Attached is a link to my review of two Amazon backpacks after using them on vacation.
Do you use a backpack when traveling? If so, what features do you look for?
Category: Uncategorized
Alaska Cruise Tour September 2023 Post-Cruise Vancouver Last Day of Vacation
We got off the ship and had purchased the hop on hop off excursion. They took our luggage to the airport. Our flight was not until the next morning, but our hotel was near the airport.
We went to Stanley Park, Granville Island and Gastown. We got to spend some time at the market on Granville Island. We had lunch across the street from the steam clock in Gastown. We returned to Canada Place and took the train to the airport. Later we watched Canadian Football and had dinner at the restaurant at the hotel. I was able to get some poutine.
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Alaska Cruise Tour September 2023 Majestic Princess Day 6 Ketchikan
The night before they cancelled my husband’s shore excursion, but since there was space on mine he came with me. They kept changing the time on Ketchikan and we were only there for 5 hours. Our excursion didn’t get back until it was time to board., so there was no time to walk around, a lot of people cancelled excursions because of this.
On the excursion, we had a crab feast at a lodge. I only had one serving but it was unlimited and a lot of people had multiple servings. After the crab lodge, we went to the Rainforest Sanctuary, the guides explained the vegetation and the history of the rainforest. It poured and I didn’t bring my raincoat because I didn’t think it was going to rain. We also saw a horned owl, hawk and bald eagle at their bird sanctuary. We then saw the man working on a totem pole. We also saw a black bear. I thought it was an enjoyable tour.
Back on board it was time for coffee and red velvet cake before a nap. We got up had a few cocktails and then had dinner in the MDR. It was the second formal night and I had steak and lobster that they served with bernaise sauce. Then off to bed, tomorrow was the last day and a sea day, so would be trying to do as much as possible.
Alaska Cruise Tour September 2023 Majestic Princess Day 5 Juneau-Foodie Walking Tour
The night before we got back to our room and there was a note that my husband’s shore excursion was cancelled. There was no availability on my excursion and nothing else my husband wanted to do, so he stayed on board, rested and had room service. I had the Juneau Foodie Walking Tour, we did it in 2019 and thought it was a great way to see Juneau. It had been sold out, but about two weeks before the cruise a spot opened up. I was able to get some cough drops at one of he stores, but it was over $5 for a roll.
We started the tour by seeing a bald eagle in a tree. There was also some bear scat, but we didn’t see any bears. We started out with some fish spread on a bagel. Then to my favorite, Tracy’s Crab Shack where we had crab bisque, a crab cake and a roll. We walked around, saw some totem poles and murals and heard some native history and the meaning behind the animals and their connections with certain tribes. We got to see and touch the Patsy Ann statute and the fisher memorial. We then had ceviche and local spiked lemonade. We went to the food tour headquarters and had salsa, spruce jelly, salmon spread and roe. Next we went to a food truck and had a beer with fish tacos near the fire pit. We ended with a renovated bar that had been restored to the way it may have looked in the 19th century.
Back on the ship, time to relax. Then afternoon coffee. The barista asked what my favorite animal was and he made me a dog. One of the people on the tour said the cakes at International Cafe were part of the Plus and Premium packages. I thought it was just the sundaes. I spent time in the casino had some drinks and met my husband at Harmony for a late dinner. He wanted to go there because he likes Chinese food, the only reservation was at 9. I thought the food was good and enjoyed all of the specialty restaurants. It was my husband’s favorite meal of the whole vacation.
Alaska Cruise Tour September 2023 Mt. McKinley to Denali
Soggy morning walk to get some coffee. One thermostat said it was under 40. All they had for breakfast was the buffet, afterwards it cleared and we were treated to some great views of Denali. We spent more time walking around and saw the naturalist presentation regarding moose. We had lunch before leaving for Denali.
It was an about a 2 hour drive to Denali. We were able to check in but our luggage didn’t arrive for several hours. We walked around for a while, my husband did an ATV tour and I did the Dog Gone It tour where we were able to play with the puppies and then saw presentations regarding the huskies and the Iditarod. It was a very enjoyable three hours. My husband and I met up later and had some pizza as that was the only place open at 10, when we each finished our excursions.
Alaska CruiseTour September 2023 Tampa to Anchorage and Anchorage to Mt. McKinley Lodge
So, all vacations start with my dogs looking pathetic even though they love their dog sitters. Somehow I missed getting a picture of Archie. We were off for a 16 hour plus day of travel and covering 4 time zones. I go off Keto on vacation and always get Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte if we were traveling during the season as in real life, I would never spend that kind of money on Starbucks.
So breakfast of Champions with PSL and chocolate croissant. In Dallas we had a couple of hours for a layover so we had lunch at a TGI Fridays, fried food and cotton candy cosmo for the win, which was a good thing as they did not serve food on the 7 hour flight from Dallas to Anchorage.
We made it to the hotel, Captain Cook which was a decent hotel. We had dinner, as it as after 9. The food wasn’t very good and was not cheap either. This kind of seemed like a theme for the land tour. But you don’t go to Alaska just to eat.
The next morning I was going to do a workout in the gym, but I couldn’t find the entrance. So I walked around downtown Anchorage, unfortunately this Florida girl was only wearing leggings and a tshirt. We had breakfast at the hotel which was good. My husband had the reindeer sausage with his eggs and toast and I had chicken and waffles. We left and made our way to Mt. McKinley Lodge. The bus ride was a little over 3 hours.
We arrived at Mt. McKinley lodge. We had lunch at Base Camp, checked out our room, walked around. We eventually did the hike to the Treehouse, one of their main attractions. We saw a movie about the Northern lights in the Hudson theater and had a late dinner at the Base Camp.
Carnival Mardi Gras Day 5 Mahogany Bay October 2022
Due to leaving for an excursion, I went to get a breakfast burrito from Blue Iguana and there was a towel animal invasion on the soggy lido deck.
I went to Mayan Princess, an all inclusive resort. I enjoyed the pool and did not bother with the beach. I really enjoyed the pool, there were very few of us, the pool was huge and had fountains all around.
Back on Board time for afternoon coffee, and snack, drinks in Alchemy. We had dinner at Chibang and had both Mexican and Chinese food and then played Deal or No Deal.
Carnival Mardi Gras October 2022 Day 1 Embarkation
Did a workout at the hotel and the pool area was so peaceful. We had breakfast in Orlando and drove to the port and was on the ship fairly quickly. The first drink of the cruise was in the Center Stage area. We then checked out our Havana Cabana room, the Havana area and having lunch at Big Chicken.
Time to explore the ship and spend some time at Fortune Teller. Saw Rock Revolution, saw the sunset, had dinner, spent time at the piano bar and ended with late night pizza.
Carnival Mardi Gras October 2022 Pre-Cruise Orlando International Drive
This was going to be our second time on the Carnival Mardi Gras, we drove to Orlando to stay at Avanti Resort. Nice room, gym, cafe, large pool and spa, and pool bar.
We went to Cafe TuTu Tango, my favorite restaurant in Orlando. It is set up as a Spanish artist loft and they have artists working on painting while you eat and he entire restaurant is covered with art. It is tapas and we had pizza, jalapeño macaroni and cheese, Cajun chicken egg rolls, Nashville chicken, and nutella flan. Later we went to Howl at the Moon dueling piano bar. They have a lot of fun shots and drinks. Loved the strawberry shortcake shot with whipped cream. A good start to our vacation.
Carnival Magic Day 6 Sea Day…it’s almost over
The last day and a Seaday, I am usually trying to do as much as possible. In retrospect, there was not much I did not do on this cruise. I had a great time and cannot wait to do another solo cruise.
Seaday brunch with a Bellini and Lobster Benedict and beignets. Spa time, the drinks at Blue Iguana and the final Guy’s burger, afternoon comedy, then the none too subtle towel creation that it is time to leave, then spending time on the balcony just looking at the water.
Then time for Alchemy and Karoke at Red Frog, where someone lost ta bet, before dinner at La Cucina. Amazing Garlic Cheese Bread, Fried Calamari, Veal Marsala, Irish Coffee and Dessert.
The piano bar was the highlight of the cruise and the last night was no exception. It was Cinco de Mayo, so there were some fake mustaches. Maxed out the drink package and was able to say goodbye to the other regulars in the piano bar and of course, Henry the bartender and Ben the piano player. What a great cruise!
