A Collection of Daily Wisdom by Dennis Sylvester Hurd since September 2003.

Holland America starts its Alaska Cruise season tomorrow. In order to waste time on this repositioning cruise, we docked all day at Victoria. It is a delightful town for tourists as it still seems a bit British. However, it was not new to us as we live just across the water and visit from the Southern Mainland fairly frequently.

Today, we strolled leisurely into town. We bought tickets for Mystic India at the National Geographic IMAX that's part of the British Columbia Museum. The show was worth going to. Everything looks spectacular in IMAX format.

We returned to the ship for late lunch at the final show of the journey. It was nice having a hotel room waiting at the dock.

Labels: British Columbia, cruise, Vancouver Island

I've been out of touch for a few days only because I'm too frugal to spend the cash required for wireless at sea. I can't do much in one minute if it costs 75 cents; I'd be too nervous.

Right now I'm up in the Lido Restaurant on the top of the ship. We docked at Seattle a few hours ago and we hiked up to the market and looked around.

We slowly head to Victoria tonight and have the entire day there tomorrow.

I'll get back to regular blogging on Sunday and even 'back fill' missing information and pictures.

It's been a great trip so far ...

Labels: cruise, Seattle

It was formal night. Getting dressed for dinner is always special and the Tribute to Broadway by the Veendam cast and ensemble was interesting. Some lines such as the Norwegian Cruise Line have gone completely casual, but I rather enjoy the traditional aspects of Holland America Lines. Even though cruising has gone mass market, it's still a little fun to remember how sailing must have once been. As long as there are no killer icebergs!

Labels: cruise

We explored the ship last night. Many of the fellow passengers had started in Tampa, FL and sailed through the Panama Canal. This ship is a nice size, holding only 1200 passengers and the 500 or so staff. The meals are, of course, immense.

The water was very rough last night. Sailing isn't always as smooth as the Inside Passage that we once cruised in 2001 on the way to Alaska. Modern stabilizers do a fine job when the waves are from the side but not much can be done when running headlong into seven foot waves.

Labels: cruise

We did spend the whole day at the San Diego Zoo yesterday. It was actually quite relaxing.



In a few hours we'll be boarding the Veendam.

Labels: cruise

This morning we're off to the San Diego Zoo. We bought the vouchers online through Expedia while still in Vancouver.

Yesterday was surely busy. We crisscrossed the city as well as traveling down to Tijuana, Mexico. I feel like we surely got our money's worth from thw 5-buck day pass. The day started out a bit cloudy but then the sky got very blue. I'm even a bit red faced.

Labels: cruise, Mexico

I'm typing from the Holiday Inn Bayside, San Diego. I'm in the room and have to get moving. It's time for a shower. We got in last evening and I was surprised it was so dark at 8:00 pm. We walked about a half mile and ended up having dinner at a Denny's.

More later ...

Labels: cruise