Home Again

Monday morning we had a 40-minute window before we had to check out and wait for the shuttle to arrive, so we went to our “regular” coffee shop, the Coffee Bean for a latte. We were also able to buy a gift that we’d been waiting to find: better late than never – I was really pleased that we found it.

Graham found the gate lounge very difficult again, so although I’d been planning to get him to walk down the gangway, I ended up getting him into a wheelchair again.

Once on board we had the lovely service that you get on Hawaiian: amazing food and beverage service whenever you want it. I was very relieved that none of the babies in the gate lounges ever ended up in our cabin – it would have been extremely difficult for Graham to cope with baby screams all flight. The staff are all so friendly and happy: we can thoroughly recommend Hawaiian from all aspects of the flight.

This last, long flight was very difficult. Graham was awake and not in a good place all the way until one hour out of Sydney, when he finally fell asleep. Hence I got no sleep! We were blessed to have a lovely flight attendant whose assistance I asked for on a couple of occasions; I found out towards the end of the flight that she was praying for us most of the time with our difficulties. We had the loveliest conversation: such a blessing!

We arrived home to a very nice selection of wine and cheese which Nani and Robert, our house sitters had waiting for us. I was into my second wind at that stage and we sat and chatted for quite a while. Muffy was, of course, delighted to see us, and even Alaska showed most un-catlike attention to us both. Nani and Robert headed off this morning (Wednesday) very early and we settled into a day of unpacking.

So, here endeth the tale. Thanks for your interest in reading my little blog and for sharing in the trip: I hope you've enjoyed it.

Aloha, Hawaii! Mahalo!

When we arrived last night (Sunday) we found out there's no room service in the hotel, so we went into the little hotel shop and bought some little cereal packets and milk and fruit for breakfast: probably saved lots of money doing that!!

We're at the airport now in the Hawaiian Airlines lounge, Monday morning 10.30am. They do lounges very differently over here: just drinks, no alcohol and not a scrap of food. We're so used to the Air New Zealand lounge with it's huge buffet and beverages service.

I haven't had to carry any bags: the shuttle driver did it at the hotel; a porter took our bags at the airport, checked us in and got the wheelchair assistant for Graham. We were through security fairly quickly, with Graham getting the usual pat down and swab. Then it was straight up to the lounge, where we have about 45 more minutes to wait now.

It was lovely being back in Honolulu for another night, even though it was brief. It was very hot this morning, even at 8.00am and the streets were quieter than when we were here 2 weeks ago.

Well I hope you enjoyed the trip through my eyes, everyone. I'll add one more post to sum up our homecoming (tomorrow night, Tuesday 7.20 we arrive). We expect to be greeted by a dog who will no doubt go ballistic when she sees Graham!

Aloha, everyone.

Homeward Bound

We went to the Neptune Lounge to get a cuppa and some fruit and took the opportunity to get a picture of Rhia with Graham; then we made our way to the gangway and left the ship. Seattle was submerged in a heavy fog and it was quite cool as well. We got a porter to put our bags on a trolley and he took them to the other side of the customs desks while we went through the check; the crowd flowing from two cruise ships meant that they were trying to get people through as quickly as possible, so we were through in no time.

The porter took us right to the end of the passenger pick-up section and I sent Rick a text to let him know where to collect us. He was there within about 15 minutes and we were soon on our way to Matt and Tricia’s where Rick and Barb are staying with Sylvia while her parents are in Australia. After a light lunch, it was time to head for the airport. The wheelchair was not what Graham wanted but I was so grateful we had it: there’s no way he could have coped with the process; the customs process had a very long queue, as did security but with a wheelchair you go through a different section and get straight through. Security screening was again traumatic but we made it and then again I was grateful that someone was taking us by a quiet route to the terminal train and then to the gate lounge.

Graham was agitated through the whole wait time but once we got on the plane, we were given Mai Tai’s; then he settled down a little and we had red wine before and during dinner. The flight attendant kept topping up the glasses, so Graham had quite a bit of wine but I was happy that he did because he gradually settled quietly and is now yawning – a good sign!

I was able to get free wifi for a little while which meant I could send a couple of emails. Once we were 100 miles from continental USA, the connection dropped out.

Aqua Waikiki Wave

We’re back in the hotel now. Good service at the airport with wheelchair assistance and porter assistance with the bags along with the shuttle. We were in the hotel by about 9.50. Graham is asleep now – 11.20, and I’m about to hit the sack. We have to be up at 6.00 to get ready for our shuttle pick-up at 8.30.

Sunday morning 21st July 2013

So here we are, sitting in the Explorers' Lounge with our last coffee; I still have some minutes left, so I'm checking emails. We're docked in Seattle and many people are already ashore. We're waiting for late disembarkation and Rick and Barb should be there to collect us and our luggage. We're spending a few hours at Matt and Tricia's place with them for lunch before they take us to the airport.

We'll be in the hotel in Honolulu overnight so I'll probably get to "check in" briefly. We don't have too much time there because we arrive late tonight and have to leave around 9.00am for the flight home.

Here's a last pic: from our visit to the Empress Hotel in Victoria.

Victoria BC, Canada, 20 July 2013

Dinner was supposed to be at 5.00 but there was a mix-up with the dining room. Because we all wanted to go ashore, we went up to the Lido and were able to get a reasonable meal and a table for six. We had our last meal as a group and said our goodbyes, then went in our different directions.

The ship was docked and cleared about 5.15, so straight after our meal we caught a cab into town to the Empress Hotel. Victoria is very pretty, with lots of flowers everywhere. We went into the Empress and had a look at the Tea Room and the shop. Having had a big meal, we weren’t really needing to have “Afternoon Tea”, so we didn’t even bother to find out what the price was. Graham wasn’t really in a good place for wandering around, so after about 30 minutes, we found a taxi to take us back to the ship.

That’s where we are now, having a cuppa; we’ll shortly get our packing finished and have an early night. Then the final morning of getting ready and waiting to disembark.

At Sea, Saturday 20 July 2013

Cruise food report - this is yesterday’s exhausting menu for Graham:

Breakfast in the Neptune Lounge:

Rice Crispies (Bubbles) with milk and sugar

Fruit plate

Apple Muffin

Morning tea from Ketchican cafe:

20oz latte

Blueberry muffin

Lunch in the Lido:

Roast Lamb dinner

Dessert in the Neptune:

Fruit plate

Chocolate slice

Afternoon tea in the Neptune:

Latte

Chocolate slice

Dinner in the dining room:

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail

Gourmet Greens and Button Mushrooms

Prime Rib of Pork Loin

Pineapple Crisp (crumble) with ice cream

Needless to say, there won’t be any attempt to emulate this menu when we get home!

Ketchican is very pretty and we enjoyed watching sail away from our balcony late afternoon.

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We went to a brief performance by Jim and Melissa Brady singing love songs, then Michael Booth conducted the Newlyweds Game with four performer couples. It was absolutely hilarious.

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After the concert at 6.00pm which turned into a hymn-singing time of “having church”, we had our final Formal Night dinner last night. We had the Presentation of the Baked Alaska – always fun. We’ve already swapped contact details with our table mates, although we will have early dinner with them this evening before we head onshore in Victoria. God has blessed us richly in connecting us with these new friends. One couple is slightly younger than us and one is slightly older, so it’s been a nice mix. 

We had port and cheese again last night to celebrate our Friday. Then we had to turn our clocks forward one hour to give back the hour we gained earlier in the week.

Today is busy, with a concert/worship service at 8.30 - a wonderful bash with all the singers on stage, singing along with some of the songs. At the final bookstore meet and greet at 10.00 we said goodbye to Ronnie Booth and promised to keep in touch. Shortly we have the suite guests’ farewell reception at 11.30 and then it’s PACKING TIME! 

Ketchican, Friday 19 July 2013

We enjoyed the Freedom Singers when we got to the concert late last night. Their brother was not on the tour and their home had just been flooded, which they told the audience about tonight. Someone lent them a mobile phone this morning so they could check on the family; others helped or prayed – they were really moved by the response. Then Legacy Five were on and we heard about 3 songs before we had to go to the Captain’s reception.

It was a useful exercise because we got free drinks: Graham had three glasses of champagne, turning down the red wine!??! So he didn’t need a glass of wine at the table! It’s the second time we’ve been on a cruise with this particular Captain because he was on the Oosterdam when we did our New Zealand cruise in January. It’s the third cruise where we’ve been with the same Cruise Director who is an Aussie from Perth!

We had an International menu for dinner. I chose an “Australian cold pumpkin soup” but it was not at all like the pumpkin soup I make – I’m sure it had sugar in it and sweet cream on top. Graham had a delicious lamb shank. Our table steward did a couple of “magic” tricks with items on the table and promised some more tomorrow night.

This morning we went ashore in Ketchican and had a wander around the shops on the main streets at the dock. Many jewellers offer great deals and some give out little free charms and pendants, so we picked up a couple of those. 

While we were wandering, the MS Zaandam arrived and parked right behind us in the space left between us and the Norwegian Pearl (very gaudy hull on a lovely white ship). There are now four cruise ships in all parked here in town. We bought a coffee and then headed back on board, where we’re drinking our coffee in the lounge where the wifi is best. It’s only a very short stay here – we arrived 7.00am and will sail at 12.30pm for Victoria, British Columbia (Canada).