** ALASKA - 2002**
** First stop Ketchikan **
This page prepared on 3 April 04
14 May 02
After having got up EVERY two hours for the toilet (whilst thinking about what I'd
do with FERRARI for 'race fixing'), I eventually got up at 3.35am for a BATH - as I
was so uncomfortably HOT and sweaty!!
In my mind, Ferrari had brought GRAND PRIX Racing into disrepute FAR more than
Ben Johnson had done for Athletics!! I proposed, in my own mind, that BOTH Ferrari
drivers (M. Schumacher & R. Barricello) ought to be disqualified from the race ( NO
points each) for race-fixing. Furthermore, I reasoned, that the TEAM should lose ALL
points from the Austrian GP and BANNED from the next THREE GPs!!
Still, I had better wait to see what the FIA does about it. I even contemplated EMailing
Bernie Ecclestone. Some deterrent to that sort of behaviour should be instituted!
Later, there was an apparent problem with my room's water-system and toilet-flushing -
so I got the 'girl on the desk' up here at 4.40am (ish!). It proved top be OK - but very
different from all that I'd known in the past!! At 5.08am, I realised that it was FAR to early
for my "body-clock to be in in sync" so that I'd better get some REST sometime!! (However,
being 13.08hrs back in Malvern in the UK - it was 'no wonder' that I really wanted to 'get
on with things'!)
I found a Vancouver Map (a set of six) in a guide in the bedside cupboard. What I
tried to do with it was to compare yesterday's experiences with my recollections from a
previous visit! Later, I wandered around VANCOUVER, Robson etc, - but the rain (even
under my umbrella) made it so uncomfortable that I needed to return to my room, study
the BOAT's customs, methods, trips and so on!
Later, I explored the Harbourside Area - and viewed, from a distance, where our boat and
several others are waiting. I also saw several of their many sea-planes take-off very steeply
and NOISILY!
Then, later still, I walked along ROBSON to STANLEY PARK and the 'lost lagoon' which
I had done in the past. I 'found' it OK!! Each of my three other walks were in progressively
better weather - and, progressively, the recognition 'came back' from the previous trip there.
After returning to my room with its dreadful multichannel TV (with inappropriate presenters),
I decided to to spend the time waiting in the foyer, by preference!!
Our coach was LATE to take us the 3 miles to the boat - and then we indulged in the loading
of the boat! There were many 'customs' difficulties, an unscheduled random 'boat inspection'
by the 'US Coast Guards' - so we got delayed an ENORMOUS time.
Eventually we embarked but there were still problems - and nothing 'seemed right' for this
transfer! Once we got to our cabins we were sent off for a meal BEFORE the COMPULSORY
'safety drills' (including donning of life jackets, and 'mustering' etc.)
So we are now in the USA!! (conceptually)
Back in our own rooms afterwards and exploring the CRAZY layout of the ship, I found such
useful things as restaurants, lounges and so on. That lunch was probably at about 4pm and was
taken in the 'Grill Bar', whilst my next meal would be at 8pm in the HAMILTON DINING
ROOM at table number 34 with a group (unconnected until now) of 'singles' (we were three
men and five females!).
Thus far, I made notes on the countries so far visited on this trip, and the 'ones yet to go to' and
their numbers of times visited. Places and numbers were relevant to Wales, Canada, USA and Alaska.
I chatted with some more passengers (and crew!) whilst exploring the UNIVERSE EXPLORER
and waiting for, and returning to, my meal (called dinner, apparently). My first 'dollar' consumption
was for a bottle of MINERAL WATER (so hot up this far North!) - and this placed $3.45 onto
my 'Cabin Account'. I also filled in the 'Onboard Credit Card Form' which would 'link' purchases
to my VISA card (deducted in one 'fell swoop' at the end of the trip). It, effectively, gave permission
to charge my purchases with the 'onboard card' to my 'personal account'.
I'll hand that to the PURSER tomorrow, when I'll apply for the 'Onboard Courtesy Card'.
I returned after dinner to my own 819 room and unpacked partly - preparing for bed. The steward
(named ANTHONY) had left tomorrow's programme and a 'bucket of ice' to cool the mineral water.
Good-night Y'all, I need to 'turn in' right now!!
15 May 02
So that was another comfortable night, - with toilet visits, note-writing and some unpacking of a few more
items into drawers, wardrobes etc.. Once unpacking was completed and my own room organised (by 4.05am!)
I deemed it time to finish the night's sleep. The distance on this boat/ship will total 3151 miles when completed.
Now, at 6.14am, and feeling that the 'body clock' is fully 'in sync' with real time in ALASKA, I got up, shaved and prepared
for the breakfast visit. I am now "settling in" to my cabin-home for the fortnight - with most things in the right places!
I was the first to enter the HAMILTON ROOM for my breakfast at 7am, arriving alone in a corner seat - until Judy
joined me. Her three brothers got the next table to themselves.
I tried to get, earlyish, the 'on-board-credit-card' form at the PURSER's OFFICE. Despite the OPEN sign, I found that
he won't start until 9am!! Guess that I'll have to go 'exploring' until then! Maybe, I'll try to find the SHORE EXCURSION
OFFICE for handing in my requests for both the:
KLONDIKE (summit and Gold Camp) for $48 at 8.30am on 18May
VALDEZ (highlights) for $20 at 10.00am on 21 May
Well, I found the office, posted the form, - and then chatted with a lady that was waiting for them to open. I found
her VERY interesting because, like me, she does LONG TERM plans and 'wishlists' - her husband, also like me,
does the fine detail. We spoke a common language and understood each others thoughts. Then I went to higher
decks (including the BOAT Deck and the SUN Deck) - wandering around these and wondered at the beautiful
"island scenery" and Americans on their long-distance jogs and walks (on board!) before returning to my cabin
for writing up my notes.
On my NEXT expedition, I found the HARBOUR GRILL on the aft end of the Promenade Deck, ready and in
time for a FULL buffet-lunch from 11.30am until 2pm! They are STILL serving breakfast at this time! However,
EVERY eating-place is occupied, or so it seems, for 100% of the time, for the BIG calorie, big-eating AMERICAN
bad habits. One such over-sized guy, had sat next to me in the 'HAMILTON', his entire day being spent EATING and
NAPPING!!
I then descended to the MAIN Deck for my application for the on-board plastic-card, after which
I gave them an IMPRINT of my VISA card and received my 'Temporary Courtesy Card' (that is what I use
until the REAL one is delivered to my cabin!)
I decided to 'absent myself' from the 'excursion descriptions' because there were far TOO MANY people, -
and go 'on my way' (until the 11.30hrs plus for lunch) and observe the great scenery! I did this from many
decks, lounges etc - before I found the coffee (decaf!) machine in the grill room. There, I heard an ESSEX
couple who've lived over here for 30 years - and their east-of-London accent was STILL distinct! I chatted
with them for a while until we departed separately for our next 'port-of call'. Mine was for the photo-area
for my 'Permanent Courtesy Card' which, I hear, will be delivered through my cabin door in the next day or
two!
The 11.30am lunch was a truly wonderful choice of buffet items (inc salads and meats of various flavours) - and
these were followed by a 'sweet buffet' and I indulged in a whole-plate of goodies! This food slowed me down
a lot, causing me to relax and enjoy the scenery as we moved through it (sometimes even basking in the Sun!)
Later, two separate lectures were on:-
(a) Heroes and Villains of the ALASKAN "Gold Rush" and
(b) RIVERS OF ICE, Glaciers & Ice Ages (many slide and photos for illustration and effect)
This guy was a retired university lecturer on the subjects.
I followed this up with more 'boat exploration' and viewpoints investigated. The snow-capped mountains, in these
views as we travelled further NORTH are having their SNOW-LINES brought to a lower and lower altitude! This
was the first time that I moved UP to the OBSERVATION DECK (one above the SUN DECK!) - and this gave
me VERY good views forwards and sideways through these DEEP & NARROW "fjord-like" valleys, similar to
Norway's.
After shaving at about 18.30hrs, I decided to 'skip' the Cocktail Party (given by the captain) as that sort of event
was "not up my street" - just 'not my scene'!
Instead, I watched various TV 'items of interest' (they were ALASKAN!) in my cabin, passing the time, there,
until the 8pm evening meal.
At about 9.30pm, I went to the EXPLORER'S LOUNGE (on th BOAT DECK) to listen to the voice of
BRIE KELLY singing many songs that I knew. In her first 'break' she passed my table and asked if I'd got any
special requests. I responded with by saying "Do you do any COUNTRY?" She replied with "CRAZY??"
and I said "that'll be fine!" She then gave me a number of sheets of 'numbers' that her repertoire covers (and
that she specialises in doing.) I selected SEVERAL from these - but only mentionned TWO of them to her!
After her second 'set' during which (starting with Willie Nelson's CRAZY) she sung several of my selection
(and, it must be said, several 'boring' numbers requested by others). BRIE KELLY will be here MOST
evenings - so I'll get her again!? She's obviously an ELLA FITZGERALD fan (which I was, dating back to
the FIFTIES).
Very HAPPY, I "turned in" for a good-night's sleep!!
16 May 02
I went into the Breakfast Buffet in the Harbour Grill - getting some beautiful cold items - in my
ThrustSSC T-shirt (and, this time, getting NO queries on questions on the topic!) After this meal,
I got my knap-sack ready for an ON FOOT solo exploration of KETCHIKAN (at which we are
docked).
I started by exploring the lower roads - and progressed onto visiting the attractive CREEK
STREET, - taking, there, in my three visits, several photos including some of the "DOLLY'S HOUSE".
After this, I progressed up hills via Deermount, Woodland, Park Ave (etc) but the map I was using
(to tell the truth!) was CRAP with its street-names not always being correct. I stopped at a grocery store,
somewhere near Dock Street, and bought two fizzy drinks and then returned to the BOAT for a coffee
drink and some note-writing etc..
Then I took another walk into town before dinner with the intentions of:-
(a) visiting DOLLY'S HOUSE and
(b) searching for the non-existent ICE-CREAM SHOP! None in town! None on ship!!
And it's LUNCH-TIME!!!
I had my dinner in the company of two fat Americans - who STILL obviously didn't believe in HEALTHY
eating!! After TV in my own cabin at which I saw :-
(a) ICEBERG TECHNOLOGY and
(b) NIAGARA's history and future demise!
I had the late-afternoon teatime of Cakes, Sandwiches, Coffee and more 'gorging' at 4pm..
Having a rest on the bed, I fell asleep and awakened at 6pm with the lights on and CONFUSED. I immediately
switched on the TV for the AURORA explanation programme, then straight away, at 6.30pm went to the
'Mid-Ocean Lounge' for the enchanting music of the folk musicians (also sang) CIEL DUKE and KARL FINGER.
That wonderful session took me neatly to the evening mealtime at 7.50pm (for 8pm) where I had (unusually for
me) good chats with fellow group-passengers. I also paid two visits to the singer BRIE KELLY in the evening,
separated by a LATE NIGHT SNACK and she 'murdered' the song which I had requested - the GREEN, GREEN
GRASS OF HOME!!
I was back in my room for notes and BED at about 11pm.
(...... To be continued in the next chapter)
EMail to:
Roy's Location.
Return to 2002's Index-page
return to Malvern-Vancouver leg of journey
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