Exploring Galveston, Texas

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

After a quiet night along the water at Galveston Island State Park, we were on our way for a day of exploring Galveston. Armed with information from the visitor centre, it was time to take in the Rainforest Pyramid at Moody Gardens. We only had interest in seeing this one of the three themed attractions. The rainforest featured over 1,000 species of exotic plants, many birds, butterflies, monkeys and fish. It was quite exceptional and we took our time taking it all in. Then it was off for lunch at Pier 21 Restaurant. If you ate there, they gave you three hours of free parking. Next was a tour of the historical downtown with it's grand old buildings which drew in the tourists, many of the younger ones were on Spring Break. Around 5 p.m. we were in line for the ferry crossing of Galveston Bay to the Bolivar Peninsula heading for Rollover Pass where would spend the night.

The seawall in Galveston went on for miles. This area is totally geared up for the summer tourist trade.

Quite the colourful carnival sight.

It was a cool and very windy morning, but that didn't stop the young at hear.

This map of Moody Gardens shows the whole complex with attractions and the hotel and
convention centre.

The Rainforest Pyramid

Bird of Paradise

Can't keep that nose out of the flowers

Orchids. Not the plastic kind.

Amazing how large and dense the trees and vegetation is. Note person on bottom left to get a perspective.

Even coconuts were growing.

A zebra longwing butterfly looking for lunch

Waiting patiently for one to land.

Another zebra longwing

Hey, lighten up! 

Striking

So many varieties of orchids.....

....all truly amazing

A pair of gila monsters at rest. Don't let that fool you.

Is this coloring for real on the wood-duck?

Monkey with a bad-hair day

A sweet loving couple

Don't hurt my feelings

Strangling fig vine

It would be great for a walk here if it wasn't for the cool strong wind.

Time for lunch at Pier 21 Restaurant on the waterfront.

It was possible to tour the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa.

Carriage ride anyone?

Bold colour

One of the many old buildings on Strand Seaport

The Grand 1894 Opera House

The Ocean Star Drilling Rig Museum

Who brought the lunch?

Driving onto the ferry for a 15 minute ride across the Galveston Bay to the Bolivar Peninsula.

Passing the destroyer escort USS Stewart and the WWII submarine USS Cavalia at Seawolf Park. Would have liked
to tour them but not this time.

It's a big shipping traffic area.

Squeezed right in there, and finally, we're bigger than everyone else.

So, this is what PeeWee looks like from above -  roof vent, TV antenna and Air-conditioning unit

That's another ferry on the return run. They had four running simultaneously. There was no charge for the trip.

Housing on stilts

Families braved the strong winds to try to catch supper.

Tucked in for the night at the Rollover Pass Bridge.