aussielozzie18

Interesting that Glacier Bay is the best for you. I was thinking that your College Fjord photos in the sunshine were more stunning than our photos from Glacier NP on a wet, overcast day last week. We forgot we had thermals in our suitcases and our outfit of choice on our balcony was our doonas 🤦‍♀️ when we cruised GNP. It was beautiful but 🥶

The drive from Swartz Bay Ferry Wharf to downtown Victoria took approx 40mins. We passed right by the entrance to Butchart Gardens but we didn’t want to visit in the afternoon and be rushed, so continued on to our accommodation located in Inner Harbour very close to the Empress Hotel. The weather was so nice, I decided we should walk to Fisherman’s Wharf for a casual dinner. We walked along the harbour’s edge and we were delighted to see otters right near the rocks enjoying their own fish dinner. Having a light dinner in the sun at Fisherman’s Wharf was a very pleasant way to spend our first evening in Victoria. Btw, You can’t tell from this photo but we were surprised by how much bigger Canadian seagulls are to our Australian ones. On our return walk, I took a quick pic of some of the pretty flowers surrounding The Empress Hotel.

Yep - obviously forgot to proofread in a rush to get the letter done

After an excellent nights sleep, late checkout of 11am and a too short walk in Stanley Park, we hit the road for the Tsawwassen Ferry Wharf (40mins from Vancouver). We were catching the BC Ferry to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. The views from the top open deck during the 90min ferry ride were just lovely.

Had a direct flight booked Sydney to Vancouver with Air Canada departing Sydney at 9.10AM which meant we needed to be at the airport early. Luckily, I was still up late the night before the flight because I received a text at 10.30pm advising that my flight was delayed and would not be departing until 10.00pm the next evening 😳 When I finally checked in, I got this letter for insurance and a $20 voucher (food only) as compensation for the delay - to be used at the airport - so I did. Nice smooth flight and lovely view as we flew over Vancouver Island before approaching Vancouver. Arriving in the evening at YVR airport, it was a breeze to go through customs and collect luggage. Then straight to the taxi rank to get the taxi to Times Square Suite Hotel, very close to Stanley Park.

I would imagine that all the regulars here have been to Alaska & Victoria, Vancouver Island but thought I’d share my trip anyways for those who may be interested especially as we went beyond Victoria in Vancouver Island and we were on the Grand Princess’ first cruise of the Alaskan 2024 season.

Ooh, we had planned a land tour Alaska back in 2020. This was on our agenda. Looking forward to your photos & hope you see the NL tonight

Beautiful photos!

Loved that Love Boat Dream. Couldn’t have it more than once a cruise though.

Just back from my first ever cruise to Alaska. For me, having binoculars on the balcony really enhanced our cruise experience I took a heavy, expensive pair. I wear glasses. My binoculars do not cater for glass wearers (to be honest I didn’t even know that was an option) and they were great. Exciting to spot a breaching whale, quite a few humpback whales, many many otters & bald eagles, seals and look for mountain goats - all from our balcony. Just wish I’d thought to take the binoculars on the zodiac Whale watch we did out of Nanaimo pre-cruise. We followed & then observed 3 Orcas around the sound for about an hour.

Watch out for those big sea gulls tommorrow whilst you are in Glacier Bay NP. They fly close to the balconies and will even land on them. I was chatting on our balcony whilst holding a pastry. Not paying attention, one swooped in and took it…

The sailaway party was on the main pool deck, adjacent to the pool. The production cast performed a few dances in costume, then cruisers were encouraged to dance with the cruise director, assistant cruise director for about 30mins - to the YMCA, Macarena etc. There was only about 15 of us dancing…

Really enjoying your TR. You are doing a lot of the things we were interested in doing on the 30th-8th May cruise but had other commitments, so I love your daily reports with photos. We did see Libby Riddles though. Such a passionate and interesting speaker.

@helen haywood sorry to read of your accident on board. @FromSea2ShiningSea sorry you are feeling so sick & fatigued.

Stunning!

Good afternoon from Canada Place. 3 ships departing so it took 1.5hrs to board. Just thankful I didn’t book radiance (which I was seriously considering) Beautiful day for our sailaway

Just spent 2 weeks roadtripping around Canada. Exclusively used my 28 degrees cc with no issues. Have an Up card as a backup which my well travelled daughter strongly recommended. Had cash with me but not needed. Only place that was cash only was a bakery on the Main Street of tourist town Tofino on Vancouver Island. No issue - there were plenty of other places for to eat nearby. All tips electronic. Oh, a whale watching cruise strongly pushed for cash tips at the end of the cruise. My son used Wise but switched back to 28 degrees as he had issues with fraudulent activity as soon as he started using Wise and it took a while to fix.

On my 14hr flight Sydney to Vancouver, the young lady seated next to me lost one of her ear pods about an hour into the flight. Between sleeps, she spent a lot of time fruitlessly searching for it - using her phone light & I added my phone light in the dark cabin. Then 30mins before we landed the guy on the aisle seat finally woke up and moved into the aisle so she could search a bit more but before he moved, he pulled up one of the cushions under her seat and low and behold - there was that EarPod!

The lift in our hotel in Paris was tiny. Only had room for myself and my suitcase and it was so old. Decided it was safer to join DD carrying the suitcase up the stairs.

Good morning. Had a nice wander around Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver and finished reading this excellent memoir that I bought here in Canada.

@jmh2006 Condolences on the sudden passing of your Dad. @Sea Dog that house is stunning. At least there is plenty of space inside & out - to move yourself away from an unpleasant conversation.

Good morning. We had a very busy day yesterday. BC ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay. Visited Shannon Falls. Spectacular. Then we did the Sea to Sky Gondola. Very pricey but we all enjoyed the experience. It momentarily snowed when we arrived at the top. Walked across the short suspension bridge & did a lovely loop walk. Lovely to see a Bald Eagle soaring above the treetops. This Aussie was very excited to see a chipmunk. Kind tourists at all the viewpoints voluntarily offered to take photos of the 3 of us. (DD happily reciprocated). Then we drove to Whistler where it was raining and 🥶. Then back down to Vancouver. Beautiful drive from Whistler to Vancouver in the late afternoon.

Happy Birthday to Diana & Minnie. Hope they enjoy their celebratory tuna. Diana is a wonderful way to keep your friend’s memory alive.

They both look so content

Lovely photo of you Graham and that food all looks delish.