corrections... Vancouver, and we board ship

First... a correction.  Stanley Park is not in Seattle, but in Vancouver, Canada.  I got our first few days mixed up. We only visited the Needle, Pike's Market, and a friend's house for supper that Friday. We left early Saturday morning to catch the train to Vancouver (beautiful new Amtrack station, lovely train... lots of room, very comfy).

our luggage

This was the amount of luggage we dragged around with us from plane to hotel to train to hotel to ship, etc. And happy to say that none were lost or mislaid along the way...














When we arrived in Vancouver, we went directly to our hotel to settle in, then Stanley Park where we ate at the Fish House and then walked around the park. Lots of Blue Herons nesting in the area.  Weather was wonderful - cool but sunny. Went to the Aquarium and then the Granville Market (very nice market... although I think I liked Pike's Market best). We all wish we had more time to spend in both Seattle and Vancouver.  I would have loved to see some of the islands. But we were grateful for the things we did get to see and do in the little time we had.

Beluga whale show at the Aquarium in Vancouver

Statue of woman on rock in water by Stanley Park, Vancouver

Totem Poles in Park, Vancouver










We went early to the boarding dock for the Cruise Ship, but had to wait a bit due to the fact that the Canadian Coast Guard was doing an inspection since it was the first time this ship (The Miracle) had been in this port this year. Once we were allowed upon the ship, we were told to go to the Lido deck to wait and eat while the rooms were being readied.   The Lido deck restaurant is 'cafeteria style'... with buffet tables everywhere. There is Asian, Italian, Deli, Carving, Salad, Dessert,  Coffee, etc. bars.  The food here was good... but we only ate here the day we arrived and the morning we left...  as the food in the Bacchus Dining Room was so-oo exceptional.

This is our room aboard ship with the birthday decorations for my friend hanging over the bed. They also supply you with a leather blanket to put your luggage on to unpack. You can see the balcony beyond.

This was a better picture of our room in the evening. My journal and book sat ready and waiting...








Due to some minor complications with the Canadian Coast Guard we didn't disembark until 7 or 7:30 pm.  We were never sure exactly what was going on, but eventually we did leave the port of Vancouver and headed out.  We went to supper in the dining room and had both Chocolate lava cake (they called it chocolate melting cake) and creme brule' for dessert that first night.  Later we walked the ship and ended up at the Cafe Espresso bar where we both ordered an Irish Coffee and took it to our room.

Awoke the next morning to beautiful mountains outside our balcony doors...  This was our first 'day at sea' and we used it to check out the ship, listen to a talk on shopping in Juneau, ate lunch in the dining room, had tea at 3, then a nap, and a late supper.  There are shops on board ship, and a casino - among other things... and always something going on. However, we neither shopped nor gambled.  We did check them out and watch others at these activities...

This item is an Alaskan Billiken... good luck charm.  They are made of ivory, or jade, or walrus or antler horn, or the kind I bought... made from  silt from the Mendenhall Glacier.

"Rub his tummy or tickle his toes,

You'll have good luck... so the story goes"