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Pensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1
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Pensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1

Exploring the North America's. Canada, Alaska and The U.S of A. Leggi altro
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    211

    Fare thee well Lake Louise

    9 maggio 2023, Canada ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. A stunning meld of opulent history, architecture and mother nature's most prized art.

    Amidst this beauty ~ also. Sadness. As I take in the breathtaking scenery, I see other tourists taking in the magnificence. Then the insta posers. Those more preoccupied with their brand. Collecting followers with artistic, forlorn poses balanced on rocks in the shallows.

    This place is too perfect to be anyone's advertising platform.

    A perfect place for an epiphany.    Leggi altro

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    21

    Sulphur Mountain en route to Calgary

    9 maggio 2023, Canada ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    Tracking back through Banff, en route to Calgary, we arrive at Sulphur Mountain. An impressive 2281 metres in elevation (refer video for conversion to feet from statistic buff Allan.)

    A brief (too long!) ride on the Gondola and we reach the summit to take in the spectacular views and be at one with the clouds.

    But wait! There's more! The fear factor doesn't end here. We get to enjoy another 2 hour action-packed adventure as Allan, the most appropriate driver of the day, drives to Calgary. Right (wrong!) side of the road in pouring rain.

    Good times had by all.    Leggi altro

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    Calgary. Vancouver bound

    11 maggio 2023, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Ah, Calgary. I'm sure this city has way more to offer than we found, though this was our place of rest before heading back to Vancouver for the big trip tomorrow.

    This was a seedy part of town.

    Our accommodation (Sandman Signature ) was pleasant enough. Though yet another instance of booking a room with disabled access not available.

    The only disabled room in this complex. Sold to someone else. We take the alternative slightly larger corner room. No disabled amenities. An additional room is needed as a sofa bed the only option for me.

    But. A room without grab rails. Larger / self opening doorways. Showers with graded floors. Needed for disabled access. Not steps. Or shower baths. This means a physical lift over a step to access a shower.

    The physical lifting to support all ADLs takes its toll. Lifting a 60kg human body is tough. Dad and I. Well. Lucky we eat our Vegemite daily.

    Calgary. Not so much. Attached is the only image I felt remotely inspired to take in our 2 days there.

    Vancouver bound. How I have missed thee 🥰    Leggi altro

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    New friends and shared experiences.

    12 maggio 2023, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    The opportunity for social engagement (or complete solitude if that's your thing) is a simple as venturing out of, or staying in your cabin.

    This footprint will be updated over the cruise with interesting fellow travellers on our journey.

    13 May: Nan and her posse carving up the dance floor.

    15 May: Mum and I; dissapointed with the on board shopping experiences, fortuitously end up in the line for high tea. The attendance requirements are a party of 6. We join a line we didn't know existed, and are quickly welcomed as the final pair forming a 6. Score. High tea.

    May 15: Dinner. Dad and I joined other diners this evening, as Mum didn't feel up to joining. Richard was celebrating his 80th. (80th!!) tonight. How lovely it was to be part of such a special day. Cheers Ricky!

    May 15: Melissa and new found friend Svetlana ready to hit the clubs.    Leggi altro

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    Alaska. Cruise. Day 1. The Great Escape

    12 maggio 2023, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Noting how crucial it is for us to follow maritime protocol and evidence we know that if we do in fact strike disaster and face a sinking ship, Dad and I sneak out under the guise of needing to muster. Mum absolutely understands how important this is and forms part of the contract between ourselves, the travel consumers, and the good people at Princess Cruises.

    I decide against sharing my own considerations if disaster struck. I'm a lot less like Kate Winslet. And a lot more like the string quartet as the ship goes down. If that's my dice roll, I'm okay with that.

    In the meantime, Dad and I make a break for it.    Leggi altro

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    12

    Vancouver. Thank you. Sorry aboot that.

    12 maggio 2023, Canada ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Vancouver. Another day of spectacular weather. Shopping. Stunning scenery and a decent sleep and feed before we board our much anticipated Princess cruise through Alaskan waters.

    Our accommodation? The luxurious Pan Pacific hotel on Vancouver Wharf. Shaped like a cruise ship, an ode to an industry bringing this stellar part of the world and experience to those lucky enough to imprint this majestic scenery forever more, mind, heart and soul.

    Most importantly however. Is the ability unpack once we board. The same place for 11 nights? Thank you. And. Thank you.

    See you one day soon Vancouver. Au revoir.    Leggi altro

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    Melissa. Cannot. Sustain. Bunk life.

    13 maggio 2023, Stati Uniti

    The accommodation quarters. Um. I get that cruising is cramped. We all do. But this room is next level. I assume the bunk is *okay* whilst I'm completely sans a beverage.

    Then. I spy this jack and the beanstalk like contraption with portable ladder. After a night out. And I chose the chair. Both nights. The climb. Overwhelming through wine goggles. The bed I need to curl up in to fit seems it is in the clouds. My body hurts.

    I finally concede with exhaustion (and Dad's kindness), that this isn't sustainable. It is then we learn the bunk is a child's bed.

    Meltdown. Justified.

    Sleep and cat swinging room delivered with private cabin for Melissa. No cost. Room 420. And the jokes continue re: liberal weed laws in The America's.    Leggi altro

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    Hubbard Glacier

    15 maggio 2023, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌧 29 °C

    The Hubbard Glacier. This destination was much anticipated for me - more so than most others on this journey.

    Monstrous. Majestic. An eco-system within an ecosystem. Both sanctuary and peril. Water. In a state of perfection.

    #morepicstofollow

    http://www.glacierresearch.com/locations/hubbar…

    Overview of Hubbard Glacier
    Located in south-central Alaska north of Yakutat, with its origins in Yukon Territory, Canada, Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. The highest source of snow accumulation is at approximately 11,000 feet, traveling 76-miles towards the 6-mile wide terminus at sea level in Disenchantment Bay and Russell Fiord. The terminus reaches as high as 100-meters above sea level, equivalent to the height of a 30-story building. Valerie Glacier joins Hubbard from the northwest approximately 6-miles from the terminus. Unlike the vast majority of glaciers, Hubbard Glacier has been both thickening and advancing since the International Boundary Commission first mapped it in 1895.    Leggi altro

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    1

    Yukon Gold. Allan seeks Parker

    17 maggio 2023, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Today's arrival at Skagway; Alaska, has been a moment Allan has waited for since first glance at Parker - Gold Rush - Yukon.

    From the moment Allan saw Parker on his Australian television, he knew this was. The. Ultimate. Bromance.

    We can say it was about the view. About the visit to the historic Alaskan town of Skagway.

    For Allan. It was about possibly. Maybe. Meeting Parker.

    Or at the very least, cross the same soil.

    #bucketlist    Leggi altro

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    Deadliest Catch: Red King Crab

    18 maggio 2023, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Tammy's Crab Shack. Serving King Crab. A delicacy of this region. And are caught in some fairly treacherous seas - see The Deadliest Catch. Seasons 1 to eleventy hundred.

    Allan and Jan. Their interest in dining at such a place registers on the negative. Multiple times over.

    I dine alone. I feast. On Red King Crab - dipped in garlic butter. A clam chowder. The thought of it initially held limited appeal - though it was delicious!

    The Crab cakes. Krabbie patties to Hal and William. Delicious.

    I sadly could only eat 1/4 of this, so have bravely smuggled the balance back on board.

    Tracey proudly claimed she'd give you crabs. And that she did.

    https://kingcrabshack.com/    Leggi altro

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    1

    Ketchikan. Cruise day 9

    20 maggio 2023, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    We arrive at Ketchikan early, 0700. This idyllic town, the second last stop on our journey through the Alaskan inside passage, is beautiful.

    Another town along the Alaskan coast without any road access. Sea and air only.

    We soon join our walking tour group, and explore some of the rich history of the town of Ketchikan.

    Another beautiful day exploring the rich culture and landscapes of this magnificent part of the world.

    "Ketchikan is an Alaskan town facing the Inside Passage, a popular cruise route along the state's southeastern coast. It's known for its many Native American totem poles, on display throughout town. Nearby Misty Fiords National Monument is a glacier-carved wilderness featuring snowcapped mountains, waterfalls and salmon spawning streams. It's also home to rich wildlife including black bears, wolves and bald eagles."    Leggi altro

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    Butchart Gardens: Victoria Island 1 of 2

    22 maggio 2023, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Butchart Gardens. Wow.

    The most anticipated destination at the onset of this cruise for me was Butchart Gardens.

    The pictures say it all. This place is special. The crowds make it a little more challenging to find your zen with this incredible sensory stimuli, though captivation overtakes as you consider the planning and maintenance of this almost 120 year old masterpiece. Of course this beauty attracts the crowds! It is stunning.

    From the giant trees providing a canopy of shade for the stunning Rhododendrons to the annuals and bulbs putting on their best spring show. The lawns, spectacularly maintained and manicured. A visual delight at every turn.

    A beautiful final day of our journey through the Inside Passage of Alaska.

    The Butchart Gardens is a 119-year-old internationally-renowned 55-acre display garden located in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia. Created by Jennie Butchart, and still privately owned and operated by the family, The Gardens was designated a National Historic Site of Canada, in 2004 for its one hundredth birthday.    Leggi altro

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    1

    Victoria Day on Victoria Island, Canada

    22 maggio 2023, Canada ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Our final day of the cruise sees our early arrival at Victoria Island, on a public holiday: Victoria day no less, and a brief return to Canadian soil before our journey on to the USA. Memphis, Tennessee.

    A dignified later start. A customs alert as Jan's penchant for Marijuana sees us yet again detained by Canadian customs. Some quick talking from Allan and assurances the stash will be discarded prior to final disembarkment is enough to convince our oh so friendly Canadian customs officer that we, are in fact cool (*man*) and will oblige accordingly. Jan does a good job hiding her disappointment at another missed opportunity for a strip search.

    We take our position as representatives of Victoria, Australia, and honorary representatives of the late Queen Victoria herself. It is lovely to be back with our fellow monarchists, especially on this auspicious day.

    Prestige cars, a catch up with old friends (and immediate neighbour of Jan and Allan in Rowville), and an afternoon spent exploring the incredible Butchart Gardens.

    Some fun at a pedestrian crossing whereby Melissa failed to see a pot hole upon stepping onto said crossing / main road, pushing Jan in the wheelchair - causing Jan to commence a forward tumble a russian gym coach would be proud of. Jan is safely returned to her chair with the superhuman lift strength of *humiliation* on Melissa's behalf, as the cars and crowd looked on. The day concludes with Melissa briefly knocking herself unconscious due to head strike in disabled taxi after supporting Jan safely off. #lookupandlive

    The longest minute transpires as Melissa comes to. Pride injured more than anything. #publiccollapsenotcool

    Our cruise through the pristine Alaskan inside passage concludes today. What a finale indeed.    Leggi altro

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    American Airlines & Fort Worth: You suck

    23 maggio 2023, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌧 30 °C

    If only morning Melissa, Allan and Jan knew what this day had in store. We'd have enjoyed a 2nd, possibly 3rd cup of Joe. Definitely Irish style. Perhaps smuggled some food off the ship - Allan knows all too well, Melissa isn't hungry, then it's urgent 🤣. We didn't know we'd subsist the day on airline pretzels with a date of manufacture matching the deceased date of Elvis Presley himself.

    Our first leg. Vancouver to Dallas. Fort Worth. Vancouver does as Vancouver always has. The process is smooth. People are kind. Friendly. Obliging. They see you pushing a wheelchair with 6 pieces of luggage and assist (at least the porters do for a fee). People move aside to enable easier traversing in a wheelchair. They see you! What a high bar our Canadian friends had set.

    The shit show begins shortly thereafter. Dallas, Fort worth, Texas. We knew things were big in Texas. But. This is next level. 17200 plus ACRES!! We've been here before, en route to Vancouver from day 1 of our departure, though the second coming was a reminder of why. We. Hate. This. Airport.

    No Mohammed today. We make our connecting flight to Memphis with enough time for Melissa to skull a Prosecco. It's after 12 everywhere, maybe, and this is challenging! American airlines are heavily reliant on their more seasoned clientele using their 7kg baggage allowance for snacks. We're not that clever. In fact, Melissa is over baggage limit and another expense charged to Allan's credit card.

    This flight begins, and almost ends before take off (maybe see Tik Tok video for angry yet rational Australian advocating for NOT being okay with another passenger (also; disabled) climbing over Jan to get to her window seat). As instructed, Jan was seated first as a disabled passenger in allocated aisle seat. No Mr Flight attendant, it is not appropriate to ask one disabled passenger to climb over another because someone erred in seating allocations. Allan and Melissa are happy to do this, but not a stranger - and another disabled (though ambulant) passenger no less.

    The entire crew band together; and although they back down, they all agree - we are in the wrong for not being okay with another disabled passenger climbing over Jan. And that we in fact should have placed Mum at the window seat for safe evacuation in case of emergency. Hello? Hello? Mum. Can't. Walk. Or. Transfer. Without. Being. Lifted. And you allocate the seats! Not us. And....if we did choose our own seating, you best bet it would be in business class.

    The flight ends. The opinion of American Airlines does too. An organisation that should be ashamed of themselves. Here's hoping a stern letter to those with influence will at the very least see an apology.

    American Airlines: Do better.

    Signed. Karen. I mean Melissa.    Leggi altro

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