12 things Canadians have to be proud of

Back to reality

What a gorgeous morning for the first cruise ship to enter the Port of Vancouver!

I forgot to post, Jack told us Dave was paged by the Captain!  We didn't hear it.  At dinner on the first night Dave confirmed he was paged and they were called to the Purser's Office where they were met by the Chief of Security.  He escorted them off the ship into the terminal.  He told them "we found something suspicious in your luggage" and showed them the x-ray of Dave's luggage.  Dave said "looks like the Haunted House mug we bought at Disneyland".  Dave said you could clearly see the shape.  The Chief of Security rolled his eyes and left.  The security guy thought it was bullets!  They had a good laugh and went back onto the ship.

Today we returned into the Port of Vancouver.  It's a beautiful port to sail in and out of.  No lineups at customs and we were home by 9 AM!  Sorry to see this wonderful cruise end. 

I loved this video. It pretty well sums it all up:

Post-Cruise Crash Syndrome

For those of you who like to see the ships in port, here is the 2019 Canada Place Ship Schedule:

Port of Vancouver 2019 Cruise Ship Schedule

I thought this was a great picture.  We were still in San Pedro.
The boys just finished playing on the sports deck!

Back home

We got into Canada Place early this morning.  We had a wonderful family cruise.  The kids had a super time.  Last night after dinner Catherine trusted Lexie to take the boys.  They went straight to the buffet and ate more junk!  They were really good together.  I noticed Jack has a fantastic sense of humour.  His manner of telling stories is amazing!  Sammy is getting older and we celebrated his 8th birthday on the first night.  His birthday isn't until April 13th.  This was Lexie's 13th cruise.  Her goal is to be Elite (15 cruises) when she graduates.  Lord Tweedsmuir High School has a grad celebration on the one day cruise in May!

Cec and I got up this morning, we weren't hungry so we packed up and got off.  We were off very early and on our way to Waterfront station when we were interviewed by Global and City TV!   I have no idea if they will show it on the news but they asked me about cruising.  Of course as everyone knows, it's my favorite mode of travel.

Here are some pictures I took:

Day 1 lunch. 

Happy Birthday Sammy!

Jack and Sam participated in the egg drop.
They made a parachute and protected the egg, dropped it from deck 7 to deck 5.
Their egg didn't break!

Atrium

We watched the Greatest Showman on Movies Under the Stars
Seas were rough and the pool turned into a wave pool

The pool would drain on the bottom on one end and overflow onto the deck on the other.
The kids had a ball!

Great picture of The Newell's!

One of the many things Jack noticed!
The sign said "one of a kind Bronze statue".
Jack said with a laugh, "there were two on the ship and they are plastic!"

Last night's show.  Disco Fever, great music, great costumes, great dancing!

On the last night waiting for the family comedy show to start.

From the deck of the Emerald Princess

The first day at sea was rough.  Yesterday Cheryl took Gravol because she felt sick and it worked.  Cheryl has done 15 cruises with Princess and cruised with NCL, and RCCL.  I didn't think sea sickness would happen to her but she was fine after the Gravol.  All the "new" cruisers were fine.   Cheryl and Dave booked a last minute special mini-suite and got one close to the front of the ship.  We all booked last minute balconies and are aft.  As I've heard, there is far more motion at the front of the ship than the aft.

Last night the ship's information said we would be in Vancouver by Thursday 8 AM.  We are not scheduled to dock at Canada Place until Friday at 7 AM.  We just put on the map and webcam and we have already passed Victoria and are on our way to Vancouver.  The captain put the pedal to the metal because of the high seas and got to sheltered water a day earlier.  Today we will spend a fabulous day at sea in the Strait of Georgia.  Our seas are much calmer and the sun should shine according to my weather app.

Should be a great day.  Home tomorrow morning and I'll post some pictures.  Everyone is having a great time!

Wednesday - a day at sea

Yesterday we were picked up by Super Shuttle at 10 and by 11, we were on the ship!  I've never experienced such a great experience!  With our Elite status, we were able to let Rich, Catherine, Jack and Sam with us through the VIP experience.  Jack was impressed!  We were first on!

There are over 3,000 passengers on the ship.  7 from the UK and 2,098 are Canadian!  There are 840 children so if you don't like kids, this isn't the cruise for you.  We both love kids and they are everywhere.  Lexie, Jack and Sam are having a ball.

We had lunch in the dining room and then showed new cruisers the ship.  Dinner last night was in the dining room and we got a table for nine!  Most of us had prime rib and it was excellent.  After dinner we went to the show "Magic to Do".  It was singing, dancing and magic tricks.  We all enjoyed it.  After the show, we all went to our staterooms. 

Today is a beautiful day.  Sunshine and blue skies.  The seas are 12 feet so for those who don't cruise, there is a little motion.  Not enough to hinder walking or making you feel ill, just a nice rock.  The first time cruisers think we are in a storm! 

Cec and I played trivia today with a nice couple from Southern California.  They are going to spend three days in Vancouver.  We had a small lunch and watched "The Greatest Showman" at Movies Under the Stars.  If you are familiar with the ship, MUTS is on the pool deck.  The ship has a forward aft movement so the pool became a wave pool.  All the adults are sitting on chairs and the kids are having fun in the wave pool.  The waves are so high, some of the kids are getting thrown onto the pool deck!  They are having so much fun.  Most are wearing life jackets which is a good thing. 

We're off to play music trivia and can only hope they are the "golden oldies".  We have a reservation tonight in the Crown Grill.  It's a great steakhouse.  Cheryl, Dave, Lexie, Cec, Rich and I are all going.  Catherine didn't think the kids would like it,  They will probably grab burgers or pizza on the pool deck.  Catherine is having a massage this afternoon.  We haven't seen Cheryl, Dave or Lexie today. 

I wish I could attach pictures, but the speed is so slow I can't.  I'll post pictures when I return. 

What a Monday!

I am sitting in Seattle with time to spare between flights and gathering my thoughts about this crazy day!

Catherine, Rich, Sam and Jack were flying today on air miles from YVR to LAX direct on the 8:30 AM Air Canada flight to join us on the Emerald Princess tomorrow.   They booked their flight ages ago.  Catherine has been in Canada for years and has landed status but still flies on a UK passport.  ESTA is an electronic Visa the US requires for anyone flying in or cruising out of the US.  If you carry a Canadian passport, you don't need it.  Catherine has ESTA, but her ESTA expired.  It's only valid for two years and she didn't realize it had expired. 

They got to the airport and Catherine was denied boarding!  ESTA applications are done online and takes 72 hours to process.  She managed to get it faster, probably because it was a renewal but missed her flight.  Rich and Jack took the Air Canada flight and Catherine and Sam rebooked another flight through Seattle.  You don't need ESTA to drive across the US/Canada border, but you do need ESTA to board a cruise ship. It was a hectic few hours and thankfully it turned out well.  Glad they left a day early!

The replacement flight Catherine booked and paid dearly for was so late she would miss her connection in Seattle.  Because of the 737 Max problem, all direct flights were full.  Delta found her another flight through Seattle and will get into LA at 8 PM.  When you get up at 4 AM, that's a long day.  She texted and said Sammy was really being good. 

Just before we left for the airport, I got a phone call from Princess.  They offered me a "Move Down Offer"!  She didn't need to explain it to me as I already knew what it was.  If we gave up our Caribe 9 X 9 balcony and moved to an inside cabin, Princess will refund my entire cruise!!!!  I couldn't say yes fast enough.  She gave us an cabin six doors down from Richard, Jack, Sam and Catherine on Caribe deck.  I do like a balcony but for a full refund, I'll manage for three days. 

I don't like early morning flights and booked a 737 at 3 PM to Seattle and a nonstop Seattle to Los Angeles first class, using my Alaska air miles!  I took the flight with the least air miles and we have four hours in Seattle.  Not a problem, I love the first class lounge! 

We are staying at the Embassy Suites close to LAX and I used my Avion air miles!  They serve an awesome breakfast.  I knew the boys would love to swim in the pool.  Super Shuttle is picking us up.  My treat as a travel agent for everyone and besides Cec and I were booked on the Princess transfers and it was more for two on the Princess transfers than the direct shuttle for six!

When we arrive back on Friday at Canada Place, we will take Skytrain to King George and then the 345 bus that takes us right home.  We left by taking the 375 to 152 & King George, transferred to the 351 to Bridgeport station and then Skytrain right to the airport terminal.  I think it's funny, we go to the airport by bus and then to the first class lounge.

Cost of this trip:  Air taxes $120.66, Skytrain/bus to airport and from Canada Place home for both of us: $15.60
I have a $50.00 US on board credit with Princess that will cover my tips, so this trip is probably the cheapest I've ever done!   I don't count Super Shuttle as it's a travel agent perk for clients.  I always give everyone who books with me something.  It's usually $50 or dinner on board, but this is a short, cheap cruise so I gave them the shuttle as a gift.

Life is good.  My beer is empty, time to get another one and enough time to book another cruise!

From the Alaska Airlines lounge at 5:20 PM PDT!

Emerald Princess

We are on our way to Los Angeles to sail on the Emerald Princess.  She's doing a short three days at sea repositioning cruise to Vancouver with no stops.  We waited for a good price drop and Cheryl, Dave, Lexie, Richard, Catherine, Jack, Sam, Nic and Christine are all sailing with us!

Cheryl, Dave and Lexie left on Saturday.  They are staying at Disneyland and using a three day pass.  The rest of us are flying today, staying at a hotel near LAX and we've ordered a private shuttle to take us to San Pedro to catch the ship.

Catherine, Jack, Sam, Nik and Christine have never cruised before.  It's always fun to go with first time cruisers.  I hope our seas are calm and everyone has a good time!  I'll post when it's possible and hopefully get some good photos to share.

Sunday

Tomorrow we fly to meet our next cruise.  We are going with five people who've never cruised before.  

The Viking Sky has lost power and is drifting in rough seas 2.5 miles off the coast of Norway.  You may have seen it on the news.  Viking Sky is a two year old cruise ship and a good cruise line.  I hope the new cruisers who are joining us haven't seen it on the news.  This video was taken by a cruiser who is on board and posting live to Twitter:  Alexus Sheppard:  @alexus309      

Viking Sky

I just read on Facebook, (Carolyn Bean Willis) two people we met on a cruise to Hawaii, Carolyn and Bob are on the Viking Sky!  She put a post on while I was sleeping and then an update:

Hello from our muster station on the VIking Sky. Helo evacuation has been suspended. We are connected to two seagoing tugs - currently under tow to the nearest port. Don’t know how long or where.

at 7:20 AM Sunday morning this appeared on Carolyn's Facebook page:

Greetings! We are about to dock at a small town in Norway. We are back in our cabin and will go to Oslo tomorrow to fly to London for a few days.

I've been following their trip but didn't ask what ship they were on.  They went to the Arctic Circle and saw the Northern Lights.  Their pictures were great!  They both worked in the US in the DC area.  Didn't talk much about their jobs but they sounded really interesting.  They'd just retired when we met them.  Bob was the nice person who offered to download my "Let's Make A Deal" episode as he had they equipment and knowledge.  Thanks to Bob I have a computer copy!  We picked them up at their downtown hotel and took them to Steveston for dinner.  Wonderful couple and I'm glad they are safe.  It's so nice to keep updated with friends and their travels on Facebook!

Picture taken at 7:00 PDT, ship is now docked and passengers disembarking.  Everyone safe!

By the way, we're on Princess, not Viking!  If I don't post for a day or two, I'm having a good time!

Now it's time for some humour:

The things we learn online...

Old Brains

Brains of older people are slow because they know so much. People do not decline mentally with age, it just takes them longer to recall facts because they have more information in their brains, scientists believe.

Much like a computer struggles as the hard drive gets full, so too, do humans take longer to access information when their brains are full.

Researchers say this slowing down process is not the same as cognitive decline. The human brain works slower in old age, said Dr. Michael Ramscar, but only because we have stored more information over time. The brains of older people do not get weak. On the contrary, they simply know more.

Also, older people often go to another room to get something and when they get there, they stand there wondering what they came for. It is NOT a memory problem, it is nature’s way of making older people do more exercise. SO THERE.

Now when I reach for a word or a name, I won’t excuse myself by saying, “I’m having a senior moment”. Now, I’ll say, “My disk is full”!

Redwood Park

What incredible weather we had all week.  It's spring break and all the kids are out enjoying this wonderful spring weather.  Lexie and I decided to go to Redwood Park, located in South Surrey near 20 St and 179 Avenue.  This area of South Surrey is really building up.  What a lovely park in the middle of the City!  There are lots of huge covered picnic tables for groups and nice walking trails amongst the huge old growth trees.

When Lexie was young, we would take her to the Children's play area at Redwood Park.  This time we did a fast walk down the trails.  Lots of people enjoying this gorgeous green space and warm spring weather,

Lexie and I went for the long trail.
It was a gorgeous day and lots of people at the park.

Unique water fountain.
There is a fountain on the left for dogs!

Tree House

Inspiring teenager!

This letter was written to the PM of New Zealand:

Dear Prime Minister Ardern,

I am a 13-year-old Muslim girl from Australia and I would like to publicly share my appreciation with you. I belong to the generation that was born after 11 September 2001. I have never really contemplated how dark the anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant language is that permeates Australian society, because it is all I have ever known. I guess I've become used to hearing political leaders use that same language.

But then, after seeing the way you have responded to the terrorist attack in Christchurch, I realised that I now know what the role of a leader truly is. So I want to thank you on behalf of the Muslim community in this country for all that you've done since Friday. The way you have expressed support and genuine empathy for the Muslim community, and your care for the people of New Zealand as a whole, have been magnificent to see. And I wanted you to know how much it means to me.

Today I watched a video of you talking to the students at Cashmere High School regarding the terrorist attack. You showed such strength and kindness, and it made me wish I could experience the same thing in Australia. In my high school, not a single teacher or figure of authority even mentioned the attacks. They didn't acknowledge that a white supremacist murdered 50 innocent Muslim men, women and children in a usually peaceful place of worship. They didn't offer support or reach out to the Muslim girls in my school or even provide counselling services for grief and support.

In a country that is so similar to New Zealand, and yet also so different, can you imagine the comfort that my Muslim friends and I felt, knowing there was one leader in a neighbouring country that was on our side? My friends and I are Muslim; we were all born in Australian and it is the only place we have ever known. But this has been the first time we have ever felt like we were part of the fabric of a community, and it breaks my heart that this feeling of belonging has come at the cost of 50 lives. If only more politicians had the courage to stand up to injustices and knew when to stop playing political games with the lives of people who depend on them.

Your leadership has brought the world together. By supporting the New Zealand community, no matter what their religion, you have shown what a great leader you are ― not just in the good times, but when the times are as dark as can be. I cannot imagine any other political leader doing what you have done. I think that you deserve the Nobel Peace Prize! Many world leaders could learn a lot from the way you have held your nation together and comforted those who are grieving.

I'm sure you will remain Prime Minister of New Zealand for a long time. But if not, do you think maybe you could move to Australia and become our Prime Minister? That would be a dream come true.

Thank you again for all that you have done.

From, an Australian-Muslim girl who now knows what real leadership looks like,

Summer Joyan

Barbara Walters

Since The View started in 1997, I've watched it.  There have been some regulars I haven't agreed with, but it's The View and everyone has an opinion!  The View was Barbara Walter's creation.  She is one of the first female journalists and believe me if you know her story, she didn't have an easy time.  I was so sorry to read the article in The Province:

Amid Jenny McCarthy’s bombshell tell-all about her former View boss Barbara Walters’ erratic behaviour, RadarOnline.com can exclusively report the TV legend’s dementia is so advanced, she no longer recognizes her closest friends — and the tragic end could be near.

Whoopi Goldberg recently paid a visit to her former co-host, but 89-year-old Walters couldn’t remember her at all, an insider claimed.

And even worse, Goldberg’s presence triggered a screaming fit from the reclusive star, the insider said.

“Barbara’s eyes were opened wide, and she was terrified,” the insider spilled. “Barbara screamed: ‘Who is she? Get out, get out! Help me! Get out.’”

“She wouldn’t stop. No one could calm her down. Whoopi excused herself from the room. She was heartbroken by what she saw.”

And while a rep for the veteran journalist said Walters is doing fine, the insider revealed her dementia is now at such a stage that insiders fear she could die any day.

Walters’ loved ones have been making subtle arrangements for visitors, and devoted friends have been saying their final farewells.

The insider added: “The family is hoping the sight of familiar faces brings her some comfort in her final stretch. They have not said anything specific about the end, but many of the meetings have been solemn and teary.”

There is more to the article, but I don't want to publish the speculation of others. 

Social Media

I enjoy social media.  I read Twitter and Facebook throughout the day and find both sites quite entertaining.  I followed Donald Trump on Twitter for a long time. Lately his tweets calling other people bullying names and last weekend what he said about the late John McClain was the last straw.  I stopped following him but continue to follow others who post uplifting or newsworthy tweets.  I love the cute animal videos, pictures of friends and relatives and even breaking news.

I just watched a video on Twitter of a Surrey RCMP officer who pulled over his car, approach some students on spring break playing basketball.  He joined in!  The Peace Arch News found this newsworthy and it is in our local paper.

I also watched Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand with a hijab on, give a grieving Muslim woman the longest hug.  These tweets make me see what wonderful people there are around the world.

Then I see this.....

This is a retweet of a message sent to Cindy McCain the wife of the late John McCain.  When I read tweets like this I see how hateful and disgusting people can be:

Cindy McCain

@cindymccain

·

2h

I want to make sure all of you could see how kind and loving a stranger can be. I’m posting her note for her family and friends could see.

Everyone has their right to an opinion, but crude language and messages like this should be blocked and their accounts cancelled.  Sometimes I wonder if social media is really good. 

Royal titles - interesting

In any Royal commentator’s books, the announcement in 1999 that Prince Edward would be made an Earl and not a Duke on his wedding day gave quite a shock. By tradition, male children of the sovereign receive a Dukedom on their wedding day, therefore making their new wife, the Duchess Of X rather than the slightly more confusing ‘HRH Princess Michael of Kent’ as happened for Prince Michael’s wife.

Prince Edward is the youngest of the Queen’s children, he is automatically ‘HRH The Prince Edward’ by birth and any other titles come affixed to that.

The title of Earl ranks below Duke, below Prince and below Marquess (though Marquess is never used as a Royal title). It is said that Prince Edward chose the title of Earl of Wessex because of its connotations with one of Edward’s favourite films, Shakespeare In Love, in it featured a character with the title of Earl Of Wessex.It could have been worse for Edward and Sophie, he could have been given no title (like the aforementioned Prince and Princess Michael of Kent), making Sophie: ‘Her Royal Highness The Princess Edward’ or in shorter reference, ‘Princess Edward’.

But all this still doesn’t answer why Edward wasn’t made a Duke. Even one of The Queen’s grandchildren was made a Duke [of Cambridge], so why not Prince Edward?

This was, according to official sources, because one day, when Prince Philip dies, Prince Edward will get the title of Duke Of Edinburgh in order to continue the present Duke’s work. Despite this claim and assurance that this will happen, due to succession to titles laws, it won’t be direct and under some circumstances, may not happen!

Ultimately, Prince Philip will have to die in order for Prince Edward to receive the Dukedom Of Edinburgh, but it’s not quite as simple as the succession to the crown, where it passes straight to the next-in-line, in fact – by default, Prince Charles will inherit the title of Duke Of Edinburgh and if he is King at time, the title will merge with the crown. If he is not King, The Queen will be able to reissue the title.

To complicate matters further, if Charles is on the throne, he doesn’t have to issue the title to Edward (nor does Her present Majesty), the Crown is at liberty to do as wished with the title – it could even be given to another member of the Royal Family.

Despite this, we think that they’ll stick to the promise of making Prince Edward Duke of Edinburgh. Plus, this would mean that, by courtesy, Prince Edward’s son, James, would become Earl Of Wessex and instead of being ‘James, Viscount Severn’, would be ‘James, Earl Of Wessex’. – Lady Louise’s title wouldn’t change – Sophie’s title would become ‘HRH The Duchess Of Edinburgh’.

Royal Titles In Great Britain From Highest To Lowest
Male Title                                         Female Title

Duke                                                 Duchess

Prince                                                Princess

Earl                                                   Countess

Viscount                                           Viscountess

Baron                                                Baroness

What a fantastic weekend!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I didn't know I had Irish heritage until I did my DNA with Ancestry.  Gordon told me we had Irish ancestors but to date I cannot find a relative with an Irish Birth Certificate.  Irish geneaology records are not complete and many are missing.  I don't know why but I continually check updates on Ancestry.  I am happy to celebrate St. Patrick's Day knowing I actually have Irish heritage.

By the looks of my notifications, I need to do a lot of work on my family tree! 

Nancy and I had a wonderful walk at White Rock Beach

These ducks were quacking with ducks on the beach.
We don't know why they were so upset but they were very amusing!

They are installing passenger railway crossings, complete with arms to stop people from crossing when trains are coming.
There have been many accidents and hopefully this will help.

We saw this cute house on Marine Drive at West Beach!
The people on the balcony are statues.  Notice the doll house on the roof.

Spring has finally arrived!  It was 20C here yesterday.  This week is going to be gorgeous which is great as it's Spring Break for all the elementary and high school students.  The snow finally melted on Saturday!  Now it's time for sun screen.

Indian Hills Community Center signs

I've never been to the "Indian Hills Community Center" in Colorado.  I looked it up and it's on a side road that our bus trips south have never taken.  One thing's for sure: somebody there has a wonderfully wry sense of humor and a darned good way with words.  Enjoy these signs, they gave me a good laugh!

This is the only saying I'd seen before.

This is Colorado!

.





And for this next, the last one (and surely one of my favorites) ~ think of Dean Martin, singing what almost certainly was his most popular song: