25 November 2007 -  Jacksonville, Florida USA                                        

 

Day 12   - The Disembarkation Day

The day before the disembarkation, we settled our bill at the Purser's Office (mandatory tips, excursions charges, spa massages, room service, anything and everything we bought/consumed during the course of the 12-day cruise summed up to $2,310. Aah the pay-off of too much fun!). Since we also pay for transfer from the pier to the airport, they handed us a color coded name tag for easy check-out.  The night before the disembarkation, the cruise ship people took care of our luggage and the only thing left with us were 3 carry-on bags.

The ship docked in San Francisco Pier at 9:00 AM. Breakfast was ready and served in the Buffet Bar as early as 4:00 o'clock in the morning.  Knowing how quick and easy for us to get on the ship during embarkation, I though the disembarkation would be just a piece of cake as well especially DH & I came down empty handed except the three carry-on bags.  Boy was I wrong! The disembarkation was a total disaster!  Imagine 2000+ passengers trying to get off ship at the same time.  More than half of the number were gathered in the Atrium lobby with their full luggage and carry-on.  There were two very long lines (one coming from downstairs and the other one from upstairs)  converging into one immigration security checkpoint that caused a lot of chaos as there were many passengers at the front of the line that were lost when the security guard tell them to get out of the area until their color is called. It basically took us over 2 hours to get off the ship and hopped on the bus to SFO airport.  (Tony: I thought it was hilarious how the crowd packed the Atrium lobby.  Many of them complaining that they couldn't get off the boat when we hadn't even docked yet.  I couldn't stop laughing even though I was getting dirty looks from the herd.)

That concluded our 12-day Alaska Cruise.   We took home many wonderful memories of Alaska that last a lifetime. 

Yes, DH & I will be taking another cruise (A 4-day cruise to either Mexico or Bahamas in spring or fall) and a trip to the West Coast again: Vegas, Grand Canyon, Yellow Stone & etc. for our 9th wedding anniversary in 2008.   We also started doing some research for our forthcoming 10th year wedding anniversary trip in Europe: Paris & Rome in 2009.

    24 November 2007 -  Jacksonville, Florida USA                                        

 

Day 11   -  Food Trip

Romantic Breakfast in Bed

One of the most memorable and romantic surprises my darling husband did to me aside from taking me to the Lotus Spa for side by side gorgeously relaxing full body Swedish massage in a suite reserved just for the two of us, was to wake me up one morning with a palatable breakfast in bed.

Everyday, I thank God for my DH and our love for each other. And the more I think about what I love the most about him, it becomes crystal clear to me that he is truly the one and only one for me. No, it’s not the material things or gifts he can afford to give me rather it is his genuine love, respect, trust, the romantic gestures and the household chores he continuously does that overpoweringly melts my heart.

You see, have I not been completely engulfed by his deep love for me, I would have been one of the most insecure and jealous women in the world considering how prematurely I am going through menopause which means there is no way for me to bear his child anymore. But hey, DH swears he got no problem with it.  So for as long as I am 100% assured of his love; no single hint of worry that he's going to stray, nothing else matters.

I cannot even begin to imagine the excruciating pain my sister in the Philippines is going through at this time.  She just recently found out that her husband is having an affair not just with one woman but three mistresses all at once!  I don’t even know if I’d be able to endure this type of marital problem.  I'd rather be shot dead or incarcerated behind bars.
 

The Last Supper

I have known DH for being a big adventurous man; all things considered. When he first met me in the Philippines, he even tried the most bizarre Pinoy delicacies such as “balut” and “dinuguan” without a second thought.   "Balut" is hard boiled duck egg typically between 15 to 18 days in gestation. Most foreigners are grossed out even by just the look or thought of slurping a duck fetus.   “Dinuguan” is another Asian savory stew of blood and meat simmered in a rich, spicy gravy of pig or chicken blood, garlic, chili pepper and vinegar. The term “dinuguan” comes from the word “dugo” meaning blood. It is recognizably thick and dark, hence the Westernized euphemism "chocolate meat."

Therefore it didn’t come as a surprise to me when he ordered escargot and frog legs that evening. (Escargot in French cuisine, is a dish of cooked land snails).  Sh*t, even if you give me $100 I'll never try that delicacy.
 

 

    23 November 2007 -  Jacksonville, Florida USA                                        

 

Day 10   -  English Tea At Butchart Gardens in Victoria, Canada

 

English Tea at Butchart Gardens was our last excursion so I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that we’ll be heading back in the next few days. To tell you the truth, at that point in time I was feeling a little restless and getting anxious to come home because it felt like DH and I have packed 20 lbs worth of good eats already.

The 1-hour trip from pier to Butchart Gardens through the lovely Saanich Peninsula with its rural charm and rolling hills was interestingly enjoyable as that was the first day in ten days we saw a clear sky.   The weather was pleasantly cool and the whole place was breathtakingly beautiful. As you know Butchart Gardens is one of the world’s foremost floral displays and a feast for the senses. DH & I strolled through the themed gardens (Sunken Garden, English Rose Garden, Italian and Japanese Gardens) all linked by manicured lawns and water features.  There was one incident during our walk where I was going down the stairs; I posed in one corner for DH to take picture of me but an old couple without realizing it,  cut  in front of me, stood still and just marveled at the beautiful scenery. DH jokingly made a silly sign telling me to push the poor couple down the stairs and when he turns sideways he saw another guy continuously grinning and nodding his head in agreement.  I burst out laughing looking at how apologetic DH was of his silliness and told the guy he was only joking. LOL
 

Anyways, our 4-hour leisurely visit to Butchart Gardens was top off with traditional High Tea in fine style served in the elegant garden’s dining room.

DH & I enormously relished the assortment of sugary treats such as savory tea sandwiches, scones, chocolates, cakes, tarts, pastries and Pettit fors.  Oh yes, we didn't waste a bit of it.  We tastefully binge on every piece of these sweet delicacies in front of us.  We figured we only have few more days left to enjoy all the bad food in the world so we might as well blew it off right?

We promised to each other that once we are back home in Jacksonville, we will immediately resume  to our healthy lifestyle.  So did it happen? Not really but that's another story.

 

    22 November 2007 -  Jacksonville, Florida USA                                        

 

Day 9 - Second Formal Night

Whoa!!! Darn it! I couldn’t zip up in my formal gown anymore and all my decent clothes are stretched to the max so I caught myself debating whether or not I’ll come to the last evening socials but then again I don’t want to miss the highlight of the night which is the "champagne waterfall party” so I had to scout from the stashed clothes in my suitcase (yes, I over-packed and end up with few pair of clothes unused) and found this black halter stretchable dress. It’s definitely not a formal dress but what the heck; I figured no one would really give a damn as to what I wear the night. But guess what? I met few women in the foyer and dining hall giving me “complements” on how nicely I dress that night ;-) Not really sure if they were just trying to be polite, sour grapping or just telling me the opposite since I didn’t adhere to the dress code that evening. Go figure.
 

But despite the pounds I put on in the last nine days and feeling very uncomfortable with bloated stomach, I still didn't resist the temptations that night because the menu was too good to pass up. Lobster tail and yes I personally asked for steamed rice instead of mashed potatoes but guess how much rice our Pinoy waiter gave me? Three freaking cups of rice with two lobster tails but can you believe I devoured all of it and asked for second serving of lobster tail with one cup of garlic rice? Get this, I had 4 cups of rice and 4 lobster tails that night plus appetizers and desserts.  Oh men, I am such a piglet! LOL

Anyway, if there is such a thing DH & I have one very thing in common, that’s definitely our aversion to the “night life” socials like you know nightclubbing, disco and hard partying but after the meal that night I encouraged him to stick around with me just so I can experience what it is like to partake in the champagne waterfall party ;-)

Look at the grin in my face as I climb up to the podium next to the Maître d' and poured champagne over the cascading champagne waterfall. Oh boy it was fun! But mind you, I didn’t dare to sip not even a bit of champagne in that wine glass. See how good of a girl I am? ;-)

It was past one o'clock in the morning when DH and I finally decided to call it a night and head back to our cabin. I was pooped!

 

    21 November 2007 -  Jacksonville, Florida USA                                        

 

Day 8   -  Wilderness Exploration & Crab Feast  in Ketchikan, Alaska

We got off the ship a little late that morning and as DH and I quickly race down to catch the motor coach heading to George Inlet for wilderness exploration & crab feast excursions at 9:00AM, the photographer momentarily stopped us and said “Sir, would you like to pose with your cute daughter so I can take a picture of you both?”

DH and I posed for the camera with an incredible grin in our face and burst out laughing afterwards. LOL But before we run off, I yelled out at the camera man, “Hey, just so you know he is not my father. He is my husband ok??!”
Then we hurriedly hopped on the motor coach as we basically were the last couple to go on board. We left downtown Ketchikan on a narrative drive that followed the coastline with fascinating scenic sites, old sawmill, totem poles and waterfalls.

At the George Inlet Lodge, we were given a rain coat and proceeded to jump on the boat as we glide through the inside passage waterway viewing the rainforest in all its’ splendor. The tour guide and few volunteers helped pull crab pots and we each had the opportunity to hold and see the live crab up close as we listen to the lecture about the its anatomy and life cycle.

After an hour or so, we returned to the lodge for a crab feast. The rustic charm of the cabin and the hospitality of the hostess made the atmosphere even more welcoming. As soon as we all got seated at linen-draped tables, DH & I started to crack the shell of the crabs and devour the freshness and rich delicacy of its meat. Our meal includes an Oriental salad, steamed baby red potatoes and top off with cheesecake smothered with Alaskan blueberries. Yum! Yum!!  

Same Day   -   Totem Traditions  in Ketchikan, Alaska

The next excursion of the day was to sightsee many of Ketchikan tourist attractions including enchanting Totem Bight State Park. The 25-mile drive around Ketchikan and by infamous Creek Street, Ketchikan’s former red-light district was entertaining. We also saw Alaska’s busiest waterfront bustling with floatplanes and boats.

At the Totem Bight State Park, we got down and walked along a winding trail through a forest of mighty hemlock until we come to an old Indian campsite filled with colorful totem poles each representing a unique tale while the guide continue to talk about the history  *yawn*  of native Alaskan culture at the park’s ceremonial house.
We were back on board the ship at 6:00PM. 

At 7:00PM I get to dress up again for dinner at the Florentine dining.  I convinced DH to check out the casino for a little bit; I wasn't really planning to play but then he went ahead and got me a $20 tokens for the slot machines.  We both played for few minutes alternating different slot machines and lost most of it.  I basically had 3 tokens left to play when I finally hit the winning numbers 777!    I won 120 tokens = $30!!!    I blurted out to DH,  "That's it, let's go back to our cabin Darling before I lost this money again!!  LOL
 

    12 November 2007 -  Jacksonville, Florida USA                                        

 

Day 7   -  Adventure Hike; Tram and Trek in Juneau, Alaska

The nine hour trek in Skagway and Yukon the previous day put me to bed early and I slept like a baby through the night. I woke up at 4:30 AM feeling so refreshed and ready to go for a day of hiking in the most scenic and historic trails in Juneau.

We were cautioned before booking this excursion that participants must be in good health and able to cover steep terrain as we will be hiking an elevation gain up to1,200 feet over 6 miles. We were also advised to wear sturdy footwear and dress warmly in layers as this tour operates in all weather condition: snow, rain or shine.    DH and I had a little disagreement back then about getting me a  new pair of hiking gears, just like what he got for himself but I refused to spend $300+ for it, knowing the waterproof snow boot and rain coat I had would work as well or so I thought. I reckoned I practically grew up in the mountain so the hike to the forest isn’t new to me.   As always DH knows better than to argue with me ;-)

So off the ship at 6:00AM, we got on the old Ford van with 5 more participants. This adventure started with a narrated drive through town en route to the trailhead and then we begun hiking atop a glacial moraine and walked along a rushing mountain stream.

 We saw right in our very eyes a magnificent panoramic view of glacier-carved wilderness, cascading waterfalls, quiet forest glens with soaring eagles and relaxing sounds of birds and other wildlife creatures. These are just a few of the breathtaking places in Juneau that can only be reached by foot.

I can't even begin to tell you how huge the grin is in DH’s face; the glow in his eyes, I mean just how much he really enjoyed this hike. I can only tell that hiking in the forest is what makes him go gaga which is quite the opposite of my idea of having fun. The truth of the matter is, we are quite the opposite on a lot of things and we sometimes wonder why we end up getting married to begin with LOL I guess the old adage “opposite attracts” is true after all but I digress.

The hike didn’t get any better because after four hours of hiking in the rain, I was bone-chilled wet from top to bottom. My knee was about to give up as it started to sting. All I want to do that very moment was to turn around. I was so ready to head back to the ship to get a warm bath and curled up in bed but I hung on to it until the end.  DH was right after all.  I needed the proper waterproof hiking boots, rain pants and gaiters just like what he had as they kept his legs and feet dry as a bone.  (Tony:  I have learned that the only way my lovely wife will learn is by experience.  So I give her my best advice and try to convince her, but she is as stubborn as I am.  So I let her do it her way.  She usually learns that I am sometimes right.)

Anyway, the guide drove us back to the pier at 12:30 PM.   Since we also booked the second excursion for the day and it was too late to cancel and no way for us to get our money back, DH & I decided to go for it after we took a shower and changed clothes.   So we capped off the day with a Tram and Trek Adventures.

The ride begins at the cruise ship dock in downtown Juneau where DH & I boarded a tramcar that has an exhilarating ride through Juneau's  rainforest to the 1,800 foot level of Mount Roberts! We had an awesome sightseeing experience overlooking the spectacular views across the harbor and over inlet where the cruise ships are beautifully tucked in.

At the top, we enjoyed looking at the amenities of the multi-million dollar mountain complex. The mountain house is nestled among towering trees on the edge of the grasses and wildflowers of the sub-alpine but because I was too damn tired to do any more trekking, I talked DH into heading out and just go back to the ship and call it a day.

We were back on board the ship at 3:00PM and took a long nap sweetly cuddling each other ;-)  
 

    4 November 2007 -  Jacksonville, Florida USA                                        

 

Day 6   -  Skagway, Alaska & Yukon, Canada

At long last, after 6 days at sea we finally got off the ship and walked on a wet and snowy day in Skagway, Alaska.  It was around 8:30AM when DH & I hopped on the motor coach and climbed the Dead Horse Trail to the White Pass Summit and Lake Bennett (As you can see in the map, Lake Bennett, Yukon is in the territory of Canada so we were required to bring a passport to go through the Immigration check-point) as our driver/guide entertained us with stories of the gold rush that shaped the great land of Alaska.  

To tell you the truth, I had no room in my brain to retain what was being told. So I can’t give a recap about the history of the gold rush let alone the history of my own native country, Philippines.   Yes, I am that bad. Unlike DH, I am not big in history.   In fact that’s the subject I most likely would have failed in school if it wasn’t for my classmate Cherry Lachica, who shared her answers to me during exam and yes we’re even because I let her copy my answers in Trigonometry and Physics too. LOL. Didn’t I tell you this before? I can do way much better with numbers than with words!

So anyway, instead of listening to the history talk, I’d rather take pictures and just marvel at the scenery around that transformed from lush rainforest to stark granite and stunted twisted trees in Tormented Valley. All around us are breathtaking panorama of glaciers, gorge, mountains tower and lakes of all sizes dot the valleys with water falls. What a serene place to escape and unwind from the hustle and bustle of city life. I was in awe with the spectacular scenery!

Our journey included a stop at the Yukon Suspension Bridge located above the whitewater rapids of the spectacular Tutshi River was equally refreshing as well. I walked across the bridge savoring the fresh mountain air as the river rages underneath the suspension bridge... it was so surreal… the experience I thought would only come alive in my imagination. Now, I can proudly say, "I've been there!"  ;-) 

Then we had bake potatoes and chicken barbecue lunch at Caribou Crossing Trading Post at Lake Bennett. After lunch, we strolled through the Gallery with impressive displays of wildlife. 

Reboard the motor coach to return to Skagway, Alaska; the driver/guide showed us around the town.   Accordingly, the population of the city of Skagway is about 800+. The port of Skagway is a popular stop for cruise ships hence tourist trade is a big part of the city's business. The White Pass and Yukon Route has been in operation purely for the tourist trade and runs throughout spring and summer seasons.  It was kind of quiet during the time we were there because most of the stores were already closed for the season. They board the place up in the winter when the cruise ships are not in.  Noticed how the houses were painted with with bold striking colors?  The reason for that according to the tour guide was to at least make their life a little colorful despite the gloomy and harsh winter season.

We were back aboard the ship at 5:30PM.   The 9 hour tour costs us $220.00 and it was worth the experience.

 

    1 November 2007 -  Jacksonville, Florida USA                                        

 

Flu Season Again

I've caught the bug and feel like sh*t lately ... and the worst part of it is, I have to get caught up with my fiscal year end report which will come due on the 21st of this month so despite being sick, I still go to work and work OT until 8:30pm + whole day Saturday until the third week of November. What a life!!   I am so looking forward for my next out of town trips: Orlando, Florida in December and Columbus, Ohio in January. 

So I shouldn't grumble... glad I get to keep my job as hundreds of city government employees got laid off  last month due to  the new fiscal year budget cut. Moi was one of the lucky magic 9 who were transferred from the Fire & Rescue Dept, HQ Admin Division to the Central Operation Department, Financial Admin Division. So yeah, I will come go to work everyday even if I am not feeling well.

Anyways, the cruise chronicle will resume in the next few days or weeks or whenever I get a chance to post some more pictures...