Well, here we go again on another 7-day trek to Alaska. Breakfast was served early starting from 6am to 9am, however, for us in the Pinnace Grill, it was between 6:30 to 8am. All the guests leaving and the crew members had to go through the mandatory immigration procedures until the zero clearance was achieved. That would happen by 11am. In the meantime, we were considered "in- transit" guests and had to carry our passports, room keys, and the in-transit sticker to show the security team onshore. We would go through the security check on our way back from town. All aboard was 3:30pm, but we would make sure to be earlier than that.
The weather started off rather overcast and slightly foggy, but the smoke from the forest fires was magically gone. Thank goodness….we had never seen the air quality so terrible in this pristine city. Doing some homework online, we located the closest pharmacy to Canada Place and the Cruise ship Terminal. A Rexall was located directly cross the street, down a flight of stairs, and into a mall located under the Fairmont Waterside Hotel. There were fast food eateries here such as McDonald's and Asian cuisine. Tim Hortons Coffee Shop was located across the side street, a very well-known café in Canada. We finally found the item we needed and plenty of it in case we run out of it before next week.
Continuing onwards, we hiked down to the Seawall waterfront walk being careful to stay in the pedestrian lane. Bike riding is very popular here, and so you have to be aware of them in the designated right-of-way lanes. Several restaurants line this waterfront along with numerous high rises of condos and apartments. The seaplane terminals are here, as well as the Hyllo ferries. Loud and noisy, they are fun watching taking off and landing.
Coal Harbor is loaded with history and home to a marina full of beautiful luxury yachts. Many parks lined the wide walkway with nice benches, restroom facilities, and mature trees ready to turn their fall colors. Scenic cruising paddlewheel boats offer tours from here. Passing the Rowing Club, we made it to the Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Tours and the Information Center there. A one hour ride in an old-fashioned carriage ran $80 CAD for adults, $74 CAD for seniors, $74 CAD for students, and up to 12 years old, $36 CAD. Credit cards accepted were Master Card, Visa, or a debit card. Here are some "horse" facts. These gentle giants are draft horses that are large, strong, calm, and sure. They consume 31 pounds of hay and 15 pounds of mash a day. They can drink up to 33 gallons of water every day too. Their months off of work are spent at a farm in the Frazer Valley, where sometimes they make visits to the old folks homes.
This was our turn-around point for today where we strolled back through the mature evergreens of spruce, cedar, and hemlock trees. Small back squirrels were busy gathering food like acorns and pine cones that were full of seeds. The trail that led to the old road bridge was closed for restoration, so we cut down to the seawall. Passing Canada Place and the cruise ship terminal, we entered Gastown and the close-by Steamworks Brewery Co. It was surprising to see the place full of diners, since there was only one cruise ship in town – us. Their best beer is Lions Gate, so we ordered one and one Coke Zero. Hawaiian pizza was our choice of entrees which was very good. We did recall their delicious dessert of an apple galette, so we added one to share. It is baked fresh, so there was a 15 minute wait….well worth it.
From there, we went back to the waiting ship with no lines no problem. This has to be the first and only time we did not have to wait for the immigrations check. We passed through the xray point, then had to stop at the facial recognition camera. It worked for both of us. On the way to the gangway, the local shoreside worker said they were waiting for us. Teasing of course. He said only a few hundred were left to arrive and they had an hour to get there.
We had mail waiting for us. One of which was another invite to the exclusive Mariner reception in the Crow's Nest. Although we arrived at 2:30, we finally had a chance to meet the cruise director, Clare Adams – very sweet and petite. She is a former professional dancer and singer on London's West End with a career as the same with HAL. She also had a sweet distinct voice and speaks slowly and clearly. We appreciate that more the older we get. Other greeters were Murat from the food and beverage department, Leonie, the Hotel Manager, April, and more staff from the guest relations services. Sail away was right at 4pm, and the party ended soon. We watched it from the comfort of our veranda. One of the last times we were here, we spotted a pod of orcas right in the harbor. Hoping to see them again, we were disappointed. But after going under the Lions Gate Bridge and further out to sea, we did see a pod of them in the distance and did get some photos to prove it.
Dinner was a repeat of last Wednesday's menu, so we tried different things. Starters were Caesar salads, tomato/mozzarella cheese plate, and a seafood cocktail. Mains were roasted chicken but the lingonberry sauce was good. The other entrée was their everyday lasagna, also good and hot. Dessert was sweet watermelon slices.
We had visits from the wine sommelier, the first we have seen him in 7 days. His job is to keep us in Coke Zeros (no wine), which was 16 cans short this time. Also missing was the platter of canapes and sweets. We shall follow up with this tomorrow. There was also an invitation to join the Hotel General Manager, Leonie, and Guest Services Manager, Cynthia. Leonie is new to us , but Cynthia has been with us on many cruises over the years. So we will meet them tomorrow in the Pinnacle Grill for lunch at noontime.
The World Stage Repertory Company performed Hits on 45, radio hits that made the world sing, dance, and dream. The nostalgic journey through time drew a crowd of newly-embarked guests.
The ship headed north for a day at sea tomorrow.
Bill & Mary Ann