Sometimes I miss the simple life of days gone by, NOT! I wouldn't be able to have you reading my thoughts if we were back in time at this bar, bellied up with a warm beer, spiting and heavy smoke; not to mention to ladies of the evening, day or even morning! Life might of seemed easier, but was it really, I say not in relative terms the issues of the past are the same as the current issues only in different times. So I say "let's live and let live, celebrating life not beating life up"!
So I suggest vacationing, sharing the world and all it has to offer; I visit Alaska at least twice a year to only be amazed each time, seeing something new each time while rejuvenating my own life. We all know about the Glaciers, Wild Life, Nature on display and of course the wonders of the long days, rushing rivers, snow capped mountains but what we don't often hear about is the luxury of travel in depth so I'm about to tell you my story.
Roger Miller penned: "Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet" - I'm sure many people have taken this statement to heart and written how this applies to his / her own life, so let me be the next person to claim this statement as a true and honest statement about my life. For the lack of being able to find anything else that best describes my life, adventures, challenges and successes I too believe this best explains me and my personality. This brings me why I travel and often travel to the same places such as Alaska several times and continue too, it's about experiencing life not so much Alaska as enjoying time with myself and friends not always meeting new people but experiencing life.
After unpacking my suit cases I headed to one of the many quiet lounges on the Celebrity Infinity to meet my friends, share our ideas on the upcoming visit to Alaska, after enjoying a fresh crisp glass of Celebrity Chardonnay Wine we moved on to the main dining room to our highly anticipated, spectacular dinner not to be disappointed for sure, my meal was freshly prepared, tasty and most of all as fulfilling as I'd hoped. Starting off with a nice chilled soup followed by a wonderful baked chicken breast finishing my meal with house made ice cream. Indulging in a wonderful cup of tea along with stimulating conversation just made for a perfect first night on our cruise.
Day two we cruised all day, watching whales feed from the deep waters of the Pacific Northwest along with soaring Bald Eagles. Activities kept me busy on the ship all day, three fabulous meals today along with an evening show that dazzled the senses in every way, the performers had a high wire act of sorts that allowed them to swing out over the audience in dance a thrilling stage show that seemed to end to quickly while filling our minds with excitement, joy, thrills and most of all real entertainment. Broadway type shows are the best part of the evening events on the ships these days with two shows a night you can't miss it. I often see people hanging out in the casinos while on these ships often wondering if I'm missing something but not worried about it at all as I was having a great time doing my own thing.
Days three to five we visited several ports of call including Juneau, Skagway (one of my favorite ports of call especially if you take the narrow gage train along the gold rush trails), Ketichikan and of course cruising the glaciers which is so majestic it makes you wonder how, why and what? I take pictures each time I visit the glaciers, hoping to catch them calving but on this trip there was so much ice in the water as we cruised the straights you could feel the ship rubbing against the hull of the ship (a Titanic experience for sure) without danger or at least I hope so; the day we cruise the glaciers I rush to the main buffet in the morning at 5:00 a.m. as we enter the straights so I can enjoy a wonderful table at the window, warm and comfortable enjoying a tasty array of fresh fruits and hot baked goods all too good to pass up, thinking of the wonderful fresh fruits and pastries have me urning for them right now. This reminds me of the buffet and all the treats that are offered daily from a rainbow of colors in fresh fruit, baked goods, eggs prepared to order from the breakfast bar that includes a fresh waffle & crepe bar! Lunch selections from seafood to international menu items; dinner selections that start off with a fresh sushi hour, themed entrees from countries all around the world along with world class desserts. Staples at each meal include fresh seafood, beef dishes, fresh veggies along with most starches you could ever want. The ice cream bar opens everyday at 11 a.m. and closes at 8:00 p.m. now that can be dangerous for sure. The outdoor grill for cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken strips are a nice change of pace if it isn't too cold outside and the adult area called the Solarium also offers "healthy breakfast and lunch buffets" this is nice for a quiet relaxing break in the spa area with both therapeutic pools and lounge chairs to take in the sights from the floor to ceiling windows overlooking mother natures creations.
By the way, yes there is gym along with exercise classes, a personal trainer but as it may I missed out on that action, more on purpose than by accident for sure. The one event I never miss out on is the night of fun, food and entertainment offered in the disco once a cruise celebrating the Pastry Chefs, Ice Carvers, Wines of the ship and most of all a mini stage show by the entertainers on-board. This trip it was a salute to the times and dance of the 30's and 40's with the young men and women dressed in war and nurses uniforms with all the big band and dance action of the times, the show rocked and the dancers were perfect! Oh, the food, well need to go on and on? I'll pop in a picture to tease you -- pictures of the ice fields are already on my blog page in the borders so just think tasty:
Not to talk only about food, but there is also a great afternoon brunch on day number six, that was also very special indeed. I would say most of this posting this time seems to be food and more food, but the truth of the matter the food was a compliment to all the other elements of vacationing without stress, unpacking once, relaxing with nature and taking time to just be me having fun.
Where am I off to next, well that depends on whether I am going to walk in the rain or just get wet? Today I am thinking walking in the rain and hitting the road to Europe over the Christmas Holiday more specifically taking in Barcelona and all its glamour, cosmopolitan life style while taking in the historic side of the city, maybe a venture into the Gothic District and a stroll on Las Rambles - Europe's version of a combination of Venice Beach, California - Pikes Place Market, Seattle, Washington and a little bit of New York City all for the enjoyment of everyone.
Do you want to join me?
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