North Pacific Crossing
Highlights
We were so close. After this long haul across the #North Pacific, the @Captain was racing ahead of the storms and high winds to tuck us safely up inside #Prince William Sound.
Meant we were in sight of land a little earlier - but of course no going ashore until the USA team arrive tomorrow morning to complete "Customs and Immigration."
At the start of the cruise we had to give the port of #Kushiro a miss because it was closed due to high winds. As a trade of, the team had negotiated access to the #College Fjords and their associated glaciers for us today.
What a treat.
It was a crazy one hour of wind to gain access to the fjord but once inside, tucked up against the starboard shore, the views were fabulous. All tidewater and tongue glaciers, these monsters were draped down the hollow of their valleys and met the water of the fjord.
#Harvard and #Yale Glaciers were the most prominent. Distance is so confusing when on the water- we thought were were right there, but the ship was hovering at the edge of the broken ice about 4 kms off the head of the glacier. It looked small, but #Harvard Glacier was in fact 4 kms wide and some 100 metres high. The weather settled for just 30 minutes and we had the hues of blue ice, still waters and the landscape reflected perfectly on the surface.
Our balcony was a winner. A bit of a trial on the way in - we needed a squeegee to keep the front windows clear - I just had to improvise with a towel. It was tough going because the wind was blowing the phone from my hand whenever I tried to brave the outside conditions to snap a photo. But once the ship was positioned for the viewing - we had prime spot. And the @Captain did 360s for us so we could get views from all angles.
Must admit that @Mac and I both loved that whole going outside and "suffering" stuff. Made it all real. We were content inside of course and appreciated the warmth of the stateroom- but the noise, smell and chill of outside really brought home how different it all was and that the journey was worth the time and effort.
Had the advantage of excellent commentary from the @Ship Naturalist (Rob) who brought the detail alive. With the help of the binoculars, we even tracked a black bear along the shoreline as he foraged for mussels.
A fabulous 3 hours and we were on a definite high when we went to the 3.30 session in the #Theatre with @Rob to debrief our journey.
Before that - I had a little solo interlude - of course - with my #Medallion on- @Mac could track my progress around the ship.
I went to two of the musical features of the afternoon. There is a "Voice of the Seas" contest that runs where guests perform over a few frleatired shows and then a number are selected for the finals. Gosh the entertainment team goes to a lot of trouble. The stage was set up with the turning chairs of "The Voice " - the contestants all performed with the orchestra - judges hit buttons, gave feedback and enticed contestants to their team. Audience members were given a voting tablet and the "winner" was determined by those tallied audience votes. Some of these people could really sing. It was fantastic entertainment and I felt the lady with the strongest performance was the one who won.
Can’t help but recount the story of the contestant who sang the theme song from "Titanic" - "My Heart Will Go On." When she had finished and received her due applause out came Cruise Director @Dan, who was hosting the final. Absolutely brought the house down. He quipped "I thought we were going down," and he was wrapped up in his jacket, blowing his whislte and flashing its emergency light. Hilarious.
Followed this with a seat in the #Piazza for the concert of the #Sea Choir. Such a great idea. These 60 or so people have met everyday of the long haul Pacific crossing for choir practice. They had a repertoire of popular songs, and to rhe delight of the audience who packed the three levels of the #Piazza, the choir hit all the right notes and delivered a knock-out performance. Was a real hoot and @Mac somehow zeroed in on my location and joined me for a coffee.
@Mac was decked out in his bright red fleece jacket and was trying to look very conspicuous as we headed into the #Theatre. We had hooked up via a note slipped under our door at some time during the night, with friends of @Liz and @Ross. The rendezvous was set at 4.30 - after @Rob's talk - and in full "spy mode" the red fleece was the trigger. No-one claimed him in the #Theatre but @Kay and @Robyn certainly pounced in him in #Crooners.
Funny how different people hang out in different areas. We hadn't been there before - but it was a piano bar (great vocals from @Matt) with comfy group chat seating, cosy atmosphere and top notch bar service. Took us about 10 minutes to get over the introductions and then it was like we had shared a lifetime of stories. These two happy go lucky women were travelling without their partners and were doing it all. Mastered the subways of #Tokyo with a gammy knee and a suitcase that had thrown a wheel, braved the hot tubs in the Arctic conditions with beanie and drinks for warmth and were on first name basis with the barmen in # Crooners.
Had a big belly laugh as they made the connection that we were the #Green13 guests who had broken through the fence for the crater walk and they were #Green16 who had been refused entry because it was dangerous. So many stories in common, lots of shared favs and very similar stories of individuals and groups that we all seem to encounter.
Spent way too long in #Crooners and made a mad dash to dinner - what stinkers, first time we haven’t showered and changed for dinner - don’t think anyone noticed.
The advertised show tonight (A Variety Show) was only playing once and we had already ruled out attending because the crowds in the #Theatre would have meant we had to be there about 30 minutes ago. Not happening.
Instead, teamed up at dinner with a couple from #Florida and proceeded to collectively solve all world challenges with hilarious possibilities - fuelled perhaps by one too many in #Crooners. They too were fabulous company with amazing stories to share and on our wander along the hallway home (which @Mac affectionately calls #Conrad Straight), we realised we had been talking non-stop from 4.30 until 11 pm. We might need to retreat into our privacy bubble again tomorrow.
The auroras are continuing to pop all over the world and again, we were put on high alert for the possibility of taking in this spectacle. Had our clothing ready to go and were just waiting on a call. To be honest, we were so hyped it makes going to sleep difficult and @Mac and I shared the hours of being "on watch" - ready to answer the phone and suit up. Think we are going to rename this place from #Whittier to #Wetter. It was blowing a gale and we could hear the rain rattling against the windows - it would have taken a miracle for the skies to clear .... but we did live in hope.
Weather: 2 degrees - constant rain - water pooled on the deck
Steps: 3 795
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