Juneau

 Juneau pronounced (June o)

So they say to layer your clothes up here is better so you can take a bit off as needed … well I was layered to the eyeballs and over the balls 😂 and NOT one bit came off …

 the wind was so 🥶 🥶 

But so wonderfull.

And I got to see a whale … but more on that later, to much to do and only a few days to do it so will post more later.

Love to you all from fabulously freezing Alaska💚

Traceys Arm Inlet

 Today, Monday is a 1/2 sea day as we scenic cruise up the Tracey Arm Inlet and will arrive into the capital town Juneau by 1.30pm and not leave till 10.00pm tonight. There are no roads connecting Juneau to the rest of Alaska or to Northern America so the only way in is by sea or air which makes it truely unique.

It has been so beautiful … albeit a bit overcast as we cruise in to Juneau but that’s the luck of the draw up here.

 Snow capped mountains meet at the waters edge and as we get closer there are cute little huts along the shore line.

The wintery views from our balcony have been awesome.

The spring colours of the trees are spectacular, 

And check out the nice little holiday shack!!! 

Well that’s me till later.

 I now need to turn myself into a pass the parcel 🎁 !!!

IE … start with the mankini and then layered with every other little bit of clothing I have got with me … It won’t be pretty

 or coordinated …

but hopefully warm. 😂 

Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage

 It was truly calm and beautiful cruising out of Vancouver Saturday afternoon and then all day cruising through the Inside Passage.

 Yesterday we had time to check out our new digs on the ship and go to two presentations in what they call 

The World Stage. 

The world stage is a 270 degree wrap around screen and you feel like you are right in the middle of whatever they are presenting. 

This is where you can take in a night time cabaret show or like yesterday learn lots of cool stuff!!

Our first talk was by a local national parks guy and was all about the wild life we can expect to see thought out this part of Alaska.

From whales and their different sorts of blowholes to feeding styles and what to look out for from our balconies.

Where and what to expect

The Bird life too! 

Then later we did another presentation on 

This was soooooooooo cool to watch and showed the Trial Sled Dog Race. This is annual long distance race and can last from 8 to 15 days or more.

Started back in 1973 and covers some 1500km

 

Heading North to Alaska - “In Style”

 This is a once in a-life time amazing opportunity for us to be cruising in Alaska so we both wanted this part of our trip to be “super special”. 

We are staying in a back corner suite with 3 large windows and a 290 degree wrap around balcony so we can experience all the amazing scenery that Alaska has to offer from inside our warm room and out side on the deck in what will be the 

exhilarating Alaskan fresh air 🥶 🥶

 

Our view before we depart out of Vancouver to Alaska

 

Still pleasant tea-shirt weather in Vancouver … for some! 

but that is all about to change as tomorrow we are going for a top of 8 degrees as we cruise to Alaska.

One side is long enough for a mini golf putting green!

We are feeling VERY SPOILT 🤭🙏🏼

North to Alaska - Sung by Jonny Horton

 So did any one of you down load “North to Alaska” sung by Jonny Horton from 1960 …

 I did … and I remember singing it while playing 

 in our front yard as a little kid with my beautiful sister Therese.

Missing her every day 💔

I’m so lucky that she had given me so many good times to remember her 💚

 

Vancouver City

We have now arrived into Vancouver city at Canada Place Port after 30 fantastic days cruising.

It will be nice to sleep in a real bed tonight and have a little bit more space. These two Aussies got upgraded and our room is now on the 22 floor over looking the beautiful city and harbour and it looks like so much down there for us to explore.

Wow Wow Wow … what a view, we wont want to leave!

One did eventually have to leave that amazing view.

To get a hair cut! … or should I say a shaved head …

 Lost in translation! 

We maybe in Canada but that doesn't mean english is your first language.

 All good … I wont need a hair cut 

till I get to Italy 😂 

Check out the bling … apart from the powder puff and the “aftershave” cologne, non of the other devices were needed on this supper smooth shaved head! 

Vancouver city is a city of BLING 🤑 and amazing modern architecture.

This lady appears in all the Blue Horizons lifts.

 I thought she had seen my new hair cut!

She does the whole …

Hear No … See No … Say No

 But no, she is apparently famous! And on many a urinal wall in the Netherlands too!  

according to another guest in the elevators.

Keeping with the whole non english speaking section of Vancouver were we were staying we had dinner at the Banana Leaf on Robson Street

Delish Malaysian food and beautiful interiors and the eggplant chips with a tempura batter of rice or tapioca flour with delicate asian spices, something neither of us had ever had and they were so yummy, a big flavour hit. 

Well its a good night from us as tomorrow we head 

On our next cruise.

North to Alaska 🎶 🎤 🎶 

Go on sing it … we all know the words 😂 

Canada - Victoria on Vancouver Island

 Our day started on the deck soaking up the warming morning sun … with the added warmth of our beach towels! 

Over looking the first of the snow caped mountains off the coast of Vancouver as we sailed into Victoria on Vancouver island.

Too Big?? But boss … I ordered the medium flag!

A bit like me ordering a medium pina colada in Mexico 😂 

The first of the totem poles this outside of parliament house and what a stunning blue day, 18 degrees. What a stately looking building.

You know me … love frogs.

One needs to eat so we headed to the other side of the harbour in a bobby little water taxi and found a little place away from the ships load of tourists in a quiet corner.

Twas like stepping into a telly tubby boat … and it rocked like it was one!

Water planes are the mode of transport here heading to Vancouver City in only 15 mins over the channel or for trips up to Alaska.

Loving the different architecture from French influence as well as Victorian.

Coconut Curry Mussels

Coconut, onions, garlic, ginger & jalapeno

What a plate of yummy ness it was!

 Along with the smokey sourdough to soak up every

last drop of that wonderfull coconut curry sauce.

I also had the local IPA to complement the curry sauce.

Now … when a chef cooks that dam well with such punchy delicious flavours one needs to leave the plate 

looking like you really ENJOY it 😋 

The streets are perfectly quiet so we decided today was a good day to go for a bike ride!

Well … he rode … we just sat back and enjoyed the day.

Will give Victoria a 5 🌟 

What a beautiful place and would be well worth coming back and spending several day to explore deeper.