Aloha Hawaii! Our 10 Day Cruise to Hawaii on the Disney Wonder, September 7, 2015 Trip Report completed 07/31/2016 - Page 5 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Just checking in. I so wanted to do this cruise. I hope it's continued and we get a chance in the future. Until then I'll really enjoy hearing all about your adventures!
Yikes, that book looks crazy heavy!!! I have to admit, I am glad I switched to reading on my Kindle a couple years ago so I don't have to lug around books anymore.
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Sorry about the camera charger, but sounds like you were able to go with the flow!
It all worked out, but I'm going to make sure to take it on the next trip!
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Originally Posted by chezp
How frustrating about the camera charger, but you're on the way...
VERY frustrating! I hate looking for something last minute. I think was I more mad because I knew I should've had it ready to go like a week before.
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Originally Posted by lauriep
Sounds like you managed pretty well, considering the lack of sleep and the larger group you were traveling with. It ends up being a lot of STUFF even when you try to keep the carry-ons to a minimum!
We had several different climates to pack for, but it was ridiculous!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Sounds like me, always up late packing the night before a trip!
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I guess I'll never learn...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grammy Grumpy
Just checking in. I so wanted to do this cruise. I hope it's continued and we get a chance in the future. Until then I'll really enjoy hearing all about your adventures!
Dh is already looking for another one!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
The night before and departure day always seem to hectic and chaotic. I hardly ever get to bed according to plan.
You always seem so organized though
Quote:
Originally Posted by Disneybine
Yikes, that book looks crazy heavy!!! I have to admit, I am glad I switched to reading on my Kindle a couple years ago so I don't have to lug around books anymore.
It's an old book (1959) so it really isn't heavy. I thought about finding it to upload, but I found it for free at a book exchange and there's just something about reading a classic old "real" book. Actually, it would've been nice to have it on audiobook for the trip. I would have gotten a lot farther in it!
The pilot made good time, shaving off about 45 minutes. The weather was cool and drizzly as we knew it would be. We had packed for all sorts of weather, which is why after collecting all of our luggage at baggage claim, our little group looked like we were going off on an expedition somewhere for several weeks . ...Which we kinda were... I had called the hotel where we would be spending the night a few times over the past few months to verify their location and their amenities, particularly, their airport shuttle. We chose the Hilton Garden Inn in Renton, Washington because of the price, but also because of their proximity to the commuter rail. We'd be using the rail to get into Seattle. We also chose that Hilton because they had a shuttle from Seattle-Tacoma Airport. The very nice fellow I talked to on the phone said that we could take the courtesy shuttle to the hotel. I should have asked for more details.
After walking a while towards the shuttle stops, we looked for the courtesy hotel phones. Thinking that we'd just pick up the phone and they would come and get us was the first mistake of many I made on this trip. We walked around in circles (literally) before we figured out that there was no courtesy phone for the Hilton in Renton. I had my trusty spiral notebook (every number, every hotel, every confirmation number, etc) and found the number to the hotel. The very nice fellow on the phone said that, yes, there is a courtesy shuttle, but sorry, it wouldn't start making runs until 2pm. That just wouldn't do - I didn't want all of us to be sitting around at the airport for about 2 hours. We decided to just take a taxi instead. Lesson: ask VERY SPECIFIC and DETAILED questions next time . After finding the taxi stand, we loaded up our various and sundry suitcases, bags and whatnots, and we were finally on our way.
It took about 15 or 20 minutes to get to the hotel. I don't know why I didn't take any pictures of it, but it was very nice, relatively new, but in a kind of industrial/suburban area. There were a couple of other mid-range type hotels in the same block. The town of Renton is about 45 minutes by car outside of Seattle according to Google maps. If there wasn't reliable transportation into the city, we may have reconsidered it. Definitely more on that later... Dh and I checked in while the kids and ladies had some free coffee, hot chocolate and cookies and a sit down on the comfy couches in front of the fire. (A working fireplace in early September! That was neat.) With our rooms all set and ready, we went upstairs to off load our stuff. The beds sure looked comfy and inviting (the ladies thought so too), but we had only one day to see Seattle - naps would have to wait!
We found out that the shuttle ran on the hour and we were just in time to board the van with some nice ladies who had just gotten off an Alaska cruise (Holland? Norwegian?). They told us all about their wonderful travels as we headed to the Tukwila train station. Note: In Seattle, there is the "Link Light Rail" and the "Sounder Commuter Train". They're both called "Sound Transit" and both are used to get into the city and surrounding areas. I didn't know this . It became clear when the van driver took us to "Tukwila International Blvd" station as opposed to "Tukwila Station", which I had been looking at the whole time. Not a problem, just something I wish I'd known before. When we got to station, we got our tickets (pretty inexpensive) There was a moment of confusion as we didn't see where to use them. I guessed that we would have to show them as we left the station in Seattle. Nope! It's basically the honor system. We had a good laugh at that - that would never work on the Metro back at home, no way. I eventually saw a little notice that warned of a $125 fine if caught riding without a ticket, so there's that . On the ride into the city, I remembered hearing about how efficient the area's public transportation was. It was clean, quiet and cheap. Very nice. We were at the end of the line for that train, so it took a while, but it was a nice ride. Each station had its own icon that indicated what the area was known for. For example, for Tukwila, it was a rowboat, for Beacon Hill, it was a kite and for the stadium, there was a torch.
I liked the way these seats folded up. That way there was no question that these were set aside for seniors or disabled folks. I saw able bodied people use them if needed, then they popped back into the waiting position.
A view of Seattle from the train.
After about a 25 minute ride, we got off at the International District/Chinatown station (icon: Chinese dragon) and found our way up to the street. We knew we didn't have much time, so between the two choices of seeing the Space Needle, and visiting the Pike Place Market, we chose the market. It was sort of an easy decision because the market was free and there was more to see. The boys however, disagreed. I'm sure they got over it For those who've never been to the Pike Place Market in Seattle, it really is a great place to visit. And as it turns out, very photogenic.
A view of Puget Sound from the back of the market.
These guys are some of the men who throw the fish. You may have seen it on TV or the movies. It is REALLY hard to "catch" a fish flying in midair on camera! Someone would put an order in and they'd yell out, "Something something fish!" and there goes the customer's fish flying through the air. (They toss the fish to each other, not the customer, lol.) In this shot, I had just missed a catch.
Free samples of the smoked salmon were being handed out. WOW. I'm such a salmon snob now!
The smell here was like fresh clean fish.
As we were walking along, I kept seeing people with bouquets of fresh flowers. I think this may be where they were getting them from. Beautiful!
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Great pictures from the market. That would win for me over the Space Needle if I only had one day in Seattle.
The train in Vancouver was also on the honor system. We were SHOCKED! You're right, Metro could NEVER do that - or they'd be in worse shape than they already are!
There's so much to see, we were rushing through it, but I really wanted to take my time and wander a little more.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Great photos from the market - it's a wonderful place to visit. Sorry about the problem with the shuttle to the hotel.
Thanks! It turned out ok in the end.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Great pictures from the market. That would win for me over the Space Needle if I only had one day in Seattle.
The train in Vancouver was also on the honor system. We were SHOCKED! You're right, Metro could NEVER do that - or they'd be in worse shape than they already are!
Oh yeah, you're from my neck of the woods . I kept trying to find somewhere to insert the tickets, lol.
I love city food markets! Unfortunately, for me, Pike Place loses many points because of the lack of accessibility and also the unfortunate fish-throwing activity. I know this is OT, but I just don't get how it's fun to see corpses thrown through the air. Even for meat and fish eaters, is this how you want your food to be handled? Just a gross-out for me! Sorry.... All the other food and produce and flowers look wonderful and I do love Seattle!
I love city food markets! Unfortunately, for me, Pike Place loses many points because of the lack of accessibility and also the unfortunate fish-throwing activity. I know this is OT, but I just don't get how it's fun to see corpses thrown through the air. Even for meat and fish eaters, is this how you want your food to be handled? Just a gross-out for me! Sorry.... All the other food and produce and flowers look wonderful and I do love Seattle!
You're right, it is a little strange I did wonder how the fish fares after being thrown.
Signing in to see the rest of your trip. We left Aulani on the 21 of Sept. and while we were there a cruise had just landed and there were a lot of people coming to stay at the hotel.
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I have to admit, I am glad I switched to reading on my Kindle a couple years ago so I don't have to lug around books anymore.
. ...Which we kinda were... I had called the hotel where we would be spending the night a few times over the past few months to verify their location and their amenities, particularly, their airport shuttle. We chose the Hilton Garden Inn in Renton, Washington because of the price, but also because of their proximity to the commuter rail. We'd be using the rail to get into Seattle. We also chose that Hilton because they had a shuttle from Seattle-Tacoma Airport. The very nice fellow I talked to on the phone said that we could take the courtesy shuttle to the hotel. I should have asked for more details. 
. After finding the taxi stand, we loaded up our various and sundry suitcases, bags and whatnots, and we were finally on our way.
. It became clear when the van driver took us to "Tukwila International Blvd" station as opposed to "Tukwila Station", which I had been looking at the whole time. Not a problem, just something I wish I'd known before. When we got to station, we got our tickets (pretty inexpensive) There was a moment of confusion as we didn't see where to use them. I guessed that we would have to show them as we left the station in Seattle. Nope! It's basically the honor system. We had a good laugh at that - that would never work on the Metro back at home, no way. 
I eventually saw a little notice that warned of a $125 fine if caught riding without a ticket, so there's that 
. On the ride into the city, I remembered hearing about how efficient the area's public transportation was. It was clean, quiet and cheap. Very nice. We were at the end of the line for that train, so it took a while, but it was a nice ride. Each station had its own icon that indicated what the area was known for. For example, for Tukwila, it was a rowboat, for Beacon Hill, it was a kite and for the stadium, there was a torch. 
Sorry about the problem with the shuttle to the hotel. 
I did wonder how the fish fares after being thrown.
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