through town, the tide had come in and the area was entirely covered with water.  We saw something similar in Alaska...the difference between low and high tides seems to be much greater in the northern latitudes.

..and this'll do it for posts from Saguenay.  Our next and final stop will be the much more photographically productive visit to Québec City.

2025 NE Cruise - Saguenay, Helicopter

Always a huge fan of aviation, we stopped and watched whenever this guy was taking off or coming in for a landing.  After seeing my interest, Chenjean shocked me by asking if I wanted to go up for a ride.  Always enamored with watching helicopters, but never being comfortable in one, I declined.  Besides, the cropped-in portion of this image below reveals a cramped cabin which would not guarantee that I would get a front seat for the best views:

2025 NE Cruise - Saguenay, Radiant Flowers with Yellow Rings

Unlike what is seen in this recent post, the other flowers and leaves in the background here have been desaturated of their color.  Original wider view below:

2025 NE Cruise - Saguenay, Little Pink Florettes

 

2025 NE Cruise - Saguenay, Peek-a-Boo Steeple Shot

Lots of trees, so lots of peek-a-boo shots.  There was a cross at the top of this steeple, but it didn't look just right so was removed.

2025 NE Cruise - Saguenay, Purple and White Flower

2025 NE Cruise - Saguenay, Black Flower Petals

It's interesting to observe that there are leaves - as seen in this post from earlier in the cruise - and flower petals that are black.  I'm not a botanist, but think it's safe to assume that this is to enable the plants to absorb more heat in the colder climes of Canada.  Photographically they're more of a challenge to capture with the Bigger Cahoona's middling lens, but think this one turned out all right.

Emerging bud of similar (though not black) species below:

2025 NE Cruise - Saguenay, Gossiping Girls

Some younger folks in place to enhance the immersive experience.  They were minding the store in the background.  The sign's in French, but think it must have something to do with blueberries.

Speaking of French, suppose that's what the girls are speaking since French is considered a first language in Québec and English a second...

2025 NE Cruise - Saguenay, Log-sawing Activity

As for unique experiences, the tourists were encouraged to take part in this activity and work the saw.

2025 NE Cruise - Saguenay, Tourist Trap of Another Kind

Hmmm...what could this be?  Evidently the citizenry gets really involved in greeting the hordes pouring out from the ship to look for adventure and unique experiences.  As can be seen, the townspeople are dressed in period costumes, forming a circle that at first looks innocent enough.

Then the circle moves to wrap around the knot of unsuspecting tourists eager to take pictures:

Ah - it's a trap!  The circle soon completely envelops any tourist foolish enough to stick around long enough.  What happens next was too horrifying to imagine; I turned away so as not be be exposed to such things on our happy little vacation.  What's worse, if you'll look closely, it's obvious that some from the ship defected and decided to join those trapping the tourists...