After closing up my story in Chapter 4, it came sharply to my mind that there were some missing events or experiences which were quite interesting and should be added to the story for friends and family to share.

10 Years older
Mishaps do happen sometime. On one of the evenings at the end of Supper, Annette asked to be excused and went off to the Ladies Room. Kim and I waited at our table, chatting and sipping whatever was remaining in our cups. Quite a long while passed, but there was no sign of Annette returning. We began to worry. Kim went twice to check at the Ladies Room . Annette wasn’t there ! O where ??? whee can she be.? ! Our anxiety rising ! I said she might be in our stateroom looking for something. Kim went running and came back panting to say Annette wasn’t there ! Now the waiters joined in the search ! And at the height of our panic, Annette suddenly reappeared, very much like stepping out from a magic box of the Magician ! I asked, in tears, what happened ??? Realizing the panic she put us into, she sighed, Aye aye aye !!! … Aye aye aye !!! Kim was unable to utter a single word ! Propping his head with his arms on the table with eyes closed .., finally picking up his breaths again, he shook his head and said, he was 10 years older !!!

Countless years Younger
Nothing heals and rejuvenates our Body and Spirit faster and more completely than taking a trip on a cruise boat. Coming back from my cruise to Alaska, I did feel like a snake shedding off its old skin and living a new Life in a new body ! My health ! my strength ! … they came back to me quicker than riding on a Bullet Train ! I felt years and years younger – I was so happy I I soared like a Skylark !

New Friends
We made many new friends onboard. First to come on the stage was our stateroom Butler. He looked after all our foods and comfort onboard. He was a very polite and intelligent person. Besides being attentive to our needs in great details, he wanted us to feel that his services to us are first class. He indeed spoiled us ! He brought to us, the first night we came aboard, a bottle of Champagne chilled in ice in a small tub, with compliments from our Ship, Celebrity infinity. From that night on, we used to joke with him when he asked what we like to drink, I always said, “Champagne” , and we all laughed !

Next came the team of waiters at our elegant Dining Parlor. These waiters were very formally dressed in their black suits with white shirts and smart neckties to match. This formal dressing is meant to show their respect and to give importance to their honored guests who were in their smart casuals (which is in the Ship’s terminology, a nice clean smart shirt and pants, with or without neck-ties.), This informal dressing is meant to give maximum ease and comfort to the guests.. To further enhance this friendly and cozy atmosphere, these waiters were witty and capable of cracking jokes and talking with humors. They would come up to call me papa or young man ! This made all the people around laugh !
This simple sincere warm heart moving friendship binds itself together like a Snow Ball ! growing in size every minute ! rolling out from our dining parlor to the whole ship, soaking all crew and passengers in a huge snowball of friendship joy and cheer ! Henceforth we would be meeting Smile after Smile on all the decks, praising the Lord for His Love of Infinity !!!

A touch of romance
In movies, TV and books we had watched and read so much about shipboard Romances ! And on-board celebrity Infinity, there must have been infinite novel-like romances drifting around like
leaves in Autumn ! gold red yellow and green ! thrilling and awesome !

Me too ! I happened to pick up a leaf which I called a touch of romance ! which really happened ! Not imagination !
There were Two Malaysian young ladies ! they dined most evenings at a dining table two rows across from ours. We (I mean the 2 ladies and I) we greeted each other with smiles ! and once or twice by raising our cups of drinks to wish our best of wishes of health and joy ! … and to me, this was a little Piece of Romance ! worthy of our Shakespeare’s writing a story on ! And if this was Not romantic enough ?! we still had our (Annette Kim and me, and the two ladies) dining together at one table on the last night’s Dinner. Kim was presiding at the end of the table with Annette and me sitting on his left side and the 2 Malaysian ladies siting on his right side, which means Annette and me, we were sitting face to face with the young ladies, who had, in the course of eating and chatting, proved themselves to be warm, friendly and sociable ! I was listening with interest and nodding a little to show my appreciation of their chats . The night was drifting away fast (too soon for us), we had to say farewell nevertheless. The 2 ladies came across the table to give me a big warm farewell hug (I thought they hug me out of their own wish, but Annette said I asked for it). Alast ! the little Magnetism left in me was Not enough to magnetize the ladies to come to me on their own ! Aye aye aye !!!!

Homeward bound through the Inside Passage
Leaving Ketchikan, our Ship sailed South, passing through the Inside Passage, toward Vancouver, our home port. This waterway holds a special fondness for us. First of all it is picturesque ! No photographic art can do justice to its snow capped mountains with their innumerable cute peaks like dancing fairies ! Dotting here and there in this stretch of water are numerous pretty little islands that we see also in Japan and in Hong Kong.
All these breathtaking sceneries and views we saw when our ship started off for Alaska, greeting us welcome, and again on our journey south to Vancouver bidding us Farewell and inviting us to come again !!!

An escapade (by the Taxi driver)
To end my Story with some more excitement, there was this false escapade by the Taxi driver !
It happened when, after our disembarkation from the Ship at the Canada Place Pier, Kim, Annette and me, we took a Taxi to go pick up Kim’s car at their home in North Van. On reaching home, the Taxi driver helped in unloading our luggage and then came forward to drive off with poor me still siting in his car ! I was quite unaware that the Taxi was leaving. It was only when Kim came running after the Taxi and calling the driver to stop that I realize I was alone with the Taxi driver, who gave Kim and Annette the FEAR that he was trying to kidnap me ! The driver stopped his car and explained that he was under the mistaken thought that he was taking me to my own home close by ! Kim and Annette took a deep breath, realizing that it was a false alarm !!!

Corrigenda : My daughter Annette has very rightly suggested the following errors in my previous Chapter to be corrected :

• Under the heading High Tea, the maids should best be called waitresses. I had naughtily called them maids with a subtle reference to the Swedish maids who are well known to be very well-dressed, pretty and sexy.
• Our Butler served us in the Michael’s Club.as well as in our stateroom. He did attended to us in our High Tea several times and recommended drinks and snacks to pleasure us.
• The camellmile tea should correctly spell camomile tea. I was under the mistaken belief that the word came from a Chinese herb Camellia which has a unique fragrance and many health benefits.

Let this be a winding up Chapter to bring to an end my endless chatter on Alaska, highlighting the most interesting experiences I’ve come across.

The Icy Strait Point

This was the first port of call of our Ship, a tucked away little fishing village for fishermen to dry and mend their nets. This is also a part of the Alaskan waters where their world famed Salmons thrive in great abundance. The fishing boats need only drop their nets, glide around the bays and raise their nets with a full load of Salmons jumping and flipping from the nets, Only the best big fat ones are picked, the rest of the catch are set free by lowering the net…

All these activities were shown in pictures in the little Museum in the village where an old disused fishing boat and other old fishing equipment were also displayed. Visitors can rest their tired feet in restaurants, some of them cater the world famed Alaska King Crabs ! We saw some visitors eating them. They proudly held up the huge red crabs with huge awesome claws for us to see ! There was also an old Fish Canning Factory displaying its well reserved old crude machinery and equipment. We were very much impressed by all these views and sights around the village.

Worthy of mention also is its incredibly well-built pier where even our 91,000 tons cruiser can dock. It extends way out from the shore with linking covered walkways for passengers to come ashore and to get to the village through long winding paths . Our Ship departed in the twilight of the evening, leaving behind our mind still lingering around this quaint village !

The Hubbard Glaciers

Our Ship continued to sail North toward the Hubbard Glaciers. It was not a Stop call. It was a slow gentle gliding along the U-shape strait surrounded in front and at both sides with a chain of snow capped queer shape Peaks, like many many Fairies clothed in White holding hands in a Greek line-dance ! All passengers came lining up the open top deck, gazing at the strange Sight with jaw-dropping breathtaking thrills and chills !!! We have seen this in TV, Videos and Magazines, but the thrill is not the same. To be there body and soul was like being transported physically and spiritually to the Heaven on Earth !!! All the passengers were busy with their Telescopic Cameras or Binoculars to catch the 360 degree panoramic scenery and views !!! Especially when our Ship was piloted by an experienced Captain, edging our ship close to the foot of the glaciers, almost close enough to touch them !!! From here our Ship turned South on our Homeward journey, stopping at 2 more ports of call, Juneau and Ketchikan.

Juneau

It is the Capital of Alaska, quite a busy port of call for all Cruisers. Its streets are fully lined up with dazzling Jewelry shops for visitors to empty their pockets for the purchase of diamond jewels for their beloved ones ! OR for those who have little or no money in their pockets (like me), we can feast our eyes with window shopping !
However, thee is the affordable thrilling Cable Tram ride up to the Top of Mt Roberts, and visitors can have a full breathtaking view of the town below. The beautiful harbour always has several Cruise Ships docking there creating another jaw dropping view !

Ketchikan

This is our last port of call before returning to Vancouver to complete the 7-night dream.
Here passengers can pick several Land Excursions to explore the wild snowy icy Alaska. Our dining table mates took the Dog Sleate Ride and shew us pictures which were truly exciting ! Annette Kim and me, we picked the Lumber Jack Show which was quite interesting and fun-filled too. It has competing teams from Canada . US and North European countries. Canada won most of the competitions. I liked the Tree Climbing,, the Tree Cutting, the Axe throwing, the log rolling by loggers to see who falls off into the water last … log cutting art of chopping off a little stool from a piece of log in minutes … etc etc. After the show, we took a leisurely walk around the little town with clean and quiet streets which were very pleasant.

Farewell, Sayonara , Adios … … to Alaska

If readers find it interesting, curious and delicious in my “Breakfast in Bed” in last Chapter, please read on with my “High Tea” in this chapter as an extension of curiosity and finger-licking tastes. Readers will come across two names Annette and Kim, my daughter and husband. who will soon become familiar to you throughout this Alaskan story.

High Tea at Michael’s Club

It is a daily thrilling event for Annette Kim and me to go to the Club to enjoy the High Tea at 4 pm. It is located at a not so conspicuous (mysterious), but quite easily found, corner of the Ship (if we look around). As in all clubs and bars, it is illuminated cozily and not too bright. Guests coming in are warmly greeted and attended to by well-dressed maids (waitresses). There is a long list of tea or coffee to choose from and our favorites were Camellmile tea or Cappuccino coffee. The pretty maids brings in trays of exquisite cakes and small-eats to choose. To keep the atmosphere romantic, there is always a duet to sing and to play by a singer, a pianist or guitarist!
So, it is one full hour in the evenings of drinks and snacks, music and romance!!

Ocean View buffet lunch

As for lunches, there is the Ocean View lounges which are a series of half circular glassed-in spaces with tables and chairs for eating and for enjoying a full view of the ocean. Alongside these lounges are a series of buffet counters providing a wide varieties of buffet foods for passengers to choose. Annette and Kim usually picked a table big enough to hold all the foods for the 3 of us. My lion’s share is usually a hot soup and fish or eggs …absolutely delicious!

No lack of on-board entertainments

So far we’ve been talking about foods and eating, but there is actually such a full range of shipboard entertainments to fill up our days and nights to keep us real busy! Our Ship sailed at 4:30 pm, departing from Vancouver ; and already there was a whole night dancing lining up at 10:30 pm at the Constellation Deck 11 with a live band, the Ship’s House Band, her Downtown House Band to thrill and to swing the night away!

Annette and Kim should have been there, but we were so busy unpacking, unloading our dresses and things in the walk in closet … and were so tired after that, we rather drop in to bed and leave the excitement to other nights. At day breaks, in the dim light of dawn, Annette and Kim were either exercising at the fully equipped Gym or jogging at the open deck, to give them the much needed stamina to go through the rest of the day.

There’re two Swimming Pools, one open and one covered, to satisfy those who want more exercises to flex their muscles and bones. … OR for those who want to relax and to meditate. there are the hot tubs and saunas to meet their wishes.

The real thrills and excitements come with the Night Shows waiting for us after our dinners. They were the Broadway Style singing dancing shows with a full live band. They were a feast to our eyes and ears, and they came to stage almost every other nights of our 7- night Cruise. … … And for those who think the Night is still too young, there was the tempting Casino to try their luck – to win a fortune or to lose it quick! It is the miniature Vegas on-board ship.

dear Annette, Mario and Kim,
With the big pats on my back from you guys, I am diving in (like a deep sea diver) again into the beauty and charm of Alaska! and continue to jot down whatever will stir up the curiosity and interest of whoever will take a peep at my story.

Breakfast in bed
Let’s start with my breakfast served to me in my stateroom in the dim light of early dawn! Although not exactly like the French breakfasting in bed, the leisurely mood and pleasure of sipping my fragrant coffee and savoring the steaming delicious foods … is the same! My breakfast, the foods varied each morning … my favorites are porridge, pancakes,soft boiled eggs, milk, coffee and smoothies … there were not many because they had to be prepared specially for me (who is a handicap plus denture troubles) by the cook with their special cooking skills to make them fluffy and soft which melt in my mouth without chewing effort! . I don’t know how to tell this pampering attention and care given to me by my ship, the Celebrity Infinity. This pampering! this care! it is truly like a loving mother holding her baby in her arms! so soul soothing! A touching and impressive picture!

My motorized wheelchair
A motorized wheelchair ??? Not a scooter ??? Sure enough!!! ‘cos my wheelchair is powered by Kim who is my 10 Horse Power Motor!!! With this 10 HP wheelchair I can wheel myself all around the 11 decker cruiser, to my lunching and dining, theatres and wherever I like to go!!! This 10 HP horse needs to eat and drink too! He is a real good company in eating, drinking and roaming around!!!

Not a lone miserable handicap
I was not a lone handicap onboard! There were quite a few fashionably dressed old ladies, and a few old gentlemen hulks like me – scootering around and greeting each other happily with our great bitter sweet Smiles!!! An indeed touching sight!

Some pretty people to look at
It was not all eye-sores onboard, there were many pretty girls and ladies to look at like what we see in the Movie “Titanic” who are breathtaking and jaw dropping! And there were those lovable children laughing and jumping around to cheer our hearts! And those amiable polite smiling crew and officers of the ship greeting and bowing
to all passengers they meet!

Ballerinas at sea
Not the ballerinas we see in the ballet shows or in the world famed “Swan Lake” . They were the sea giants! The whales with their giant heads spouting out into the air with streams of water like fountains and their giant pretty tails waving and greeting us! It was a fantastic sight! We call them the Ballerinas of the Sea! They are to be seen in large numbers in the Alaskan waters!

Hi! dear guys!

As promised I’m going to put pen on paper my Experiencing (tasting, savoring, smacking) Alaska!

The foremost thought that came to me is that it is NO propaganda , no exaggeration, no bragging in the saying that Alaska is a WORLD away from the world we live in !!! It is a stretch of Land so serenely and nobly covered with ICE and SNOW !!! Yes, no words! no description! no poem! no music! can equate this BEAUTY and CHARM in icy snowy Alaska ! It can ONLY be experienced and felt in our hearts which will eternally live in our souls and will keep coming back to our minds in the light of dawn of each day all our LIFE ! This Joy, this Thrill will creep in and creep out from our hearts to cherish us and to be shared with all our families and friends !

This story of mine will not relate all the data about Alaska which are so elegantly and beautifully displayed in magazines, videos and TV i will only touch on what stir up my curiosity and interest that I will not forget! And perhaps I would start with the Ship which coveys me to Alaska, to the Top of the earth!

My Ship, the Celebrity Infinity, 91,000 tons! which is Not a super huge cruiser but is big enough to accommodate all the possible luxuries of a floating Palace at Sea! She has squeezed in her all the comfort and fun we would like to have on-board a ship.
To begin with, there is an exquisite dining parlor for VIPs (including all her passengers on board) where a team of smiling entertaining waiters attend so zealously to each one of their guests … they are so intelligent and humor-filled as to make the dining parlor filled with roaring laughter! …. they dared to call me papa or young man and make the guests of our neighboring tables laugh! … And for me with my denture problems, they keep changing their foods until it is soft enough to suite me! Their untiring efforts to please me is truly touching, heart-warming and unforgettable!
Their menus are all embracing, Italian, Russian, French Japanese, name it and they have it! …
Their team of chefs and cooks (a long line of them) would parade the parlor for the guests to see and to admire!
which is really very impressive !