Friday 7th September
Vancouver
Well the smoke is back. Nowhere near as thick but still smokey.
When here last week we booked more massages at ‘Smile Thai’ so off we went. When we booked they told us of there “have five got one free deal”. So, since we were not coming back we booked 90 minute massaged. And they were glorious. A true Thai deep tissue massage but with Chinese massage training as well. Perfect.
“Oh, this is tight. (tendon over foot) that means it will hurt here (high up on chest)”. And yes it did. And yes it was better 30minutes later!
Six hours of quality massage is a great place for $$474CA. Bit cheaper than on the ship!
While walking alone the street I saw a gorgeous little dog – the realised what it was. I rushed up to the lady to ask and chat. So sweet. It was an Alaskan Klee Kai. Sarah was researching dogs a number of years ago and settled on this…. But none were available in Australia. They were bred down to resemble Huskies and are lovely.
We then got a taxi and headed out to Granville Island.
I got the taxi to wait while I ran in. There were some pepper grinders that we wanted more of. Got them but couldn’t resist the berries. Off I went with a few trays of the more glorious blackberries, blueberries and raspberries.
We then had a bit of a drive past back, through the Gas Light district and past lovely things to give Andy a look around, and down to the ship.
Every unit in this block has a corner apartment.
They are big of roof top gardens here. With large trees.
The taxi cost $45. Must have been in it for 45 minutes.
Two weeks ago when boarding they asked Andy if he wanted a wheelchair. For some strange reason he said no. It’s a long walk around in Vancouver to board.
This time I “reminded” him that he did indeed want a wheelchair. Off we went in style.
When we went to board the ship security decided I could not take my berries on. So, after sending Andy and his chair escort onto the ship I headed back and sat and ate a box of THE most amazing blackberries and raspberries ever. I looked like a little kid in a movie with red fingers and a big smile. They were delicious.
Apart from that boarding was simple.
It was fun that night to meet great friends from previous cruises and with Michele and Chip, who being US people were not allowed to go Alaska to Hawaii and had to get off for a week in Alaska – stupid Passenger Vessel Act AKA Jones Act.
The rain started as we sailed away.
Every time I checked out path was directly on the Canadian/US boarder!
The rain made some pretty dramatic scenes.
A fun night was had by all.
Saturday 8th September
At Sea
HURRAY! A much needed Sea Day.
And the pressure is off – went to trivia and won.
Up in the lounge we met Bobby Av…. – the guy who sang the theme to Happy Days many years ago. He was one of the Headliner acts. A lovely guy and really interesting to talk to. HE had performed with many of the greats.
A fun dinner in Samba.
And the traditional stand on the glass photo. You look down on Centrum 9 floors below.
There was a lady playing a traditional instrument. Lovely.
The next day pods of dolphins were everywhere.
And another Suites luncheon.
Some Hawaiian musicians were on who played lovely music in Centrum each day.
And more pleasant nights in the lounge.
That night we went to see Bobby perform. He sang great songs and must have had a great voice 40 years ago.
On one day John Blair the Crusie Director did a Neil Diamond Tribute show. FANTASTIC. really really good.
There was a gut in the front row who kept videoing the whole show. Not in a sneaky fashion, but holding it right up and blocking every other persons view. We were a few rows back.
We started to take photo and air drop them to him. He obviously didn’t understand air dropping and had no idea what was happening. It was very funny. Extremely funny. He had no idea why his phone kept spitting up photos of what he was videoing.
Minguel our super barman.
We tried the seafood tower in Chops. $20 and included a full lobster and heaps more. This was a very entertaining night.
This is a tailor made three piece, double breasted suit in tropical material.
Sensational Pinnacle lunch with amazing salad and Chocolate Globes that dissolved when covered in hot salted caramel sauce.
A huge hurricane was bearing down on Hawaii. Hurricane Olivia. She was travelling in the same direction as us, but down level with about Los Angeles. Tonight we hit a bit of her tail and had a bit of wave action. Nothing much. But the wind picked up. To get to Samba you walk outside. The ‘formal hairdos’ were not much good by the time we got there.
And when we walked back the wind was intense. You really had to lean into it and work hard. Much fun.
The self levelling pool tables were working hard.
On n sea day Andy was reading in the lounge when the “Ladies Pamper Party” was on. So he stayed and enjoyed the lovely expensive products they go to try. He had a ball and everyone thought he as hysterical.
Nan was the top cruiser.
And BJ gave jockey lessons in the lounge.
NEXT PAGE…. five days in HAWAII