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Published: October 1st 2018
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Juneau
Sunday, September 30
The best laid plans of mice and men oft times go astray.....
We woke to a glorious image sailing through the passage green evergreen trees covering the mountains like a carpet. Just beautiful. Up and out we thought about the day. I had wanted to take a helicopter excursion of the glacier near Juneau, but when I realised the cost, thought better of it. There has to be a cost to adventure benefit and this was WAY out of line for me. Another time.
Up to the terrace for breakfast - not a seat to be found. With the air temperature and wind asit is, noone wants to eat outside, so
the room is backed. Not an open table anywhere. Since we were getting close to the end of service in the Grand Dining Room, we bolted down the four flights of stairs in order to be seated before service ends. We made it! We sat portside at the window looking at the mountains rising up from the sea. So grand and beautiful. We ordered our food received our espresso and settled in for our breakfast before heading off to Juneau.
Sipping our espresso, the announcement "bong" went off. "This is the captain from the bridge, due to inclement weather, we are cancelling the port of Juneau." He went on to explain the situation. The passage is too narrow, the winds too strong (40 knots coming from the north) and for the safety of everyone on board and after conversations with the Pilots in Juneau and Corporate offices - the decision was made to cancel the stop. First time Regatta has had to cancel a stop in six months of sailing to Alaska. Oh well. Another day at sea. Fine by me. The table next to us got rather upset. One woman was trying to explain to the other woman what was going on and we'd be at sea for two days instead of one - well....her friend went OFF. NO, we would NOT be at sea two days because tomorrow, Monday, October 1, we'd "dock at the glacier". UM....really? Does she KNOW what a glacier is? So...Christopher, in his wisdom, tried to come to the sane woman's defense and explain the situation. The crazy woman was NOT having it! Then...she burst out with "why don't they just tell us the truth, there's no wind, why don't they just admit they want to avoid Juneau and cheat us out of the stop". Well...alright then. Crazy woman - you just sit in your bubble and think about this for a minute.
I'll break this down for you....EVERY excursion will have to be credited; NO provisions will be loaded on to the ship as we won't stop; we were due to take fresh water on board (since we were unable to do so in Ketchikan); the crew is going to have to scramble to make changes to their schedule as well as find activities to keep the passengers happy. SO...NO LADY...this is NOT a conspiracy. You are just certifiable. I SO WANTED to confront her, but one must realize when to show up and fold up. I chose to remain silent because I knew (know) that it would fall of deaf ears.
So - another day at sea and I won't get to see Juneau. Another time. I LOVE sea days. So...now what? We scoped out a chaise on deck 9 portside and huddled down. I asked them to turn on the heaters for us...upon my return I was received with kudos and thanks. Not hard people, if you ask for something, typically they will provide. Depends upon the ask. We read, and sat in wonder of Mother Nature's splendor. The ship basically made lazy circles while slowing down significantly, we gracefully and almost silently floated on the sea drifting this way and that. I couldn't care less about Juneau at this point. Juneau, I don't need no stinking Juneau! At one point a gust of wind blew across the ship from starboard- this was a GUST. OF. WIND. Some of the cushions were lifted off the chaises and flipped over. It was a big blast. OK, Captain made the right choice and we were nowhere near the channel leading to Juneau.
We thought about moving- but the winds calmed once again. Every now and again another gust of wind would whip through the deck reminding us that Mamma Nature is to be taken seriously. SERIOUSLY!
Christopher and I were tired of reading, at this point it had been hours. SO…he suggested we get a game from the games room, find a location (preferably wind free) and play. I found a RUMMYKUB set (really nice – carrying case and all) and we settled into a location at Horizon’s and played. Three game sweep (I’m not THAT competitive…who is kidding whom - I AM that competitive…and I was the victor). Of course….things can (and do) change! I am a fair loser….not a happy loser, but a fair loser. Just as we were packing up, ready to go we heard a horrible THUD. A gentleman, perhaps a little worse for the drink, missed the step (it is rather low, and clearly marked with yellow stripped tape – does no good if you’ve over imbibed…anyway – face plant. He was OK, but escorted out with the help of the crew.
We ran into our gang members throughout the day. Plans were made for dinner in the Grand Dining Room at 7:15. We still had a way to go; so off to the Terrace for lunch.
Once again, the Terrace was packed. We located a table for two near the window, and grabbed it. There were two women seated back to back with a tiny gap between them – naturally it was the ONLY path to the table. I asked them both to “excuse me”…. fourth time was the charm for one, and the other just looked at me like I had three heads. I came VERY close to tipping her chair (teach her a lesson)…I thought better of it. Her husband intervened and told her to let me pass. He said sorry. She just sat there as if she had been thoroughly inconvenienced. As we ate I observed her interactions with her friends, husband and wait staff. My conclusion….she thinks she’s all that AND a bag of chips; complained about EVERYTHING! Some people!
We were contemplating what to do next, when we ran into BE. They are playing crazy 8’s in Horizon’s Lounge…so let’s go! BE, Jeremy, Paula & Steve, Christopher & I all played crazy 8’s for HOURS! Had a blast. We laughed quite a lot, had fun playing cards and laughing at situations, this and that (I’ve been sworn to secrecy). Around 3-ish they started getting ready for Tea. We continued to play, and indeed played through tea. SO, if we thought it was a clown car situation when we were at tea previously…this time made the previous adventure PALE by comparison. Teapots, Who is having tea – too many pots, not enough cups – wait I’m not having tea (I chose not to participate), six people around a table meant for four, cards, tea pots and service, scones, macaron, savory bites not to mention peanuts and potato chips (well, it is a bar…or a lounge) a long way of saying the table was crowded and made the card game rather, shall we say interesting.
All of the sudden we heard a clang, and I noticed the “lollipop” glass sculpture in one of the alcoves was leaning against the window above Paula’s head. Evidently a gentleman had grabbed the sculpture stand, to steady himself…didn’t help. This is the second time, in the EXACT location today. Maybe they need to mark it more clearly, or have a grab bar on both sides of the one small step.
We remained in the lounge playing cards; time for Happy Hour – which is really 2 for 1 cocktails – buy 2 (same drink) pay for 1 – even if you drink only 1. We stayed. Had a few drinks among us. All is good. I had a Bombay Martini, Christopher a Campari & Soda. We played for a good long time and decided to get ready for dinner.
Grand Dining Room. Dinner for eight. Let’s go. I started with a Caesar Salad, then the Herb Crusted Cornish Game hen with green beans paired with a wonderful Albarino wine. Dessert was a carrot puree filled crepe, with cardamom ice cream. Quite good; refreshing, not too sweet and not too much. I was starting to fade and fast. I made my apologies and went to the state room. Got ready for bed and was asleep before my head hit the pillow.
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