Blackduck59

Key word "Imitation", not an amazing alternative, but passable in budget sushi or on a salad.😉

We haven't done the Rocky Mountaineer. We have looked several times and just can't get past the price. Depending on your time frame (and aversion to flying) you could rent a car in Vancouver and do the circle route from Vancouver travelling north east to Jasper then south along the Icefield Parkway to Banff and then head west from there back to Vancouver. It's a beautiful drive and you should be able to do it comfortably in about 9 days.

You have the most cool bear, and what a wardrobe. I think my wife is in love with your bear, I'm almost jealous. Your threads are always so full of fun and good vibrations. We will continue to follow along, it brightens our day.

@graceinga I'm not sure if we ever gave you the answer you were looking for. So as you may have surmised, if you are enquiring about the little key fob "medallion" as found on Princess, HAL doesn't have those. I think the confusion is with the "Medallion" keepsakes that HAL presents for their loyalty program.

Is it the Raptors center in Duncan BC?

So bt the last clue you weren't in Australia, so let's narrow it down. Perhaps North America?

Go with the Dungeness crab, We had King Crab in Alaska, we have also had it here at home. Strangely the crab we had here was better than Alaska, We prefer the Dungeness.

Were you in Australia for the picture?

Sounds like an interesting twist, adding more rum to the mix.

@POA1 I fully support the vital work of the Institute and look forward to your reports on this vital research. I am mildly concerned with the Painkiller recipe though, @Navybikermom is suggesting there is a problem with the recipe. I found them delightful on our Zaandam cruise last year; I did alter it to personal preference by omitting the nutmeg sprinkle on top. If it's not too much trouble perhaps someone from the research team could perhaps sample said libation to report if the mixture has been corrupted in recent times.

I really wondered if I should respond. In YOUR opinion the 2 players were better, you are entitled to your opinion. Your assertion that "people enjoyed the 2 players better" is subjective and I'm afraid you don't speak for anyone other than yourself. I'm still trying to process the logic of your last sentence, how does 2 pianos make a difference with the drunk guy singing along? I think you have made your feelings known on several threads, we all understand you are in the 2 piano camp. Others may be as well but understand that HAL has just made the change and is not likely to change back without seeing if the new format is popular with the majority of cruisers. We have been seeing reports from ships with new acts and new entertainment. I'm sorry you are disappointed with the change, I'm afraid that there will be more changes over the next little while, hopefully people will enjoy the new offerings. Time will tell. Like I said I am hopeful that we will see some of the new era in HAL entertainment when we board Westerdam next March for our 6 week cruise.

I think "Plan accordingly" is a good strategy. They don't take much room to pack and are easy to buy. If the ship supplies them that's a bonus.

How hard is it to sit through the SAFETY video? Seriously people it's not like it is a 2 hour epic. It's just another hoop we have to jump through. Of course the cruise lines could go back to the old way of going to muster stations and sit until everybody decides to check in. That was always so much fun.

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

@paiagirl, I wish I could be more helpful, my wife is from Vancouver and she says Queen Elisabeth park. The Cherry blossom trees in Victoria were a gift to our city from the Japanese community and they are a well loved feature of our city for a few weeks every spring.

Great photo Mic.

I think the one piano two piano thing has really gone on long enough; don't imply that "people enjoyed the 2 player concept much more" when clearly many members prefer one piano or don't care one way or the other. Clearly what people want is a performer who can play piano AND sing well. It feels like HAL could put Billy Joel in the piano bar and some people would complain that it was only one piano.

Good to hear your surgery went well Mic. Now you really have to resist the urge to be "Adventure Mic" until it heals properly this time 😇. I know it will be extremely hard for an active person like yourself; just keep saying to yourself "less strain no pain" until your physical therapist starts you on the rehab program. Take care Mate, Lyle & Lynn

If by chance there is a "spirit bear" sighting count that as a very large bonus. They are extremely rare. Take as many pictures as you can, you may never get another chance.

@JeLy_Beanz that is a better passage for those on this cruise. Like I said there is little on this itinerary that would cause us to book. For everyone who books fair winds and a trailing sea.

That is interesting the above map shows the inside passage bot outbound and return. This is unusual for cruises departing Seattle. If this is indeed the route then there will be nice scenery and relatively sheltered waters in both directions.

That must be very disappointing @MicCanberra. An Achilles injury is always troublesome but this lasting months must be so frustrating. Best wishes from both of us for a good result and speedy recovery.

So I am watching the race now. Being part of the "anyone but Max" group I was pleased to see the disappointing result for him. Lynn was simply ecstatic, her dislike for Max knows no boundaries. Of course being a Lewis fan I was disappointed for his result. It's looking more and more that the move to Ferrari will give him a car he can compete in. That being said it will put pressure on Lewis to perform, he won't be able to blame the car.

Ships leaving Seattle normally transit the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the west coast of Vancouver Island. This is the open Pacific Ocean. I suspect this will be the route for this cruise. The return will be the inside passage between Vancouver Island and the Mainland. Hopefully there is some daylight hours for this transit because it is quite nice scenery.

I had a lovely butter chicken pie from Glenwood for lunch yesterday. Very tasty, nice curry flavour not too spicy.