Early Morning is a great time to go to the solarium. They even had a recording of little birds (well they could have been huge birds it was a recording after all) chirping.
There was also a water feature if you can notice at the end where the wall is wood surround with silver tiles in the middle. At the bottom of that wall was a fountain that had changing colors and the water 'danced' to music.
We don't port till 6pm, therefore I declare it time for mimosas..........until 11:15am when we need to be in the Solstice Theatre, Deck 4 for the Top Chef at Sea Quickfire Challenge. I have never watched Bravo tv's Top Chef but I understand it's a competition show.....like cupcake wars which I do happen to watch......there are several sailings a year that feature contestants from the show making their signature dishes in the main dining room. Well today ladies and gentlemen YOU have the opportunity to step up to the plate and show your skills to be crowned Quickfire Champion! Fun for all.
A very faint blow I do see here, but let me be the first to admit that I saw....not......one.....Orca......but I loved the humpbacks in Juneau.
It is so very important that you read your "daily" so there are no surprises. Today we also get extra instruction sheets on luggage and the embarkation process.........sad day. I was very pleased although to read that they would be playing the opening NFL game the Green Bay Packers vs Seattle Seahawks on our stateroom tv channel 7 as well as the Celebrity Central lounge on Deck 4. Just because we are really now on our last day doesn't mean the fun stops. The day coming into Victoria was packed with activities just as yesterday's full day at sea was.
6pm and there she is in all her glory......Victoria, the Capital of British Columbia, Canada is set on the sunny southern tip of Vancouver Island. Their mild climate is ideal for exploring their museums, parks and many golf courses. As a one-time British Colony Victoria has retained quite a bit of it's colonial splendor touting English charm and dramatic scenery.
Victoria has been known for a long time as the "City of Gardens". It has become a year round passion. Each June to celebrate the start of summer the city is abundant with hanging baskets of color so beautiful you can't imagine. I noted 9 public gardens, for those that adore blooms I suggest a tour. And if you are a golfer there are many courses to choose from. There are also a large number of Spas to relax and let your mind, body and soul be rejuvenated.
Victoria is one of the oldest settlements in the Northwest Pacific being established in 1843. It is named of course after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. The two most famous landmarks are the British Columbia Parliament Building and the Empress Hotel which opened to the public in 1908. The Chinatown district is the second oldest in North America after San Francisco.
Daytime photo of the Empress Hotel.
We grabbed a bus at the pier for around $10 US a we were not sure about the walk into town. The bus dropped us off right in the middle of town and assured us he would pick us up at the exact same location no later than 10:30pm as our departure out of Victoria was scheduled for 11:59pm. There was a lot of shopping and restaurants and we decided to take a little two block walk down to the river where we found..................
A float plane. Just like the ones we saw throughout Alaska. Very popular mode of transportation in these parts.
The water front was full of bars and restaurants, all of them lively. We also noticed several whale watching companies which given the opportunity we would have tried that as well. I had not seen an Orca in the wild and was wishing we had more time here to take one of these boat tours.
We did however find the cutest water taxi that took us from the main waterfront area across the bay to a real neat group of houseboats with a boardwalk that had food as well.
It was a very easy walk from the houseboat area to our ship so we took advantage of the beautiful sunny day or should I say evening as it was closing in on 9pm by that point, and enjoyed the quaint streets, met some locals and had the opportunity to enjoy petting their dogs.
Outside shot of the water taxi's that run.
You could spend a nice hour walking the docks looking at the houseboats, grab a bite and even for $1.00 you can feed the harbor seals.
So now, as we sail away from Victoria the sun is setting and I'm at the realization point of our Cruise. That yes in the morning I will absolutely have to get off the ship. I usually do it kicking and screaming !
Long story short, Alaska is beautiful, there is wildlife everywhere if you choose to look. Cruising is absolutely the best way to see Alaska as you can view the glaciers and waterfalls from the comfort of your balcony stateroom, or you can do like I did and get up right before the sun does, put on your fuzzy robe and flip flops, and head to the Solstice Deck with a hot steamy cup of delicious coffee (complete with Baileys if you choose) to watch the ship pull into port. It is so peaceful and quiet as well as so beautiful you must remember to take your camera with you.
I hope this has sparked your interest. Not only in the wonders and fun filled days and nights of cruising but traveling in general. Making memories this way means having stories to share and photos to keep it fresh in your mind.
Until next trip........................................
