We have just returned from a 3 week jaunt to Alaska, flying into Vancouver. We spent 2 days in Vancouver staying at the Fairmont Hotel which was 5* luxury. We went to Stanley Park for the day, quite a walk but well worth it. A good bird list got us off and running, and the plants and trees in the park were fantastic. The park turned into wilderness once we had got past the rose bushes and mowed grass and less people. We walked for miles, until our feet told us enough, and then we had to walk back. We were shattered ! Would love to return here one day and stay for longer.
Our cruise was booked through Iglu Cruises who we have used before and can highly recommend. They put together the whole package, flights, hotels, all transfers and cruise at a very reasonable price. Imagine our delight when the car turned up to take us from hotel to cruise terminal......only a top of the range Tesla where the doors opened upwards, screens galore in the car, the whole roof was glass, it was like getting into a space ship !
Our ship certainly did not disappoint either, it was palatial ! Sapphire Princess. But massive, which shocked us to start with but you soon get used to it and there was never any ques to eat, never had to wait for a table in a posh restaurant, and we hardly saw anyone out on deck. Once the morning walkers had gone back in, the decks were relatively empty for the day. We found our spot on the Promenade Deck 7, Starboard side at the front of the ship. And there we stayed for 14 days ! We met some lovely people, Stacie and Jason and a Canadian farmer who sat with us most days whale watching, but we never knew his name !
The ports were visited were Ketchican, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Ford, Whittier, Hubbard Glacier and then back again. On the return journey we sailed through the inside passage, Vancouver Island.
We saw 2 brown bears, 5 orca whales and 80 humpback whales, along with a half decent bird list with just over 30 new birds for us. Bird of the trip had to be VARIED THRUSH. The scenery was stunning and the glaciers mindblowing. It was without doubt, one of the best holidays we have ever done.
And then, of course, the food needs a mention.....Simon opted for steak, st least twice a day and I went for the fish, lobster, scallops, shrimps......as many courses and you wanted, just keep ordering and eating. We even had posh breakfast ! There was a self service diner as well where the food was equally as good. It was flipping brilliant ! The alcohol was quite pricey onboard which was a good thing as we went without and that saved us a few calories !!
Now back home, trying to square the garden up, wishing it would stop raining as our tomatoes are struggling and the lawn is waterlogged, it rains all day and night with no end in sight. And no birds ! Now planning our next trip, but where to ??
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