Day Three

 Day Three,

This day was eventfilled.

We discovered that even people who were not going the entire cruise received those lovely gifts.

Breakfast took a very long time. The ship is short staffed so things are slower than they should be. Apparently many more crew will join the ship in Honolulu.Something about imigration problems with the US not allowing people to enter the country to meet the ship in LA... just a rumour.

Then after breakfast we had to return to our cabin to do a covid test. All had to be tested and based on the results maskwearing will have to continue or it will be dropped. Fortunately both Ken and I were negative.

Next I went to the experts on the ship to find out what the problem was with my cell phone photos and my computer. An hour and one half later everything is working as it should. Apparently an Apple I Phone does photos in one format and the windows computer can read another format. So as with everything there is an ap for that. Wonderful young people were very helpful with that and I think all is well. We shall see.

I have reached the conclusion that there is a conspiracy afoot. Somewhere someone has decided that there will be too many Baby Boomers needing places in nursing homes so to avoid that situation they are going to use technology to drive all of us right out of our minds . In that way they can just put us in Mental institutions which is much less expensive than seniors residences.

The first two days were quite cool and there was some motion on the ocean but today is much calmer and it is up to 18C so things are looking up.

We were told tonight that masks are no longer required but recommended. We will continue to wear ours.

Tonight at dinner we had another very nice couple and a single. It is kind of nice to have the regular Leo and Pauline and someone new.  Service is still slow so we are going to keep our eyes open for Pauline and Leo and suggest that they come at 5 instead of 5:30 so we can get to the show before all of the seats are taken.

Tonight was a magic show and the theatre was packed. 

Tomorrow is a formal night .

Gifts

 I have been having a real struggle to get pictures downloaded to the computer so I can share them with you.

I just managed to get a few downloaded but I don't know if I will be able to do it tomorrow. 

First they fixed our heating situation.

Today was the day to receive gifts from Princess. The gifts are for the world cruisers and all are marked as being from the 2023 World Cruise. We each received a wonderful metal water bottle and we each received a special holder and lanyard for our medalions. Ken also received a grand backpack and I received an equally grand beach bag. I am attaching photos I hope....

Those are the roses from our travel agent. 

Beginning

 We slept well and felt alive when morning arrived. 

We went downstairs and had a very nice breakfast that was included. It was a great buffet with almost anything you could think of. After breakfast we went back to our room and relaxed to wait for time to head for the shuttle. 

When we came down there were more demonstrations of just how many suitcases a person would pack. I would love to be a fly on the wall when they try to unpack and store all of those things.

The ride was only about 10 minutes and it was only about 15 minutes and we were on the ship. Such a smooth embarkation.

Our room is nice and the balcony is one of the larger ones. 

The first thing I saw as I entered the room was a lovely bouquet of yellow roses. Kim is the best TA ever.

We did the safety thing and went to lunch in the dining room. I had the crab cakes...yummy

After lunch we tried to do some unpacking and we were all set by the time it was time to head down to the dining room. 

WE have been assigned a table with a couple from Australia. ( Leo and Pauline)

They are lovely people and we have decided to share that table throughout this sigment. I had a fruit salad and seared scallops. A great first night meal.

We went tp the show and comedian Michael Joiner was the feature. I enjoyed laughing and relaxing. The cruise director told us the numbers...312 Canadians, 1484 Americans, and a total of 1933 guests. 

It was a perfect beginning to our cruise. The one difficulty is the fact that our room is cold. We asked for service but so far it is still chilly in here. Our room steward brought us a large blanket to top our bed. It looks cozy.

Also I cannot find the lightning cord to allow our cell phone pictures to be downloaded to this computer. I will switch to my camera so I can send you some photos. I am not please about that. I was counting on being able to use the cell phone camera I may see what the photo people have to say. Perhaps they have a cord to sell or know how I can do that download without a cord.

The Crowne Plaza

 At The Crowne Plaza

Most important we passed the last Covid test so we will be able to board!!! We have a pick up scheduled for 11:00.

The plane trip was almost uneventful. Dave picked up up at 3:30 and we got to the airport in lots of time and had no problems checking in. Luggage is shipped all of the way to LAX.

Ken and I seldom pay for seat selection we just take what the airline gives but because this is special I decided to select our seats and pay that fee for the leg from Calgary to LAX because it was a longer flight. Ken really enjoys sitting next to a window but being on the wing gives a terrible view if any view at all. So I made certain to select a window in front of the wing. 

Who knew that there are rows on a plane that do NOT have a window?.

Our arrival to LAX was right on time and after a slight panic trying how to contact our driver he contacted me and it went smoothly from there. 

The hotel is very nice, spacious and well equipped but who ever heard of a hotel room that did not have a closet?

We called Ken and Wendy, my niece and her husband and they soon arrived to pick us up. We had a great visit with them. It is as if no time has passed when we get together. Wonderful!! All 4 of us look a bit older but our hearts are still the same.

We returned to the hotel and had a very SHORT nap. Half hour....getting up at 2:30 is beginning to take its toll.

We quickly headed downstairs to get to the Green Onion by 6:30. On the way we met 2 couples who were also on their way there. When we arrived we discovered that the room was not what we expected. People were packed in shoulder to shoulder and all seats were taken. We were glad of that because we did not want to ignore Covid protocol. We could not distance ourselves . So we decided to leave and headed back to the hotel, WE met another couple on the way and we four decided to have dinner together. Deborah and Gordon.....forget last name. They are on the WC with us. I hope to see them on the ship. They seem to be very nice and would be great table mates.

Dinner was very nice and we visited and enjoyed the relaxation. 

We decided to do the last Covid test and it was negative. It was not long after that and we were both in bed and on our way to dreamland.

We have breakfast here and then it is off to the ISLAND PRINCESS. I have to plnch myself to realize that this is real!!!

A Bucket List Adventure is about to begin!!

 The packing has begun!!

This is where we are going.

Definitely a Bucket List Adventure.

And this is when we will be there

We are doing the 111 day LA to LA.

STAY TUNED!!!

Last Post or is it an epilogue??

Just a note to ;et you know why there was such a lull between posts.

I tested positive for Covid.

Rough throat turned into a dry cough, is now a hacking cough and I am tired .

No other symptoms.

Waiting to hear from my doctor to get the anti viral,,,Paxlovid.

Ken has not gotten it this time.

Time for another nap!

Last Day of this adventure

We awoke to a wonderful warm and sunny day,. a great change from the rain and rough seas of yesterday.

We have book a sights of Victoria tour. It was a fun tour with the bus driver hitting the highlights and our very able guide giving us a run down of the history of the area. A lot of it we had seen but we knew very little of the history. One fun part was a trip to TIM HORTENS  Did you know that there are 6685 Tim's in Canada and that they have expanded over the globe? She told of of the hockey players life and his enterprenorial adventures They she took a beverage order from each of us. making certain to explain what a double double was. The bus stopped and we piled into the restaurant to enjoy our beverage and 4 Tim Bits.

Soon we were back at the cruise termonal and we were given a little goodie bag of things you can in Canada. Our bag contained cheesies and smarties and a small maple syrup.

Such Fun.

I used my cell phone to call Shelia and let her know where we were. At the breakwater enjoying the murals.She was just across the parking area and so soon we were on our way. We were given an amazing tour of her favorite spots in the city and then we headed for her lovely home.  As I had feared she went to entirely too much trouble. She even had a Cape Breton tartan tea cup especially for me. We even used the tea timer I had brought for her.

She showed me the painting of a bird that she wants me to do a painting for. It is not large so she would like 2 smaller paintings to go with it. She has honoured me by asking if I would do that for her. I am delighted to give it a try. I already have thoughts on the matter.

All too soon it was time to head back to the ship. We quickly finished up the packing. put the suitcases in the hall . gathered our tip envelopes and headed for the dining room.

Much to my surprise Gary senior had a duck. There was not a tag so we do not know who hid it but he found it nead an elevator. Neither Ken nor I found a duck.

Lots of great desserts tonight as we said good bye to the staff and thanked them so much for their service. It is a difficult life one that I know I could not do and they are to be commended.

We said our good byes to our new friends .

We are to disembark at 9:15 am and Stewart and Ellenor will be waiting for us.

I have a bit of a rough throat and am feeling tired this evening. Last night. 

We hate to get off. cruises are never long enough, I wonder if we will feel the same on May 11 of 2023.