Monday, July 30, 2007

Vacation in Pictures -- Day One on the Boat

Our first full day on the ship was a sea day. I don’t know if it was the time change, or pure excitement for whatever lay ahead, but we were up and out the door by 8am, even though it was one of our only opportunities to sleep late, without little-people interruption, in, oh, I don't know, something like Ten Years. We went for breakfast in the Vivaldi Dining Room; I know some people like the expedience and choice of the buffet for breakfast, but I’m all about letting someone serve me, and take my plate away, and refill my beverage, and put my napkin in my lap with a wave and a flourish, no matter the time of day, so we enjoyed the full-service dining room.

They had advertised a Bridge Tour that morning, in the schedule of onboard activities for the day, and I thought Blaine would enjoy seeing the inner working of the ship’s bridge with a tour … so I encouraged him to go, and Keith joined him. Unfortunately, it was a class on how to PLAY bridge …… um, my bad.

So, instead, we walked around the ship for a while, orienting ourselves. It was misting, so not a lot of people out on deck, although we did have a great dolphin sighting off the side of the ship. Then, simply exhausted from all this activity … I mean, seriously, just think about it …. I had gotten out of bed, gotten dressed, eaten, digested, walked around, held down a deck chair with my backside, digested some more, and spent quite a bit of time POINTING out to sea at the dolphins … well, I was pooped from all that strenuous activity and went back to the cabin for a well-deserved mid-morning nap. (Gah, I know! I’m pathetic!)

The rest of the day was spent doing more eating, and drinking, and eating some more. Did I mention eating??? I gained fourteen pounds on this cruise, and I think I know the reason why, since every time I turned around my mouth was open and I was shoveling something into it.

This was the first of two formal nights and I thought Blaine and I, and our entire group, cleaned up pretty nice, if I say so myself.








We had dinner in the Vivaldi Dining Room, and had what was without a doubt, hands down, the best crab quiche I’ve ever had in my entire life. Well, ok, SURE, it was the only time I’ve ever had crab quiche … but I’m not even kidding. It was to die for.

After dinner our group split up, and I dragged Blaine to the ship’s performance of “The Piano Man”, a fabulous medley of singing and dancing numbers to the songs of Elton John, Billy Joel, Barry Mannilow, Liberace, etc. It was really, really good --- so good, I went again the next night, also. But once again, we went to bed early because we knew the next day was going to start early, as we were due to arrive in Ketchikan at 6:30 am.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

What fun pictures! You all do clean up nicely!!! Thanks for sharing your vacation with us. The closest thing I will get to a crusie ship this summer is watching The Love Boat!!!!

Pam D said...

You guys DO clean up nice! Right now, it's really too late to eat, but now I'm thinking about crab quiche, which reminds me of a crab omelette I once had in San Francisco.. and now I'm HUNGRY. So I guess I'll go find something in the fridge that won't even remotely resemble crab, and I will curse you when I wake up in the morning 2 lbs. heavier (because it's all YOUR fault that I came to this site so late and read about food). Tomorrow, I will remember to cut off Kristie's blog after 7:00 pm. *sigh*
P.S. please remember to pray for Tyler C. tomorrow.. BIG day for him!

Leeann said...

Sounds like my kind of day! I love the group picture of you and Blaine and all your friends. I also really like the long top you are wearing. Where'd you get it?

Enjoying all the trip news!
Leeann
niccofive.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Ok, am I am the only one that noticed you are missing legs in that final photo? I guess that is another reason I would rather vacation in Kauai next summer rather than take a cruise to Alaska. Have I ever mentioned my favorite kind of vacation is on a beach where it is warm? I like the idea of havaing food served to me, but I can get that in Kauai because my sister likes to ladle out portions she feels you shoud eat. Can I mention that makes me want to say lots of nasty swear workd? So far this is the only reason I can come up with to take a cruise to Alaska, my sister won't put what she expects me to eat on my plate. Goodness when you eat on a crise ship you eat what you want.

Still I happy you both had a good time!

Postcard Cindy

Anonymous said...

Cindy, OMG, I did not notice that until I read your comment. And now I can't keep my eyes off of her legs that AREN't THERE. Where'd they go? Wicked!!! Kristie...please comment on the comments!!!
Claire in TX

Anonymous said...

Thats the first thing I noticed...where are Kristie's legs or I guess she forgot to bring shoes and so is hiding her legs!

Bonita in AZ

Anonymous said...

Hello, Kristy!

Just have a few things here. Great group picture! I too thought your legs were missing though realizing that you aren’t that short and you are sitting down.
First off, cool vacation! You’ll have to post any pictures of whale sightings if you have it. Glad that you got a chance to go!
Numero two- You might remember me from an email many moons ago to you about my daughter having leukemia and then my diagnosis similar to Blaine’s and head neck radiation etc. etc. If you don’t remember, I don’t blame you. I just wondered a few things though: First off, what does Blaine do for his dry mouth at night? (if he has that..) I’ve tried biotene gel and various other stuff, and nada. And you? Hope everything with your skin cancer dx has been well and how are your follow ups for that? Also, I enjoyed your book recommendation post a while back and got some ideas from those who replied. First let me say I’m a feeble wimp, but I do hope you haven’t read “My Sister’s Keeper” by Jodi Picoult, because I did and it’s truly a downer (no offense to those who suggested it, seriously though, I’m a wuss to super sad stories). I did read one suggested “Size 14 is not Fat” by Meg Cabot which was alright. They didn’t have the Size 12 one at the library, which I’m waiting on. But there were some cool recommendations from everyone and I was wondering what you read and liked/suggested from that.

And must I say from one Harry Potter nut to another, if you haven’t read the chat from J. K. Rowling here: http://the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/7/30/j-k-rowling-web-chat-transcript. It’s like a little mini book number 8 novel.

Well, I suppose that’s enough hounding for now! : )
You take care,
Tomika in AL

Anonymous said...

http://the-leaky-cauldron.org
/2007/7/30/j-k-rowling-web-chat-transcript

Fiddle sticks, it didn't post the whole link.

Trying again here.
Tomika in AL

Anonymous said...

Um. Sorry. It's Kristie and I put Kristy. I so do not mean to clog your comments and will promise that from here on out, I'll utilize the preview button. :)

T in AL- yet again..

Anonymous said...

I, too, thought that Kristie had gone legless. I'm glad to see that it wasn't just because I was up till 1:00 a.m. finishing HP7 that I got on Sunday afternoon! Actually, my daughter got it for her birthday, but I had to preview it. Because I'm a good mom like that. :-) Anywho - great book and great pics from the cruise.

Jenny said...

I am sooooooooooo jealous that you guys got to go to Alaska!!! That is definitely on my list of things to do! It sounds like you guys had fun... how could you not w/ all that yummy food. I have no doubt that would be my favorite part! =)

Hey, did you guys come to Tybee? If you haven't, are you coming? I would love to see you guys! Shoot me an e-mail and let me know!

Hope your kiddos are enjoying their last bit of freedom before school starts. This summer has flown. We're doing well -- Izzy is keeping us on our toes, she is one live wire. Very good stuff!

Hugs, (or not =) -- up to you)
Jenny

Anonymous said...

I love all the sharing of pics. Thanks...Kristie, One quick question and you can personally email me----Where is the best place to get cute maternity clothes? I just have found out I am expecting and with not having anything maternity in 6 years I am alittle lost..LOL..out of touch for sure. I am starting from bottom up again, UGH!!! Wish me luck!
Love, Marci
p.s my email is mac093@bellsouth.net