Cruising Alaska

We did make it to Vancouver in time to board the Ryndam, ship of the Holland American Line. Cindy's plane landed in Vancouver just as we were passing the airport. How coincidental. We sailed from Vancouver to Juneau, then back to Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and Vancouver.

As I mentioned previously, I spent a good deal of time in the spa. This was not a ship, it was a floating spa. I had 3 seaweed wraps and massages, a facial and had my hair done twice. Oh, it was wonderful. But that still left plenty of time for other cruise favorites. Like

Eating

This is our group at the special restaurant. We are Cindy, Eric, me, Ed, Marge, and Ed. The food wasn't always great, but the company was. You never knew who you would be dining with, but whoever you were with, the conversation was good.

We also saw some sights. As I said, I was in the spa a lot, so I didn't go on any excursions. But Alaska some how comes to you. My new friend, Ed, took some wonderful pictures. He became the official "Staff Photographer" for the Miller-Lundstrom-Norman group. Here are just a couple. I really couldn't pick among all the beautiful pictures he took. Some a quite breath-taking. It helped that the scenary was breath-taking. And a good camera. And a good eye. And was very persistent. Here are some of the pictures he took. Some day I'll put captions on these and put them in some order. But you must see how beautiful these pictures are.

Some of us got off the boat from time to time. Eric and I strolled around Juneau a little and did the same at Ketchikan. The Miller-Lundstroms also got off at Skagway and toured that town. It is really touristy and if you don't want to buy furs or jewelry, you are out of luck. Cindy went on a couple of excursions - a hike and kayaking. Ed and Marge went whale watching and viewed a glacier in Juneau.

One of the things that I liked best about the cruise was my state room. It was an inside cabin. Very quiet and peaceful. And it was a good size for one person. The guy who took care of the cabin, who I always called my house boy, but never to his face, was from Bali and the star of the staff night production of the Ramayana. They did it way past my bed time, so I didn't see him, but I'm sure he was great. They fold towels for you every night and leave them with chocolates on your bed. I sat with him on the next to the last night and watched him fold a bull dog. Cute. He folded an elephant for the final night. Cindy said she got the book on how to do these.

Something new to learn when I'm in Arlington!