Day 10 : June 5th Vancouver to Seattle

June 5th

I keep saying this, but this was a great day. John and I started out visiting the Vancouver Aquarium. It reminded me a lot of NEAQ, both of which has a focus on education and local marine life. I love visiting institutions like this. The only bad part was the random and unexpected butterfly garden. John does well when I get into the phobia/paranoia mode. This aquarium also allowed me to see the only sea mammals I missed on the cruise. This was also the first time I saw a Pacific Whitesided Dolphin, which are native to the West coast.

After the aquarium we walked the famous seawall. I've gotten use to walking at this point and so I had the bright idea to walk along the wall from the aquarium to the bridge. Then lured by the next turn and the next we kept walking. According to the mile markers we walked 3.6 miles, which is fine given the amount of calories we consumed on the ship.

Around 4pm we decided to start driving back to Seattle. The longest part was crossing the border from Canada to the US. It was not a good idea to try to do so during rush hour on a weekend. It took about 45-minutes, but luckily we were close enough to turn our phones back on for entertainment. Side note: During the week my phone was off I received 68-emails. Mostly spam, but also some interesting writing opportunities.

John found an interest road a/k/a the scenic route. I have an affinity for the scenic route. In this case, weeks earlier I told him about my dream to be driving along a cliff with water on one side and cliff on the other. He found State Road 11, which had exactly such a route. We stopped at every lookout point we could find. John and Alex the Whale were so patient as I took an obnoxious amount of photos to remember each place.

We stopped at Larrabee State Park around 8pm, with the park closing at 9pm. It was still daylight as we hiked a bit to a hidden and deserted pebble beach. I've dreamed of a place like this. It's not a beach with waves or sand, but worn logs in a protected cove. When I think of Washington state and Oregon, I think of scenes like this. The water gently lapping onto the shore. I was certain that whales would love to hang out there, but I was also sure that we wouldn't see them.

I had another phobia moment when we noticed thousands of caterpillars on anything wooden. Again, John did very well handling me during the freak out. I lost my mind as I envisioned those thousands of caterpillars turning into thousands of butterflies. Yuck! Thinking about it now sends shivers up my spine.

We continued driving through coastal towns and through beautiful roads where the trees towered above forming a cathedral-like ceiling. We passed through farms that found fertile ground in the valleys between the sea and the mountains. More domestic animals like cows, sheep, horses, and llamas.

We made it back to Seattle by 10pm. When I rented the car my gut told me to buy the full insurance. I normally wouldn't, but I did anyway. Good thing too because within 10-minutes away from our destination a rock hit and cracked the windshield. I worried for a bit, but luckily the insurance covered it completely.

We checked in our final night before the flights in the morning. Here's a fun side story. (If you're John's mom don't read anymore.) I got out of the shower in the morning, changed, and started packing, while John was still asleep. I decided not to nag as part of my happiness project and figured that he would get up eventually, so we could return the car. Well, he woke up very briskly when the fire alarm went off at 8am. John starts running towards the door, and I think great fire! Except he turns and runs into the bathroom. I guess, no time like the present. I quickly threw our stuff into the bags and checked out to see if there is a real fire. I return after not smelling smoke, but the alarm was still going off. Where was John? He was taking a shower. I joke because John hears a fire alarm and his first instinct is to take a shower.  Not a short shower either. I really need to get him to read The Survivors Club. Part of me felt bad for leaving him, but I wasn't about to potentially die. During his lengthy shower, with the alarm going off, I plotted several additional escape routes in case I was wrong.

Cut to returning the car and rushing to the airport. The rest is history and well documented via Facebook. Definite kudos go out to John who pretty much handled our travelling crisis as I was incapacitated by rage and hormones.

Day 9 : June 4th Seattle to Vancouver, BC

June 4th

Vacation part 2! We ate our last breakfast on-board and de-boarded the ship. It was relatively easy getting through customs and finding our luggage. I planned weeks before to rent a car and drive to Vancouver, BC. A few years back my cousin Karyn and her husband moved to Canada and I have not seen her in years. Being in the Pacific Northwest was the perfect excuse to visit. 

Once again we lucked out by receiving a complimentary upgrade to the rental vehicle with a UO discount. (Win!) We got an awesome Hyundai Santa Fe that had amazing gas mileage. I printed maps a long while ago, but it's mostly one road (I-5) North. This was also the same road that had the bridge collapse a few weeks earlier. 

Vancouver is only a 2.5 hours drive. We lucked out without hitting any traffic at the border. I love driving. I do my best thinking when I'm driving. When I drive on pretty roads my imagination just goes wild. I wish there were a way to record thoughts as they happen because I wrote some great lines, but could not write them down because I was driving. 

We met my cousin at her house around 3:15pm, which is also when I met her children for the first time. I always joked that I wanted to meet them before they turned 18. So cute. Johnny is great with little kids and had the little girl's friendship in minutes. I brought presents from Disney World and hope they will visit us someday. It felt so good to catch up. While it seemed so long since we last saw each other, and an entire lifetime seemed to have passed, we chatted like it was yesterday.

Karyn took us to Granville Island, which had an amazing market and art community. Then we had dinner on the docks. Possibly the best fish and chips ever. The reunion was short, but amazing. One of my future Happiness Project goals in the future is to reconnect and this was a great first step. Saying goodbye for now made me sad, and I usually do not feel emotion. Somehow I think this vacation allowed me to let my guard down. As we parted ways I thanked John for accompanying me on this visit and I wished out loud that I would have more meaningful encounters with family. 

It's interesting visiting a town where someone else lives. I know that's a strange statement, but usually people visit me in Orlando and I just say you gotta do Disney or whatever I normally say at work. Being a tourist is kinda fun. We got some great tips for our next day in Vancouver. 

HOME

Day 8 : June 3rd Victoria, BC

June 3rd

My frontier journal stopped because the rest seemed to be a whirlwind. Our final stop on the cruise was Victoria, British Columbia. We arrived at 7pm and were scheduled to depart at midnight. We waited and decided to have our final meal on-board. As with all cruises, we got attached to our waitstaff. Our waiter was Karnitas from Bali, Indonesia. He works on the ship while his family of four remains at home. He's a pretty young guy and did well so we were sure to tip him well. Then our secondary waiter was Roy from the Philippines. They were kind. We saw them both during the breakfast/lunch shifts at the buffet and then the dinner shifts. The final food staff performance was a spoof lyric of "Leaving on a jet plane" except re-written to "Leaving on a cruise ship." I think they had fun.

We made our way off the ship and again trusting Johnny's navigation skills walked 2.1 km to downtown Victoria. I admit that I was being a brat and non-believer, but we eventually got there before it got dark. I negotiated with John that if we HAD to walk, then we would take a cab back to port.

The town seemed very cultural with dozens of museums and cultural buildings. Unfortunately, because it was so late it was all closed. I picked up a few souvenirs and we milled about for an hour before finding the cab back.

Earlier that afternoon we packed and somehow it all fit in the luggage.

HOME

Day 7 : June 2nd Ketchikan, Alaska

June 2nd

I didn't write yesterday because I took some Chinese-based sea sick medication that first gave me hallucination then I passed out for 17 hours. We were in Juneau yesterday. John planned for us to try a whale watch and salmon bake. It is no secret that my favorite whale/dolphins are killer whales. Up until yesterday I've only seen them in captivity. We came to Alaska for adventure, a change of scenery, and whales. The day did not start promising. Like in Skagway, it was cold and raining. To my delight, we boarded a small boat and the rain stopped. 

It was a group of 32 of us and a comfy boat with large windows. Definitely built for whale watching. No more than five minutes out, I spotted a tail, which alerted the pilot and captain. Making our way over to the area, we found ourselves surrounded by about five killer whales. It was just like the end of Free Willy. Dorsal fins breaking the surface of the water, followed by a puff of steam from their blowholes. Unlike the whales at SeaWorld these had dorsal fins that stood straight and strong. Some wobbled because they were so tall. The first pair were far away, but a second pair came closer. This pair had a much larger male and pretty female. We chased some humpbacks, but they were boring. One humpback breached his whole body out of the water and made a huge splash. We saw sea lions and eagles. We ended our whale watch with another pair of Orcas just moseying along the shore. 

An interesting note: the intern on the boat was from Ft. Myers. The Captain's day job was working for the state, and the pilot was probably drunk. Our bus driver was a younger kid named Nathaniel Hobbs. The young people come here during the summer to work in the tourism industry. I guess in their free time, they enjoy the scenery. Expect all these characters in my next book. 

Then we left for the Salmon bake. The salmon bake was an outdoorsy wooded area. The salmon was so pink and definitely fresh. It had a very sweet maple glaze. There was also salmon in the Cesar salad. The best was the delicious wild rice pilaf, and cheesy potatoes. We roasted marshmallows by a campfire in the rain and then went on a hike to a waterfall. There are a lot of local singers in Alaska. This guy sang a song about lost soul and people who come here to find their way.  

When we made our way back to the ship, we both passed out, only waking for dinner. The medication made me see the mountains move and trees shift. Then it made me have a serious bout of the munchies. 

Today was out final port in Alaska - Ketchikan. It was the one sunny port even though it rains here 360 days a year. Today was also the day we're snorkeling in Alaska. I brought my own mask, which I haven't used since Boston. The shop reminded me of my old dive shop - East Coast Divers in Mass. We donned our cold water gear, which consists of a 7mm wet suit  hood, gloves, and boots, and waded into the 48-degree water. It was cold, but not life threateningly cold. Apparently this is a past time for native Ketchikans. The waters were murky, but clear in some spots. The worst part was getting in as that cold water crept into the suit. It felt like knives piercing the skin. After the initial shock, it felt much better. I wouldn't say warm, but bearable. 

In the water there were a bunch of invertebrates (sea stars, sea cucumbers, limets, sea urchins) and some fish. We also got close to an eagle and uncomfortable close to jellyfish. We saw a wild sunflower star with 16-24 legs. Overall, a great experience. 

Our time in Ketchikan was short, so after an hour in the water, we all got out and changed. We made our way back to town and had an hour to spare. We took time to have lunch on the docks. I bought myself a fleece that says Alaska as a fond souvenir. 

As I write, we just came back from a lecture about whales by the naturalist. It was very anti-captivity, but I can't blame her after seeing these wild whales. It is where they are supposed to be. Tomorrow night, will be at our last stop - Victoria, BC. I have no idea how we are going to pack all of our stuff, especially all the souvenirs. Then we will drive North. 

This has been a great week. I'm itching to check my email, but it's nice to get away. People come to Alaska because it is one of the last frontiers. Admittedly, we only visited heavily tourist areas, but still got a taste of a completely different way of life. I've been watching Alaska TV shows on National Geographic on rerun, because it is one of the few TV channels on the ship. Life here is much different than in "the lower 48." Some come for the adventure, while others come for freedom. I came looking for whales and mountains. I found what I was looking for. I am sad that I probably will not be back for a long time. If ever. 

Believe me when I say I've thought about all the jobs I could take if I lived here. I think my 2nd book has a lot more in-depth thought now. I just need to finish the first book first. I've romanticized leaving it all and coming to Alaska to live and write just like the old school style. Then reality sets in. It's a nice thought when you have a comfortable room and unlimited food already paid for. It would be much different in real life. 

Yesterday we saw the only McDonald's in Juneau, AK. According to the guide, they sold 17,000 hamburgers their first day. To me it looked rather run down compared to the three-story super McDonald's on I-Drive. Gas, despite being drilled in the Northern part of the state, was over $4.00 a gallon. The people who live here seem to love it. 

In truth, I completely over-packed, while John under-packed  I should not have brought 75% of the items packed. Like the flip flops. I think I will write a post about packing for Alaska in the future. 

~

The snorkeling was one of my favorite parts of this trip. It was very well handled and had some great gear. Cold water diving is so much different that colorful warm water diving. Cold water animals are heartier and well-adapted. Nothing feels better than getting out of cold water and warming up from the inside out. Cold water also makes my hair and skin look fantastic!

HOME

Day 6 : June 1st Juneau, Alaska

June 1st

I did not write a journal entry on this day because the medication I took knocked me and John out. We went whale watching in Juneau. It was a cozy, but powerful boat that had large viewing windows. Now we saw whales, tons of humpback whales, but everyone knows that my favorites are killer whales. If ever I was meant to see these creatures in the wild it would have been today. I kept my expectations low as killer whales are said to be sighted 1:10 times. I also heard from the day before that killer whales were seen leaving the area.

You can say it was my destiny, but our boat left the dock and headed out towards the bays. Something immediately caught my eye and I screamed "Tail!" Of course no one believed me, because it was so close to shore, but the pilot went in that direction anyway. Of course it was a whale and of course it was a killer whale.

There's no mistaking that black and white. I know my heart skipped a beat as I saw those strong tall dorsal fins break the surface of the water. Ever since my brother and I saw Free Willy, we called the whale's dorsal fin a butter knife because it looks like it cuts through the water. I was sad that I could not share the moment with my family, but I'll have fond memories.

At it's peak we saw about six killer whales around the boat. The header photo here is so far from reality, very rarely do whales jump out of the water like that. Instead, mostly I saw this:

No matter how far away they were, they were close enough and they were free. We continued and found some random whales lounging about. We ended the tour very close to a family of three whales along the shoreline. We were so close that we could hear them breathing. The baby one rolled on its back and gave us a flipper wave before diving beneath the surface. That was the last we saw of them. 

At this point, I could die and feel fulfilled. It also was the moment that I got an idea for my next book. 

HOME

Day 5 : May 31st Skagway, Alaska

May 31st

Yesterday's trip to Tracy's Arm Fjord exceeded my expectations. I came to Alaska looking for mountains and I saw mountains. Some with snow caps, some with verdant vegetation, others with rocky cliffs. Our ship was dwarfed on both sides by peaks and valleys. The waterfalls that dribbled off the sides of the cliff were sourced by snow melt. As for wildlife, we saw seals, birds, eagles, 2 whales, and a black bear. The weather was also great, colder and windier as we got close to the glacier. There were giant icebergs. Particles were so condensed that the only color they radiated was a brilliant blue. 

Today was our first port of call, Skagway, Alaska. This town thrives only on tourism and is basically one block by seven blocks long. Only in the summer it is filled with people visiting in for the day via cruise ship. We did all of our shopping today and mailed the post cards. The post office was larger than Gotha's, but largely understaffed. In fact, the system crashed and we had to leave. Then they closed for lunch for an hour. 

The weather started as bearable, just cold and cloudy, but then by the time of our excursion, it was a heavier cold rain. We dropped off our purchases and made our way off again. Rock climbing and rappelling  I'm not exactly the outdoorsy type, but I never let the comfort zone get in my way. So despite the rain and cold, we tried to climb. John did great. He's tenacious, but may think that physics are like video games. I'm not a climber, it goes against everything I was told to do as a kid. The rappelling part was most interesting. We hiked to the top of a 75-foot cliff then leaned backs toward the ground and rappelled down. I did it relatively easily, expect that my response to fear is anger. I took it upon myself to yell and insult the nice young rock climbing guides. They were all amused. By the end we were sore, tired, wet, and cold. Nothing a warm sauna and hot shower didn't fix. 

Tonight's dinner was great too. I love a good chicken noodle soup and turkey. Delish! 

Skagway is the definition of tiny town. It has two bars, but when the cruise ship leaves so does a majority of the population. This town is more reliant on tourism than Orlando. This was also our first time breathing Alaskan air. It's clean and crisp. This is also probably best known for the Yukon train, which used to bring gold hunters to local mines.

Also, when I said that we did all our shopping here, we really did. We bought so many souvenirs that I thought we may need to purchase another suitcase. I bought some totem poles, random souvenirs, a watch, smoked salmon, and an awesome sea life coloring book, which I'll blog about later. The post office was a hot mess and good thing I bought stamps before their lunch break. Ironically, the post cards arrived at their destinations the day we returned to Orlando. The post mark came from Juneau, AK.

We were perfectly safe with these rock climbing guides certified and trained by Alaskan Mountain Guides. They're all so young! All the equipment was provided, but the biggest challenge was the cold and rain. I'm not sure that it was my thing, but definitely a good Alaskan adventure.

HOME

Day 4 : May 30th Tracy's Arm Fjord

May 30th

This morning we awoke to the most magnificent sight. Mountains with tops covered in snow, seemingly jetting out from the sea. The bases covered in fog. The mountains dotted with tall evergreen trees. It was exactly what I wanted to see. I am glad I woke up because now our ship is enveloped by fog. 

Again, coming from Florida and even the Northeast, I've only seen mountains like this on TV. It's cold, cold enough to say that I did not come prepared. John doesn't look prepared either. While the Naturalist says it's 50-degrees, it feels much colder. 

Today as we cruise through a fjord, we will see a glacier. The water here is so calm that it is still except for the wake made by the boat. Ok now for the good part. 

Words cannot describe the feelings I felt yesterday as we cruised through an inlet. It was a feeling I've waited for all my life. I'e been looking for them for a long time. Around 4:15pm we finished playing trivia, when the Naturalist came over the ship's speaker. Whales were spotted at the front of the boat. John and I jumped out of our skins and ran outside. We were on a lower level without our camera or binoculars. Not wanting to miss them, we stayed on the lower desk. Then they came. 

The first spout broke the surface of the water. To someone who doesn't care it wouldn't be anything significant, but it's a whale and everyone loves whales. A free autonomous whale. Humpback whale to be exact and characterized by its small dorsal fin on its lower back and double blow holes. I've studied whales all of my life and never in the wild, which makes the encounter all the more significant. These animals have huge lungs, which allow them to dive and hold their breath for a long time. When they surface to exhale, it's like a geyser letting off steam. That first whale I saw made the whole trip worth it. So much expectation and hope. Then of course we exceeded expectations as the boat was surrounded by whales. Whales breathing, resting, and doing other whale things. I must have seen more than 20 individuals, just enjoying their daily life. The boat turned into a huge whale watching vessel, but it wasn't crowded. 

John and I eventually made our way to the upper decks. We were literally surrounded by these massive beings. One family was resting so close we could see the Barnacles on her nose. It was a mother and her calf just resting at the surface. Part of me was sad that we did not have the camera, but the other part of me knows that the photos would not do the experience justice. So many times we are focused on taking the photo with a good result, that we forget to look. A little splash here or a little mist there. Flukes in the air were tiny, but perfectly captured in my memory. We were exactly where we needed to be. There's still one more set of whales that I need to see in the wild before I feel completely satisfied, but for now I can say that at least we fulfilled the "Whalentee."

Yesterday's dinner was formal and tasted much better than the day before. The trick is to learn what is in the buffet for lunch and not order any remotely similar items. Yesterday's dinner was lobster, which was delicious. John must have looked so disappointed that he finished his that our waiter brought him an entire additional entree, which he also cleared entirely. If I ever get a chance, I'd like to profile the life of a cruise ship worker. It seems that many work on ships to send money home. They feign happiness and are tortured into crowd pleasing tricks. There are 930 crew on board and the may only work on tips. 7 days a week for months on end with very long hours. It must be hard. 

A fjord is a valley carved by the movement of a glacier. A glacier is a huge hunk of ice that grinds it's way through the earth. The snow fills in at the top and the glacier grows. Unfortunately, we're experiencing global warming, so the amount of snow packed on the top does not match the melting period. The water in a fjord is deep, like 1000-feet deep, so a cruise ship can definitely fit. Interestingly, cruise ships hire local pilots who are familiar with the waters to navigate the ships through these treacherous waters. Picking up the pilot is interesting. The boat slows down a little and out of no where a smaller speedy boat matches speed and comes along side the ship. Then they open a side door and the pilot literally jumps ship.

This fjord winds its way 30-miles inland. Each turn seemed to reveal another stunning scene. Another higher peak, another waterfall, another amazing moment. It was also where I saw my first iceberg. When you think iceberg and boat you think Titanic. Luckily we picked up that pilot. A few small bergs hit the side of the boat which sounded like a beat on a large metal drum. Icebergs are so dense that they absorb all light rays except blue, which is what makes them so blue.

We took hundreds of photos during the fjord. Essentially it was a lot of mountain and trees.

HOME

Day 3: May 29th Day at Sea

May 29th

Yesterday we took off. It was much colder the moment we passed out of the inlet. We saw many cliff side houses. Again, I wonder how they live. Still no whale sightings. It started raining, cold rain. Dinner was disappointing as it was the same food from the buffet. Tonight is formal night, hopefully it will be better. 

Time has proven to be a challenge for us. Without a watch (duh) or cell phones, we have no idea what time it is. We always travel around the ship with a pair of binoculars (good idea) and now the camera. The time change - 4 hours behind has worked in John's favor. I'm not dealing as well with it. The sun comes up at 4:30am, which is 7:30am EST. So I'm up. In my older age - yes. 

Funny side note story - There was a club for 18-25 year olds only. I had a moment yesterday when I realized that while we don't look it, that it's completely out of our age range. They were kicking the older ladies and men out. Apparently, we're in the middle-age group (Yikes!) or more like the explorers that save and came here for nature. 

There are older people here, really old who crowd the elevators. We usually take the stairs. We wash our hands a lot. Interestingly, they asked if either has had flu symptoms over the few weeks. I wonder what would have happen if someone would say yes?

Today, we have a day at sea. I think I will attend several "Lectures" and trivia games. Do shopping, gym and be on the lookout for whales. Right now, it's gently rocking, but not rough. I feel ok, which is good. We eat dinner over the engine, which is very bumpy. Like eating next to the Hulk. 

Happiness Project day 2 was much better. I find myself repeating my goals and being more flexible. He really is a joy once you let him be what he wants. I realize that we're jamming a lot into a short time, so it's best to let go of the plans and enjoy the moment. 

An interesting note about the cruise. Carnival is great, but very different than Royal Caribbean. The team is much less formal and don't try to hide the fact they're tired. On the Alaskan cruise there's a naturalist. If ever I were to work on a ship, I'd want to be a naturalist. My Florida "cold weather" gear has got nothing on the true cold. Definitely a different form of vacation, but this is exactly what I was looking for in my middle age.  

We really did go to the gym. John worked out for an hour, while I sat on the bike for 5-minutes. Yup, I'm more of a pilates/yoga girl. Most of this day consisted of eating, napping, and listening to the naturalist. I completely over packed, so I made it a point to wear many layers. Shout out to Crystal who lent me her winter jacket (the blue one). This was also the day that we saw whales (More on that in the next journal entry).

This was also the day that I wrote out the postcards.

Formal night food was much better. We had lobster or two. This was definitely the best meal of the trip.

HOME

Day 2 : May 28th Seattle and Bon Voyage

May 28th

Technically we checked in early this morning to a quaint Travelodge. Sketchy at first, but it has free WiFi and free breakfast. 

We begin our adventure in Seattle - home of Fraiser- and the 1960's World's Fair. We will be visiting the Space Needle and maybe the first Starbucks. 

This was the day we were to embark on the cruise, but being on East Coast time allowed me to wake up very early in the morning. Unfortunately for John, I woke up very early. The free breakfast was good enough. We arranged a shuttle to take us to the port at 11am, so we had a few hours to explore Seattle. John and I looked at the Space Needle then decided against it. Tourist trap for sure. Instead, we decided to walk to Pike's Place, which is a market. It was just a mere 0.5 miles, which was about a 20-minute walk. Anyone who knows me, also knows, I'm not physically active often, so walking places is my least favorite activity. This was also our first experience navigating old school style with a map.

Remember, this month's Happiness Project goal is having a better relationship. The day before did not end well, because I was a brat and tired. Misplaced expectations and so on, today I decided I would be better. It really helps to remember and recite those goals over and over to help change my normal reactionary behavior. Rather than getting upset, I focused on appreciating the journey and the company I was with.

Following John's navigation skills, we made it to Pike's Place. We also found the first Starbucks, which does not look anything like a Starbucks. We opted not to go inside, because neither of us drinks coffee. I can't imagine this place starting any trends in American culture, but I never would have expected to ever visit Seattle in the first place. Also, if you do like coffee, Seattle is a must-visit location. There is a coffee shop on every corner.

Making our way across the street, we entered the market by 8am. Many vendors were just starting to set up, but the fresh fish, flowers, and produce were already out. One thing that I regret was packing too much, which also meant less room to buy lots of things. Especially since, this was really our first day of traveling, it was hard not to buy random gifts for people. Markets like these are cool because you see a mix of everything. We did not see anyone buy fish, so no fish went flying across the aisle. Underneath the street-level market were tons of tiny shops. We ended up buying stuff anyway.

We made our way back to the Travelodge and were picked up by the shuttle. I think this is also where we met our first pot head. Marijuana is legal in Washington state. He was very knowledgeable about the city, but rambled on. This shuttle was also where we met an older couple who were also cruising.

By 11:45am we were at the docks. The check-in process was a breeze. Unfortunately, we ran out of room, so we had to carry Alex and my jackets by hand. Bringing your own whale on your Alaskan cruise got a few laughs. Interestingly one of the questions during the check-in process was "Have you or have you been exposed to the flu in the past 4-6 weeks?" We both said no, but I can't imagine what would happen if someone said yes. I feel like that's probably a question they should ask you before you actually arrive at check-in.

We boarded the Carnival Miracle and began exploring the ship. There are 10 decks and food on deck 9. I spent a lot of time on Deck 9. On the top deck is where we took our obligatory Facebook photo and then we settled down for our first meal. At 1:30pm our rooms were ready. I called Carnival in hopes of getting an unobstructed view balcony cabin. It's a longer story than that, but I scared a reservation agent into putting a request into our file. So holding our breath, we entered the cabin on Deck 6 - conveniently located three floors above the formal dining room, and three floors under the deck 9 dining. It was perfect and had a nice little balcony with views of the water. Ironically, the decor of the ship was classic novels. Our room was located near the massive portrait of The Phantom of the Opera. Yet, another hint that this trip was meant to be.

The ship blasted off at 4pm and that's when I turned off my cell phone for an entire week.

HOME

Day 1 : May 27th Orlando to Seattle

May 27th

I love taking hot showers. Water is my element. My best thinking is done in the shower.

Made it to Seattle after hours of travelling. When you live on completely flat lands, any topography is welcome. The air is crisp. The trees looks like they've fallen out of a Bob Ross painting.

My first days of the Happiness Project was a bust. I'll blame the lack of sleep, movement, and food. Starting today no more excuses. 

We arrived in Seattle at midnight, which was 3am EST. The first thing that struck me were the lights. We could see lights on the hillsides, but because it was dark, could not see the hills themselves. The air was cooler, but not uncomfortable. My favorite part were the trees. Already it felt like a different vacation than any other I've taken.

We arrived at our hotel and met a lonely overnight front desk guy, who was lonely and talked to John for far too long. I guess it worked in our favor because he liked us so much that he complimentary upgraded our room. We had a stunning view of the Space needle, but fell asleep quickly.

MENU

Alaska - My search for mountains and whales

I have returned from my magnificent journey to the Northwest. It was absolutely fabulous and lived up to all of my expectations. Our ship, Carnival's Miracle, was beautiful and our cabin was gorgeous. I saw whales and mountains, which were on my bucket list to see before I die. Photos and words cannot do the scenery justice. Mountains as tall as sky scrapers. Icebergs as blue as Slurpees. Whales as far as the eye can see. 

I decided to also make this a mostly technology free vacation. I left my computer at home, and turned my phone off. I always worry about being out of contact for such a long period of time, but it was much needed. That being said, without a computer, I was unable to blog; so I did it old school style. I received a cute notebook as a gift and hand wrote out my "expeditions." Clicking on the links will take you to my various entries as they were written and post-travel commentary.

Here's a fancy menu:
Day 1 : May 27th Orlando to Seattle
Day 2 : May 28th Seattle and Bon Voyage
Day 3: May 29th Day at Sea
Day 4 : May 30th Tracy's Arm Fjord
Day 5 : May 31st Skagway, Alaska
Day 6 : June 1st Juneau, Alaska
Day 7 : June 2nd Ketchikan, Alaska
Day 8 : June 3rd Victoria, BC
Day 9 : June 4th Seattle to Vancouver, BC
Day 10 : June 5th Vancouver to Seattle
Day 11 : June 6th Seattle to Orlando Houston, TX
Day 12 : June 7th Houston to Orlando

I did not write entries for Day 11 & Day 12, due to the extreme stress and discontent. I want to remember the trip as the amazing and positive experience that it was. I want to believe that the extended days were meant to remind me what the difference is between good and bad customer service. It also is a good reminder as to why I work in a place that can make a person's bad vacation better.

In short, this was a trip that I needed to make. It changed my life in a way that I can't describe. I saw nature's beauty and found what I was looking for.

Follow me to Alaska

Tomorrow I blast off on my trip to Alaska and Canada. I'll be trying to Tweet, Instagram, and blog as much as I can, but I will not be buying Internets.

I found this really cool website that transmits the location of the ship (Carnival Miracle) throughout the week. In case you're wondering. http://www.seascanner.com/schiffsposition.php?schiff=Carnival+Miracle

Tracking the weather is something I do. Of course this past week in Alaska it's beautiful and sunny.  The day we arrive in Alaska it will be rainy and cold, for the entire week. Oh well. I guess I see intense sun 360 days of the year anyway.

I'm bringing an old school journal and pen with me, so I can note my adventures. Who knows. Maybe I'll come back with the next White Fang written.

Packing for cold weather has been a challenge. I'm usually a very light packer, but for some reason I'm bringing way too much clothes.  Warm clothes are bulky too. Shamefully, I am bringing two pairs of flip flops. Yes, I realize I'm going to Alaska, but what if I need a pair or two. I'm not bringing boots, which may also pose a problem. I've only lived in Florida for four years and apparently have become cold weather ignorant.

Also a funny story: That bridge that collapsed near Seattle is the bridge necessary for me to travel to Vancouver after the cruise. I'm sure there's a detour. Yay for American infrastructure.

At the end of the trip, I'll be visiting my cousin Karyn, who I have seen since 2008? She has two adorable children who I've never met. I'm very excited to meet them!

This will be the longest trip I've taken (aside from that time I lived in Los Angeles). It should be an adventure! I can't wait to come back and tell you all about it.

Vacation Poem

Tomorrow I'm going on vacation,

Traveling across this great nation. 

Crossing things off my bucket list,

I know this is a trip not to miss. 

It will be wet and cold,

but most beautiful, I am told. 

I hope to see tons of whales,

after all, I've obsessed over the details.

I don't even care if it's just their tails, 

If I do not see them it will just be fails.

I followed the whales on Twitter, 

and when I see them my heart will flitter.

It will be hard to return home,

but I think I'd miss my Chrome. (book)

So, I will see you all very soon,

Until then, try not to swoon. 

For Craig: My Alaska Trip

Dear Craig:
In 6 days I'm going to 

ALASKA

I am traveling via:

And I hope to see lots of:

I've been saving up all my money to buy:

Then I will return back to Orlando. 

The End!

Slightly irrational fears.

I cannot keep telling myself enough that in less than 97 days, I will be on my way to Alaska. I just need to make it that far and then I'll be able to enjoy myself. I'm starting to get some irrational (or maybe rational) fears about my upcoming trip. Aside from the whole, what if the plane crashes or the boat sinks, general non-sense, I'm thinking Bear Grylls style fears. What if I'm on an excursion or a hike and get lost? Though I grew up in the North, I am from Florida now, I can barely stand when the air condition is on. Do I have what it takes to not die? I'd be the first one eating poisonous berries or saying hello to the warm cuddly brown bear.

Then I'm thinking, my life is not nearly that exciting, that I would end up in a situation like that. I'm more likely to die of hypothermia chasing a whale in a canoe than having to eat my arm after getting pinned by a boulder. I read a book once called The Survivor's Club, which had this message that has always stuck with me: That it is the mind that can overcome adversity and when it comes down to it, if you really want to be the one who survives, then damn everyone else. It truly is a good read.

Hearing the stories from Carnival Triumph, I think I definitely survive if I were surrounded by food. I will be bringing doggy poop bags though, as they are incredibly useful. I also read that one should bring something reflective, to make search and rescue easier. (Hence, the back of an iPod).

Regardless, if I do find myself in a tragic position, someone please hack into my computer and publish my novel. It's no memoir, but I've been working on it for too long to go unpublished.

I need a vacation

I think I'm sick again. It's weird because I *knock on wood* do not have any runny nose or coughing. My ears hurt terribly and my right tonsil is swollen and angry. I'm guessing it's my mono, which comes back about once a year. It would explain why I can sleep so much and still be tired. Of course the only respite is to rest as much as possible.

I'm trying to plan a relaxing vacation. My dad does not want to leave Charger, so any plans we had are no longer an option. So now I'm thinking, I want to go somewhere I've never been. Alaska is becoming an interesting option. I've always wanted to see wild killer whales. I can really foresee this happening. I work way too much to not get any enjoyment out of life.

Many time when I get complaints from people who say "Oh I'm going to blog about my negative experience..." I often write them off, because I think that no one truly cares. That may be so, but I find myself looking at blog site like CruiseCritic.com to figure out the best value for money. Being a blogger myself, I know it's the future of news and journalism.

I also launched my homepage. When I finish my novel I'll buy a .com, but for now:

http://kmoy126.wix.com/home 

Reflection: Theme Park Peak Week

December 24 - January 2nd is every theme park worker's personal hell. It's where many of us wonder where we went wrong in our lives to end up where we are. It's when many of us lose faith in humanity and also promise ourselves that we will (try) not to be working in the same location the next year.

To live through Christmas Peak Week - Think of it like Black Friday on crack that goes on and on for a week. People wait for hours, mob scene, angry people, long lines, repeat. Theme parks prep as much as they can: adding hours, adding people, extending lines, more training, more parades, fixing things in hopes that the parks can survive the mob of people invading Central Florida. As a four year veteran of the worst week every, I can say that my best advice is to avoid the area at all costs. If you want an ideal vacation with no lines, perfect weather, and sweet angel children - then come in September/October.

During this time, we see the worse in people. People who do not put on their patience pants in the morning. People who expect to be the only ones on the planet. Defiant people who think that screaming and using foul language is the key to getting what they want. All this multiplied by thousands.

One of my favorite sentences is: "This would never happen at [insert any theme park name]." But the truth is, it does.

During the middle of the 2012 Holiday Peak a video went viral of a Disney Cast Member "acting out" and "yelling" at people. Well, when you have a parade dumping into a stage show in a bottle-neck area of the park, you have a new form of hell called Magic Kingdom during Christmas. Sure the general public sees a Disney worker yelling at poor innocent people. But, but, but Disney workers are supposed to create magic!!! BLASPHEMY!

Here's what I see: an overwhelmed young, underpaid woman, whose bosses told her to do "crowd control." On a normal day, this would be fine. However, I am sure this woman endured hours of telling people to move. But why tell people to move - it is Disney after all? Because if the crowd did not move they would die. Simply, trampled or hit by a large parade vehicle or killed by an angry mob. Why did she need to yell? Because she was speaking to at least 200 people, and you can't speak quietly if you are trying to inform 200 people that they're going to die if they do not move. This girl, who probably got fired, spoke to truth when she said "I'm just a number." Honestly, she probably would be treated better working at a fast food restaurant. At least there, if she messes up, it's her fault.

Also in this video you see a line of Electronic Convenience Vehicles (ECV). Controversy warning: I would guess that 8 out of 10 people using those ECVs actually need them. The words "I can't walk/stand for long periods, etc." Translate to me as: "I'm entitled. I do not feel the need to wait in line. I deserve special treatment." If I had a dollar for everyone who is suddenly stricken with a horrible non-standing disease when visiting a park, I would not be writing this.

And that's the root of the problem. It's all fun until Everyone feels entitled. Everyone's family deserves a perfect vacation. So, do not blame the theme parks for "overselling" or "not being prepared." Trust me, this happens every year, your family was just too enamored with the idea of spending Christmas in a theme park.

So to my fellow theme park survivors, Congratulations another one down. To travelers, please stop complaining. Travel in September, it truly is much more enjoyable.

Update: The lady in the above video supposedly did not get fired! She's been seen around the MK working hard.  Yay. If you know the Cast Member, please have her email me - I'd love to interview her. 

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom: Clever Operations

Facts: Walt Disney fans love to collect things. People like free things. The Magic Kingdom tries to reinvent itself frequently. Disney is always at the forefront of technology.

Given all these facts it is no wonder that Disney created this card game. It's a mix between the old Kim Possible (from Epcot) meets Pokemon. Guests wishing to play sign up for Free at the Firestation upon entering the Magic Kingdom. You're given a Key Card and a set of five playing cards per person. After a brief introduction you are sent on your way.

The Plot:  Disney's villains are doing something bad in the Magic Kingdom. It is your job as the sorcerer to use your magic cards to stop them.

Once you begin you are sent on your way to find your first Portal. The Portals are located in each of the Magic Kingdom lands, except for Tomorrowland. The technology is quite fascinating. The key activates the Portal, either by QR code, touch, or magic. You watch the screen for the plot and are prompted to use the cards. Then you are sent on your way to the next location. Overall the game take hours to play.

From an operations standpoint, it is an interesting way to manipulate crowds. I'm sure it's not manipulating too many people, but since there are so many combinations and locations, the game can move people to less crowded areas. I found myself running from one side of an area, all the way back to another. My feet hurt.

When you add the Disney factor to anything, you have die hard people. I found a lot of them today. People who "professionally" play this game. We saw people with binders of cards, traveling alone, just playing. There are unofficial trading locations where people gather to trade cards. There's even an underground economy, where people buy these cards on eBay. Right now, the highest price card on eBay is going for $999.99. So, apparently, it's a big thing.

John and I felt like n00bs using the map to find the Portal locations. A number of times, people just told us where to go to get us out of the way. Despite playing for five hours straight, we did not finish the game. I cannot say that I am "hooked," it's not my thing, but I will definitely go back and play this again. It's good for kids to keep them occupied, but I would not pay full priced admission to run around the park all day.

Interesting concept. Fascinating subculture. Only in Orlando.

Magical Dining: Rangetsu

 

September is Orlando's Magical Dining month. This is where select fancy restaurants throughout Orlando offer 3-course meals for $30.00 per person.  Some restaurants choose to feature their best cuisine, while others fare on the cheaper side. Either way, $30.00 for some of these restaurants that an average person would normally consider as a special occasion is not bad.

The restaurants that participate are all over town from Disney to Maitland and back again. In addition to wonderful food, eating for charity makes it even better. For every magical diner, restaurants donate $1.00 to the Edgewood Children's Ranch. Yay!

When I found one of my favorite restaurants on as one of the participating restaurants I knew I had to convince the family. Upon examining the Prix Fixe menu and finding my most favorite food item on there, it was go or not exist. So on short notice, we packed up the family and headed to RanGetsu. A little history: RanGetsu use to be a traditional Japanese restaurant located on I-drive. In 2010, it closed forever and I was so sad. The food was delicious and it could easily be my most favorite restaurant. I thought all was lost until 2011, when a radio commercial announced RanGetsu's rebirth in Winter Park. Now this fusiony-Japanese restaurant makes traditional Japanese food fashionable.

On RanGetsu's Magical Dining menu are some fancy fusion appetizers and desserts, but what I really went for was the Sukiyaki. There's really no way to describe this other than you cook your own thinly-sliced meat in a pot of delicious sauce at your table. The sauce just is unami - totally savory. When we were younger, my dad use to get Sukiyaki all the time. So the taste instantly brings me back to a simpler time. 

With being only $30.00 I was expecting a tiny portion, but really, it was a full portion and almost too much food. When it came time for dessert, I knew I was going to feel too full. For dessert I had Green Tea Creme Brulee. It was definitely green and unlike anything I ever tasted. I think that's why I like events like Magical Dining. You get to try things that you would never think of eating.

So Orlando residents, if you have some extra cash and you like to eat food. I highly recommend trying out a local restaurant during September.

Jumping off

Recently, my good friend and former co-worker, Tony Albanese quit his job, packed up, and drove across country to Los Angeles. No plan; no real reason, other than he just didn't want his life to be wasted. Apparently, he's done this before and ended up in Orlando.

I can only dream of such actions. I have another friend who went the other way. She had a job working for a big company in Los Angeles. She recently packed up and drove across country to live in New York City. Again, no job.

I wonder why I can't do the same. I have no children, no overwhelming commitments. There are days that I just want to pack up and call it a day. Though logic dictates that it's a 'grass is always greener' situation. It must be nice, even for a day, to have no obligations.

I'm far too attached to my family and to having certainty to just pick up and leave. I'm the type of person that needs a destination and a job. One can only hope that a better opportunity and adventure is out there for every one of us.

In Concert: Frankie Valli

By far the best concert I have seen in years was "Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons" at Universal's Mardi Gras. The collection of songs just got better as the night went on and my parents were pleasantly surprised about how much fun I was having.

Leading up to the event, I thought, that it would be a bunch of old guys in walkers propped up next to a microphone. This was only partially true. The Four Seasons turn out to be like that Mexican boy band that Ricky Martin came from. When  guy gets too old, they switch out with a handsome guy who can sing and dance. Maybe I'm a suck for cheap choreography, but wow! Those Four Seasons made the night. 

Only once did I believe that Mr. Valli wasn't going to make it the whole show, but a wardrobe change fixed the problem. He even did a longer encore than 3 Doors Down last year. No one uses a live "orchestra" any more either. So for a performance quality I'm definitely giving it an A!