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**chezp** · 11-10-2011, 02:03 AM

Thursday 1 September – part seven: is that a whale outside?

At the appointed time, I headed out, leaving Mark in the room and checked in for both my appointment and the Rainforest. I had about 10 minutes to enjoy the Rainforest, which was plenty of time for me to enjoy some time in the gentle sauna, the aromatic steam room and the mild steam room, which really isn’t so mild.

Then Emily came to get me and we gelled instantly. She’s from the UK, from Carlisle in Cumbria in the northwest of England, which is a beautiful part of the country. We got chatting immediately and just didn’t stop the whole way through the treatment. It turns out that she’s only been on the boat for six weeks now. She was selected to join Steiner, who operate the salons on the cruise ships and went to London for three weeks of training. She was told on the Thursday afternoon that she’d be on the Wonder, cruising Alaska and flew out the next morning. She had (perhaps rightly?) assumed when she left home to join the training that she’d be cruising the Caribbean, so packed accordingly and had no time to go back home to get anymore clothes, so she flew out with what she’d packed and has had to buy during the season. Her story of being in flip flops in the pouring rain in Ketchikan was classic!

She told me that the last couple of weeks have been terrible for the weather and, on one recent visit, all the shore excursions in two ports were cancelled, it was raining so hard.

Now that is not a cruise I would like to be on.

:

As for the treatment itself, it was wonderful.

I was in the salon area, where they do pedicures and manicures, with a view outside, so it was lovely to be able to see the scenery outside go by. I said that I didn’t want the scalp treatment and that was absolutely fine, with more time spent on my neck and shoulders, which really did need it

and then she moved on to my arm and hands and my ankles and feet. All were exceptionally tense, which really didn’t surprise me and it was exactly what I needed.

I settled up the check and gave Emily a very generous tip, as she really had been wonderful. I did even say to her that if I saw another special, could I ask for her again and she said

immediately.

I got changed and headed back to the room, discovering that Sue and Steve had only just called. I immediately suggested inviting them out for drinks before dinner and they wandered up a little bit later.

Just before they arrived, Mark spotted a whale outside and I saw something blow – I assume it was a whale? I think I’ve been spoilt by nature programmes over the year and expect to get a nice close-up of them, but of course real life isn’t like that.

: Mark told me he also saw one fantail and one jump out of the water, which he loved, but I missed that.

When Sue and Steve arrived, we saw more whale activity, which was just as well, because at first they didn’t believe Mark when he said he’d just seen one!

There were at least two, if not three. Again, the others seemed so much better at spotting them than me. At least I could say that I’d seen whales now, but so far, the sightings were just OK for me, whereas Mark seemed to be over the moon. Well, that’s the main thing.

We headed out, with me finding the same photographer who’d photographed us about three or four times so far, with a different backdrop, so we got a shot of the four of us. Can you spot who felt a bit awkward having his photo taken?

We were aiming for Diversions, as we’d really enjoyed ourselves in there last night, but tonight was a different story. As we neared it, it became clear that there was something going on in there, so we changed our minds and headed off to the Cadillac Lounge instead.

On the way there, Sue mentioned that she’d seen mulled wine in the lobby and I really fancied that, so I was really disappointed not to see that on the menu here. The guy told me he could go and get me some, so that worked...

Mark went for the Balsamic Grande, which contained Grey Goose vodka, five year old balsamic vinegar

and fresh muddled strawberries. Was it as gross as it sounded?

You bet! It was foul, although full credit to Mark, he did drink it, but goodness knows how!

My mulled wine wasn’t much better, as instead of having strained it, they left everything in the bottom of it. Not my idea of fun!

:

Next: finally a duck sighting!

lauriep · 11-10-2011, 07:49 AM

I'm glad your spa treatment was so nice, and glad you could still see the incredible coastline going by. I know what you mean about whale sightings not being like you see on nature shows. I've seen whales many times off the Maine coast and you really just get a glimpse. To me, though, it made it even more amazing and I felt like these huge creatures could be swimming quite close and we'd never even know. I hope I get to see some in Alaska.

The photos of the four of you are fantastic! The best photos I've ever had of myself were taken on the Wonder.

Dlandmom2 · 11-10-2011, 11:51 AM

Sorry the drinks weren't up to snuff, but the rest sounded great! Spa treatments...aaahhhhh...I never thought much about it until my best friend and I tried one out after we graduated from college. From that point on, we were hooked! I've always said that someday when I win the lottery, I'm going to the spa every week, and I'm going to hand out spa certificates to random people on the street just so they can enjoy it, too! Amazing!

**Colexis Mom** · 11-10-2011, 12:30 PM

Glad you had a great time at the spa!

Heavenly!

**DrDolphin** · 11-10-2011, 12:41 PM

Spa treatments of any type = heaven.... Need a serious increase in my income to afford them more often. Sorry the drinks were less than fantastic. One thing I always have to remember about large whale sightings.... 95% of that animal is below the water, and unless I am RIGHT ON TOP OF IT... I can not see the 95%, and since it is illegal to get right on top of it, I will have to appreciate what I did see.

I assume you saw humpbacks?? or were they Orca?

**chezp** · 11-10-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauriep

The photos of the four of you are fantastic! The best photos I've ever had of myself were taken on the Wonder.

Thank you for the compliments.

**chezp** · 11-10-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dlandmom2

Sorry the drinks weren't up to snuff, but the rest sounded great! Spa treatments...aaahhhhh...I never thought much about it until my best friend and I tried one out after we graduated from college. From that point on, we were hooked! I've always said that someday when I win the lottery, I'm going to the spa every week, and I'm going to hand out spa certificates to random people on the street just so they can enjoy it, too! Amazing!

What a lovely idea!

I'd already got the spa every week down on my list for when that (much overdue now

) lottery win comes my way....

**chezp** · 11-10-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrDolphin

Spa treatments of any type = heaven.... Need a serious increase in my income to afford them more often. Sorry the drinks were less than fantastic. One thing I always have to remember about large whale sightings.... 95% of that animal is below the water, and unless I am RIGHT ON TOP OF IT... I can not see the 95%, and since it is illegal to get right on top of it, I will have to appreciate what I did see.

I assume you saw humpbacks?? or were they Orca?

Well, as I saw very little of the whale

you'll have to see if Mark jumps in to respond. I think he told me they were humpbacks - but you can see how clueless I am about this...

**chezp** · 11-10-2011, 01:42 PM

I just wanted to say now that if there's no update tomorrow morning, don't worry.

: I will try and do one, but it's a very big day tomorrow, so I may not get a chance. I'll explain why later in the day and hopefully share some photos with you.

mcc0313 · 11-10-2011, 01:45 PM

I have missed too much, I almost never get on during the day lately, that is my normal reading time. Think I am going to have to set my alarm 30 minutes earlier every monring so I can enjoy your updates each morning

I took notes however - sorry that Mark's "allergy" became a mild hinderance with his orders. I can understand the chefs of course, with so many different levels of allergies it is hard to really be able to work with each one, but I definitely aqgree listing it as an intolerance might give him a bit more flexability next time.

What a great rate for your spa appointment and it sounded heavenly...definitely one I would enjoy. My neck and shoulders are always the worst sopt for me, as they tighten up as soon as I get even a tad bit stressed.

Glad you were able to visit with the characters at breakfast before heading to Palo....loved all your "hats" and accessories. Palo, it looked amazing, still cannot believe it is only $20 a pp, they definitely could charge more and I know people would still come.

Love all the pictures of Tracy Arm - with so many people traveling lately to Alaska I am totally spoiled with such amazing photos. There really are no words...it is totally breathtaking.

honeybee723 · 11-10-2011, 01:49 PM

Maybe Mark was over-the-moon with his whale sightings because you weren't there and he wanted to rub it in your face.

That would definitely not be nice.

**chezp** · 11-10-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcc0313

I have missed too much, I almost never get on during the day lately, that is my normal reading time. Think I am going to have to set my alarm 30 minutes earlier every monring so I can enjoy your updates each morning

Love all the pictures of Tracy Arm - with so many people traveling lately to Alaska I am totally spoiled with such amazing photos. There really are no words...it is totally breathtaking.

with getting up earlier - that would be real commitment!

I've been spoilt with everyone else's trip reports as well, but they were great preparation for the amazing sights we saw while we were there.

**chezp** · 11-10-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeybee723

Maybe Mark was over-the-moon with his whale sightings because you weren't there and he wanted to rub it in your face.

That would definitely not be nice.

I think - at least I hope

- he knows better than that!

disney_duke · 11-10-2011, 02:50 PM

The spa sounded like heaven. So peaceful, and friendly too! And as for the whale, well at least you saw something, right? Just go with whatever Mark says... sounds good to me!