Day 17 & 18 - at sea

Yes...we are resting. Not much to report. 

Was able to get a laundry done in the morning. Somewhere between the wash and spin cycles, the clocks went forward an hour. Weird. Thought we were lined up with Vancouver. 

Yesterday, we were to fill out our landing cards for our arrival in Vancouver. To be completed and returned by 6pm. We were provided with only one. I had gone down to the Purser’s office to ask for another, as we do not live at the same address. “No, it’s okay to put both of you on one form.” No. Really. It isn’t. They only had enough forms for one per cabin. But I was prepared to let Gina fill out the one form to make sure she could be tossed overboard once we reached Canada. 

Thankfully, more forms were brought aboard with the Canadian immigration officers at Juneau, so we didn’t have our names called over the loud speakers. Having that happening once was more than enough (before leaving Sapporo/not Sapporo).

Once we arrive at Vancouver, Gina & I are planning to meet Sarah for breakfast/brunch at her hotel. Anyone continuing the cruise must clear US immigration before reboarding the ship. But once cleared and re-boarded, cannot leave the ship again while it is still in Canadian waters. Timing is everything!

Speaking of timing, we have been using our time for planning. Very important planning. What special dinners to have, before Gina leaves the ship. Decision made: Rack of Lamb & Crepes Suzette tonight & Curry Goan for tomorrow (our chef is from the Goa region of India...so is Max). This planning is exhausting, may need another nap.

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We are whale/dolphin watching as we slowly progress south on the inside passage between Vancouver Island and mainland & islands. The current runs to about 15 knots. We took aboard a pilot before we reached the north end of Vancouver Island. There is some form of naturalist on the bridge who speaks up whenever she spots anything & explains the importance of what’s seen.

Beyond sightseeing, we have arranged drinks tonight with our table neighbours. Very sad that they will be jumping ship, tomorrow. Will have to break in new table mates! 

Bags for those leaving tomorrow, have to be packed and outside the stateroom doors by 11pm, tonight. Careful planning (more planning!) required: Leave out jammies, toiletries, and tomorrow’s clothing. But time it, such that tonight’s dinner outfit can be packed & immediately retire into one’s jammies.

Day 16 - Juneau

Capital of Alaska. 

If I had to pick one of the three places to visit again in Alaska, it would be Juneau. Small and completely isolated. The only way in or out is by boat or plane. Very “small town”. Very friendly. And more jewellery stores (at least six) than I’ve ever seen in one place.

We arrived/docked right a 1pm. The harbour is miniscule. We left in our school bus to go kayaking off the north end of Douglas Island. Our driver had not seen such a large ship in the harbour & was amazed that we were docked where we were. Not only that...we turned around, first!

We were out for a “paddle” in tandem kayaks, to have a look at the Mendenhall Glacier. Although, it was really just an excuse to be outside and get some exercise. Saw lots of wildlife, including duck, a seal and a bald eagle - although, the eagle we saw from the bus on the way back. We were out for 90 minutes. We were headed back to shore (Gina & I were ahead of the others), when Gina yelped (she was in the bow). A whale broached a few hundred feet ahead of us. It stayed fairly close & got closer...or we got closer to it. At closest...fifty feet. Such an amazing experience to be so close and level with it. One of the guides figured it was likely a humpback whale.

Gina & me

Mendenhall glacier

We did a quick wander around town, then back aboard to enjoy the hot sunshine on our balcony.

We sail away around 8:30pm. 

Extra info...we learned how to remember the five kinds of salmon, using our hand:

Thumb = chum

Index finger = sockeye (you can poke someone’s eye out)

Middle finger = king (it’s the biggest finger)

Ring finger = silver (silver wedding ring)

Pinkie = pink

No need to thank me.

Day 15 - at sea

Yes...another day at sea...to rest up from two exhausting port days. 

Today so much planned. Eating. Walking around the deck. Eating. Walking around the deck. Reading. Napping. All leading up to...

Eating! Tonight is a pairing dinner, starting at 6:30pm. 

Tomorrow, we arrive at Juneau at 1pm. We were told today, we pick up our pilot at 5am. Must be a very long approach to Juneau. The whole thing will be done in daylight. 

We have an excursion planned (kayaking). Hopefully, we’ll stay dry. 

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On our way to Juneau

Still wending our way to Juneau...I can see why we needed a pilot so early in the approach. The route is full of twists and turns. Wouldn’t want to be a first timer! Haven’t seen a  single channel marker...saw whales at breakfast. Perhaps we are following them?

I haven’t mentioned that we have a butler (Edgar) and assistant butler (Renie). They look after us VERY well. I suspect Gina & I are the first out of our cabin each morning.  They are positioned down the hall, waiting patiently for guests to leave their rooms & go to breakfast, such that they can get busy & put the room back in order. The obvious: Beds, towels & basic straightening. Plus...cleaning all the glasses & china used in the bar, re-stock the fridge (complimentary beverages, ice bucket) and clean the windows. I know more gets done (dusting the baseboards), as I have walked in unexpectedly while the cleaning is taking place. 

In addition, we have the choice (beyond complimentary beer in fridge) of alcoholic beverages...booze or wine. We opt for wine. Any time a bottle is empty...or gets close to being empty, we are asked if we would like it replaced or would like something else. Usually, this is asked when we are brought our daily hors d’ouevres...anywhere from 4-5:30pm. 

Last night, after our nibbles were brought (and were asked if we required replenishing...yes...just to be on the safe side), Edgar came back. 

He said that Renie had been looking ahead & that I was staying aboard & Miss Gina was leaving us. Renie noticed that the passenger joining me had a different last name. Did I know the person joining me in the room? 

Odd question.

Yes, I know her. She’s my sister. But...why wouldn’t I know the person joining me?

Apparently, they have been in the room when two people are introducing themselves, having just arrived & meeting for the first time. 

Who knew? I pity the poor person who ends up with me & my snoring! Best that I just inflict that on family.

Day 14 - Anchorage

Set the alarm to make sure we awoke...just in case we slept (which we did!). Quick breakfast, then off to meet up as groups for our excursions at 8:10am. 

We needn’t have rushed. There was a delay in getting the gangway sorted out. At least, that’s what we were told. We were delayed docking...had to get the bear off the docks!

Our trip was more than I expected. Thought we’d go to one spot & learn to improve our photography skills (regardless of experience). It was better! We had a bit of tour of the area. Very different spots. Near Cook Inlet (the bay of Anchorage), marshy spot, side of a mountain, large creek with waterfalls, mountain top. Wonderful! Much better acquainted with the extra features of my camera.

We had the option of being dropped off in town. We did that & had lunch at a local brewery. We had a great view of the jet fighters from the local air base...as well as the large cargo planes.

From there, walked back to the drop off point for the shuttle back to the ship. Time to rest up for our next activity: Dinner. Max said we were allowed to have curry. He asked what kind of meat (chicken). Then did we want chicken tikka masala. I said curry. He asked if we wanted (no idea what he offered), I said curry. Then he mentioned another one. I said...whatever you recommend. I’m a slow learner.

Last night’s beef wellington was wonderful!

Tomorrow night, we will be having a “pairing” dinner. So decision making is out of our hands. Um...which is really no different from any other night.

Tomorrow is another sea day. Another day of rest.

Day 13 - Kodiak

We were docked by 6am (missed it completely).

Last night, we were treated to an amazing sunset. We sat on our (cold) balcony until well after 10:30, taking it all in. Relatively calm seas, a bit of cloud (for dramatic affect...maybe even effect) and some land.

Good news...we did dock at the town of Kodiak, on the island of Kodiak! Small town. Saw the Russian Orthadox Church. The docent (or maybe the priest) was not exactly warm/fuzzy/welcoming. Saw the museum and the Aleutic heritage museum and had lunch with Alaskan beer.

Watched a very large sea otter take a bath. Quite the show & show off!

Walked back to the ship and to our balcony...full sun. Feels warm. Busy working harbour. Both for shipping and fishing/crabbing.

Enjoyed the sun...until it went behind the clouds. Shoved off just before 5pm. Heading now for Anchorage.

Hopefully, no beautiful late night sunset...so maybe we’ll get a better night’s sleep!

Day 11 & 12 Last days of Pacific Crossing

Not much to show for our last two days before we make landfall, tomorrow. We saw land to the north this morning. 

Sunrise & land

We went to a wine pairing lunch. Four courses & 7 wines. Then 5.5 laps around the deck. We now have wind & white caps in the ocean. However, the ship is so stable it is hardly noticeable. We need some wind and waves to sleep better!

Then nap. 

It will be good to for us to have a change of pace. We haven’t any excursions booked for Kodiak. Small town, so we will be walking about. That is, if Kodiak really is Kodiak and not like Sapporo/not Sapporo.

Sunrise has been consistent at around 6am. Sunset tonight should be around 10:30. 

The change of sunset has kept most of us at the dinner table, as we have been trained to leave after dark. Last night, we all arrived at the same time, but didn’t start leaving until 10pm. Oops. Hopefully, we do better tonight.

Not sure if I’ve mentioned it before, but...our senior waiter (Max) and sommelier pretty much decide what we are eating & drinking. It’s pretty funny. It started, albeit gradually, right from the start. We were thinking of ordering one thing & Max steered us towards something else. Gina wanted to order red wine, she was steered towards something else. We wanted to special order rack of lamb, Max suggested we do that another time as we should be having “fill in the blank” instead. 

To save time and make our decision making easier, Max gives me the dinner menu at breakfast (Gina is given the dessert menu). We ask Max if there is something we should be having from the menu or should we order “off piste”. We are hoping we will be “allowed” to have Beef Wellington sometime soon.

Day 8 & 9 - May 12 redux

For those of you who thought June 21 was the longest day of the year...nope. This year, May 12 is the longest day. At least for us. Crossed the International Date Line around 6pm yesterday (sorry...no dotted line or any other demarkation). So we find ourselves with a “do over”.

On the plus side...the fog lifted. We even had a sunset! To top it off, we enjoyed a performance of a Frank Sinatra tribute artist. Lots of fun. 

Today has started off well with calm seas and sun. Sunrise 6:16 & sunset at 9:37! For an extra long day, it will be filled with plenty of daylight.

Already the morning has had some excitement: Opening the curtains, I exclaimed excitedly, “there are things!”. Gina leapt from bed to balcony in one bound. Whales!

Our waiter (Max) provides us with the evening menu at breakfast. Well, actually, I get the dinner menu...Gina gets the dessert menu. Then we decide whether or not we will go “off piste” and order something special. We have been trying to order rack of lamb, but Max has steered us towards something else on the regular menu. He has been right every time. So, tonight is the night! Rack of lamb for dinner.

Today, in addition to whales, we have SUN. The temperatures are still around 5C/41F & the ocean 3C, but the sun makes a world of difference. I am just in, from 3 hours on deck. Left Gina there. We had sun cloud & even some rain...and sandwiches. Skipping lunch such that we can have tea!

Naps required after such a “long” day!

Looked ahead at the weather for Kodiak (Wednesday, I think). Should be fair & warmer. Sunset at around 10:30pm!