** ALASKA - 2002**
** Here's Wrangell !! **
This page updated on 3 January 05
25 May 02 (Saturday)
I got up at 6am, and got dressed before the breakfast (from 6.30-7.05am). Then it was down to my CABIN
to collect the camera for more view-taking from the promenade deck.
There was some lovely scenery - and, very shortly, I packed my knap-sack for a long walk around WRANGELL,
including SHAKES ISLAND (some 'totems and photos!), and an area with an ancient WOODHENGE lookalike!!
According to a 'local' old guy, this 'lookalike' was a more modern place (now disused) for storing boats in the dry
'over-winter'. Apparently, it was last used 20-25years ago!
A road to the AIRPORT (with its 2 arrivals and departures per day) belongs to SUNRISE AVIATION Inc - and
a JET AIRCRAFT landed and surprised the locals completely! Further down the road, I encountered and photoed
some DEERS beside the road, - but further on along the coast there was a label to the PETROGLYPHS which proved
more interesting for visits and photos!
After that interesting stop, I walked back to the ship, searching unsuccessfully for ICE-CREAMS!
I then went for a 'buffet lunch' (which wasn't very good!- a poor overcooked 'burger' and some overcooked sausages!!)
before relaxing prior to a FOLK DANCE lesson (which was 'crap' too - despite KARL's teaching!). I walked out of this,
as it was basically LINE DANCING with some CIRCLE DANCING without standard calls for 4, 8, 16 and 32 step moves!
The 'tea-break' proved to be more filling, before washing and going for a walk around various sightseeing spots on board.
We are travelling continuously in the SHIP now until 11am on 27May when we reach VICTORIA in CANADA.
A feature on this ship were some GROSS Americans (I suppose we ought to feel sorry for them as they were GROSS
in voice, appetite, eating habits and stomachs!). They certainly EAT ('gorge' is a more appropriate word) far too much.
That goes for the LADIES, too, in the Observation Lounge (where they were too lacking of interest in places to 'observe',
there heads were stuck into books and their GROSS arms were REACHING blindly for their next MOUTHFULS!!)
Their food, and DRINK sometimes, occupies the front shelf, whilst their GROSS MASSES obliterate the viewing
opportunities for genuine observers in that lounge. Unfortunately, there was a MYSTERY readers CONVENTION
on board which it seems was run in parallel with the ALASKA visit!!
I put my clock forward one hour, before bed, after the Guest's TALENT show.
26 May 02 (Sunday)
My final awakening (apart from one at 4am!) was at 7am when I got ready for breakfast. It was a GOOD ONE,
too!
I went to the DISEMBARKATION talk and took some notes. I checked-out these notes when back in my cabin
later. I gave a slip to the PURSER for the Cabin Steward's ($20 CDN) tip. I also enquired at the SHORE EXCURSION
desk about the details of paying the VANCOUVER AIRPORT'S IMPROVEMENT TAX.
Later, I had my lunch in the HARBOUR GRILL - and very nice it was too!!
Lunch was separated from its 'afters' by an hour and a half. One of the 'girls' from our table came round with a card to
sign for KATH'S birthday - which is tomorrow. Then I indulged in a couple of videos (on 'ALI' and the 'AURORA').
That was before my afternoon attendance at LEE DRURY'S Musical Cabaret. He was the singing CRUISE DIRECTOR,
and the show included the sing-song led by our Folk-singer - KARL FINGER. That continued until the 4.30pm 'tea-time'.
I followed that by a 'sleepy-rest' in my own cabin from 5pm until 6pm.
Later, I saw and listened to CIEL & KARL'S folk music at the start of the FAREWELL GALA SHOW. After that,
I was off to BRIE KELLY'S show in the EXPLORER'S Lounge. Noisy disrespectful talking, throughout, made me leave
during her 2nd/3rd song! Then it was back to my cabin to finish the QUESTIONNAIRE and do the CANADIAN
CUSTOMS FORM. I finished those in time for a 22.48hrs bed-time!
---- this travelogue to be continued in the next chapter ----
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