24 June 2015 Ketchikan

24 June 2015: Ketchikan

This morning we are in for proper Alaska style weather, rainy, foggie, miserable!! Looks grim, sad!! But getting use to it so i am going to hit the streets again and go exsploring in this weather!! Out came the map and took another route to the Ketchikan Library so skipped heart brake hill called SCHOENBAR ROAD!!! Took me through another part of town through a neibourhood but did a little bit of cardio work, for in this place everything seems to be against a hill or going up steps unless you are next to the water. On my walk I came across this ugly looking brown snail and they were out in there numbers,all over.Was great to just be able to chill in the library with the amazing view,once I had cooled down after the walk, on came all the clothes again.Read in one of the old newspapers that a while back the police even arrested a passenger on one of the cruiseships for murdering 2 people somewhere  in the states,that was an eyeopener! Anyway  on my way back  I walked passed the lumber jack show grounds and there they were having fun with all the shouting and screaming.Last week one of the other crew members went and they said, was very intertaining.Have been lucky  with coming back to Ketchikan every week for I have seen lots of the town doing all the walking  routes.Back on board it was lunch and then back to my cabin with a full tummy!!Hopefully the weather will make a turn for some SUNSHINE.So until tomorrow bye.

25 Junie 2015: Juneau

Hubby off for the day so if a nice day, think he will be doing his run before we go walking about.Well that is what happened,he went for his run and I decided to walk into downtown.On my way I passed another two huge ships that were also in town,with another one docked further down so four in total for Juneau.Tourists everywhere!! Heard about the seaplane accident in Ketchikan which is terrible news but the weather in Ketchikan on Wednesday was awful, don’t know when the accident happened,so sad.On my way i passed the biggest ice machine I have ever seen,they call it the ice house and they have this huge pipe that spits ice into the plastic containers which they put the fish into.While I was waitng for hubby to come I also sat and watched a fishing trailer offloading its catch and must tell you, the skippie looks dodgy,would definitely not want to go to the seep sea in it!! After hubbys run we decided to visit the library so just went to chill for a while.On our way back to the ship I got to show him a few nice things I had seen when walking around on my own.Must say he behaved and did not complain once!!!Then it was time for a bite, the bed and the blue planket!!!

26 Junie 2015: Haines

Vanoggend toe ons wakker word en ons versonderste  is, om in Skagway te wees maar nog aan die seil is, toe weet ons ok,wat gaan nou aan.Nie lank daarna nie kon jy hoor die skip se thrusters wat hulle gebruik as ons draai of wegbeweeg van die kant  is aan,maar nogsteeds gedink ok is net laat. Later toe kom lig liefie my in dat ons glad nie vandag in Skagway kan dok nie agv baie sterk wind en oppad is na Haines vir die dag.So kla glad nie want was nog nooit daarso nie, exciting!!! Die kaptien het toe met ontbyt vir ons gese dat die wind 50 knope waai en dit te gevaarlik is en onmoontlik is om  in sulke wind te prober dok.Wel toe is dit HAINES Alaska vir die dag. Na ontbyt is ek buite op dek 11 en toe besef ek hierso waai die wind ook dat dit bars en is koud maar sal die weer moet trotseer want kry net die 1 kans om vandag die plek te besoek en te besigtig.So is vanoggend hier weg met liefie se waterdigte jas,mussie op die kop en my rugsak!! Vol moed en krag.Die dorpie self is so 15 minute se stap van waar ons gedok is maar gelukkig was die wind van agter en geen reen.In die dorp n hammer museum met 1600 hammers in, soos hulle se, dedicated to history of humanitys first tool,ek was nie in die maar het foto geneem ,toe is ek na die Bald Eagle Foundation se uitstalling en praaitjie(museum) .Daarso n pragtige uil gesien en baie opgestopde diere,iets van alles wat hulle hierso in die dele kry.Ook afgekom op die mooiste storie van n seun met cerebrale palsy wat betrek is by die vrylating van een van hulle beseerde eagles na rehabilitasie,dit is elke jaar n groot storie geleentheid  en soos hulle se die foto praat met jou ,spreek boekdele. Ek het ook nou net uit die bib n boek gevat met n storie oor n seun met cerebral palsy en dit lyk vir my hier kom n groot gehuilery.Boek se naam Knowing Jesse a story of grief,grace and everday bliss.(hulle se: this book will break your heart,make you angry,make you laugh,cry and chear,but most of all this book will lift you up) so ons sal sien,liefie se nee hy kan niks harstseer en sad meer vat of hoor nie,sag geraak! Wel ek het gestap en gestap en heeltamal te veel fotos geneem,het darem hier en daar n mooi een geneem so sal dit pos.Lyk my die Indiane was die eerste inwoners hierso en het in 1741 die eerste kontak met Russiese explorers gehad, wens partykeer mens kon terug kyk in geskiedenis en sien hoe dit in daardie tyd was.Hier is beslis meer sneeu op die berge om ons en lyk my hierso het tyd ook stil gaan staan.Het afgekom op n winkeltjie met die pragtigste tuin en groente tuin, so mengel moes van alles metdie grootste peonies wat ek nog ooit gesien het,asemrowend mooi,kon nie genoeg kyk,vat en ruik nie.Sal my fotos van hulle ook pos.Wel nou weer terug op die warm skip en uit die wind en weer,so bly het darem nie gereen nie anders was ek seker baie vroeer terug,is vanoggend so 9.30 uur hier weg en eers na 3 weer terug,stok flou en skoon styf gestap.Volgende 2 dae is ons net op die water en met die gletsers deurmekaar en dan weer Maandag Seward.Mooi bly

 

 

27 & 28 June 2015: @SEA

Yesterday hubby was off for the day so we were very lazy and spend the most of the day glued to the bed.He had a buzy night, the night before so was glad to catch up on some sleep.I made it to the gym and once again I had the most incrediable view of Margerie Glacier while going at it on the treadmill.This week the water was like a mirror and the captain got us much closer than ever before which was amazing.Later in the afternoon we were caught with our pants down!!! Meaning fast asleep when our roomstuart came to clean the room, so going from fast asleep to wide awake and on your legs in seconds was quite a wake up call!!! Well then we were AWAKE.Last night I decided to go and watch the wave and took some nice photos of hubby and Aubrey on stage but one can see that this is not one of hubbys favourite things ,his face says it all! Later i started going through our pics of all our travels so far and was amazed, we have really been very lucky, like going down memory lane, good memories,special times.Toe sommer vir liefie ook n preek gegee oor sy ding oor fotos en gese sien dis al wat mens later het, is die fotos,so gebruik elke geleentheid.Die see weer bietjie aan die rowwe kant vanoggend so ons aan die rol.Ek weer bitter lui en besluit  nee gaan vandag die gym n skip gee,nog so lekker gele en lees toe daardie gevreesde aankondinging weer uitgesaai word,code Alpha!!! Wel toe is ek ook sommer nie meer lus vir le nie en besluit staan maar op.Gelukkig was dit toe n vals alarm so almal baie verlig want ons nog op die see tot more oggend en is vandag weer tussen die gletsers en al manier vir hier uitkom is weer n helicopter.Die hospitaal in Seward lyk ook maar klein en en dink hulle pasiente word ook uitgevlieg na Anchorage.So hierso is daar nie tyd vir siek word nie!!! Ek het honderde fotos wat ek moet uitsorteer en is aan die einde van week 7 hierso en wraggies dit nog nie gedoen nie! Wonder wat doen ek met al my tyd op hande!!!!! Mooi bly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20 Junie 2015 KETCHIKAN

20 Junie 2015: Ketchikan

Looked cold outside but turned out to be a lovelly day and I was overdressed again!! So stripped while I was walking around, just don’t seem to get it right but know have to layer so that I can strip if I need to!! See so many beautiful things just wish I has space to take some home but this way round I may only have 1 suitcase that weighs 23kg and packing for so many weeks not so easy.Have been told to only buy things at the end of the Alaska season for then they all have sales so we will see, my handluggage might be so heavy I cant lift the dam suitcase to get it in the overhead compartment! Or could say HELP have a sore arm or back!!! Hubby only came with one suitcase but will have to buy one for him.Went up the creek and walked all the way to the Cape Fox Hotel,100 s of steps but got my exercise in for the day,the sammon have not arrived yet, luckily we come back to Alaska for 2 weeks  before we leave for Mexico and Chile so if we miss them this time, they hopefully will be here by   then.Would love to see them, so holding thumbs.On my way back took another route down and ended in a residencial area with most of the houses  built on slopes with lots and lots of steps,gave them one look and new did not want to pikkel up them with all my shopping bags!! Cant remember if I have told you that here at every zebra crossing they have a person manning it with a big Stop sign something like skollie patrollie at school and you don’t even think of crossing anywhere else or get shouted at,so you wait until told to cross.Stopped again for groceries!! and ended up buying a packet of cashew nuts which I sat and ate while watching tourists coming and going,very intertaining,believe it or not.Bye for now.

21 Junie 2015: @SEA

Vandag weer op die see vir die dag en oppad na Vancouver.Hierdie roete terug is vir my nogal mooi en volgens die kaptein het ons n ander roete gevat net vir n verandering.Jy sien die land aan albei kante van die skip en ons seil so tussen die berge deur , hulle noem dit die inside passage.Het ook met ontbyt afgekom om n walvis wat aanmekaar uit die water opgespring  en geval het, net jammer was bietji ver so kon nie fotos neem nie en die skip was toe op vol spoed so gaan baie vining verby sou graag wou weet hoekom hulle dit doen of speel hulle net.Dis een ding op die skip as enigiemand iet sien dan weet jy dadelik daarvan.Verder rustige dag gehad.Tot more,bye

22 Junie 2015: Vancouver

Ek weer alleen vir die dag so is na ontbyt die strate in.Liefie wou iets by die Apple store he, so ek moes eers daar n draai maak en hier maak die winkels eers 10h00 oop.So aan die gesels geraak met die ou wat my gehelp het en kan jy glo toe ons oor selfone praat en as jy nie weet watter een om te kies  nie, toe se hy nee jy vind uit wat hulle return policy is en gaan kyk eers of jy tervrede is en regkom en indien nie vat hom terug!!!!! Nog nooit gedink om so iets te doen nie,hier dink hulle net anders en verwag ook baie meer.Ook afgekom op n ou wat goed gekoop het en toe die goed wou terug bring maar sonder sy kwitansie strokie  en net nie nee vir n antwoord wou vat nie,het vir hoe lank gestaan by toonbank totdat die teller naderhand gese het jy kan maar hierso staan dit gaan niks verander nie,ek is naderhand daar weg so wonder wat toe in die uiteinde gebeur het.Ek het eers gedink daar is n taal problem want was n chinese man maar toe nou nie.Oppad terug n park gaan afneem wat bo op n gebou geplant is,amazing gras, bome,hedges,noem maar op sal foto opsit dan kan julle sien.Het dit op baie ander geboue ook al gesien,wonder hoe werk die bome of is hulle in groot houers geplant? Lyk my in etenstyd  trek al wat leef buite toe en sit of le in die parkies,seker so bly om die son te sien na hulle erge winters.Ook in n hotel n draai gaan maak met die mooiste blommerangskikkings,pragtig en ruik lekker.Toe weer tyd vir skip toe en afgekom op n hele gesin dwergies,seker 6 van hulle en n kind wat ook dwergie is,was besig om tasse op trollie te laai en ook gevra waar skip is so neem aan hulle ook op die week se cruise,maar twee skepe in hawe so kan dalk op ander skip wees,sal beslis sien as hulle by ons eindig.Dit het my net weer laat besef hou op kla oor hoe jy lyk en wees net dankbaar jy is gesond en normaal. Arme liefie het weer n hele gedoende met n swanger pasient want na 24 weke laat hulle nie iemand op die skip toe nie,geen fasilitiete vir sulke gevalle indien iets sou verkeerd gaan nie en mag ook geen kinders onder 6 maande saam bring nie,dus as jy hier opdaag mag hulle weier om jou te laat opklim, so lees die fyn skrif dis belangrik!Ook die oggend n inspeksie gehad van die owerhede wat n verassing besoek was ,maar als darm goed gegaan,dis om te kyk of hulle op standaards is wat betref veiligeid.Soos ek se: never a dull moment .Tot more.

23 Junie 2015: @ Sea

Vanoggend weer bly le want weet n lang dag op see wat wag.Is toe darem later uit die vere en gym toe.Vandag weer krag gehad en lekker geoefen, terwyl ek op treadmill was het die mense iets in die see gesien maar ek het dit gemis, was te laat, neem aan was dolfyne of walvis wonder of die water nie te koud vir dolfyne is nie?? Maar nou ja,if you snooze you lose hier moet jy vining wees.Oorkant my aan ontbyt tafel was n paartjie wat duidelik dik was met mekaar en aan die stry en baklei so lyk my hulle cruise het nie goed begin nie!!! Hopelik eindig dit op n beter nood.Verder wil ons vandag bietjie op dek 6 al om die skip gaan stap en dan dink ek sal liefie n middag slapie op sy afdag probeer inwerk en hy vang my elke keer, ek se nee, ek gaan nie slaap nie en voor ek my kan kry is ek ook plat getrek onder die blou kombers.Dis nou een lekkerte van die skip, die gewieg slaap soos n baba, weg wereld, droomland!! Nou ja more is dit weer Ketchikan, nogal lus vir die lumberjack show of gaan nuwe roete na die bib soek en die Mount Everest bult probeer vermy.

15 Junie 2015 Seward

15 Junie 2015: Seward

A Fantastic day, weather wise in beautiful Alaska, and hot, even got sunburnt today!!! Did not think that would happen in this part of the world.After breakfast the two of us, both in our gym clothes made our long trek into town all along the beach .The beach here is wild and stoney as you must have seen in my pics.The campers have moved into town and the camping grounds seem to be full.Then we discovered the museum and library building with a beautiful view over the ocean and fast wi-fi so we were both chuffed to update all our computer goods,apps,ect. After our time there, we went to Seabean café for a cup of coffee and changed our muffin brand after our last heartburn muffin! Was a good choice, no more heartburn.Stolled around town and then we went to see where the Two Lakes Trail starts so that we can do that with our next visit in 2 weeks.Was breathtaking beautiful, took a few photos which I will post and you can see what I mean, looks like this secret lake in the forrest, wanted to go exsploring but hubby said rather next week for it was getting late.Hy se: ek het geen einde nie!!!On our way back to the ship we stopped in the harbour area and were just in time to watch fishermen cleaning there Halibt catch of the day,a really funny looking fish,don’t even know how to discibe it,has funny eyes and is flat but can say delicious,best fish I have ever had.On one of our previous cruises some guy gave the captain Halibut and we were invited to dinner which was very special but nerve racking for me between all the dressed up hot shots, in there smart uniforms.Tonight we are leaving at 8.30 and want to go to deck 6 for the sailaway which will be special on a day like today.Still trying to perswade hubby to get up one night at about 2h00 in the morning to see the Northen Lights again,and this time try to get a picture as proof!! The first time I saw it I did not really know what to look for but after seeing the green light and pictures in book I know what to look for.Still don’t know how to describe what you see in words.Anyway had a good day and off we go on another weeks cruise with new passengers hopefully no more evacs via helicopter.Bye

16 Junie 2015: Hubbard Glacier

Gisteraand eers weer baie laat gaan slaap,wou eintlik n foto uit ons porthole neem om te wys hoe lig dit is in die nagtelike ure,weird ,voel net nie reg nie.Natuurlik vanoggend weer gesukkel met opstaan na ons laat nag!!Darem myself uit die bed gekry en toe met die lui lyf die gym aangepak maar dit was maar n treurige storie,halfhartige poging soos n regte ou vrou maar hopelik is die krag weer more terug!! Body clock uit sinc!! Vandag oppad na Hubbard Glacier en n perfekte dag, lekker sonskyn so al wat leef en beef om swembad en le soos dassies in die son,te lekker.Ek wil sommer myself op dek 6 gaan neerle op een van die sunloungers en van daar die wereld bekyk,ook slim geraak met inseil na glacier sien jy mos die eenkant en met die uitseil weer die ander kant,dan het jy mos alles gesien.Nou ja tot more mooi bly

17 July 2015: Icy Strait Point

This morning we arrived in Icy Strait Point on a overcast day that looked as if the rain was going to come but we were so lucky just stayed overcast with no rain all day.On our way from the ship to shore we were lucky to see a whale, but more was to come, and just after we got to land we had a wonderful view of the whale coming out of the water head first!!! Was also very close to shore and spend a while before it left us for deeper waters.As one passenger said, other guys paid over $269 to go and see whales and here we got to see one close up for free! A little while later I saw people that were on the sea kayaking adverture but I would have s….. myself  if I was in a kayak and a whale was so close,don’t think I would survive that,but did see a small rubberduck following the rowers, so maybe with the whale so close by it was there for backup or just in case!! Went for a long walk all along the waterfront towards the small town around the corner from where we get dropped off.When I got to the top of a hill and saw the town at the bottom I decided, no I was not going down this steep hill just to come all the way back a little later!! So enjoyed the view from the top.Looks like a fishermans village.On my way back I saw a few bald eagles again,they were also round and about for the day,all along the shore line.With our last visit we saw a long flat ship just of shore with losts of huge pipes and thought that it had to do with oil,but today we heard a guide telling the people that the were buzy building a berth/docking area for the big ships so that you don’t need to use tenderboats to get to shore,only costs 27 million dollors!!! Then it was time for a walk in the forest on a walking trail, must say a very nice feeling, walking under the canope of the trees and everthing is very green.Came across a tiny squirrel that came in and out of the undergrowth, seems to know what people are!!!Passed an Indian women telling another group of tourists about a berry, wat vir my  soos n moerbei lyk, that the bears eat when they come out of hibernation to get there tummys working again,she actually had a container with her and was picking some of them.Back in our cabin and tonight we are going to have another games evening for a goodbye session for one of the team is leaving for her vocation when we get to Vancouver.So until tomorrow,bye

18 Junie 2015: Juneau

Toe ek weer vanoggend by ons gaaitjie uitkyk toe weet ek hier gaan dit heeldag reen.Omdat ek verlede week die bib hierso ontdek het het ek besluit om net wind te kry gaan ek maar die bus invat dorp toe en dan in die bib gaan sit.Het so gemaak en wraggies daar maak die bib eers 11h00 oop,so toe is ek weer die strate in! Omdat ons  13h15 seil moet ek te minste 12h00 weer terug wees want mos skrikkerig na my episode in New York.Almal moet teen 12h45 op die skip wees.Het natuurlik weer met my rondloop die mooiste klere winkel ontdek met pragtige weird goed wat mos nou presies in my kraal is ,maar ooooo genade die pryse,ook afgekom op Alpaca International met klere van Peru pragtige wol goed maar net gevat ,gevoel , gewens en gedroom!!! Toe is ek na 11h00 bib toe en in die hyser begin ek met n man gesels wat wraggies oor n maand SA toe gaan en in die Kaap n draai gaan maak,hy wil kyk of hy nie op n golf landgoed werk kan kry nie en dis hoe ver ons gesprek gekom het .Toe is dit weer ek en al die tydskrifte,te kies en te keur,tuine,huise,kuns noem maar op, net te min tyd want het eintlik my horlosie so voor my gesit net ingeval ek tred met die tyd  verloor.Was omtrent n gehoes en geproes ,orals waar ek kom, so hoop nie ek gaan ook inval met die griep nie want hierso toets hulle vir griep, ek het nie eers geweet  jy kan dit doen nie.Wel toe is ons weer oppad na Sawyer Glacier,wat vir my die mooiste roete is,het vir my n sitplek so reg teen die venster gekry op dek 12 waar ek alles kon bekyk en daar het ek geplant gesit tot ons omgedraai het.Die weer het ongelukkig hier teen die einde baie mistig geraak en die uitsig was maar baie beperk,die iceburgs en water se kleur was vir my net helderder in die mistige en nat weer.Nou ja tot more bye.

19 June 2015: Skagway

Here the weather also overcast and miserable but after the drill we plan to go on a quick walkabout and maybe grap a coffee at starbucks.Still would like to visit the graveyard outside town but we will see if I can get hubby to go with me,as I said he does not like graveyards.Three ships in port today so town will be busy,also found out that these small towns have young people moving  in over in the summer to work and then they leave again when winter arrives.Would love to see what these towns we have been too,look like in the winter,must be beautiful.Anyway off we went and was so glad hubby said he is in my hands so out the map came and we headed for the Goldrush  Graveyard 1.5 miles/2.4km out of town.On our way we were lucky to see the White Pass Locomotive passing with all its cariges, even had time to take a nice pic,so over the railtracks we went on our way to the graves!! Got to see old Soapy Smiths and Frank Reeds graves (The show we went to see was about there lives with our last visit) and then we walked along the path towards the Read Falls which is named after Frank Read, the town hero who shot Soapy Smith the skelm!,  a waterfall that drops 300 feet/91 meter.Daar kon ek darem vir liefie oorreed om stil te staan vir n ou fototjie. Hy het toe ook afgekom op n piep klein muis opsoek na kos, hy was omtrent so 2cm lank,te dierbaar en nie eers gekyk na ons nie, was net met sy neus onder die blare,seker baie honger!! Oppad terug wou ek natuurlik weer badkamer toe en wraggies daar is ek na baie baie jare weer in n longdrop toilet,in Alaska se Wildernis!!! Toe ons weer in die dorp kom het ons geswig voor n lekker roomys en dit in die native medicine garden gesit en eet.So bly ons het toe uiteindelik ook daarso uitgekom, nie eers geweet van die mooi waterval nie,dit was n bonus en ons 2jies was stoksiel alleen om dit te kon geniet,special.Vandag daar in die wildernis net weer besef wat n geweldige voorreg dit is om hierdie tye saam te kan beleef en geniet ,ons lag baie en liefie happy. Terug op die skip was dit weer, woertz onder die blou kombers vir n lekker middag slapie.More weer in Ketchikan en dan terug Vancouver toe .Tot volgende keer mooi bly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alaska

6 Junie 2015 Ketchikan

6 June 2015: Ketchikan

Our day in Ketchikan started with rain and a thick mist covering the town . They had told us that this town gets lots and lots of rain ,12.5 feet is there average rainfall a year and sure enough here we were experience it for ourselves. With breakfast I was still deciding would I be brave and go walking about in the rain or stay on board but after being @ sea all day yesterday I decided,  nee wat pak maar die bul by die horing and go walking about in the rain, can’t be so bad!!! So after waiting for the big rush with going ashore to pass, I left with my umbrella and hit the streets of Ketchikan.Here they are geared for rainy days so it is normal for the locals. I took the tram up to my normal lookout over town and spend a while there downloading my magazines and posting my blog. The lobby was packed with tourist trying to get out of the cold and rain so I was lucky to get a nice comfy chair and there I sat until I was ready to head back to the ship. On my way back I decided I was going to buy us some snacks for tonight, something like a midnight feast!! Funny how you learn to appreciate small things like a cup of coffee, for here when hubby brings a cup of coffee to the room we have to share the cup, so you enjoy each sip. Well it rained all day and we did not even have a glimpse of the sun, maybe next week?

 

 

07 Junie 2015:@ Sea

Vandag is ons weer op die see vir die dag en oppad na Vancouver toe.Kom more oggend daar aan en dan is dit weer passasiers oplaai vir die volgende rondte. Die gesegde soos mis voor die son verdwyn het vir my nuwe betekenis gekry want wraggies vandag was dit net mis waar jy kyk en in n oogwink was dit weg,en jy kon weer sien waar jy is. Vanoggend  was so mistig dat die skip ook vir n hele rukkie aanmekaar na kort breuke sy mishoring geblaas het ,wat vir my n eerste was, nog nooit dit beleef vandat ek n skipkat geword het nie!!! Het darem weer vandag by die gym uitgeslaan en lekker geoefen ,aan my rol gewerk !!! Laat middag was ons net betyds om n walvis by ons kamer venstertji te sien verby swem maar die skip was op spoed so was omtrent n vinnige kyk,kon darem sy stert sien en n geblaas,nogal naby aan die skip gewees,hoop darem veilig vir hulle.Nou ja tot more mooi bly.

08 July 2015: Vancouver

Arrived in Vancouver this morning on a beautiful sunny day .What a difference a beautiful day makes to visiting a city, just feels good, bright and beautiful. So must admit I prefer the sunny skies, Afrika se Kind!!. Hubby’s friend came all the way from Seattle to come and visit him, so I got the opportunity to meet him at last, very thankful for he was very good to hubby when he arrived on the ships 3 years ago, a lovely man, some people you meet and you just like them from the word go. Hope he will come and visit some day for he has just been in SA but hubby was working at the time. Was telling us about very rough seas that they had experienced on a ship a lot smaller than ours and said it was wild!!!,oooo koek my swak hart, hope we are spared that. Also had to get rid of the ice that kept on accumulating on the ship and had men getting rid of it or should I say chipping away at it. Admit that the snow, mountains, sea, glaciers and towns are beautiful but think the cold would be too much for me. Well after a nice chat, I left the two of them to catch up after a  3 years break and should have gone on my bike ride in this nice weather but went window shopping and ended up in a M&M clothing store that had a sale going ,and there I got stuck, and you won’t believe it, after 2 hours  i left without buying a thing. That is one nice thing about coming back to places, to be able to go back and buy next week, that’s if the thing is still there! This week we will turn around in Seward and will only be in Vancouver on the 22 again, I prefer the Seward to Vancouver trip. So bye until tomorrow.

9 Junie 2015: @ SEA

Vandag weer op die see gewees en vanoggend vasgesit aan die bed!! Kon net nie opstaan nie een van daardie dae.Darem myself later uit gekry en toe gym toe, waar ek n goeie sessie ingekry het.Met my vloer oefeninge was die gym outji/instrukteur besig om een van sy lesings te gee wat vir my intressant was.Goed soos jou liggaam se pH en die invloed van wat ons eet en drink op op liggaam het,the good the bad and the ugly!Was laat vir ontbyt en kon nie my gewone roetine deurwerk nie.Het wraggies weer in die tou gaan staan vir die wafels met die room en blueberries maar toe dit te lank vat darem tot my sinne gekom en besluit net n ou koppie tee vir jou!! Movies begin kyk en toe ook verder vasgeval op die bed.See nogal omgekrap maar rol darem nie te veel nie of ons voel dit nie meer nie, seebene. More is dit weer Ketchikan en dan Juneau waar liefie af is,dink ons moet weer by Tracys Crabs n draai gaan maak  gelukkig sal ek  sy arm maklik gedraai kry vir dit!Tot more mooi bly

 

10 July 2015: Ketchikan

Arrived in Ketchikan on an overcast morning but had no rain today!!!! After a quick walk into some of the shops I decided to explore the downtown so off I went and walked and walked forever!! Was bald eagle flyover day today, for I saw stacks of them and was so beautiful to watch them. They told us if we want to look for eagles we must look for golf balls in the trees and sure enough there white heads look like small golf balls in the trees. Can’t get enough of watching them fly and sweef! Wish I could sit down near a river and watch them fish and fly. After my long walk I took a left turn towards the mountain or I should say cliffs and little did I know what I let myself into, a heart break hill that went on forever, halfway up I met an older couple on their way back and first asked them is all this climbing is worth it when I get to the summit!!! They said there was the public library, with a lovely view and Wi-Fi so on I went huffing and puffing with a heartbeat that was in overdrive for sure. Even tried walking backwoods to see if that made it easier, at that stage I did not care what I looked like, I just wanted to get to the top. At the top you had a beautiful view of the mountains with a huge library building overlooking the lovely mountains. That is one thing I can say about the public libraries in these part are amazing. They seem to be the heart of the small towns. I am only sorry I did not come earlier to have more time to spend here, but  will have to find another route, for the heartbreak hill, I don’t think I want to tackle that again but I definitely want  to come back to enjoy the magazines, the  fire, the view, and  peace in this lovely building. Consequences I will sit with tomorrow!!! Sore legs and bottom. Had a lovely day and got more than enough exercise for one day. Tomorrow it is Juneau and hubby is off, he just want to go for his run and says he want us to go back to the park to just lie in the sun, boemie style, after  a visit to Tracy’s Crab ,just hope the weather plays along ,so we will see. Bye

11 Junie 2015: Juneau

Alaska weer in volle swang!! Reen en Reen en Reen.Met ontbyt vanoggend net gesit en gekyk na die gietende reen  en nie geweet of ons vandag voete aan wal gaan sit nie.Gelukkig moes ons eers weer wag vir die passasiers om  af te klim en so teen 11h00 toe reen dit darem net  saggies en nie meer so hard nie.Ek en liefie sou eers die bus vat tot in die dorp maar toe ons die lang ry sien toe besluit ons nee wat die boertjies gaan maar voetslaan in die reen.Gelukkig het dit half pad dorp toe ophou reen en die son wou sy kop begin uitsteek.Vandag was weer Raven dag in die dorp want daar was orals van hulle tot op een afgekom wat met n box by n vispak plek gestoei het,was eintlik snaak om dop te hou hyt omtrent die box gepik en aangeval met daardie skerp snawel van hom ,daar moes iets lekker binnekant dit gewees het.Het hierso net 1 eagle gesien wat net so bokant die dorp in n boom gesit het maar hyt gelyk hy kry koud en nie lus vir baie vandag nie.Eers  gou apteek toe en toe by die bib n draai gemaak,was heeltyd reg onder ons neuse!!  So sal met volgende besoek tyd maak vir daarso inval.Toe begin dit weer stort reen en ons moes toe in die ry inval by Tracy Crab want dis nou ons 1x maand treat.Liefie het bly staan terwyl ek onderdak vir ons sitplek gaan soek het en gelukkig n ou gaaitjie gekry.Teen die tyd was ons lekker honger en koud want wraggies met ons gym klere rondgeloop,so het later met ons reen ponchos om ons bene gesit vir bietjie hitte.Wel het omtrent ons weer ooreet aan die lekker sop,brood,krapkoekies en crab,was heerlik.Na die eertery het ons die pad skip toe aangepak en besluit n lekker middag slapie op so n nat en koue dag, net lekker kan wees.Ekhet eers gou n lekker koppie tee gaan drink en toe is dit kooi toe.Dink ons het ons ooreet want het so n ligte galerigheid aan ons albei, dit kom nou van te veel!!! Sal vir liefie se verjaarsdag onsself bederf met ons laaste besoek aan die plek, voor ons huis waarts keer vir n lekker vuurtjie met chops, wors,braaibroodjies en aartappel in foelie. Hartsgoed,Huisgoed,Huis.Tot more mooi bly.

12 June 2015: Skagway:

Still sitting with the consequences from that terrible hill I climbed, feel stiff and sore ,moet eers in rat kom as ek opstaan en wil loop,die melksuur het in my boude en bene kom sit,en ek het gedink ek is fiks ,scary!!  But very good exercise. We are in Skagway for the day and only leave tonight at 20h00 so long day to go, gallivanting .No rain but is cool outside so am geared for the cold. First strolled in and out of the different shops in the main street then worked my way to the library where I seem to spend a lot of my time, will be library fundi after this cruise!!! If I could, I would definitely go on all the excursions they offer but that would mean my poor husband would have to work 24/7 with no leave. The Wi-Fi was terribly slow and just gets you worked up, so hopefully we will be able to get our things downloaded in Seward. My wish for the future is to be able to get more magazines from home on my Kaboedel subscription, but time will tell. Slurp hierso alles op, anyway here they have these fur shops in Alaska with the most beautiful jackets, coats, hats, scarves, shoes just to name a few and I find myself touching these garments when I am in the shop and as soon as I think that they killed this poor animal for its fur I don’t think they are so beautiful anymore! Yesterday one of the security officers who is a friends of ours told me, he dreamt I fell overboard and they had to put a ladder out for me!!! I said thanks for sharing that with me will definitely be carefull on the open decks, imagine, is definitely a nightmare, no desire to swim in this freezing water!!! Was back on board late afternoon and first went to have a nice hot cup of tea. Until tomorrow, bye.

14 Junie 2015: @SEA

Yesterday we were in Glasier Bay again on a beautiful sunny day.While I was in die gym I was lucky to see more cavings,think next week I should get up earlier to be outside when we get there,but only time will tell if I get that far!!Was another lazy day at sea and kept myself busy with drawings and movies.Last night we had dinner with the usual lot and spent time around the dinner table chatting and sharing stories, such a nice bunch of people who all get along well.Hubby was spoilt by another crew member who is also from SA and bought him a packet of romany cream cookies, needless to say this morning there was 1 left in the packet!! Real sweet tooth even had 2 helpings of his favourite chocolate volcano!! The one nurse has all the series and movies I enjoy so she put all my favourites on my exsternal hardrive, so I will have lots of time to work through the lot of them. Once you start watching you can’t stop!!This morning we arrived at Hubbards Glacier at 7h00 with lots and lots of ice floating all over, wanted to sleep late but after the first scratching sound against the ice my late sleeping was over.Then it was time for the gym with the beautiful view over the glacier and mountains.Really lovelly weather, 15 degrees outside so we call it hot and lovelly!!When I got back after breakfast the cleaning lady was here, so I had to go for another walk and was so beautiful on deck 6 so even got to lie on one of those loungers!! Te lekker en pragtig,want to go back later today .While outside it was time for the pilot boat to come and fetch the pilot that took us into Hubbard Glacier and took few pics which I will post,but must tell you, moet hulle storie ken and dangerous getting from this huge ship onto this small boat while they both are moving,if you fall between the two you are something of the past,for sure.They throw out a wooden ladder which he holds onto while getting onto the pilot boat.Must say while the pilot boat approaches the big ship it look as if he is coming straight for our boat,until you realise it the pilot boat.Well he got of safely so until next time which is in 2 weeks time.Later today I want to go to the informal chat the captain and the hotel director give about  life on the high seas!!Tomorrow we are back in Seward so time for exsploring again,looking forward to that,like this small port in Alaska and we pick up our next weeks passengers,who sail back to Vancouver.I only have 2 more  visits to Vanvouver then the next visit is time to fly home. On our daily info pamphlet I see sunrise is as 4.03 and sunset at 10.36, weird feeling.Well by for now.Have just heard that there is someone that might be bleeding actively and will have to airlifted to hospital, so that will be something to watch and a first for me.Ooo genade praat van drama,verbeel jou, jy moet in n stretcher van n skip tot in n helicopter ingehys word,vreesaanjaend.Wel dis presies wat gebeur het, eers het die helokopter om die skip gesirkuleer en toe net links van die skip gebly terwyl hulle een van sy personeel afgehys het tot op dek 13 en toe die mandtjie waarin hulle die pasient inlaai en weer ophys .Ek het altyd gedink hulle land op die skip maar dit is nie so nie.So dit het vir al wat leef en beef op die buite dek gehad om die lug evacuation  dop te dop ,moet se is dramaties en stressvol vir almal betrokke,maar dank die Here alles het goed gegaan en pasient veilig hier weg en lewendig.Na die gedoente is dit toe tyd weer vir eet en ons is bederf met Napoli dumplings en chicken soup wat heerlik was.Die kaptein het kom groet want hy more oppad huis toe vir sy vakansie,n baie oulike man.Ons is in Seward moreoggend en lyk my die weer speel saam,mooi bly tot volgende keer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Junie 2015 Seward

01 Junie  2015: Seward

Vanoggend vroeg het ons in Seward aangekom en die wolke weer laag,dink nie ons gaan vandag die son sien nie.Ons is gedok n hele entjie buite die dorpie in die industriele gebied,so ons gaan vandag weer stap skoene aantrek.Ek en liefie is toe seker so 10 uur vanoggend hier weg ,eerste het ons die koeltrokke gekry wat hulle volgende kwota laai en toe ook n sterk  visserige reuk,so aangeneem vis ook hulle hoofinkomste in die deel! Die dorpie nie te klein nie lyk vir my so groot soos Skagway sou ek se.Hele paar oulike geskenke winkels en dwars deur die dorp gestap tot aan die anderkant.Toe by n klein koffie winkel uitgekom met wi-fi!!!! Vir liefie n muffin gekoop maar die was dodelik wat betref sooibrand,so nie n goeie koop nie.Daarna is ons al langs die waterkant terug skip se kant toe en dit was nogal iets spesiaal,lyk my in die somer maande kom mense met hulle trailors soos hulle dit noem (caravan ) dan kom bly jy sommer hier teen die waterkant .Orals plekke waar jy kan vuur maak so teen die waterkant.Die mense baie rustig en casual,ek sou se lewe naby aan die natuur,sien berfietse,kayakke,canoes,bote,glad nie grand nie.Vir my iets besonders en sien uit om vir nog n paar keer hierso rond te loop.Daar is n Two lakes nature park net so langs die dorpie en wil he ons moet volgende keer bietjie daarso gaan stap,miskien is ons gelukkig en sien moose en eagles.Wil ook graag halibut en chips eet so sal dalk dit ook volgende keer probeer,Baie baie skepe hierso of ek moet seker eerder se, bote en seiljagte.Tot n vis skoonmaak area op die hawe ,het foto geneem en sal dit vir julle wys,lyk my hierso steel hulle nie want baie goed staan sommer net so buite.Dit was vandag weer n dag vir gaste aflaai en nuwes optel vir die volgende week,die wat in Seward op en afklim moet die trein of coaches soos hulle die busse noem vat na Anchorage en dan van daar af vlieg hulle wherever heen.So as liefie afklim gaan hy darm meer van die dele te sien kry want soos ek voorheen gese het  hy vlieg huis toe van Anchorage.Ek nou al in my 4 de week hierso en kan dit eintlik nie glo nie, hoe se hulle die tyd vlieg wanneer jy n goeie tyd het!! 6 om te gaan dan is dit huis toe.Weet nie hoe die ander mense vir 9 maande hierso bly nie maar as jy jonk is is dit seker ook baie anders.So tot more

2 June 2015: @ SEA and Hubbard Glacier!!

Today we are supposed to visit the Hubbard Glacier again or should I say try to!!! Ooooo my genade hope the ice is less and the weather better, but we will soon see for it is 12h15 now and we are picking up the pilot at 14h00 and will be leaving the area at 18h00.So will be keeping you updated later today. Tomorrow hubby is off so we will be visiting Icy Straight Point together so very excited just so much nicer, think he will go on his run and meet me in front of the huge fire at one of the restaurants. We are tendering again which I enjoy and he does not like at all. Ou grys koppe vol dinge!!! Ha ha. I was in the gym this morning but was not bright eyed and bushy tailed, one of those days! petrol not coming through. One of hubby’s colleagues that worked with him on his first contact is coming to visit him in Vancouver, so he very excited, he really helped him so much and meant a lot to him. Well we got to the glacier today, I had my doubts because at one stage there was thick mist all over but then we got a break. Also very beautiful and looked a lot bigger to me than Margery Glacier. Also saw a few seals lying on the icebergs that are all over. When we got to the glacier we met another ship and using their horns they had a conversation with each other so still want to find out what was said!! Hubby says the big ship told the smaller one to ……,get out of his way!!! Ou grapgat.I was outside for quite some time and was not so cold but there was no wind and maybe that makes all the difference. So until tomorrow bye.

03 Junie 2015: Icy Strait Point Alaska

Vandag is ons geanker net buite die dorpie en is weer inry met tender bote,en wraggies lyk my al wat leef en beef wil afklim want is al 11h00 en ons wag nogsteeds want al die passasiers moet eers af voor ons kan aflkim.Liefie le al onder  die blou kombers en soos hy se, net as hy nou lekker wegraak gaan dit tyd wees vir afklim!! Murphys Law!! Mis le weer laag en het al n paar druppels gereen,  so ons klim af met pochos en sambrieel ,reg vir die Alaska weer.Is toe darem uiteindelk af en eers deur die museum en fotos geneem waar ek vis werk!!Was nie suksesvol met liefie nie, hy weer so steek soos n donkie.Daarna al langs die water tot by die oop wood chip vuur en dit was nou vir hom baie lekker,hy se het nie gedink hy sal ooit so bly wees om n oop vuur te sien nie .Toe begin dit reen en ons het gaan skuiling soek in die Landing Zone Bar en Grill met lekker vure wat brand en beskutting teen die koue. Vir ons n hot sjokelade en grilled halibut salad bestel wat heerlik was maar wil nog ons halibut en chips eet,die egte vis en chips experience!!Kry genoeg sammon op die skip so sal dit nie bestel nie,dit klink seker soos die muis wat dik is!!!!! Van ons kollegas sou gezipline het maar kon nie plek kry nie so hopelik gaan hulle op n crew lys kom, vir n volgende keer,het hulle eintlik jammer gekry want was so opgewonde  vir dit,en toe die teleustelling,maar nou ja passasiers eerste! Kon darem n foto of wat gelaai kry maar ook met stampe en stote,hierso is die wi-fi  nie te goed nie.More is ons in Juneau die oggend en die middag besoek ons weer die Sawyer Glacier,hulle lyk vir my maar dieselfde,die roete na die een is net vir my bitter mooi en n nou pad, as ek dit so kan beskryf.Kranse reg langs ons maar hierso darem nie iceburgs soos by die Hubbard Glacier nie,daar is ek skoon op my senuwees,die swartes wat gevaarlik is, loer so hier en daar vir ons.Moet erken daardie eerste besoek waar ons moes omdraai was genoeg vir my,maar toe mens met tweede besoek darem kan sien om jou en waar die groot icburgs is toe is dit baie beter.Lyk my die besoek aan sulke plekke ook maar vir die brug offisiere stressvol,dit het een van die ouens vir ons met laaste kontrek vertel.Tot more,bye

4 June 2015: Juneau(  Marcel se verjaarsdag! 22jr oud vandag)

The weather has now caught up with us and is rainy and cold today,real Alaska weather! So I changed my mind and did not even get of the ship today,so hubby says  regte skip kat!!! Was not going to walk around in the rain and icy wind. Last night was another  games evening and only got to bed after 12h00 and this time Aaka and I had our wine out of whiskey glasses, better than paper cups!! Started a new game called Scattergories after our usual Uno game.Kan voel nie n springkuiken  na so n gesit op die grond vir die aand nie,stokstyf as ek moet opstaan!!Half way through the game a patient arrived but after been seen, on went the game!! Luckily it was a crew member want dink dit klink maar woes,met al die gesels en lag.Gelukkig moet die passasiers eers bel voor hulle in die dele waar ons bly en werk toegelaat word.Liefie werk vandag en hulle het n nuwe masjien gekry om volbloedtellings  te kan neem, so hy baie beindruk,hy hou mos van die tegnologie.Ry vamiddag 13h15 en dan is dit Sawyer Glacier.Die weer laat my dink aan regte egte Kaapse winter weer,die bed wink my alweer nader en dink nie dit gaan veel vat om my te oortuig nie.OOO ja moet eers bieg het vanoggend vir die heel eerste keer 11h00in die oggend geswig voor n waffle,room en blue berries en was vrek lekker!!! Was dalk n groot fout want nou weet ek hoe dit proe en soos ek se die magie groei!  Vamiddag was ek op die buitedek maar oooo genade ysig koud hier in  Sawyer Glacier se wereld ,reenerig en bitter koud ,soos ysblok gevoel met terug keer na ons kajuit toe,dadelik onder die kombers in, om warm te word,so spyt te laat wakker geword toe ons by n ysberg verby is met n bald eagle wat op hom sit,kon foto neem maar as ek vroeer wakker geskrik het kon ek n baie mooi een gekry het,wys jou net jy moet  moet heeltyd op die uitkyk wees en reg wees vir enige verassing in die wereld. Nou ja tot more mooi bly

5 Junie 2015: Skagway

In Skagway vandag maar hier aangeseil gekom met n m….. stert wind van agter en die gety baie laag, so voel asof die wind ons op droe grond gaan neersit.Toe ek vanoggend op is na dek 11 om ontbyt te gaan eet toe sien ek ok,hier waai die wind vandag dat dit bars,storm sterk en ruk die skip so nou en dan rond, defnitief  geen sambriele aanbeveel nie want jy kan dalk net ander kant die White Pass Rail land!!! Crew het eers almal n groot drill en dan kan ek en liefie eers pad vat dorp toe,en  ons gaan ons show  kan gaan kyk, so ek is baie opgewonde.Lyk my Alaska se weer is  nou  onderste bo met winter weer!! Wel, ons is toe gepanser teen die wind en koue hier uit dorp toe,en heel eerste ons kaartjies gaan kry vir die show wat 12.30 sou begin,en wraggies daar kry ons toe n heerlike verrassing liefie gaan verniet want hy crew en ek kry afslag want is n aanhangsel van n crew member,so dit was great.Eers deur n paar winkels en vir ons n café Latte gaan kry  toe is dit  Showtime!!! Min het ons geweet wat wag,n pragtige outydse teater ,dis nou waar die meisies op die eerste verdieping sit met hulle 1 been by die venster uit en se jy moet na die show kom as jy die ander een wil sien,hulle trek natuurlik baie aandag op straat met hulle geroep en geskreeu van bo, dit  gebeur nou elke keer net voor n show begin..Die show is die DAYS OF 98 SHOW with Soapy Smith hy was n outlaw/skelm van die gold rush dae wat almal wat hy kon, verneuk het,hy is toe ook in die uiteinde in Skagway doodgeskiet maar n karakter wat tot vandag toe nog, oor gepraat word!!! Die show het skaars begin en voor ons  weet wat ons tref word arme liefie verhoog toe gavat soos n lam ter slagting en ek dink oooo koek, hy gaan se hoekom het ek hom nie gewaarsku hulle roep iemand verhoog toe nie en daar gaan hy….. Wel was ek nou met hom beeindruk, baie mooi saamgespeel en hy is natuurlik n man wat Skagway toe kom vir goud en verlei word deur 2 vrouens!!! Hoe se hulle, female intertainers  in die kroeg van Soapy Smith,voor ek weet is hulle met hom die trappe op en daar verdwyn hy.N hele rukkie later maak hulle weer hulle verskyning en bring die arme man af in n japon en met n mussie op sy kop, wel toe kon ek nie meer my lag inhou nie ,en hy speel nog mooi saam!!! Nou wonder ek vir myself dit lyk asof hy die hele storie geniet of wag daar n groot skel vir my as die ding klaar is.Na n rukkie word hy darem onstlaan terug na sy stoel toe langs my maar vir die res van die show is dit TJ dit en Tj dat.Hy is nou die karakter wat vir altwee meisies gese het hy is lief  vir hulle en gaan met hulle trou en vir elkeen n garter gegee het om ,om hulle been te sit !! so basies baklei hulle oor hom.Moet se hy lyk darem nie te kwaad nie en geniet darem nog die res van die show,lag te lekker en leef hom in die ding.Teen die einde begin hulle met die CAN-CAN en toe is dit ons vrouens se beurt en natuurlik omdat ek sy suster is!!! Moet  ek toe ook op en gaan dans,wel wat kan mens doen en daar is ek toe ook op die verhoog al dansende,moet se was darem prettig.Toe die show klaar is toe kry liefie wragtig n toekenning wat se:: SOAPY SMITHS TWO TIME MEMBER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR SERVICE ABOVE AND BEYOUND THE CALL OF THE WILD!!!! Mr TJ became a cast member of the days of 98 show with Soapy Smith. Xxxxx from Molly and Wabbletooth!! Nou ja en soos hulle se and the rest was history!!!! Hy het dit geniet ,so ons het n lekker dag gehad en ons besoek aan die dorpie eintlik baie spesiaal gemaak, hy se darem oooo dis baie beter as om in die winkels rond te loop.Moes natuurlik vra wat het hulle bo gedoen!!!!!  Net gesels!!! Nee hulle  is almal akteurs van New York wat maar gaan waar die werk is, se hulle sal ook graag as intertainers op die skepe wil werk.Wel hoop dit is die naaste wat liefie kom aan n bordeel se meisies!!! Het heelwat fotos van die aspirante akteur se eerste show maar belowe sal dit nie publiseer nie!! Sal ons tuis moet kom besoek om dit te sien.More is dit Ketchikan maar ek loop alleen rond want hy werk, hoop net die weer draai ander is dit nog n skip dag vir my.So tot more mooi bly.

 

 

 

 

 

27 May 2015 Ketchikan

27 May 2015: Ketchikan

Arrived in Ketchikan early morning and no rain!! For we have been very lucky for who wants to walk around in the rain. Today I explored the Indian community’s neighbourhood and went to the Totem Heritage centre and then back to the Main Street. Spoke to a local and he says a few more weeks and the Salmon should be here. I really hope we are still here to see this amazing event, can’t imagine what it must be like. Saw a few more fishermen along the creek, busy fishing, so maybe that is a good sign. Next week I want to explore the west end of this town and see they have an eagle viewing area so hopefully I will be able to watch these beautiful birds. We are so lucky to visit a town so many times for how can you explore a town in 1 day, impossible. Tomorrow we are in Juneau again and might be going on a bicycle route . So until tomorrow bye.

28 Mei 2015 : Juneau

Vanoggend eers 10h00 in Juneau aangekom,toe ek wakker word en ons seil nog toe weet ek oooo kan nog bietji inle want nie vroeg in die hawe nie.Het gisteraand weer n games aand gehad so dit was nog n laat aand en ek en Aaka het weer rooiwyn uit ons papierbekers gedrink,die ander moes maar net ruik!!! Met sulke algemene kennis vrae  besef ek en liefie ons sal ons kennis moet opknap en meer flieks moet kyk,clueless met al die nuwe jong akteurs en sangers.Lyk my dit gaan nou n weeklikse instelling wees, die kombers en al die games bly nou sommer permanent in ons kamer.Vanoggend is ek ,Leigh-Ann en Abrie met 3 van die skip se fietse hier weg,ek en Leigh-Ann is met 2 van die ouderdoos fietse hier weg,het net 1 rat !! so was omtrent trap,hyg,en stoei teen die bulte uit.Het vir Liefie op sy hardloop roete gekry met sy omdraai en hy se nee wat, bulte glad nie erg nie! So dankbaar hulle het my saam genooi en kon vir n uur en n half lekker saam met hulle fiets ry tot by Sheeps Creek!! Met die gaan was dit maar n getrap en gedink ooooo ons gaan bars met die terugkom want die wind ook teen ons maar was eintlik nie so erg nie,vir my was die gaanery erger.Toe ons by Sheeps Creek kom het ons eers vir n rukkie so teen die water gaan sit op rotse en gekyk hoe nog n passasiers skip inseil in die nou area.Het nog gese gaan probeer terug wees by ons skip voor die ander een dok en gedink ons sal dit nooit maak nie en wragtig daar maak ons dit toe,back safe and sound voor die Disney dok.Groot planne gehad om na die fiets ry nog saam met liefie in te gaan dorp se kant toe maar na n lekker stort toe is dit middagete en woerts  onder die blou kombers en dit  was natuurlik die einde van enige verdere rondloop.Hoop nie die melksuur skop nog later in nie want was n getrapery en weet gaan sit met n seer stert!So tot more mooi bly.

29 May 2015 :Skagway

Today we are in Skagway and the sea around us looks like a mirror, so beautiful and sunny. Are in this lovely town until tonight at 20h00 so have lots and lots of time to do things, slowly.This morning while having my breakfast I had this amazing view over the mountains and had a family of ducks doing their thing and having breakfast right under my window. They were under the water for quite some time so had me worried at one stage. Also had the helicopter pad in front of me so could watch them coming and going and can just imagine what views there passengers are going to have on this cloudless day. A ride starts at $349 and the most expensive excursion, $659. We were docked in a different berth today so had a longer walk to town but not far. First I landed up in an auditorium watching a movie telling us about the gold rush and all that happened in those days, I found it very interesting. Next week hubby is off when we dock here again so hopefully we will be able to go and watch the show in town. Have not told him but last time they called someone out of the audience and the poor guy just had to play along, think he will kill me if he knows that, but not saying a word!! My next stop was the local library and there I sat for a long time, going through all the latest magazines and paging through books about Alaska, must say very nice library. Once you land up in there lovely comfy leather chairs you don’t want to leave, will have to take a pic so you can see what it looks like and the view you have from your chair. Also though of asking hubby to come with me to the gold rush cemetery that is a 1.5 mile/ 2.4km walk from town but will see if I can get him so far, does not like graveyards. On my way back to ship I decided to indulge in a strawberry ice-cream, en ooooo was lekker. No wonder the tummy tube is growing!! On the shore side a passenger fell and has broken her ankle in 2 places, so she has to be airlifted out of Skagway at 19h00 tonight to Juneau for further treatment, poor thing and they are Chinese so you can’t understand a word she says. Another guy decided to go rondloping in town with a hangover and passed out just after he had put his legs on dry land ,don’t know what happened to him after that but maybe with something like a hangover you must first sleep it off, I would say. See funny things with our travels. Tomorrow we will be visiting the Glaciers again, maybe this week we will be lucky and see a big caving of the ice and hope I have my camera ready. So until tomorrow, Bye

30 Mei 2015: @ SEA

Vandag is ons heeldag op die see oppad na Glacier Bay en dan vanaand vertrek ons na Hubbard Glacier in Alaska,is  heelwat noord van waar ons nou is.So weer een van daardie lui dae,maar ek was soet en vanoggend gym toe en moet se was nogal amazing om te gym en n uitsig te he op die pragtige wereld waar niks anders is nie,die area is deel van n nationale park.Het wraggies 2 cavings gehad waar die ys afbreek van die gletser en in die water val maar ek kon niks hoor nie want was binnekant en dit is eintlik die spesiale ding,laas mos gese klink soos n geweer skoot en dan val die ys.So met my hele gym sessie het ek n uitsig op die Margery gletser gehad,die kaptein is so nice en laat die skip so 3 draaie maak(360 grade) so almal kry n uitsig na alle kante toe.Waar die skip draai is ook die einde van die inham,lyk vir my of daar baie meer ysstukkies ronddryf so dink heelwat gesmelt sedert verlede week.Ook maar bly want moet bieg maar skikkerig vir die iceburgs!! Ook gevra om nie met ons vingers te wys na enige ding wat ons op die land sien nie want die Indiaan manier is om n plat hand te wys of palm te wys,die Tlingit Indiane het hierso gebly.Was weer n baie mooi dag en kon wyd sien.Nou vir geskiedenis les!!!!

In Junie is daar dorpe in Alaska wat vir 24 ure daglig het, plek se naam Barrow,in Fairbanks het hulle 21 ½ ure dag,Anchorage 19 ure en Ketchikan 17 ½ ure en tans ervaar ons so 11uur saans nog lig en hier van 4 uur in die oggend dan begin dit weer lig raak, so weird gevoel.

In Des is dit dan weer in Barrow weer net NAG!!!,Fairbanks het net 3 ½ ure daglig en Anchorage 5 ½ ure en Ketchikan 7 ure,weet darem nie hoe dit moet voel nie.Het ook gelees oor die maande van die jaar en wat die Indiane(Yupik) mense die verskillende maande genoem het,

Jan /the bad month ,

Feb/ frost

Mrt/cutting time

April/geese come

May/coming of eggs

June/hitting of fish

July/molting of birds

Aug/flight of birds

Sept/caribou shed velvet

Oct/masked festivals

Nov/time of drumming

Dec/time of going around

Hulle se in those days the people counted time by seasons and what was happening around them.Die Tlingits het net 2  groepe en tot vandag toe nog behoort jy aan die Ravens of Eagles.Ek het nie geweet dat Alaska aan die Russe behoort het nie en in 1867 vir 7.2 miljoen aan Amerika verkoop is nie, dit is minder as 2 cent per acre.Alaska het ook 5 dele waarin hy opgedeel word,Juneau/Anchorage/Bethel/Fairbanks en Barrow were the sun donts shine!!!  In een dorpie Kotzebue raak dit tot minus 73 grade en hulle se as jou vel aan die koue blootgestel word vries dit onmiddelik, dankie tog ek bly nie daarso nie het wraggies 3000 inwoners. Hulle se ook dat geen ander werk is more scary than crab fishery!! You have to go out in the fall and winter when the crabs are just right for harvest en dit is natuurlik die slegtste tyd van die jaar wat betref koue en storms,seker baie van julle het al dit op TV gesien. Toe ek weer die ander aand na n foto kyk van die Northen Lights toe was dit spesiaal om te weet ek het dit gesien, dieAurora! Mushing is Alaska se (state sport) dit is waar die honde hardloop met n slee wat hulle agter trek en n person is aan die stuur heel agter.Hulle het nogsteeds  elke jaar n wereld bekende wedloop, die Iditarod ,die mushers begin in Anchorage en eindig in Nome na 1600km!! honde dra skoentjies!! Om hulle voete te beskerm teen die sneeu. Nou ja genoeg van geskiedenis les vir een dag!!Tot more

31 May 2015: @SEA

Today we still at sea and would have visited the Hubbard Glacier but early this morning hubby woke up and said that very misty outside and icebergs just where you look. That was enough to have me wide awake and sure enough heard a scratching sound against the ship, nie die gewone kreun en steun geluide wat ons ken nie and think we definitely made contact with ice, just thought to myself how are we going to get anywhere in this kind of weather, dodging icebergs, you can hardly see anything in front of you. Well thank goodness not long after that I heard that the ship was turning around and the visit to the Hubbard Glacier was off, because too dangerous. Safety comes first. Funny how you sometimes know, this is eerie and trouble or dangerous without being told anything, that’s how I felt this morning. We picked up a pilot this morning at 5.40, wonder how he got to the ship, poor thing. Well I was very glad to get away from the mist and icebergs. Not great weather so maybe it is time, after all the nice weather we have had. I was back in the gym and even out of the gym you could not see anything, just mist or fog or whatever you call it. Sometimes I don’t know if hearing all the behind the scene dramas, is a good thing, what you don’t know about does not worry you .Heard after lunch that the captain and staff capt were up all night and that one can actually get stuck in the ice, that’s what I would call to much information!!! Anyway we are on our way to Seward and should be there tomorrow at  5.So bye for now.