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  3. TRAVEL 2014
  4. CRUISE TO ALASKA!

THE JOURNEY BEGINS!

By golly: As I put these photos together I'm gettin' the hankerin' for goin' on another cruise ASAP! Anyone want to join me?

8/18/2020 update: OK. Even before all the Caronavirus stuff, I had totally shifted in relationship to the above statement. Given what I have learned about the cruise lines over the past year, I had decided several months ago that it is an entity which I can not support. I loved the experience and am glad that we did this while I was naive. With knowledge I don't think I could enjoy it again (even after the pandemic is over).
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Different lighthouse several miles further north. These are islands: Can you imagine the seclusion?
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Different lighthouse several miles further north. These are islands: Can you imagine the seclusion?

abacanadianlighthouse

  • Thank-you to Steve and Chris for delivering Dennis and Judy to Union Station, where we were to embark on Amtrak Cascade route from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C.<br /> <br /> Viewer: If, per chance, you would like to leave a comment, there is a comment box (you may need to scroll down a bit to find it -- depending on what type of device you are using to view).
  • "BOARD!"
  • A lot of the Amtrak Cascade route allows spectacular viewing of the shoreline of Puget Sound. Almost like the cruise had already started (but not quite).
  • Odd thing about departing from Vancouver on your cruise to Alaska (if you are a U.S.A citizen): You have to clear immigration / customs upon disembarking from the train (or entering into Canada by whichever means you choose), then after a quick local light-rail type of train ride across a few blocks of Vancouver, you go right back through immigration / customs again prior to getting onto the boat. Lots of standing in line. But we were so excited that we enjoyed it all. You can see the MS Oosterdam behind us (the MS stands for "Motor Ship," which was certainly a comforting attribute for such a long journey!).
  • Eager anticipation as we wait for the elevator to take us up to the Veranda Deck for our first glimpse at our rooms!
  • The view from our private veranda.
  • Our room and home for the next wonderful week.
  • And, what does one do once they are all checked in and settled, but before the ship casts off? Why, find the FOOD, of course!
  • Directly beneath me is the huge Lido Deck buffet, open most hours of the day with nice cuisine in a casual atmosphere (and where all the food you saw in the previous photo came from). As you can see, we have now cast off, and Vancouver is behind us. The white "tent-like" building you see is Canada Place, built in 1986 to house the Canada Pavilion for Expo '86. It is now where the cruise ships dock, so we just pulled out from there a minute or so ago.
  • Who's that fellow between us and Canada Place with that hat? He looks amazingly familiar!
  • He definitely looks like he is having a great time!
  • VIDEO: CLICK ON THE PHOTO AND ALLOW IT TO BUFFER A BIT
  • For those of you familiar with Vancouver, we are passing under the Lion's Gate Bridge. Yep, my ultra-wide angle lens gives some interesting distortion when the camera is facing upward (as will any major wide angle lens). But I like the shot.
  • Back to our veranda to enjoy the view. For me, the feeling of finally being on this cruise was positively unbelievable. Bev and I have talked about and planned to do this for >35 years!<br /> <br /> Looks like she is kinda in a state of wonderment, too.
  • VIDEO: CLICK ON THE PHOTO AND ALLOW IT TO BUFFER A BIT
  • Secluded Canadian lighthouse.
  • Different lighthouse several miles further north. These are islands: Can you imagine the seclusion?
  • VIDEO: CLICK ON THE PHOTO AND ALLOW IT TO BUFFER A BIT
  • Dennis, Judy, and Bev enjoy the Crow's Nest, on the 9th floor at the bow (front) of the boat. Wonderful view in full air-conditioned comfort (with a full bar and snack bar there in case you desire a drink or food treat).
  • At about the mid-section of the ship is this beautiful 3-story foyer. See me down there?
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