As I have attempted to recap my holiday in photos today, more words keep spilling to the surface. It is the whale videos that have got me writing once again.
Today, I went back and posted a video of my very first whale sighting in the "No Scary Bugs Yet" blog post. That was the morning we were sailing towards Icy Straight Point.
Prior to that morning, I had thought perhaps that some of the black spots that I had seen in the ocean were the fins of a whale (on learning more, I am now wondering if those may have been seals). But I wasn't certain. But that morning. The morning I shot that video, I was the one (at least within earshot) who spotted the whales off to the side of the ship first.
There is a quiet exhilaration as you find nature right in your own 'back yard'. To be staring off into the water and spot life is a wonderful thing. To see your first whale is pretty darn thrilling. It wasn't quite inventing the wheel ... or finding out that the earth is not flat. But it's the closest thing to a natural discovery that I have come across in a while.
I could stare out at the ocean and be content with the quiet waves. My eyes became keen when shades of darkness came to the surface. But it is that breath of a whale - the exhalation and the spray of water that captivates your soul.
It was a day later when we officially went whale watching in Juneau. They have a money back guarantee that you will see a whale. And they have never paid out a penny. We saw whales. Lots of whales. But you still don't get past the awe factor. I was listening to the video today as I edited my movies and what you hear from those on board, is a silent reverence. And the 'wow' factor when the whale flips its tail fin and goes for that final deep dive.
The whales that stand out the most for me though, are the whales that 'flipped us the tail' in Skagway.
Skagway was a 'day lost' for me, but as we headed back to our ship after our excursion there were two whales off in the far distance. They were practically vertically downstream of our catamaran. You could just hear the exhalation of their breath and see the spray of water before they took their shallow dives. They did just enough breaths to grab my attention. Then they came up for their final breath of air before they took their deep dive.
That final deep dive was as if it was done in slow motion. It must have been the angle that we were viewing them from, but all I remember was that prolonged view of that tail fin before they disappeared. It was a moment frozen in time. No picture. No video. Just a memory.
A memory of that glorious tail fin, in suspended animation. A clear vision at the end of a cloudy day of memories.
I just had to write about it so I will forever be reminded. Sometimes, it is the pictures of the heart that last the longest. And this ... was just one of those moments.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
My Great Alaskan Cruise Adventure
It's been a perfect day.
I have been playing with my pictures and videos all day. I have been having an out of body experience as I have been reliving my holiday. All from the comfort of home.
What follows is a photo montage that takes you from Saskatoon to Vancouver to Anchorage and back. There are a few days that are missing from my archives. The day my patch fell off in Skagway ... our days in Anchorage (I was too busy visiting to be taking pictures of the scenery) ... and our last night in Vancouver is wrapped up in this short blog post (and the only photo that I took during that leg of our trip).
What one may notice about the photos that I took when we went on our excursions, is my fascination with our ship. Once we hit dry land and I could see the vastness of our little 'world' at sea, my camera started snapping pictures. The theme "Wow!! Look at our ship!" runs strong throughout my vacation photos. From the dock, from a distance (when it was tendered in Icy Straight Point and we had to take a boat to the shore) and from the top of Mount Roberts when we took the tramcar ride to the top.
My fascination for our ship was followed by the quiet wonder of whale (and wilderness) watching. It was like playing 'Where's Waldo' and the ocean was our canvas. You could stare out at the vastness and not know what you may see next.
Hubbard Glacier was the final hurrah of our vacation. I got a little snap happy there as we all appreciated the (rare) bright, blue sky that we were blessed with. It made for the most beautiful reflections in the water. I could stare at those pictures all day.
Once again, I have accompanied the photo montage with music from the "Alaska String Band". The songs are "Wheel Hoss" and "Ashokan Farewell" from their CD "Farther On". Please feel free to visit their website at: http://www.alaskastringband.net/
Enjoy ...
I have been playing with my pictures and videos all day. I have been having an out of body experience as I have been reliving my holiday. All from the comfort of home.
What follows is a photo montage that takes you from Saskatoon to Vancouver to Anchorage and back. There are a few days that are missing from my archives. The day my patch fell off in Skagway ... our days in Anchorage (I was too busy visiting to be taking pictures of the scenery) ... and our last night in Vancouver is wrapped up in this short blog post (and the only photo that I took during that leg of our trip).
What one may notice about the photos that I took when we went on our excursions, is my fascination with our ship. Once we hit dry land and I could see the vastness of our little 'world' at sea, my camera started snapping pictures. The theme "Wow!! Look at our ship!" runs strong throughout my vacation photos. From the dock, from a distance (when it was tendered in Icy Straight Point and we had to take a boat to the shore) and from the top of Mount Roberts when we took the tramcar ride to the top.
My fascination for our ship was followed by the quiet wonder of whale (and wilderness) watching. It was like playing 'Where's Waldo' and the ocean was our canvas. You could stare out at the vastness and not know what you may see next.
Hubbard Glacier was the final hurrah of our vacation. I got a little snap happy there as we all appreciated the (rare) bright, blue sky that we were blessed with. It made for the most beautiful reflections in the water. I could stare at those pictures all day.
Once again, I have accompanied the photo montage with music from the "Alaska String Band". The songs are "Wheel Hoss" and "Ashokan Farewell" from their CD "Farther On". Please feel free to visit their website at: http://www.alaskastringband.net/
Enjoy ...
A Prelude to My Alaska Adventure Video Montages
As I was snapping pictures and recording video footage of my Great Alaskan Adventure, I knew that I would be compiling my collection of memories in a video format. All the while, I knew that I must keep my ears tuned for the perfect musical accompaniment. And I found what I was looking for ...
While we were in Juneau, we had the pleasure of seeing the "Alaska String Band" perform atop Mount Roberts.
Paul and Melissa Zahasky and their three children - Laura, Quinn and Abigail make musical magic together. They play guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass, duck as well as the vocals for the music you are about to hear on the videos that follow.
I was granted permission to use their music (I promised to properly acknowledge their band) and I would also like to pass along their website so that you can find out more information for yourself: www.alaskastringband.net
Watching and listening to the "Alaska String Band" was a delightful way to wind up our most perfect day in Juneau, Alaska.
While we were in Juneau, we had the pleasure of seeing the "Alaska String Band" perform atop Mount Roberts.
Paul and Melissa Zahasky and their three children - Laura, Quinn and Abigail make musical magic together. They play guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass, duck as well as the vocals for the music you are about to hear on the videos that follow.
I was granted permission to use their music (I promised to properly acknowledge their band) and I would also like to pass along their website so that you can find out more information for yourself: www.alaskastringband.net
Watching and listening to the "Alaska String Band" was a delightful way to wind up our most perfect day in Juneau, Alaska.
Whale Watching in Juneau, Alaska
My favorite Alaskan excursion was in the city of Juneau, Alaska.
Whale watching (and waiting) was the highlight of our Alaskan Adventures. I put this video montage together today and I was transported back in time.
A time where the world stands still, as you watch the vastness of the ocean. The exhilaration when you spot life in the water.
The tell tale fin. The exhalation of air from a whale. A seal's head poking in and out of the water. The curve of a whale's back. And the grand finale of them all ... the final 'flip' of the whale's tail as it goes for a deep dive. And then you wait.
What follows is a video montage of my favorite excursion of all.
The music which is playing in the background is "Simple Prayer" by the Alaska String Band. I had the pleasure of not only seeing them in person, but getting their personal authorization to play their music along with the Alaskan photo/video montages which I am compiling.
Whale watching (and waiting) was the highlight of our Alaskan Adventures. I put this video montage together today and I was transported back in time.
A time where the world stands still, as you watch the vastness of the ocean. The exhilaration when you spot life in the water.
The tell tale fin. The exhalation of air from a whale. A seal's head poking in and out of the water. The curve of a whale's back. And the grand finale of them all ... the final 'flip' of the whale's tail as it goes for a deep dive. And then you wait.
What follows is a video montage of my favorite excursion of all.
The music which is playing in the background is "Simple Prayer" by the Alaska String Band. I had the pleasure of not only seeing them in person, but getting their personal authorization to play their music along with the Alaskan photo/video montages which I am compiling.
At Home ... With No Where to Go
Ahhh ... to simply be home!
My cat went off simultaneously with my alarm this morning. At 5:45 a.m., the cat was meowing and the alarm was sounding. I immediately turned off the alarm and our cat disappeared.
I was alone. I awoke to the knowledge that it was Saturday and I have absolutely no where I have to go or no place I need to be today.
I can revel in the wonder I call home.
Today is the day that I will sit still with the pictures I collected while I was on holidays. I will go back and insert photos &/or videos into my 'travelling post card' blog posts where ever they fit.
I plan to create a slide show of the scenery pictures (I am not big fan of scenery pictures, yet I found myself joining the crowds of picture takers on the ship and I have a bit of a collection of those photos).
I must go through and decide which pictures I want to print. I will have a small collection of 'friend' pictures. The friendship theme of my holiday is truly what I remember most now that I am home.
My Anchorage Friend planted the idea for a blog post in my mind the morning that we parted ways. I haven't wanted to rush that post. The conversation we shared was so precious that I don't want to rush the words and lose the essence. That conversation often rewinds and replays my mind. I must write it down before I lose the small nuances that turned a sentence into a chapter as we summed up our visit, our friendship and the small wonders of the symbolism we found as we let one small thought carry us away.
Today is to be a quiet day of reflection. I can't wait to get started.
My cat went off simultaneously with my alarm this morning. At 5:45 a.m., the cat was meowing and the alarm was sounding. I immediately turned off the alarm and our cat disappeared.
I was alone. I awoke to the knowledge that it was Saturday and I have absolutely no where I have to go or no place I need to be today.
I can revel in the wonder I call home.
Today is the day that I will sit still with the pictures I collected while I was on holidays. I will go back and insert photos &/or videos into my 'travelling post card' blog posts where ever they fit.
I plan to create a slide show of the scenery pictures (I am not big fan of scenery pictures, yet I found myself joining the crowds of picture takers on the ship and I have a bit of a collection of those photos).
I must go through and decide which pictures I want to print. I will have a small collection of 'friend' pictures. The friendship theme of my holiday is truly what I remember most now that I am home.
My Anchorage Friend planted the idea for a blog post in my mind the morning that we parted ways. I haven't wanted to rush that post. The conversation we shared was so precious that I don't want to rush the words and lose the essence. That conversation often rewinds and replays my mind. I must write it down before I lose the small nuances that turned a sentence into a chapter as we summed up our visit, our friendship and the small wonders of the symbolism we found as we let one small thought carry us away.
Today is to be a quiet day of reflection. I can't wait to get started.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Kudos to 'Celebrity Millennium'
I simply must write about our cruise ship and crew before day-to-day-life takes over. I do know that each and every time I think, talk or write of this adventure at sea ... I will be able to transport myself back into the 'world' that the Celebrity Millennium crew created for us.
Where do I begin? The entire Cruise Experience was incredible. From beginning to end.
It started the moment that we spotted our first 'Celebrity Cruise' employee before we boarded in the port in Vancouver, B.C. and ended when yet another person on the Celebrity team helped my friend find me in the long line of Celebrity Cruise guests disembarking in Anchorage, Alaska.
I am a novice traveller. Yet the Celebrity Cruise Line Team made each and every step along the way easy-to-follow. Signs when we needed to know where to go. A friendly face to answer the myriad of questions that we had along the way.
Line ups were inevitable, but what I marvelled at was the speed and efficiency as they guided thousands of people through the (many) required steps to get us aboard the Celebrity Millennium on Embarkation Day.
I was impressed before we left solid ground. But the moment I stepped aboard the cruise ship, I was in awe.
Once again, the Celebrity Crew was ready, willing and able to assist at every turn. As I stood in amazement and started to absorb the wonder of our world at sea, I will forever remember the crew that made this voyage a trip to remember. From beginning to end.
There are the behind the scenes people. Those that are almost invisible to the naked eye. Working quietly to keep the ship clean, providing an endless supply of food and beverages and navigating us down the Pacific Ocean coastline.
There are the people that you come to know on first name basis. We were forever running into our Room Steward and his assistant in the corridors. If it weren't for the crisply made beds and the chocolates on the pillows at night, one wouldn't realize that they efficiently tended to our unknown needs in our absence.
Then there were our waiters at supper. A ready smile, eager to know us on a first name basis and oh-so-happy to make the dining experience what it is intended to be on a cruise ship.
There were those that I sought out, found and had the pleasure of dealing with. 'Dee' - my new, favorite hair stylist. She not only tamed my wild locks, she styled my hair in a manner in which I can (finally!!) tend with ease. The acupuncturist who saved the day when an on shore bus trip triggered my motion sickness hours before one of the most anticipated evening's events.
Then there was 'Sandra'. I wandered up to her to ask a question one day and we ended up having a conversation. And she remembered me. Whenever we ran into each other from that point on, she greeted me with enthusiasm and went above and beyond the call of duty when I ran into a problem. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to talk with her one last time during our last day at sea.
I will be forever grateful to 'Marlon' - our assistant waiter who sent My Friend home with a perfectly sliced green apple when I couldn't make it to supper (the motion sickness returned with a vengeance) on our final evening. That green apple was Marlon's personal testament to the fact that he had 'been where I was at'.
'Ian', our cruise director was a delightful part of the entertainment experience. I talked with him very early on in our cruise experience ... and he remembered that conversation.
There were countless crew members that we didn't have the opportunity to talk with. But whenever we did stop and ask one of them about their job or what country they were from, the response was unanimous. They were proud of their home country and grateful for their job. A job that took them away from their country, their family and land for whatever length of time their contract dictated. A job, where time off is counted in hours. Not days. A job, which is vital to the efficient running of the ship ... yet where you see that they are sometimes treated with far less respect than they deserve.
I walked onto the cruise ship and thought to myself - what a wonderful way to earn a living! To work and live on this marvellous vessel at sea. From the outside, looking in ... it appeared to be the perfect job.
After only seven days, I appreciated a completely different side to this 'perfect' occupation. The people who commit themselves to this occupation are my heroes. They are 'on' and working all of the time. When they walk down the corridors, they are working. They smile, they serve, they accommodate, they do numerous thankless little jobs that are invisible to the naked eye. Yet they shine.
The 'Celebrity Millennium' cruise ship is (in my eyes) the 8th Wonder of the World. But it would be nothing but a floating showpiece, if it wasn't for the cast and crew.
Thank you, 'Celebrity'. You made this a vacation to remember ... because of your people (your ship and the incredible entertainment and on-board activities are not too shabby either!).
Where do I begin? The entire Cruise Experience was incredible. From beginning to end.
It started the moment that we spotted our first 'Celebrity Cruise' employee before we boarded in the port in Vancouver, B.C. and ended when yet another person on the Celebrity team helped my friend find me in the long line of Celebrity Cruise guests disembarking in Anchorage, Alaska.
I am a novice traveller. Yet the Celebrity Cruise Line Team made each and every step along the way easy-to-follow. Signs when we needed to know where to go. A friendly face to answer the myriad of questions that we had along the way.
Line ups were inevitable, but what I marvelled at was the speed and efficiency as they guided thousands of people through the (many) required steps to get us aboard the Celebrity Millennium on Embarkation Day.
I was impressed before we left solid ground. But the moment I stepped aboard the cruise ship, I was in awe.
Once again, the Celebrity Crew was ready, willing and able to assist at every turn. As I stood in amazement and started to absorb the wonder of our world at sea, I will forever remember the crew that made this voyage a trip to remember. From beginning to end.
There are the behind the scenes people. Those that are almost invisible to the naked eye. Working quietly to keep the ship clean, providing an endless supply of food and beverages and navigating us down the Pacific Ocean coastline.
There are the people that you come to know on first name basis. We were forever running into our Room Steward and his assistant in the corridors. If it weren't for the crisply made beds and the chocolates on the pillows at night, one wouldn't realize that they efficiently tended to our unknown needs in our absence.
Then there were our waiters at supper. A ready smile, eager to know us on a first name basis and oh-so-happy to make the dining experience what it is intended to be on a cruise ship.
There were those that I sought out, found and had the pleasure of dealing with. 'Dee' - my new, favorite hair stylist. She not only tamed my wild locks, she styled my hair in a manner in which I can (finally!!) tend with ease. The acupuncturist who saved the day when an on shore bus trip triggered my motion sickness hours before one of the most anticipated evening's events.
Then there was 'Sandra'. I wandered up to her to ask a question one day and we ended up having a conversation. And she remembered me. Whenever we ran into each other from that point on, she greeted me with enthusiasm and went above and beyond the call of duty when I ran into a problem. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to talk with her one last time during our last day at sea.
I will be forever grateful to 'Marlon' - our assistant waiter who sent My Friend home with a perfectly sliced green apple when I couldn't make it to supper (the motion sickness returned with a vengeance) on our final evening. That green apple was Marlon's personal testament to the fact that he had 'been where I was at'.
'Ian', our cruise director was a delightful part of the entertainment experience. I talked with him very early on in our cruise experience ... and he remembered that conversation.
There were countless crew members that we didn't have the opportunity to talk with. But whenever we did stop and ask one of them about their job or what country they were from, the response was unanimous. They were proud of their home country and grateful for their job. A job that took them away from their country, their family and land for whatever length of time their contract dictated. A job, where time off is counted in hours. Not days. A job, which is vital to the efficient running of the ship ... yet where you see that they are sometimes treated with far less respect than they deserve.
I walked onto the cruise ship and thought to myself - what a wonderful way to earn a living! To work and live on this marvellous vessel at sea. From the outside, looking in ... it appeared to be the perfect job.
After only seven days, I appreciated a completely different side to this 'perfect' occupation. The people who commit themselves to this occupation are my heroes. They are 'on' and working all of the time. When they walk down the corridors, they are working. They smile, they serve, they accommodate, they do numerous thankless little jobs that are invisible to the naked eye. Yet they shine.
The 'Celebrity Millennium' cruise ship is (in my eyes) the 8th Wonder of the World. But it would be nothing but a floating showpiece, if it wasn't for the cast and crew.
Thank you, 'Celebrity'. You made this a vacation to remember ... because of your people (your ship and the incredible entertainment and on-board activities are not too shabby either!).
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Priorities
I've been home under 18 1/2 hours, after 12 days absence. What have my priorities been?
#1 - Walk back into my life and enjoy the moments.
I wandered through the afternoon with my Second Son as we caught each other up on our weeks as he ran a few errands and we had coffee as we drove. I was home when My Youngest came home from school. I let the world stop when Mom called. Unfortunately by the time My Oldest called around 9:00 last night, I was up to my elbows in trying to regain lost ground after being away for so long (I had done so well up until that point). But we still caught each other up on the recent events in our lives.
#2 - Take care of the power bill.
I'm on an equalized payment plan and my settle up month is May. I knew before I left on holidays, that I would owe them money. I was right. That was the second order of business. To take care of business.
#3 - Ignore, ignore, ignore the house, the unpacking, the reality.
I did well. I lasted until after supper. I put my blinders on and walked through the house without seeing it for the first six hours I was home. It was fun while it lasted.
#4 - Go to McDonald's for supper!!
I was in my glory. Skinny burgers, salty fries and a large Coke. My stomach was doing happy flips. "It's so good to be home!!" was the message that was being transmitted from my fast-food deprived body, to my brain.
#5 - Reality.
It had to happen sooner or later. I finally started dealing with it.
I am unpacked and I am living out of drawers and closets once again. It has been a very, very long time (3 months) since my suitcase has not been living on my bedroom floor, waiting to be packed for my next out-of-home-experience. It feels quite wonderful to know that I am home to stay. The urge to forge off on another adventure is so far down my list that I can't even see it.
What came into focus once I started seeing my life through a clear, tunnel vision of enjoying being at home?
The bathroom drawer that had started coming apart before I left. I had suitcases to unpack, a laundry hamper full to overflowing, things-to-do on every flat surface I could see. Yet I had to 'fix' that drawer.
Yes, I am home to stay. It is time to get back to taking care of the little things at home. Things that make life run smoothly. Drawers that work, restocking supplies and clearing the way to sit back and revel in all that I know and love ... being home.
#1 - Walk back into my life and enjoy the moments.
I wandered through the afternoon with my Second Son as we caught each other up on our weeks as he ran a few errands and we had coffee as we drove. I was home when My Youngest came home from school. I let the world stop when Mom called. Unfortunately by the time My Oldest called around 9:00 last night, I was up to my elbows in trying to regain lost ground after being away for so long (I had done so well up until that point). But we still caught each other up on the recent events in our lives.
#2 - Take care of the power bill.
I'm on an equalized payment plan and my settle up month is May. I knew before I left on holidays, that I would owe them money. I was right. That was the second order of business. To take care of business.
#3 - Ignore, ignore, ignore the house, the unpacking, the reality.
I did well. I lasted until after supper. I put my blinders on and walked through the house without seeing it for the first six hours I was home. It was fun while it lasted.
#4 - Go to McDonald's for supper!!
I was in my glory. Skinny burgers, salty fries and a large Coke. My stomach was doing happy flips. "It's so good to be home!!" was the message that was being transmitted from my fast-food deprived body, to my brain.
#5 - Reality.
It had to happen sooner or later. I finally started dealing with it.
I am unpacked and I am living out of drawers and closets once again. It has been a very, very long time (3 months) since my suitcase has not been living on my bedroom floor, waiting to be packed for my next out-of-home-experience. It feels quite wonderful to know that I am home to stay. The urge to forge off on another adventure is so far down my list that I can't even see it.
What came into focus once I started seeing my life through a clear, tunnel vision of enjoying being at home?
The bathroom drawer that had started coming apart before I left. I had suitcases to unpack, a laundry hamper full to overflowing, things-to-do on every flat surface I could see. Yet I had to 'fix' that drawer.
Yes, I am home to stay. It is time to get back to taking care of the little things at home. Things that make life run smoothly. Drawers that work, restocking supplies and clearing the way to sit back and revel in all that I know and love ... being home.
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