Final From Victoria

We had a day at sea to rest up before we arrive in Victoria this afternoon. We are here for the evening, and then arrive in Seattle by 7AM. Jim thinks we'll wait around a bit in the sound while we wait for our morning dock time. We are packed except for the last clothes for dinner tonight and our morning duds. We have all the souvenirs and hats we can buy, and we have little gifts for people. This has been a great cruise, and I've learned a lot about cruising.

1. I learned you can have a laundry deal where for a flat fee they'll do your laundry every day during the cruise. That way you can really bring one slim bag!

2. I learned on long cruises-30 days or over, they offer classes and activities besides gambling and reading. They might have art lessons, bridge lessons, knitting groups, discussion groups, and other activities, including exercise classes.

3. I learned people cruise for lots of reasons, and one is that they handle handicapped people better than any other place. That's why there are so many handicapped people on these cruises.

4.I learned I can eat only a few things from a buffet, I can skip dessert and I can only order two courses at night instead of the offered four.

5. I learned I packed too many clothes and I could wear the same thing to dinner every night and no one would know. We have only had the same dinner companions twice on this 14 day cruise.

6. I learned I don't have to take videos, books, Books on tape, or Kindles since they have a good library on board.

7. I learned I really do like being very low on the boat ,and I do not like rolling and get that unhappy feeling when it gets rough. Down in our cabin, I am a happier person, so I guess that means I'll never have a verandah. However, I really do like an unobstructed view window!

8. I learned I do miss coffee in our stateroom and I must break Jim of the habit of waiting until we go up for breakfast. I am coffee starved all day without my early morning fix.

9. I learned I am ready to go home.

10. And, I learned I want to go cruising again, and we may cruise over Christmas if I can talk Jim into that for a present.

Hubbard Glacier and Juneau Whales

I was standing on the deck, looking at the glacier in Glacier Bay, and a man standing next to me told me I had to wait for the Hubbard Glacier to really get the WOW factor. That was true. It was awesome. We cruised in there and the captain started to rotate the boat so we could all see a wonder of nature. Yes, parts did calve off into the water; the icebergs were so blue, and we all appreciated the calm waters and overcast day, giving us a better look at the glacier's colors. Somebody said photos can never do it, and they are correct. The photos will never show what you see with your own eyes.

Our next day we cruised to Juneau, a funny town, but a great way to see Humpback whales. We took a whale watching boat; (that seems to be the only way we can see whales!)they promised a whale sighting or they'd give back your $100, so we saw whales. At first I thought they'd be as far away as the end of a football field, not too close, but as we neared the end of our cruise time, three whales surfaced very close to the boat, and we got to see them in all their glory-I finally got the breathing/blowing timed and ready to photo the fluke and my camera ran out of steam or something. By the time I got it back again, I had missed the final fluke and got only a blow on film. Next we went to see the Mendenhall glacier with a Parks Service guide answering questions. That was really cool. We also watched a salmon lay eggs from an underwater camera in a creek across the street. That was pretty amazing. Jim did take the tram to the top of the mountain, but I stayed on shore shopping. I bought a few T shirts and then headed back to the boat.

Now to talk about photos. We took/have taken many photos, and I think some may make it on to the Christmas card. You can't help but get great photos of Alaska. It's like Whidbey Island-everywhere you look is a photo-op. Jim has his Canon and seems very happy with it. I have a more complicated Hewlett Packard camera that does everything but eat, although it does eat up batteries pretty quickly. A few years ago I figured out I can take a video. I didn't figure out it has sound, too, so along with bouncing, upside down and sideways filiming, there are odd sounds, like breathing, talking to Jim and oooohhhs. I forgot about the video capability of the camera until I got on this trip, and discovered it again while we were at the Native Heritage Center for the women's dance and drumming exhibit. The photos look awkward, starting out sideways and spinning around. And, no sound. Finally, at the Hubbard Glacier, I rememberd the sound and announced in a deep voice, " This is an iceberg, over 14 feet tall!" That's it. Obviously I need someone to help me with this filiming and talking at the same time. I'll put it all on a CD so everyone can laugh like crazy. The next trip I plan to do better.

We are off to Victoria, but we have a day and night at sea and another full day before we reach there. I've been to the shops three times and expect I'll go back. Don't know where Jim is, but I'm off to read a book. Wish you were all here. Jim and Virginia

Aug 30, 31 and Sept 1-Anchorage, Homer and Kodiak

Hello Everybody! I missed a few days, but I'll catch up today. Photos from left to right are eagle, Homer and Anchorage.
Anchorage- We sailed in and didn't anchor in Anchorage, we tied up to a dock and got ready for a tour around the city and a visit to the Indian Heritage Center. That was worth the trip. We learned about all the different cultures and clans of the Native American peoples in this area. That was fascinating, and taught us about their games, dances, languages, etc. They were beautiful people with generous spirits as they told all the white people about themselves. The city of Anchorage was OK; we didn't stroll around. Many cruisers did that and enjoyed going into the shops, especially the fur stores with bikinis and jock straps! Gets really cold up here. the Sarah Palin store was a local attraction. I guess they have a lifesized mannikin for photos. Jim was sorry he missed that.

Homer was the funniest place. The ship docked out on the end of a 4 mile spit. Along the spit were the Salty Dawg Tavern and a mix of marine stores, fishing outfitters and general shack-like places. That took up about 1/2 mile. Some people went in to town which has a block of the same thing, but we opted to go on a bird watching trip on a 45 ft boat. Nice kids running the cruise, and we were inside so we didn't get wet as the rain started coming down. We saw the regular birds, Kittywakes (both mature and immature), gulls of different kinds, puffins, and lots of otters. They were the most plentiful of any marine mammal we have seen. I got a t shirt so I could say we have been to Homer with the clear understanding someone will ask why we went there!

We are sailing away from Kodiak now, backing out, I think. We were only in port from 7AM to 1PM, and we managed an overview of the city, including a trip through town; a visit to the Fisheries Dept of the U Of Alaska; (where we got to pet sea stars and anemones and crabs!) a visit to the Baranov Museum, since the Russians were the first to settle this island; a visit to the WWII bunker filled with WWII memorabilia as well as big guns; and finally the high school where a group of drummers really gave us a great show. I expected them to be native drummers, but they are a creation of a local guy who is Native American from somewhere else(California, I think), and he teaches any kid who wants to drum.(The youngest was 6 and he didn't have any front teeth!) They use African and other native drums to make amazing music. It was worth the trip just to see them. Kodiak is very beautiful, and of all the cities, I think I could stay here. It is surrounded by high green hills, mountains are off in the distance, and smaller islands dot the scenery around the main island. They are very proud of the island and the city, showing us the KFC/Taco Bell, Walmart and Safeway. I guess that makes them feel more like the lower 48. They have 70 inches of rain a year and 70 inches of snow a year, but the temperatures do not drop so low as other places since they have the Japanese current running by. Today the sun is shining and the island looks just beautiful. The biggest Coast Guard station in the U.S. is in Kodiak with 1500 people stationed here regularly. One interesting fact about all these small cities and towns we visit. They all have lots of churches. The religious sector must have believed it was the last frontier, because they had all arrive and set up shop, so to speak. There are 18 churches in Kodiak with 4000 people in town and 12,000 on the island. They must have small congregations or they have everybody in church. Two denominations are missing in Kodiak, the Methodists and the Presbyterians-I asked Jim what's wrong with the Presbys that they missed out on outreach to Alaska. He harumpted;guess they were going to Africa.


We are on our way to the Hubbard Glacier now. We heard it is the best and biggest, so I'm very excited about that. Anyway, no sight of the northern lights and only a few whale sightings. We are guaranteed whales in Juneau. I'll check in tomorrow. Jim and Virginia

Skagway and the Glacier

Hello from the Amsterdam! I've missed two days because of activities and a bad mussel. We docked in Skagway, a gateway to the gold rush, and took the White Pass and Yukon Railroad up the mountain. that's not exactly how it was- the train has a narrow gauge, 36 inches! and it went up and up and up over trestles that looked like they wobbled, and through tunnels. I sat on the inside most of the way, looking at the rock wall rather than down the steep mountainside to the valley and rapid/rock strewn river below. At one time the guide said it was a Class 6 rapids ride! The scariest thing was when we stopped with the back half of the train on the trestle and in the tunnel while they fixed the breaks on one car. Maybe that was a Disneyland experience but they convinced me I should be looking for an escape route. We got lots of photos, and it probably won't look as bad. We liked Skagway. The town is neat and tidy for the tourists. More later. Virginia P.S. Glacier Bay was amazing!

Sitka and Russian Culture

We were anchored in the bay at Sitka by 7AM, and after breakfast we were off for a short tour around town, visiting the local Russian Orthodox cathedral, a local Indian museum and a presentation of Russian folk dances. We were impressed with the cathedral, mostly because it was filled with interesting and old icons. They cover everything on the painting with silver, worked in intricate designs, except for the flesh. The Virgin Mary has a face and hands, but the rest is overlayed with silver. Very different form the Greek Orthodox church I visited in Seattle a few years ago. We were impressed that the services are sometimes three hours long and they all stand up the entire time. I'd give up church if I had to do that. Our guide was a Tlingit indigenous person and he was well informed about everything. I think he said Sitka has 8000 people and 18 churches! That should tell you something. The church burned down in the 60's and the parishioners made a human chain and saved 90% of the furnishings of the church. They have one icon that was shipped from Russia and the boat sank on the way; they found the icon washed up on the shore of Sitka with little damage! Stories for the faithful.

The visit to the museum was interesting, too. Most of the artifacts were collected by a Presbyterian minister who traveled all over Alaska, gathering cultural examples of weaving, baskets, scrimshaw, beadwork, regalia, canoes, furs, and anything else the native tribes used. Everything is catalogued for five different groups, Aleuts, Eskimos, several indigenous tribes, like Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian, and Athabascan. (Not sure about the spelling on all those.) The collection also held copies of letters and notes from a 19th century Army surgeon's wife. She mailed baskets and other native cultural artifacts to friends, including forks and spoons carved from bone or wood. I saw the most amazing scrimshaw at that museum; one had the whole story of an Eskimo hunt for a seal. Very detailed work.

The Russian dancers were amazing. A group of women living in Sitka decided to recreate authentic Russian dancing, although none of them are Russian. The enlisted the help of the then Orthodox Russian Bishop to help them interpret the books with information about the dances. They've been performing for over 30 years, and they have women dancing the male roles because they couldn't get any men to volunteer to dance. They perform all over the states and overseas. In the middle of their performance, three of the tour guides told the story about the Alaskan flag, which was named by a 13 year old boy in an orphanage. He had the flag be blue for the water and the sky. The trim was gold for the goldrush, and the north star at the top was always shining for Alaska. The big dipper reminds us of the starts that surround us. It was very moving and sweet.

We are anchored in the bay at Sitka; the sun came out for a few minutes; the seas are flat and calm; the salmon are running and go by the boat jumping out of the water, trying to get to the nearest stream. It's a lazy afternoon, we've been reading in a quiet corner, and then they showed up with white tablecloths, napkins and tea cups to serve afternoon tea where they served tea, sweets ,and savories. I had a cup of tea, a cucumber sandwich, (a tiny round with a smear of cream cheese and thin, thin cucumber on top) as well as a fruit tart, a tiny thing with two bites of cream filling and bits of fruit on top. It was very civilized! We just found out they do this every afternoon. What have we been missing?

This ship is small and we keep running in to the same people for meals. Lots of people are looking for their next cruise, so I am not alone in that pursuit. Tonight we'll probably watch a movie in our cabin since there is nothing much going on that interests us. Maybe I should play the slot machines. A lady last night told me she won $480 the first night out! Tomorrow we go to Skagway and another tour. Loving Alaska, Jim and Virginia

Ketchikan Kan

We arrived in Ketchikan by 6AM, after a long overnight trip in the fog. (Last night we looked out and couldn't see the flag on the bow. The big fog horn went every two minutes as required. ) It was clear of fog when we arrived in K., and we even had sunshine for a few minutes this afternoon. We have already gone on a tour of the fish hatcheries, seeing big, big salmon climbing up fish ladders to spawn. We also saw eagles with broken wings-they'll live out their days in a sanctuary, eating well and entertaining the tourists with their beauty. Then we were off to Totem Bight Park where we saw amazing totems and heard the folk tales that the Haida, Tlingit and other tribes use to explain the sun, salmon and other facts of nature. It was fun, but we passed on the required shopping in town. There are four(!) cruise ships in here, and we are the smallest. K. looks like any fishing town to me, but it got dressed up for the touristas who come between April 15 and Oct 1. That's it folks, and they still only have 14,000 people and a small marina.

Comments on this trip: It's after lunch, Jim has gone off to mail postcards, and I am catching up with email and my blog. We have noticed there are lots of really old people on this ship. (Even older than we are!) And, it looks to me like the women are doing better than the men. Lots of the guys look over the hill, but their wives are still hanging in there. I wonder if that is in the DNA or if we just take better care of ourselves. Lots of people have been married for many, many years; this morning a woman told me she is celebrating her 50th anniversary tomorrow. Some men have younger women with them, but I haven't seen any young men with old ladies! Of course, there are some women traveling together. One young woman obviously has her grandmother, and I applaud her for that. Last night was a formal night and they weren't as dressed up as the last cruise. Maybe it's because we are going to Alaska. There were some people in tuxes and long gowns, but not as much glitter. Last time I was open mouthed with awe at the amazing jackets and dresses that looked like Bob Mackie designed them. This cruise is quiet, too, with more people sitting around reading books and looking out the windows. We have even slowed down and plan a nap each day!! And, lots of people are on their third or even forth trip to Alaska. That must be a testimony to how people feel about this place.

I am looking out the windows and the Zaadam is leaving port on their way home to Seattle. They were on a 7day cruise. I'm getting hooked on this; I'm planning the next one! Cheers, we'll be thinking of you as we sail along. Leaving here at 5PM for Sitka. Jim and Virginia

Aug 24 Holland America to Alaska

Hello Everyone! We left Oak Harbor for Seattle on Sunday Aug 22, staying over with Libby for the night. We hadn't had a chance to see her new Pioneer Square office, so after lunch we went downtown Seattle, along with the duck boats(!), to visit her way-cool building and offices. She has beautiful furniture and lots of storage and meeting space. Her townhouse is shaping up, too, after being a home office for several years. We loved her new dining table and renewed bedroom.

Monday Aug 23-After a leisurely morning we were off with Uri in the limo to be dropped at Pier 91. It was the most beautiful day, and Seattle put on a big show! The temperatures were in the high 70's, Mt Rainier was right there, and we were docked even with Queen Anne, looking back at the city and the mountain and the water and the sailboats and the tankers coming in and out. The out of towners were awe-struck. I over heard one man say he had been to Seattle twice and had never seen the mountain. After talking to a couple from Sacramento, I commented, " We try to put on a show for visitors, but not all the time, or they'd all move here!" Promptly at 5PM, we shoved off from the dock and started working our way towards Haro Strait. As we passed Whidbey Island, Jim had his GPS, maps and binoculars out, attracting a huge crowd. We had to tell everyone we lived over there. Of course, everyone wanted to know why we would go on a cruise when we already lived here?? We had a late dinner in the Lido buffet and then went to our cabin for an early night. Jim was up at o'dark-thirty (5ish) to go out on deck to see Campbell River as we passed and our entrance into Johnstone Strait. That was pretty uneventful, and now we are cruising along looking at the beautiful tree covered mountains on northern Vancouver Island. Wow, it is really magnificent up here. We know it's beautiful because we've had our boat as far as Desolation Sound, but it just keeps being beautiful. Can't wait for amazing Alaska!

A few housekeeping items.: (1)we are in a room with a big window, so I can sit and look out; (2)the food isn't nearly as amazing this time (It's very good, but since I know all about it, I can be discriminating about what I eat.); (3)the crowd seems old, but the ship is smaller and the crowds aren't as overwhelming; (4)since we are traveling alone, Jim is making friends everywhere, talking to people, telling them what his GPS says and where we are, etc., etc., etc.(had drinks with a couple from San Antonio last night); (5)we are more relaxed about the whole experience, so it's already more fun; (6)I've already got the next cruise planned!!! On the way to Alaska, Jim and Virginia