Alaska: The rest of the story!!

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Well guys, I've lost my journal so this may not be in correct sequence but here goes!! Tues we arrived in Juneau to cloudy skies. Emmy, Peter, Kay & her sister, , Karen & I headed over to Orca Enterprises (Capt Larry) for our whale watch. We hopped in our little purple people eater jet boat to watch the whales. There was a pod of 6 whales bubble feeding but too far away to really see them altho we could hear them thru some device in the boat. We lost sight of them and all of a sudden all 6 breached right in front of the boat!! What a sight!! We were in awe. Some of us thought it was the highlight of the trip. Later that night a group of us met at Cagneys . I had delicious filet mignon and 1/2 of a lobster, tail & claw. It was the best meal of the whole trip.

Tues, we went to Glacier Bay. Dave, Pat and a few other tuggers went up to Spinnaker Lounge at 5:30 am to watch the world go by. Karen also got up at 5"30 and went to Kathy Q's cabin for breakfast and to watch the view. I made it about 8 and what a view from her balcony. Where we had a side balcony hers faced the very back of the boat with no obstructions. We watched the glaciers calve, had a great breakfast and watched the world go by.

I can't remember exactly what night this happened but I'll say it's today for times sake. You know those strips that are raised and say watch your step? I was watching all right, I tripped and sprawled face first on the floor. It hurt like he-- and everyone came running. I sreamed don't touch me!! I have to see if I'm alive and in one piece!! I got up with bruised knees and a bigger bruised ego!! Remeber the 300 lb lady who stepped on me? When I went to the show I tripped over her foot!! I didn't land or step on her but I had to laugh to myself. Whew what a day.

Wed we landed in Skagway. We were to meet Chilkoot Tours at 7:30 to go do the Deluxe Yukon/ Train Excursion. They never showed up when I called the company they said they had been looking for us and the train had already left. Jaybee knew something was wrong when she saw me in the phone booth talking with my hands!! Yes, I get excitable. Plus I hate being lied to. Luckily the trip had not left yet with Norwegian so Karen got us on that (last 2 seats left) Instead of a nice small van with 14 people we were on a big bus with 40 others. Because the bus was so large we didn't get to stop at the waterfall, but did go to Carcross Crossing where we had a lunch of bbq chicken. Later we got to go to the museum and see the huskies. Then on to the Yukon to see the Emerald Lake and other sights. We got on the train to go back down the mtn and see the sights. All in all a very nice day.

Thurs we were in Ketchican where we took the boat to Misty Fjords. It was a beautiful day and the scenery was lovely. Dana and her family were on the same trip. I got lots of great pics and I'm still trying to download them. Afterwards we split up and I ent to take more pics of the crooked little streets and hit the shops. I also took a tour of Ms Dolly's bordeau. The most interesting fact was her shower curtain was made of French silk rubbers. She didn't wawnt to waist them. I think it Ketchican was my fav stop on the tour. When I got back on the boat I ran into Sheila who was estactic to see me!! Huh? They had been calling my name over the intercom . Everyone thought I had missed the boat, but all it was was my room key didn't swipe and they wrote me in by hand and didn't transpose it. I promised I wasn't a ghost. You know they wouldn't leave ole crazy Shaggy behind, or maybe they were hoping I hadn't got back on!! (LOL)

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Friday we headed for Victoria. I had tried to cancel Karen's tour and go on the one with the boat because it included the gardens, city tour, and the fireworks. I thought it was taken care of but because I wasn't Karen they didn't cancel after they told me they did. She had to go on the one with Shore tours and didn't get to be at the gardens but 1 1'/2 hrs. I felt terrible. I didn't know anyone so took off to take pics. I made my way over to where the fireworks were and wow, what a show!!, In all my years, I've never seen such a display. It was set up to classical music and the fireworks had pinwheels, , stuff on the ground, trees lit up, just awesome!! I overheard a little boy say that this was his fav part of the cruise!! I almost had to agree. It really was special & magical. Since this was the first night of the fireworks there was a horrendous traffic jam We had to skip the stop at the Empress so we wouldn't get to the ship late.

Sat we arrived back in Seattle > We deceided to have a leisurly breakfast as we really had nowhere to go so we avoided the mad rush!! Got our luggage, hopped a taxi and headed to the Sheraton. Our room wasn't ready so we hopped a double decker tour bus and got off at the waterfront where we took a harbour tour. It was very relaxing and Karen managed to even take a nap. ( I have a pic to prove it) Afterwards we went to Pikes Market where we watched them throwing fish. I kept asking them to keep throwing as I kept missing the pic. Next thing I knew they threw a fish at me. I screamed bloody murder only to be hit upside the head by a rubber fish. It was hilarious!! I had been "fished" at the fish market. !!

Later that day we took a tour to Tillicum village to go to a salmon bake and a short play. I didn't like the food but liked the play. I hated the clams in the broth and the salmon had bones in it. Karen liked it all. I liked the fact that I got some great pics. It was a long day and we were pooped!! Got up early the next day to have breakfast. I kept Karen company as I refused to pay $20 for a breakfast buffett. I had a glass of OJ , and that was $5. We left for the airport where we said our goodbys. She was probably glad to get rid of me as I'm a little crazy. OK , a lot crazy. We didn't kill each other, we both snored but she wore earplugs so I tried to fall asleep first. We both know how to saw the logs!!

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Last Impressions-overview

I enjoyed the cruise, or rather I enjoyed seeing my Tug friends and meeting new ones. I honestly thought that the Canadian Rockies was prettier, Alaska didn't compare. I did take tons of pics.

Excursions: Nice but pricey Enjoyed them all but wish they had been around $50 /$75 cheaper. I realize that the tour operators have to make their money in a small window of time.

Food: Much better than I expected. Cruise critics were not nice about the food. I really didn't like the buffett but did like the food in Versailles and Aqua. Cagneys was the best(Paid extra) Went to Le Bistro to be with the gang ( I don't like French food) Ordered the same as Cagney's but it wasn't as good and they said they used frozen lobster where the other was fresh.

Casino: It was not kind to me and I didn't like the fact that it was a $10 minimum blackjack. It was never $5, not even in the afternoon. Altho it took my money it was very kind to another tugger who won aroun $4500. No name, I won't kiss and tell . I think she took my money and everyone else's who lost . I was glad for her tho.

Entertainment: The production shows were great. Kay got pulled up on stage to sing with the lady. I can't remember her name but I left as I was falling asleep. They had a truly horrible comedian but redeemed themselves with the ventriliquist. He was so funny I was about to hit the floor. I bought his DVD to remind me of the show. We talked afterward and he was happy that I really like ventriliquist and when he found out we were members of Jeff Dunhams fan club he told me he had just finished a gig where he opened up for him in Vegas. He also knew the other one I liked. He said I was one of only a few who ever talked to him about his medium (most just say I enjoyed your show) The next night he and the bad comic and the cruise director did a stint at the liars club. It was hilarious, and yes, the bad comic was still bad.

If you guys are still with me I hope you have enjoyed my journey and that I haven't bored you to tears. Sorry it took me so long to get this done. Shaggy

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

shaggy,


thanks for sharing......it's fun to read about the various trips/adventures of others. there is always something new to learn, or something interesting to read about. i very much enjoyed reading about your trip.......

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

Shaggy,
Thanks for letting us share your experiences. It brings back memories of our Alaskan Cruise about 8 years ago, watching the glaciers calv in Glacier Bay and all. It was one of our best vacations. We did the cruise with our two children who were 19 and 10 at the time and it was a great and memorable expereince for them. When our trip finished we left our older son in Anchorage as he was doing his sophomore college year on an exchange to University of Alaska, Anchorage.
Anyway, thanks again for the triplog.

[KarenK Member Find all posts View Profile Close KarenK]

Nap? What nap??

When did I take a nap??? Show me the evidence, please. I don't recall it at all!

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

As soon as I figure out how to get the pics out of where they are and into snapfish I will show you the proof!!! Too bad you can't remember and you weren't even drinking!! BTW, I need your email. It's bouncing like a rubber ball. shaggy

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

Thanks for sharing your trip. I must go to Alaska someday soon.

Sue