Day 14 It's not easy to be Queen...

but Victoria, BC does her namesake proud. We were very pleased with everything we saw in and around Victoria. Again we had not booked any ship’s tour but tried out luck ashore.

We knew we wanted to see Butchart Gardens as anyone who has ever been to this area labels it a “must see”. They are so correct! The beautiful gardens are impeccably maintained by a large staff of gardeners and employees. The garden is open 365 days a year so the flowers obviously change with each season. We were not disappointed with the spring collection as we saw thousands of blooming tulips in all shapes and colors, daffodils, hyacinths and other spring beauties.

The garden is divided in areas; the Sunken Gardens developed from an old stone quarry, Japanese Garden, Italian Gardens and Rose Gardens. The rose gardens were not in bloom but the summer views promise to be spectacular from the early spring growth we saw. Art displays and benches throughout the gardens make it an inviting place to sit and contemplate.
Gifts shops, garden art, and several restaurants finish out the garden to a full day experience which we didn’t have.

Returning on the bus to downtown Victoria we drove past some wineries, industrial and residential areas. Even from the bus we caught views of the beautiful parks, lakes and harbor, and took a quick drive through Chinatown. Vancouver-Whistler, only 60 miles away, are the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The logo wear and ‘ringed’ souvenirs are abundant.

Most impressive was the Empress Hotel. We vow to visit again and stay at this palatial, old icon. Many famous luminaries havestayed there and there are reports that Bob Hope used to putt golf balls on the front lawn. Guess they can handle us for at least a cocktail.

As we first looked out our balcony this morning we saw the young sea lion swimming between the ship and the dock. This afternoon while completing the blog and viewing pictures this ‘sky rat’ came up upon our balcony looking for any final crumbs. Guess that says it all…crumbs to the gulls…underwear is dirty and the liquor bottles are empty. Time to go home.

Day 13 Tea and Trumpets

Not much new today as we travel the Inside Passage between Vancouver Island and the numerous small islands to the east. The IP is fairly narrow. Narrow enough that you can easily see the detail as well as the tall mountains on both shores. We picked up a pilot early this morning and it is easy to see that with the twisting and turning of the IP, he is earning his money.

We were told yesterday that there MIGHT be a surprise today if the details could be worked out. Things did work out and we passed Albert Bay we were greeted by the ‘trumpeter’. His small craft came along side and he played Canadian, American and British national anthems to the delight of the passengers. Hokey…yes but after all it is a sea day and for most the distraction from the buffets was welcome.

After the trumpeter we continued to spend some time in the sun on the pool deck. Many passengers did the same though in a complete range of clothing from some skimpy swim suits to full nanook garb. Whatever…the sun was delightful.

Catching a quick afternoon movie before it’s time to get dressed for the last formal night. What a life.

Day 12 ABSOLUT-ly only one reason to visit Prince Rupert Island

And that is because we found 2 liquor stores within walking distance from the ship. Entering Canada for the first time we were impressed with the seaside welcome including a real live Mountie. Boy is that red bright! The view of the pier was really about as good as it gets.

As a port city, it appears that Cow Bay, the official name of our landing spot, is past its prime. A short but hilly walk to the downtown area confirmed that. Many of the storefronts were empty or in an obvious state of decline.

After a walk up one side of the main street and down the other side we were ready for a return to the ship. Two quick stops…one for Coke…and one for Absolut and we were on our way.
From our balcony we have been treated most of the day to soaring Bald Eagles. A couple of them were so precocious as to pose on the roofs and posts in the port. Perhaps they make the pier their home as much of the year Cow Bay seems to be an active crabbing location.

A quiet afternoon ensued as we watched a movie and got caught up with the web. Did we mention we tapped into another free WiFi site at the port. Whooo hooo!

Sea day tomorrow before out last port of call…Victoria, BC. Not sure of connectivity or sobriety.

Day 11 Walka, Sippa, Sitka

We have been so lucky with the weather. Arrived in Sitka at 7 am to splendid views of the harbor and surrounding mountains with the sun shining. And it has only gotten better from there.

Upon disembarking the tender, we opted for a one hour tour of Sitka. Doesn’t sound like much but when you consider that Sitka only has 14 miles of highway we saw most of what is to be seen... the Sitka coast, downtown area, hands-on marine museum and fish hatchery, historical museum and park.

After the tour we walked back through town to view St Michael’s Cathedral, the rebuilt old Russian Church. The original church burned down in 1961 but luckily the townspeople were able to save the beautiful and priceless Russian artwork and Icons.

Sitka is definitely not as ‘touristy’ as most of the Alaskan cities we visited. Shops yes…but again no big jewelry stores. Instead many quaint “made in Alaska” stores with beautiful artwork and unique glass.

We still haven’t seen much sea mammal life. A few sea lions this morning. BUT the eagles have been spectacular. They sit on posts in the harbor preening and strutting like they know they are protected and also that everyone is taking their picture.

Wanted to take a look at pictures and post to the blog today so we found a free WiFi and all we had to do was make a purchase…one latte, one frappacino and one chocolate peanut butter brownie that is to die for.

An early 3 pm departure means we will be heading back to the ship shortly. Hoping to find a certain potent potable store on the way back. “A little song, a little dance, a little vodka down my pants.”

Day 10 Oh Hubbard…What a Mother

Yes Hubbard Glacier is an impressive site. Call it a mother of a glacier if you will. One of the few North American glaciers that is still growing, it soars more than 300 feet from the ocean surface and contains 1350 sq. miles of blue ice. We aren’t sure just how close we got to the face but all aboard did remark that we were much closer than we expected. Perhaps it was the early point in the season, with little calving, that allowed us the close proximity. Early or not there were still the loud roars and sound of cracks warning viewers of the spectacular site that was approaching…get your cameras ready.

We were able to watch much of the spectacle from our balcony but when we went topside we were treated to even grander views and a few strange ones too. We had not heard the entire announcement so were not aware that a life boat was going overboard so that Keith, the bubble off level cruise director, was going to take a swim (he did have enough sense to don a wet suit).

After his return with a chuck of ice we posed with it like we had never seen an overgrown snowball before. Now those folks from Florida might be impressed with a chunk of ice, but these native Chicagoans…duh!

Day 9 From the land of sky blue waters

Awakened this morning by the sound of the announcement that tenders were now boarding to go ashore. Guess that tells you we slept like the dead last night. All this good mountain air is getting to us. (The Absolut-Captain and a late nite show didn’t hurt either.)
Opening the curtains we were assailed by a 180 degree view of splendiferous snow capped peaks reflected in calm blue waters. No precip in site we knew this was going to be a great day…and it has been so far.
In no particular hurry to get to Icy Strait Point, which we learned later is the year round home to only 836 mostly Tlingit people, we took our time with breakfast and boarded a tender. We were pleasantly surprised with the natural settings of converted old salmon cannery. The original building and dock now house a FEW shops (no big name jewelry shops to be found) a simple museum and a couple of food places. The biggest concession to modernization is the longest zipline in North America…no we didn’t. We learned that it takes a 45 minute bus ride up the mountain for a 90 second, 60 mph, $107 ride down. Are we cheap or cautious? You be the judge.

We spent about 2 hours walking along the nature and beach trails. All along keeping an eye out for wildlife. Spied a few birds and a sea lion/seal but no big mammals except the 2 legged variety. Lots of flora native to this rainforest area with woods straight out of The Wizard of Oz. Stopped at the point where everyone was gathered…to see whales? No…cell reception. After all it is Mother’s Day.

Arriving back at the dock we rested ourselves on a bench to soak up the warm sunshine. A simple remark to one of the employees, Janice, resulted in an hour long discussion about her life her and the development of Icy Strait Point as a ship destination within the last 5 years. This native Hoonah corporation provides job and incomes to the community while protecting their heritage and the environment of the area. No bingo for these Native Americans.

Returned to the ship for a late lunch, again but in the sun on deck 12 this time. While eating several of our shipmates were noticing a whale blow. We finally caught site of this too and saw at least one whale frolicking in the icy waters.
Tonight…a Mystery Dinner Theater, The Curse of the Dark Star Necklace in Portofinos. Tune in later to see who done it.