September 2, 2012

Olympic torch

Saturday morning we were up at 4 am to catch a flight to Vancouver, BC. The plane ride was long but well worth it. We arrived in BC early yesterday and have been exploring from the time  we’ve arrived.

 Vancouver is a magnificent, striking, spotless, Eco friendly city. It is vast. The population is 603,502. The cuisine here is wonderful. The weather perfect. The temperature is in the 60’s with clear skies. There are flowers on every corner. There are a million and one things to do in Vancouver. There is no shortage of activity for any visitors' diversity. 

Vancouver Port

Tomorrow we get on the big ship! But for today and yesterday we enjoyed Canada. Our hotel was only two blocks from the water so we walked the entire time there. 

Here they have electric buses, electric cars and are incredibly green. They have city workers pick through trash cans for recyclables. The air is crystal clear and when you breath in the crisp coolness you can not help but notice there is no pollution. 

sunset in Vancouver, BC

Vancouver, BC

 We strolled through the infamous Gastown, known for their beautiful trees and cafes. Went to a street festival where all sorts of Chinese foods were being served that we did not dare ask what they were made of.

 We walked through a 3 block flea market that is held every Saturday and Sunday in the streets. We visited the port and toured the stores.

We ate some of the best meals we have had in a long time.  I would definitely come back to Vancouver. It is very pretty. The buildings are all made of glass. Everywhere you look are flowers and glass. The architecture is amazing on some of the skyscrapers. Put it on your next place to visit, you will not be disappointed. 

steam clock in Gas town

Monday, Sept 3, 2012

Today is day 2 of the big trip to Alaska. We are now on the Coral Princess Ship. This is the first cruise I have taken and I am over the top excited. Sleeping on the ship has allowed us to sleep like babies. The first of the motion was felt this morning. Its not unpleasant, just unusual, almost a feeling of being tipsy. Since we hit the open waters the temperature has dramatically dropped and the skies are overcast. We will sail a full day and 1/2 through the night to reach our first port of Ketchikan, AK.

Our cabin is spacious and very nice. A considerable amount of people have told me to expect the cabins to be small and confining. This cabin is the size of a normal hotel room and along with a balcony, it is adequate, and so very cozy!

ships library my favorite room

Our first dining experience was dinner last night. We were seated  with 3 other couples, and it was a lot of fun. Prime rib was my choice of culinary delight and it was cooked perfectly. If you so choose to sit alone -  you are permitted, otherwise they call it 'sharing' at a table. There is normally 8 at a shared table. It’s a great way to fraternize with your co sailors. It is a lot of fun to listen to the stories of where people come from and the accents from all over the world. Australia seems to be prevalent, with New Zealand coming in a close second. The ship is absolutely beautiful. It is 965 feet long, has 15 decks, accommodates 1965 passengers and has 900 staff members. There are just over 2 passengers to every one staff person. The service is impeccable. We have a steward named Nelson that is fantastic. Any and everything we need, he is right there. I wish I could take him home with me! 

They offer contests everyday and today I am filing out a trivia questionnaire in hopes of wining a prize. Knowing me, and how much useless information I possess, (and not caring what I win as long as its free), this is right up my ally. They offer free giveaways all day long, everyday, at all different levels. The big giveaway today is a 5-carat sapphire, and tomorrow is a BMW. (I just want to win, I do not care what the prize is).

muster station

Today they held a martini demonstration in the atrium. You can view the demonstration from 3 different decks. The atrium is mid-ship and the epicenter of it all. The have orchestral live music, demonstrations, stand up comedy, and so many more activities for entertainment that take place in the atrium. I was chosen from the crowd (imagine that), to 'shake' one of the martinis being made. They played a club type song and I had to shake my body while holding the martini shaker. There were 4 girls chosen and it was hysterical. Afterwards, I got to drink it. Free drink, yay!! It was wonderful, even though it was only 10:30 in the morning. It was a watermelon martini.

 

The ship is  rolling a lot today. It is extremely foggy out and the captain has blown the foghorn several times so far today. I love that sound. It is almost as comforting to me as hearing the sound of the train horn while lying in my my old  bedroom on LI. The train would pass over Straight Path Rd. From my house about a mile away, it would be very faint, but audible. I miss that sound, (along with the boiler kicking in, in the middle of the night, or the Fire house whistle at noon). Okay, enough reminiscing.

This afternoon I watched a documentary film about Alaska and how the railroad was brought about. It was outside on the lido deck where they have a humongous screen for outdoor viewing of movies. It was cold at first, but they offer  flannel blankets. It was very relaxing lying on a lounge chair all wrapped up and drinking hot chocolate. While I was doing my own thing, Tommy went to a presentation of Kathy somebody and her life story of growing up in Alaska. She is a naturalist and way too boring for my taste. He said he was too embarrassed to get up and walk out so he fell asleep. LOL.

There is a daily program of events to keep you full of activity all day, every day. Some of the happenings are hokey but its all fun. There is always something to do or see or play or watch, for everyone. The food is nonstop and the entertainment is continuous.

Naps are developing into a ritual each afternoon. We have made friends with several crew members of the fun and games department. Callie is the head of entertainment. He hosted, and I played, musical trivia one night. I came in second. Because I am so good at music trivia, I was being very competitive. Only to find out someone, as it happens, knew more about it than me. He won a bottle of champagne, which was acceptable because I would have given it away nevertheless. That night Callie and I became pretty good buddies. We laughed a lot at each other. A number of other times he would mention something relating to the 80's (which is the time era of the music trivia we played) towards our table in other circumstances. He was funny and we had a blast with him. We played BINGO, danced, saw comedians, watch shows, ate, drank, and ate some more. It was a terrific time.

the sanctuary

In the morning we should be in Ketchikan and I cant wait to explore! Oh, and did I mention the scenery along the way? INCREDIBLE!!!!! Thanks so much for reading and Ill try to keep this going, as long as I have a signal!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Ketchikan, AK

Cute, cute, cute, little town. Once dis-embarkment took place we were on own for 8 hours.

There are a lot of touristy things to do while visiting Ketchikan. One is The Great Alaskan Lumber Jack Show. They carve tree trunks and throw logs along with other manly stuff. We did not engage, but several other passengers commented that they enjoyed it very much.

There is a fish hatchery to visit where they educate you on the 5 different types of salmon that are available in Alaska. They are Chum, Sockeye, King, Silver and Pink. King Salmon is amongst the all time favorite, but Sockeye is the best known.

We, of course, went the opposite way of the crowds and explored the 'real' Ketchikan. We hung out with some locals and had lunch in an out-of the-way place. We  hid out there for almost 2 hours just talking with the residents, having fun, and learning what it was really like to live there year round. The community is very close nit and are willing to help anyone, at any time, without question.

After a while we decided to tour the part of town we were 'supposed' to see. We walked the 'walking trail' backwards so we did not have to follow anyone. We stopped several times to watch the salmon do their thing and work like hell to get up stream to spawn. They return to the exact same hole where they were born to spawn. (Like a Sea Turtle, just amazing, the GPS they have built in). Several hours after giving birth to new fish, they swim to the shallow waters and die. It is sad, but part of the circle of life. Some of the streams are horrendous and there are 'ladders' made to help assist the climb. It is amazing how they know to use these ladders, and without them, I have no idea how they can endure the current against them. The tenacity is outstanding.

catching salmon

salmon ladder

We also walked along the famous Creek Street, which was used mainly to supply men with 'their needs'. Dolly's house was the most frequented. The entire street is built on stilts and a boardwalk. It dates back to the early 1800's and is very impressive. They have a back way to enter this street, appropriately named Married Man's Trail, so the men could sneak in and out of the brothels and not be seen by the townspeople.

Creek Street

Most of the homes in Ketchikan are built on a hill one behind the other.There are so many stairs to reach your home it seems impossible. Imagine in the winter climbing or descending? Crazy!!!

look at the stairs

There are a million and one jewelry stores and tee shirt shops all along your pathway. Without tourism, and salmon, Ketchikan would never survive economically.

We headed back towards the ship around 4pm just in time for a nap. Once again, we stuffed our faces, drank a bottle of wine and had many many laughs. Ketchikan was a good day!


Thanks so much for reading and remember to CLICK on the pictures, they will enlarge and you can see them as a slide show.