Our boat docked in the morning and we all headed out on an excursion. The company paid for us to go on a Wildlife and sea otter boat ride. This boat is much smaller, but the water there is much calmer. We got to see otters-so cute, sea lions- very cool, humpback whales, puffins, other kinds of birds, and lots of bald eagles. We were spoiled last year in Hawaii seeing SO many whales up close, breeching and flapping their tails. Here, we just saw their backs and some tails.the scenery was breathtaking though. Huge evergreen trees with Bald eagle nests on the top, they are so majestic. The water is quite clear too, we could see a lot of jelly fish everywhere. I would not want to swim in it. I kept thinking of Finding Nemo!
After the boat ride we went to the small town of Sitka. There are totem poles, and an old Russian Orthodox Church we toured. The town is rich with history. We ate at a mexican restaurant and walked around town. Joe got a chocolate shake in an old soda fountain that reminded us of Cook's. We took a lot of pictures and headed to get the tender back to the ship. I was almost not let back on the tender because my ship date had rubbed off of my seapass. They had to call the ship and make sure I was on the ships manifest before they would let me on! I went and got a new card the next day.
We then had our Formal night at dinner. Fun to get dressed up, I just wore a cocktail dress. Food was again OK. Joe and I are not food snobs and will eat anything. (hence our weight problem!) A lot of the people we were with were very disappointed. Celebrity Cruise Line is supposed to be a step above the rest. We didn't see it.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Cruise Day 1
We rode bikes, no tandem, around Stanley Park. It is just beautiful, and a good workout too. The trails, all paved, are very close to water. You see totem poles, light houses and their version of the golden gate bridge. We really liked Vancouver and would recommend it to anyone.
At 630 we boarded the boat for the cruise. We had a grand room, with a balcony and our own butler. First thing we did was unpack all of our things into the dressers and closets, I can't stand to live out of a suitcase. We then explored the boat a little and got ready for our 830pm dinner. The boat was much smaller than the Royal Caribean one we cruised on a few years ago. This cruise line was Celebrity Cruise Line. Very clean, but old-1997. It is going up for sale after this season. It didn't seem old, it was well taken care of.
We got dressed up for dinner and got to sit with the CEO and his wife. All of the #1 winners sat together with their spouses. It was a fun night, the food was just OK. We went to bed after dinner which didn't end until 1030, which was 130 back home. Some of the others went to the casino, the dance club or just out drinking at one of the bars.
Our room had chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us when we got back. YummY! The company also gave each agent and their spouse a Columbia jacket for the trip. (Amy has taken mine since we have been home-it must be cool!)
At 630 we boarded the boat for the cruise. We had a grand room, with a balcony and our own butler. First thing we did was unpack all of our things into the dressers and closets, I can't stand to live out of a suitcase. We then explored the boat a little and got ready for our 830pm dinner. The boat was much smaller than the Royal Caribean one we cruised on a few years ago. This cruise line was Celebrity Cruise Line. Very clean, but old-1997. It is going up for sale after this season. It didn't seem old, it was well taken care of.
We got dressed up for dinner and got to sit with the CEO and his wife. All of the #1 winners sat together with their spouses. It was a fun night, the food was just OK. We went to bed after dinner which didn't end until 1030, which was 130 back home. Some of the others went to the casino, the dance club or just out drinking at one of the bars.
Our room had chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us when we got back. YummY! The company also gave each agent and their spouse a Columbia jacket for the trip. (Amy has taken mine since we have been home-it must be cool!)
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Book reviews
I read 3 books while gone. Boy was it relaxing! I am so boring, reading on the balcony of the ship is my ideal! I did get some sun too. I am sure my Vitamin D level is good!
1. My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Very good book, and will be a great movie. My only complaint was the use of the "F" word multiple times. It was not needed and could have been replaced with another word with the same effect. I know I am a prude(this was evidenced multiple times on the trip!) but come on! Amy's teacher recommended the book to her and she read it for a report in school. I can't keep up with all of her books and read them before her. This really frustrates me.
2. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Great book, very sad. I am also looking forward to this movie. It is the Holocaust in the perspective of a nine year old boy. Quick read.
3. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Great book and I want to see the video of the actual lecture. Good ideas for living, but not anything spiritual. I could have been seen crying on the plane ride home.
4. Dear Mom by Melody Carlson
Not finished yet, but over half way. This is a book on raising teen daughters written like a teen wrote it. She took lots of letters she has received and put them in a helpful book form. Amy looked at it and approved me reading it. Amy loves Melody Carlson's teen fiction series'. Great perspective, I have already learned a lot.
1. My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Very good book, and will be a great movie. My only complaint was the use of the "F" word multiple times. It was not needed and could have been replaced with another word with the same effect. I know I am a prude(this was evidenced multiple times on the trip!) but come on! Amy's teacher recommended the book to her and she read it for a report in school. I can't keep up with all of her books and read them before her. This really frustrates me.
2. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Great book, very sad. I am also looking forward to this movie. It is the Holocaust in the perspective of a nine year old boy. Quick read.
3. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Great book and I want to see the video of the actual lecture. Good ideas for living, but not anything spiritual. I could have been seen crying on the plane ride home.
4. Dear Mom by Melody Carlson
Not finished yet, but over half way. This is a book on raising teen daughters written like a teen wrote it. She took lots of letters she has received and put them in a helpful book form. Amy looked at it and approved me reading it. Amy loves Melody Carlson's teen fiction series'. Great perspective, I have already learned a lot.
Home
We got home Sunday night about 1030pm. I am still trying to get things unpacked, washed and put away. I worked all day yesterday, so that threw us all for a loop. We have basketball camps, swim meets and getting ready for Cooperstown. I got quite overwhelmed with life last night. Every room in the house was a wreck. Joe was working in the office all day while I was at work. Good Lord was it a wreck! The kids had a check list of things to do and did not do any of them. So today, I feel like a drill Sargent. I am sure they are real glad I am home:)
I will post more about the trip soon. We have to set up the external hard drive before I post any pictures. They are breathtaking though. I am sure the photo will not do it justice.
I will post more about the trip soon. We have to set up the external hard drive before I post any pictures. They are breathtaking though. I am sure the photo will not do it justice.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Day 2
I didn't bring the cord to download pictures, so you will have to wait until we get back to see those.
We got up and ate my favorite breakfast of eggs Benedict and fresh fruit. We then headed to Capilano suspension bridge where we crossed a huge gorge on a swaying suspension bridge. I am proud to say, I had no problem doing this. The views were breathtaking. Think "A river runs through it" with snow capped mountains in the background. We didn't see much wildlife here though.
We headed back after about 2 hours of hiking. We then headed to Granville Island to the huge city market. On the way there we visited the beach, not real impressive, rocky. The kids would have loves watching a dog beach though. About 10 dogs frolicking in the water was cute. We took a ferry boat across to the island. It was a huge farmers market. Lots of food options and arts and crafts items. Joe's mom would have been in heaven! It was very crowded and had street entertainment too. We ate lunch of all the samples we encountered. From smoked salmon to fruit, to nuts and chocolate. We took city transit back and stopped at a mall for a bit- just like a castleton.
We headed back and relaxed for awhile and then had to get ready for dinner at The Italian House. I watched HGTV and am glad we don't have it at home or I wouldn't get anything done! The restaurant was yummy, but dinner got over at 1230 am our time. I was pooped! We went to sleep instead of going out.
Today we are going biking at Stanley Park. I think we are going to get a tandem, Joe and I don't have a great history with bikes so maybe this will be safer-ha!
We then get on he boat this afternoon and it is off to Alaska. The weather has been beautiful and the stories we hear of this cruise has us excited.
Probably no more posts until we return.
BTW my headache is mostly gone and I feel much better. Just in time to get on a rocking boat! I do have Dramamine with me.
We got up and ate my favorite breakfast of eggs Benedict and fresh fruit. We then headed to Capilano suspension bridge where we crossed a huge gorge on a swaying suspension bridge. I am proud to say, I had no problem doing this. The views were breathtaking. Think "A river runs through it" with snow capped mountains in the background. We didn't see much wildlife here though.
We headed back after about 2 hours of hiking. We then headed to Granville Island to the huge city market. On the way there we visited the beach, not real impressive, rocky. The kids would have loves watching a dog beach though. About 10 dogs frolicking in the water was cute. We took a ferry boat across to the island. It was a huge farmers market. Lots of food options and arts and crafts items. Joe's mom would have been in heaven! It was very crowded and had street entertainment too. We ate lunch of all the samples we encountered. From smoked salmon to fruit, to nuts and chocolate. We took city transit back and stopped at a mall for a bit- just like a castleton.
We headed back and relaxed for awhile and then had to get ready for dinner at The Italian House. I watched HGTV and am glad we don't have it at home or I wouldn't get anything done! The restaurant was yummy, but dinner got over at 1230 am our time. I was pooped! We went to sleep instead of going out.
Today we are going biking at Stanley Park. I think we are going to get a tandem, Joe and I don't have a great history with bikes so maybe this will be safer-ha!
We then get on he boat this afternoon and it is off to Alaska. The weather has been beautiful and the stories we hear of this cruise has us excited.
Probably no more posts until we return.
BTW my headache is mostly gone and I feel much better. Just in time to get on a rocking boat! I do have Dramamine with me.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Vancouver
We made it to beautiful Vancouver B.C. It is 70 and sunny with snow capped mountains and a beautiful bay area. Evergreens dot the landscape. The city is an eclectic mix of people with a huge Asian population. It seems to me like a "upscale college town". Lots of young people milling about everywhere.
The city is also very "eco-friendly", which you know I love. Lots of neat ideas. I got some samples at an all natural cosmetic shop. You know me-free!
Our hotel-ahhh- the Fairmont in Vancouver. Comparable to the Conrad. Joe earned for us a stay on the 9th floor- the Gold level. Private, you must have a key to enter the floor. So not us, but what a treat. The king sized fluffy bed is to die for. When we returned to our room last night, there were chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us. We are being pampered to the hilt.
Oh, and there is a pretty yellow lab that greets you at the door and hangs out at the hotel and relaxes on our floor. Just like home, except this dog, Mavis, is much better behaved around food.
Our plans for today include going to a huge suspension bridge park. Reminds me of "Horton hears a Who" bridge. Then a carriage ride around Stanley Park(similar to Central Park in NY) Off to Granville Island for their market. We finish the day with a company dinner at an Italian restaurant.
I am taking lots of beautiful pictures.
Our flights were good. Please pray for me though. I woke up with a terrible migraine the morning we left. Starting out vomiting before I even left the house. It is better, but not gone. I am dizzy and just want to lie down. Obviously I am not, but the trip would be much more enjoyable without the stinking headache.
Thanks. The Internet is free here, so I will try and blog again before we leave for the ship tomorrow.
The city is also very "eco-friendly", which you know I love. Lots of neat ideas. I got some samples at an all natural cosmetic shop. You know me-free!
Our hotel-ahhh- the Fairmont in Vancouver. Comparable to the Conrad. Joe earned for us a stay on the 9th floor- the Gold level. Private, you must have a key to enter the floor. So not us, but what a treat. The king sized fluffy bed is to die for. When we returned to our room last night, there were chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us. We are being pampered to the hilt.
Oh, and there is a pretty yellow lab that greets you at the door and hangs out at the hotel and relaxes on our floor. Just like home, except this dog, Mavis, is much better behaved around food.
Our plans for today include going to a huge suspension bridge park. Reminds me of "Horton hears a Who" bridge. Then a carriage ride around Stanley Park(similar to Central Park in NY) Off to Granville Island for their market. We finish the day with a company dinner at an Italian restaurant.
I am taking lots of beautiful pictures.
Our flights were good. Please pray for me though. I woke up with a terrible migraine the morning we left. Starting out vomiting before I even left the house. It is better, but not gone. I am dizzy and just want to lie down. Obviously I am not, but the trip would be much more enjoyable without the stinking headache.
Thanks. The Internet is free here, so I will try and blog again before we leave for the ship tomorrow.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Quote
mom from downstairs: Andrew stop talking and go to sleep.
Andrew from his bed: I am not! but Aaron keeps ignoring me.
hmm?
Andrew from his bed: I am not! but Aaron keeps ignoring me.
hmm?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)