Cruising again - It's north, to Alaska!

The Noordam (bottom right) leaves for Alaska on Sunday, September 14, on 2 week cruise.

Kathryn's immediate family (brothers and sisters) are celebrating their parents' lives by taking a cruise together.  Her parents, the now deceased Clara and James, will have their ashes spread into the ocean as a nod towards one of their favourite activities - cruising.  The destination is not random; Alaska was a fond and oft repeated destination for them.

There will be ten of us, the five brothers and sisters and spouses.  Everyone being sexagenarians or older, the on-board activities will be limited to dining, walking, visiting, watching shows, and hopefully playing cards.  There are 8 ports of call where we will be engaging in three excursions.  Other onshore activities will involve taking in the vistas and, for me, anyways, taking photos.  I hope to get photos of creatures and places I have never seen before.

I am concerned about the weather - rain is forecast - but at least it won't be freezing (in the literal sense), but I expect lots of that cool, moist air that Vancouver in the fall is famous for.  Rain gear, warm clothes, and protection from the elements for both me and my camera will be in good supply.  

The thing about travelling as a group in our age range is that we will likely represent a well-equipped pharmacy.  There will be no shortage of balms, pills, heating pads, and visits to the ship's masseuses.  I am sure that, if you listen carefully, you will hear the squeaking of arthritic joints and hip replacements as we pass by.  The good news is that we will be easy to find.

Looking forward to a good time.  Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen.     www.ericspix.com

 


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