June 1, 2013 Saturday

Today we fly Home

Suitcases were put out the night before with the new luggage tags.  

We got up early, had our last great breakfast and packed our carry-on bags. 

 Travelers were assigned a special time for gathering in the Pacific Moon Lounge. 

Ours was 8:20 am. 

We all rec'd color tags, we were grey 4, and when our color tag was called we were escorted to a bus that took us to the airport in Vancouver.  We checked in with no problem, and waited for departure to Toronto.  First thing I did was get us both a Starbucks coffee!  Then we noticed we were not seated together on the plane, so I asked if it could be changed, and it was.  As we were flying East, my sister Immy and brother Herman were driving West.  I waved at them, but they did not wave back.  We arrived in Toronto in time, and my sister Henny picked us up at the airport.  After a short visit with my dad, we drove to Brighton.  Home early Sunday morning. Very pleasant not to have a hat and coat on this late at night.  

The organization of the whole trip was amazing.  The ship had 1200 crew members of which 460 were dedicated to our unforgettable dining experiences. 3400 passengers.  

Later that day, our daughter Teresa, Richie, and Erin came down.  Teresa made this lovely arrangement from icing.  A belated great birthday gift.  Can't think of a better way to end the blog than with beautiful flowers.  Thank you, thank you Teresa.

 

May 31, 2013 Friday

Our last full day on ship at Sea.  

Ice Carving Demonstration 

Finished product.  Fish.  This man was also entertaining.  He sang along with the music playing and got everyone to sing along.  

We spent many hours on deck today watching wildlife.  We mostly saw Dall's Porpoise playing.

Marcel & Dave 

Dave & Meryl.  A wonderful couple from Leicester England we traveled with for 2 weeks. 

We were on the front of the boat where it was the coldest.  Brrr
The scenery was still spectacular. 

Dall's Porpoise - Dancing in the water. 

Not 100% what this is.  Hoping to see an Orca, but probably a Dall Porpoise.
If they would only pause for the camera!  They look so similar.

What a spectacular incomparable creation God created for us..!!!!! Really praiseworthy 

 An amazing wondrous gift.  Throughout our trip we saw the work of God's hand 
We digested it to the very last day. 

Creation Poem

Day one brought heaven earth and light.

It must have been so very bright!

Day two God made the clear blue sky.

A place for many birds to fly.

Day three brought land apart from seas.

With all the plants grass and trees.

Day four shone forth moon, stars and sun.

The work of God was not yet done.

Day five we see the fish and birds.

God did all of this with just His words.

Day six God formed all beasts and man

To finish His creation plan.

Day seven was especially blessed,

A day for worship and for rest.

Thanks to family and friends who traveled with us and left comments.  Wonderful memories for the blog book.  To the friends we made on this trip and making it more enjoyable.  Our wonderful travel agent Sandi who made all the arrangements for us. And our great neighbors David and Debby for looking after our house and plants. 
  
Love to all of you. 
Alida & Marcel/Mom & Dad/Grandma & Grandpa

May 30, 2013 Thursday

                             Docked in Ketchikan at 9 am and departed at 5:30.  High 14c.

At breakfast we sat with Eddy & Charlene, a lovely couple from Sarnia.  

Ketchikan's population is just over 8000 within the city limits.
  Also known as the rain capital of Alaska. 

Misty Fjords and Wilderness Explorer.
 The fastest sightseeing vessel in Alaska.

Eagle on its nest.

Ketchikan is in the heart of 17 million acre Tongass National Rain Forest.
And that's why the boat cruise is called:  Misty Fjords and Wilderness Explorer.  

Dingy speed boats.

4 1/2 hour tour.

Average rain fall of 160". Almost 14 feet.  

New Eddystone Rock is a pillar of basalt. It is the central core of a 5-million-year-old volcano that is left as a 237-foot island after the softer rock surrounding the old volcano eroded away.  

The islands and the surrounding ocean has an amazing array of wildlife.
The temperate rain forest environment is not only one of the most beautiful places on earth:
 it's also one of the most biologically productive places.  

So many waterfalls.

The steep cliff walls of Rudyerd Bay are heavily scraped and scarred due to the grinding action of the glaciers that once flowed here. 

Stunning colors on the rocks. Pictures don't do it justice. 

Shrub and rock resemble a person.

Ice man sitting on shore. 

Harbor Seals on shore. 

More harbor seals.

Here is where the boat turned around and we were served lunch.
Clam chowder or vegetarian chili with crackers.  Coffee available anytime. 

Rain and drizzle on the whole tour...but...that's all they get here.
Still a great outing.  Back at the ship at 3:30.

Marcel found a store that sells bamboo clothing.
We bought 2 shirts for Marcel.   

We were both ready for a meal at 5:30.  And more desserts.
Eyeing them is almost better than eating them.  I said "almost".  

I ordered apple strudel, and this is what I got. So attractive. 

After a great meal, we first went to see:  Comedy Magician Lorenzo Clark in the Princess Theater.  Then the acrobatic street entertainer Cory Tabino.

All the entertainment on this cruise has been great.
Two more sleeps.  Goodnight all.  

May 29, 2013 Wednesday

Docked in Juneau from 6:30 am - 3:30 pm. 

High 17c partly cloudy. 

We had to get up at 6:30 to catch the bus to the 'Whale Watching & Wildlife Quest'. 

   Alaska's majestic national bird is the Bald Eagle. They are everywhere in Juneau!  
 In fact estimates say there are anywhere from 15,000 to 30,000 Bald Eagles here. 
There are only 32,000 people in Juneau!

Humpback whale

Weight:	25-40 tons (50,000-80,000 lbs; 22,000-36,000 kg); newborns weigh about 1 ton (2,000 lbs; 900 kg)
Length:	up to 60 feet (18 m), with females larger than males; newborns are about 15 ft (4.5 m) long
Appearance:	primarily dark grey, with some areas of white
Lifespan:	about 50 years
Diet:	tiny crustaceans (mostly krill), plankton, and small fish; they can consume up to 3,000 pounds (1360 kg) of food per day

Weight:

25-40 tons (50,000-80,000 lbs; 22,000-36,000 kg);
newborns weigh about 1 ton (2,000 lbs; 900 kg)

Length:

up to 60 feet (18 m), with females larger than males;
newborns are about 15 ft (4.5 m) long

Appearance: 

primarily dark grey, with some areas of white

Lifespan:

about 50 years

Diet:

tiny crustaceans (mostly krill), plankton, and small fish; they can consume up to 3,000 pounds (1360 kg) of food per day

Whale Fluke.
Humpback whales are the favorite of whale watchers, as they frequently perform aerial displays, such as breaching (jumping out of the water), or slapping the surface with their pectoral fins, tails, or heads.

   

One whale gave us a great aerial display. Marcel got it on video.  Several people in our group did get a great shot and said they would forward it to me.  This is one. Thank you Pam. 

The next three were sent to us from Greg.  Great shots from beginning to end.  Thanks Greg. 

The boat we were on. 

Bald eagle above the mountain. 

Juneau is the 2nd largest city in the US by area.  8,430 km²  with a pop. of 32,000.

Group of Sea Lions

Sea Lions basking in the sun. 

Chilkat Mountain Range in back.

Bald Eagle

Juneau is part of a huge rain forest.  It has 300 days of rain or snow.
 But we got one of the sunny days. Hooray. 

White golf ball in the center is an eagle.  Difficult to spot. 

Route we took.

After the whale watching quest, we left our warm clothing on board and walked to town.

Think the temperature was a bit higher than 17c.  
Walked for 1 1/2 hours, but it definitely was very warm.

Yes, Teresa, I know what they are now.  These are beauties. 

Spring has sprung in Juneau.

By the time the ship left Juneau, it was cloudy and chilly.  

Another show in the Princess Theatre:  'I Got The Music'.  Great variety.

Explorer's Lounge:  'Marriage Match Game Show'  Hilarious.