Royal 6/21/10 Rex and Pam do Alaska

[ColoCruze]

I kept seeing this thread on the Princess boards...and then tonight I thought, "wow...there are lots of people reading and replying to this thread - I'm going to check it out." Pam, you are a gem, and I have SO enjoyed reading about your voyage! Your humor and upbeat attitude make it a joy to read, but above all, your love for Alaska shines through. I'll be making my first trip there aboard the Coral in September, and I'm more excited than ever after reading your dispatches. Thank you!!!!

[pamwinn]

June 5-7, 2010

 

Our group was the last luggage tag-color called to get off the ship. We didn’t mind because we were afraid the Hotel would not let us check-in that early because we got off the ship around 10:00 AM. There were only about 20 pieces of luggage left in the terminal so it was easy to spot our18 pieces. A very gregarious porter picked them up for us and whisked us through customs out to an awaiting cab. The driver (not gregarious) took us to the Renaissance and the nice young lady at the desk said they had a room ready and waiting for us. We were in our room, with a bay view, by 10:30 AM. It was perfect.

 

We spent the day exploring the Market area. We had dinner at the Athenian. Rex had fish and chips and liked it. I had the oyster po’ boy, which is one of my vacation must-haves. The oysters were the size of hubcaps and very thick. They added stuff that I have never witnessed on or near a po’ boy but you could tell that they were trying to make something unique and delicious, which they accomplished except for the delicious part. I prefer small fully cooked oysters that taste like oysters without piles of onions that were cooked in sugar…just a couple of dill pickle slices please.

 

We were back in our room and asleep by 5PM and did not get up until Tuesday at 7AM. I cannot remember ever sleeping that long in my life. When I approached 10 hours as a teen on a Saturday, my mother would turn on the vacuum cleaner and leave it running outside my bedroom door. I understand and agree with all dogs: The devil does in fact reside in the vacuum cleaner.

 

With the helpful guidance of Fred, the best Concierge in the United States, we boxed up about 50 lbs of clothes and shipped them home Tuesday morning. Afterwards, we set out on foot to the International District where we had lunch at the Saigon Bistro, a Vietnamese restaurant within the Uwajimaya Asian Market. It is the tiniest restaurant I have ever seen. It’s only about 12 feet wide by about 20 feet long and that includes the kitchen. The counter, which is about 15 feet, long and has maybe 12 bar type stools. The wall is so close to the counter that if you have to get past someone who is sitting, they have to stand up, lean forward, and suck it in (all at the same time) to let you squeeze by. There is just enough room between the counter and the kitchen for the helpfully friendly (not large) man to take your order and bring your food. The kitchen is visible and just big enough for the two (not large) ladies to work their well-concerted magic. I had the spicy beef pho and Rex had the shrimp pho. As you probably know pho is a noodle soup typically served in a rather large bowl with a small side of bean sprouts, fresh basil, and leafy greens to be sprinkled on top. The subtle flavors and spices are almost too good. How do they do that? We even went for the chopsticks and yes; we drank the broth directly from the bowl just as the ancient custom is traditionally done at our house when no one is watching. It was excellent. This was enjoyably healthy eating and I can’t believe I am saying this, but I miss eating healthfully. We explored all of Uwajimaya Asian market. It was amazing. We don’t have anything to compare in Atlanta. I wanted to get one of everything.

 

 

Next, we hiked down to pier 52 and took the Ferry to Bainbridge. I’ve never been on a Ferry that sells beer and has video games. Perfect! However, since the ferry provided such a mesmerizingly beautiful view of Seattle I just sat and enjoyed it while Rex took 57.5 million pictures. Bainbridge could be and probably has been used as a movie set for a quaint New England town. If you’re interested in acquiring real estate there you might check out some of the available properties for sale on the Internet. You will not be able to check the prices on the Internet unless the children are in bed and you have no objections to looking at pornographic material because the prices are profoundly obscene.

 

This was the first warm day of the summer for the Seattle area with the temperature reaching the low 80’s and wouldn’t you know I was wearing a black sweatshirt. We walked around downtown Bainbridge, bought some fruit, then returned on the Ferry back to Seattle’s Pier 52.

 

I did not want to eat any more fried food; we have had so much unbridled nourishment that I’m starting to waddle. I considered buying one of those “Ride the Duck” T-shirts but I didn’t want to be hassled by people asking if they could go for a ride. A positive Vacation-Side-Note here: When you go on vacation and gain a size or two your clothes no longer need to be pressed as much because the simple act of donning that article of wrinkled clothing inevitably eliminates those wrinkles. Rex’s favorite attraction in Seattle is Ivar’s, which is next to pier 52, and he was still looking for his fried shrimp fix. Eating five pounds of fried shrimp while dodging seagull poop will make you a little sluggish so schlepping up the hill seemed even more daunting than ever. By this time I had decoded some of the Transit Authority’s little scheme to re-distribute its citizenry and I knew where the otherwise illusive #12 stopped on 1st avenue. Okay so there are directions on our handy little pocket-sized free map that you can acquire at any hotel or visitor kiosk which very clearly describes all the bus stuff but I knew that I would more than likely be the only member of my self-guided tour group that would read it as the other half of my group, as you might recall, is a man. We wedged ourselves on that bus and let it schlep us the rest of the way up the mountain to our hotel as we watched others rappel the other way. By the time we were in our room it was almost 9PM and time to gaze at the scenery out our window, which includes a high-rise condominium directly across from us. All I will say about that is, “pull the shades! You wouldn’t keep them open if you lived on ground level. The same rules apply if you live in a high-rise across from another high-rise.” So, after only a couple hours of that we turned in for the night.

 

We were up bright and early Wednesday morning then the power went out in the Renaissance around 8:00AM and did not come back on until minutes before we needed to be downstairs to catch the Gray line Airport Shuttle. Needless to say the hair and the makeup were a little off. In the elevator’s shinny reflective doors I noticed that I had perfectly painted lips right beside my nose. Mercifully my outfit that needed a touch up with the iron was not a problem.

 

The trip to the airport, the flight through every time zone in the lower-48, and the ride home was glitchless if not downright long and tiring. We finally arrived home around midnight and were greeted by the girls, our three little minpins, which is even better than visiting the miniature bear section at the Petting Zoo. We went to bed at 3:00 AM and our vacation officially ended.

 

Once again, thank you Aunt Leslie for taking care of the girls, which allows us to take these journeys-of-a-lifetime. We are deeply grateful for your help. And, thanks to all of my Cruise Critic friends for your attention and kind words.

 

Until we sail again we remain in hopes that you join us next time.

 

Pam and Rex

[bcnvcanada]

We have so enjoyed your posting. It was wonderful of you to take us along on your journey. Again, thanks, and hopefully we will see you soon of the c.c. boards.

[mtaylor04]

Thanks so much for letting us tag along, it was a wonderful journey :)

[kath00]

Oh please apply for a job as a travel writer for the NY Times!!! I want to read your column every week!

 

Katherine

[pamwinn]

I would jump on a job like that like a kangaroo on a kangaroo.

[chamima]

I'm so sad this is over! :( :( :(

I think it's the first time that I'm almost as sad that someone else's cruise is over as I am when my own are.

[MT_DreamChaser]

Awesome and hilarious review! I've been following it from the beginning and it makes my Alaska trip seem like a lifetime from now. Thanks!

[dottiedef]

Pam--When is your next cruise scheduled? I have really enjoyed reading each day. We did the same cruise(well, almost the same) last May and thought the 14 days on a small ship were wonderful--the BEST way to visit Alaska. We also really enjoyed the elite lounge--a really great way to wind down after a busy day. We were so lucky to have Sammi Baker as the cruise director--the best one ever in my opinion. Loved all the windows in the dining room. Can't wait to do another cruise on one of the small ships again.

 

You have a real writing talent. Thanks for sharing.

 

Dottie:):):)

[rdsqrl]

Glad you made it home safely; thanks for a fabulous journey!

[CdMAgFox]

Pam, your cruise journal is a masterpiece of wit, sarcasm, and humor. Your talent as a writer is outstanding! I liken you to a modern-day "Erma Bombeck." Yes, I am old enough to remember and appreciate her own unique style of humorous writing; at one time she was also a frequent contributor on ABC's "Good Morning America." So, Pam, there's your role model!

 

And the Word document I have put together from all of your postings is now up to 38 pages – 14 pt. Send me an email at cdmagfox@hughes.net and I'll forward it back to you, in case you're interested and haven't already done the same. It is quite a piece of work!

 

Thanks again, Pam – and you too, Rex, for "Doing Alaska" for all of us CCs.

 

~Ron

 

BTW, "dottiedef"; we might have been on the same Alaska Connoisseur Gulf Cruise last May (14 - 28) on the Pacific Princess because Sammi Baker was the Cruise Director on ours. She was terrific! Being a native Alaskan herself from Juneau and a former manager of the Red Dog Saloon there, her own familiarity, knowledge and love for Alaska made for a fabulous cruise experience.

[CdMAgFox]

We did the same cruise(well, almost the same) last May and thought the 14 days on a small ship were wonderful--the BEST way to visit Alaska. We were so lucky to have Sammi Baker as the cruise director--the best one ever in my opinion.

 

Dottie, I thought I recognized that Screen Name! Remember, not only did we cruise together to Alaska on the Pacific Princess last May 14th, but also this past April 11th to Hawaii on the Golden Princess! Where will we next meet? :rolleyes:

 

I agree with you that Sammi was one of THE BEST cruise directors I have so far encountered. I was sorry to hear that she was leaving after our cruise. She was really good! :)

 

~Ron

[dazee8]

Hi Pam,

 

Wonderful info about Alaska once again! I was wondering... you said that Rex picked up some wine after you checked into the hotel before boarding the ship. Can you tell me the name and location of the wine shop? We will be staying downtown at the Seattle Westin on 5th Ave before our cruise.

 

Thanks,

Nora

[Sissy Ruth]

Pam--When is your next cruise scheduled? I have really enjoyed reading each day. We did the same cruise(well, almost the same) last May and thought the 14 days on a small ship were wonderful--the BEST way to visit Alaska. We also really enjoyed the elite lounge--a really great way to wind down after a busy day. We were so lucky to have Sammi Baker as the cruise director--the best one ever in my opinion. Loved all the windows in the dining room. Can't wait to do another cruise on one of the small ships again.

 

You have a real writing talent. Thanks for sharing.

 

Dottie:):):)

 

Hi Dottie,

Tell me more about the "Elite Lounge."

Thanks,

Cindy

[JanetAlice]

Pam, thanks so much for your enjoyable thread. We leave for the same cruise next week. My husband writes a personal blog for our friends and we were wondering what the internet connections were like. Was it easier when you were in port?

[pamwinn]

Hi Pam,

 

Wonderful info about Alaska once again! I was wondering... you said that Rex picked up some wine after you checked into the hotel before boarding the ship. Can you tell me the name and location of the wine shop? We will be staying downtown at the Seattle Westin on 5th Ave before our cruise.

 

Thanks,

Nora

 

The store we went to is on the corner of Seneca and second. There is a large selection of wine in the Deli at the Market.

[pamwinn]

Pam, thanks so much for your enjoyable thread. We leave for the same cruise next week. My husband writes a personal blog for our friends and we were wondering what the internet connections were like. Was it easier when you were in port?

 

The internet connection worked most of the time. They post in the patter when it's going to be a little flakey. It is very slow. I used over 300 minutes and all I really did was post this journal. I read all email etc offline. Have a wonderful cruise.

[Northender]

Thanks so much for the journey to Alaska. I read every post you did with the biggest smile on my face. :):)

 

Until your next cruise:cool:

[dazee8]

Mucho thanks Pam! This is exactly the info I needed, especially the critical info that the wonderful store on Seneca and 2nd is not open on Sunday. Bummer true, since it is closer, however I found the WA State Liquor Stores website, and found an alternate store on 1st Ave and Queen Anne. I could also search what they had in stock. Love the power of the Internet sometimes.

 

:)

 

The store we went to is on the corner of Seneca and second. There is a large selection of wine in the Deli at the Market.