Interesting experiment!

 

Early Vancouver History

The picture below of West Vancouver's Capilano Golf Club was taken in 1947.  It nice to read the history of Vancouver and surrounding sites.  It's a gorgeous club and below is how it got started:

West Vancouver's Capilano Golf Club, 420 Southborough Drive, 1947 Source: CVA586-15764 Opened in 1938. In 1891, Harvey Hadden from Nottingham, England, visited Vancouver. He purchased several pieces of property in downtown Vancouver, including the northeast corner of Granville and Hastings Streets, a piece between Seymour and Richards Streets on Pender Street, as well as the centre of the block on Hastings Street where Woodward's Store stood. After returning to England he consulted a close friend, Mr. Eveleigh, a pioneer Vancouver architect, who encouraged him to purchase 160 acres on the North Shore west of of the Capilano River, in 1897.

Mr. Hadden returned to Vancouver in 1903 or 1904, and built Hadden Hall on the site where the Clubhouse stood. By damming the main creek in the area, Hadden Creek, he formed the property lakes and installed a pipeline to the Hall for a complete fresh water system. The Hadden property was abandoned after the First World War for taxes, and remained a derelict for many years until it was burned down by vandals. Mr. Hadden had returned to England where he died in 1929 and Hadden Park in the West End remains as a memorial to his family name.

In the early 1930s an imaginative proposal for long term capital investment and property development was envisioned by Mr. A.J.T. Taylor of Vancouver and a group of associates. They were successful in having this plan accepted in early 1933 by a wealthy family holding company of the British Isles, the Guinness Estates. This development became known as the British Properties. The proposal included a causeway through Stanley Park, the Lions Gate Bridge, and the development of an area approximately one mile deep north of Mathers Avenue and some 14 miles wide expanding west from the Capilano River to Horseshoe Bay.

This property, encompassing the land which is occupied by Capilano Golf and Country Club, was purchased by the Municipality of West Vancouver. An integral part of the British Properties was a plan for a golf course. Mr. A.J.T. Taylor retained the services of Mr. Stanley Thompson, one of the outstanding golf course architects in America, to lay out the proposed golf course, and Mr. G.S. Conway, a Civil Engineer in Vancouver, was engaged to supervise the construction.

American Thanksgiving

To all my American friends, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

James Mullinger and his visit to Canada!

Every now and again I find a funny video.  This is not crude because the places he mentions are all towns in Canada.  I love British humour and James Mullinger is wonderful!  We have visited most of those places he mentioned in Newfoundland and Labrador!

Taylor Swift Tickets

I wish the government would stop the price gouging on ticket resales!  Today the younger set went nuts!  Taylor Swift tickets went on sale today, not exactly what you think:

Some tickets were released for super cheap.   They were listening-only and behind the stage.  Only people that previously registered and were verified fans could get into the queue.  Lexie was thrilled and got in the queue for the Sunday show.  She was 15,000 in the queue!  She didn't get any tickets, obviously!   

From a website:  As of press time, the least expensive solo seat available via StubHub is $2,734. in Section 435 in Row YY (aka the nosebleeds) on Friday, December 6.  If you are looking to go with a friend and have a "clear view" of Taylor Swift onstage from the floor, a pair of tickets in Section FLR-B8 will run you $16,788. each.

Letters to Santa

Canada Post striking workers in Coquitlam are replying to letters to Santa.  Retirees are not doing these letters until the strike is resolved.  If you want your child to get a letter from Santa and the strike is still on, check out this video:

https://globalnews.ca/video/10886051/striking-canada-post-workers-carry-on-a-seasonal-tradition/

From the Vancouver Sun before the union released the above:

With Canada Post employees on strike, parents may be wondering whether Santa is still accepting letters this year.

Each year, Canada Post collects letters from kids across Canada and delivers them to — ahem — the North Pole for Santa to read.

And though mail service has been suspended while the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) are on strike, parents can rest assured knowing that Canada Post is accepting letters on behalf of the jolly man himself.

“As you know, CUPW has shut down the postal service with a national strike, and as a result, we are unable to get mail to and from Santa in the North Pole,” said spokesperson Valérie Chartrand in an email.

“It is our hope that postal operations can resume as quickly as possible at this critical time for customers. When operations do resume, we will help Santa by delivering a response to every letter sent to him this year.”

According to Chartrand, Canada Post usually receives Santa letters starting in November. Last year, 1.4 million replies from Santa were sent. The program has been running for 40 years,  during which Chartrand estimates 45 million letters to Santa have been delivered by Canada Post.

Things to remember

• The past cannot be changed.
• Everyone's journey is different
• Overthinking will lead to sadness
• Happiness is found within
• Kindness is free
• You will only fail if you quit
• What goes around comes around
• Smiles are contagious

So many things to celebrate today

Here are today's celebrations.  I am about to drink an espresso, have some cashews and cranberries and go to the SPCA and check out the cat cages as I'm too old to adopt a child:

NATIONAL ESPRESSO DAY

Get the pure coffee essence on National Espresso Day! Whether you sip one cup or keep buzzing all day long, November 23rd is the day. 

 

NATIONAL CASHEW DAY

A favorite snacking and party nut is recognized each year on November 23rd during National Cashew Day. 

 

NATIONAL EAT A CRANBERRY DAY

On November 23rd, National Eat a Cranberry Day encourages us to take a bite of the bright red cranberry. But brace yourself! Recipes? 

NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY

National Adoption Day raises awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care. Each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the day focuses on children waiting for permanent, loving families. Not only does the day aim to find homes, but National Adoption Day also helps the dreams of many children and families come true. 

 

E-bikes, theft protection and laws!

This information is from the RCMP.  I never knew there were laws and penalties for e-bikes.

WHAT IS AN E-BIKE?

An electric bike, or e-bike, is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that aids as you pedal. The motor draws power from a rechargeable battery mounted on the bike. To be classified as an e-bike, the motor must assist you rather than propel the bike on its own, meaning you still need to pedal. The motor’s power is regulated based on how hard you're pedaling and the support level you choose.

THEFT PREVENTION:

It only takes a moment for an e-bike to be stolen. To protect yours:

• Document it: Take a photo and record the bike’s make, model, type, color, gears, and serial number

• Double lock: Use both a cable lock and a U-lock

• Secure it properly: Lock the bike by the frame

• Choose safe parking: Park in high-visibility areas with frequent activity, and avoid parking in the same spot regularly, never leave it out overnight

• Additional security: Install a bike alarm, remove the battery if possible, and use a GPS tracker

• Consider registration and insurance

ELIGIBILITY & LAWS:

• Standard E-bikes: Motor power must not exceed 500W or a speed of 32 km/h. Operators under the age of 16 are prohibited.

• Light E-bikes: Motor power cannot exceed 250W or a speed of 25 km/h. Operators under the age of 14 are prohibited.

• Riders under 16 cannot carry passengers on e-bikes.

• E-bikes must not be modified (e.g. removal of pedals, addition of accelerator controls, generators, or combustion engines).

• Riders cannot be operating under the influence of any substances.

PENALTIES:

Failing to comply with these regulations may result in fines:

• Riding without a helmet: $29

• Extra Passenger: $109

• Any modifications to the e-bike will be considered as a motor vehicle so will be charged under the Motor vehicle Act.

Starting to plan next year's vacation

With the Canadian Dollar/US Dollar exchange rate at 1.40 before the credit card surcharge, we've decided to stay in Canada next year.  We haven't decided where we will go, but I am watching all the Black Friday deals.  

If you are looking to stay in Canada, last year we went on the tour below.  It was the BEST coach tour I've ever taken.  Nicole, the tour director, was born in Newfoundland.  She is very interesting and really knows the history of Newfoundland & Labrador!  Her commentary and stories of her youth were fascinating.  This tour is a small group of less than 24 passengers and they use a 53 passenger bus.  The coach is very comfortable, leather seats and USB chargers are at every seat!  It includes a lot of activities and does more than the other tours I researched.   If you are interested, email me:  lfisher@maritimetravel.ca

Amazon deliveries

Cheryl has prime and orders anything I need from Amazon.  On Saturday, she ordered Lexie's Christmas gifts from us.  She knows what Lexie wants and I don't need to go to the store.  It's a win-win.  I love Amazon.  They advised us we would get next day delivery.

Delivery time, Sunday night between 6 PM and 10 PM.  No problem, we were watching the Grey cup and stay up late.  Cheryl got an email saying "missed delivery" at 8:30 PM.  I was upset as I figured the driver was too lazy to go to the buzzer and phone us to open the security gate.

It was on redelivery on Monday and arrived at 4 PM, nice lady delivery driver.

Yesterday very early, my neighbour who is first on the enter phone got a call asking him to open the gate for an Amazon delivery.  He told the driver to call the recipient.  It wasn't for me.  

At lunch, my cousin told us she got an Amazon delivery on Monday at 5:15 AM!!!  Her email said delivery between 5 AM and 8 AM.  She thought it was a typo!

So Amazon delivers seven days a week from 5 AM to 10 PM.  No wonder Canada Post is losing millions!

Megalomaniac - ???

I love learning new words.  I'd never heard this one so I looked it up:

What is a megalomaniac person?

A megalomaniac is a pathological egotist, that is, someone with a psychological disorder with symptoms like delusions of grandeur and an obsession with power. We also use the word megalomaniac more informally for people who behave as if they're convinced of their absolute power and greatness.

I've never known a person that fit that description.  Now, I think I do.  Hopefully that will be a trivia question on a future cruise!

Congratulations Christine Sinclair, Canada's super star!

 Christine Sinclair, Order of Canada and Order of BC

Hailing from Burnaby, B.C., Sinclair is one of Canada's most revered athletes and ended her international career last year as the world's top goal scorer with 190 goals.

She helped the women's national team win gold at the Tokyo Olympics, and bronze at both the 2016 Games in Rio and the 2012 Games in London.

Sinclair retired from professional soccer this year after playing her 11th season with the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League.

Goodbye X, Hello Bluesky

I was driving behind a Tesla and I saw a bumper sticker before the American election that said:

"I BOUGHT THIS CAR BEFORE I KNEW WHAT AN IDIOT ELON MUSK IS"

I've been on X (formerly Twitter) since 2007.  I was working full time at Ritchie Bros. and was in a meeting when they were talking about social media.  I had never heard of Twitter.  When the meeting was over I asked the university student I worked with what Twitter was about and she explained it.  I immediately signed on and have read it more than once a day, every day since.  I find the local news, traffic information, transit changes and Canadian politics interesting.  On November 6th, I unfollowed all the American political personalities and media outlets.  I find it has really changed since Elon took it over on 2022.  I don't like what's happened to it.  Time for a change.

I've started to follow Bluesky.  It's a social media company that says they are not controlled by a single company.

Here is an interesting article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/12/style/bluesky-users-election.html?smid=em-share

Santa Letters

Every year I volunteer for the Canada Post Santa Letter Writing Program.  It's a wonderful experience and I know the children love to get the letters.

Canada Post is on strike.  I have no idea when they will go back, but they are far apart.  Canada Post is losing huge amounts of money and the employees deserve a decent wage.  They can't compete with 7 day delivery companies.  It's a sad situation all around.

I would never cross a picket line.  Our stationery may be at the Cloverdale Post Office, but even if it is, we can't get letters that have been mailed.  We can pick up letters from the shopping centers and the Santa Parades, but we can't get them to the children.  😧

Let's hope this dispute gets resolved by bargaining and not by the Federal Government forcing them back with legislation.

Charitible donations

I've been giving to friends charities who do walks, runs and many other fund raisers for charitable organizations.  Lately, the junk mail doesn't stop.  I get mail from charities I've never given any money to.  How much do these charities spend on unwanted mail that includes gifts?  I've got many address labels, gloves, shopping bags and of course one charity that keeps sending me nickels.

How do I get off the lists of the charities that send me unwanted junk mail?  They all include something inside.  At first, I put "REFUSED" on the envelope and sending it back.  That didn't stop it.  Now I'm putting "DECEASED".

If you or your children are in a charity event, please don't ask me to contribute.  I have a charity that I know won't sell my name.  There other charities that if I give to, I will check before they get my cheque!

Last week in one mail delivery I received two packages from Heart and Stroke, same envelope, same address.  I'm in their database twice.  I can't remember the other charity I received address labels and a nickel from in the same mail.  You could see the nickel in the window!  

In Canada we can get on the 'DO NOT CALL' list.  Can we get a do not mail list? 

This is my latest package, it includes a Teddy Bear:

PLEASE MAKE THIS STOP!

News

After November 5th, US election night, I decided to stop watching so much news.  When we were on our cruise, we only got CNN, FOX NEWS and BBC NEWS.  I would put on CNN and they would say "save our democracy, Trump is going to take it away".  I would turn to Fox and they would say "Kamala a Fascist".  The news in the US couldn't be any wider apart.  Who is right?  Well, we will see in four years.

I haven’t watched FOX, MSNBC or CNN at all since the election, and I honestly feel so much better. If I want to catch up on the news, I avoid the 24-hour news networks and instead watch the evening news hour on CBC, Global or late night BBC for international news.  

I am feeling better and sleeping better.  

I haven't given up on social media, but I've stopped following a lot of people.  If I feel it's time to quit, I will.  I do like the "local" news.  Weather, Canadian politics, Traffic reports and local news.  I never tweet, I just read them.

Female Jockey's

The best jockey that rode Miss Vyvyanne was Emma-Jayne Wilson.  Miss Vyvyanne always won when she was the jockey.  She wasn't always available when Miss Vyvyanne was racing.  I didn't ask why she wasn't the jockey in Miss Vyvyanne's last race, but I just found out this happened when we were away: 

Emma-Jayne Wilson, involved in a Oct. 25 spill at Woodbine in which she suffered neck and pelvic fractures, remains in a Toronto hospital and is bedridden, but is already looking forward to launching a comeback when Woodbine re-opens in April.

Wilson, 43, was riding the horse Ready Shakespeare (More Than Ready) in that day's second race. The horse fell after suffering an apparent heart attack and Wilson was thrown to the track.

“I remember everything,” she said from her hospital bed at Milton District Hospital. “Right from the git-go, I remember the race itself. I remember my horse losing his cadence and changing the way he was traveling. So I knew something was wrong. And from that moment to the impact, it was very fast. I kind of grabbed a hold of him to try to pull him up. We ended up going down and I remember hitting the inner rail. I knew what I had done.”

After she underwent surgery at Sunnybrook Hospital, she was transferred to Milton District, a blessing, she said, because that hospital is only five minutes from her home.

“Going to that hospital has been very beneficial for myself and my family,” she said. “My girls have been able to come by and see me more often, which is a big help to me.”

While Wilson has a long road ahead, she is focused on getting healthy and returning to riding.

“I'm doing as well as can be expected given the situation,” she said. “Things are steadily progressing.”

However, she is not allowed to bear any weight and remains bedridden.

“I'm limited so far as my movements go,” Wilson said. “I'm not allowed to bear any weight. I'm sort of confined to a bed and to a chair. That's mildly irritating, but it is necessary.

She is not sure when she will be released from the hospital.

“I don't know how much longer I'll be in the hospital,” Wilson said. “I have follow-up appointments this week. I'm anticipating once we get X-rays and scans and what not we'll have better idea of how things have gone post surgery and a better idea what the next stage will be.”

She will require months of physical therapy, but doesn't see any reason why she won't be ready for the 2025 season at Woodbine.

“I should be ready by then,” she said. “I'll definitely need a few more months to recover. We'll wait to see when I'm fully recovered and have regained my fitness level. It's still in early stages right now.”

It's clear that she is not feeling sorry for herself. She understands that accidents like the one she experienced are an unfortunate part of racing.

“When you're an athlete, accidents are something that you have to be prepared for,” she said. “This is something where I'm going to give the same amount of focus and dedication to my recovery as I always have to my career. That's what I'll be focused on for the next few months.”

On July 11, 2024, she won the fourth race at Woodbine to become the highest-earning female jockey in history, surpassing the record of $90,126,584 previously held by Hall of Fame rider Julie Krone. Wilson has been riding since 2004 and has amassed 1,930 wins and $91,393,445 in earnings.

Get well soon, Emma-Jayne!

Black Friday cruise deals????

I keep track of cruise pricing.  I watch for price reductions so if someone has booked and it's before final payment, I can get them the lower price.  I'm watching all cruises in the next couple of weeks for reductions.

I've been taking Lexie on vacations since she was six.  She loves to travel and is great to travel with.  Lexie and I had a conversation and she really wants to see Iceland.  I've told her how unique it is and a place very few people visit.  Iceland Air has a direct flight from Vancouver to Reykjavik so it makes it easy to fly there.

I found a 7 day cruise on the Celebrity Silhouette that sails in July and August next year roundtrip from Reykjavik.  I've watched the prices on balconies because I would like to treat her to a nice cruise.  She will be 20 so adding the classic beverage package makes sense as last year when I purchased it, gratuities, wi-fi and drinks were included. 

At the end of October, the price for a balcony in July with a non-refundable deposit and no beverage package was just above CAD $2,500 per person CAD $5,000 room total.  I thought I'll watch for price drops.  I would never book a non-refundable deposit.  

I got an email from Celebrity showing some great Black Friday deals.  I went online and I put in my residence, over 55 and my Captains Club Number (I'm at the top tier).  The total price for a non-refundable deposit partial view balcony with no perks is CAD $7,959.00!   That is over CAD $1,000 a day before drinks, gratuities and wi-fi.   I went back online and now the partial view balcony with classic beverages (includes 2 perks only, drinks and wi-fi, tips have been removed).  The price with a refundable deposit and reduced classic beverage package  calculates to CAD $10,357.00.   That's for a seven day cruise.  Shore excursions, gratuities and air are extra.  Are you kidding?

Remember on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.......

 

Goodbye Miss Vyvyanne!

Yesterday, Miss Vyvyanne was racing at Woodbine Racetrack.  It was a claiming race.  I'm not sure what happened at the gate but she had a slow start.  Then she came to the front and slowly held back.  She didn't win, but she got claimed!

My brother-in-law and his racing friends purchased another race horse recently.  It's a male and young.  When he's old enough to race, I will post the information on my blog.  His name is "B the King" and Woodbine will close for the winter soon,  He will be ready to race next September.

Here is her last race, if you want to watch it.

https://youtu.be/HgS_mNdGWVI

Guess what it is?

 A game for a Saturday, what is it?

1.  Whole Milk

2.  I-pod

3.  Gator Aid

4.  Card Shark

5.  Lite beer

Tariffs

With the US election complete, Canada is concerned about tariffs.  We know how they affected us during Trump's last term.  Biden put on tariffs too, but Trumps really hurt us.  When we were on our last cruise, we spoke to a few US residents and some of them didn't understand how tariffs worked.  I saw this on Twitter and I wonder how many US residents will be shocked at the increase they will see with these tariffs when they are in place?   

A wonderful Red Hat Lunch

Yesterday our Red Hat group got together for our November lunch.  We went to one of the members condo recreation room.  It's in Vancouver and a lovely room.  

After a wonderful lunch, we were surprised with entertainment!  Our Queen Cheryl read "In Flanders Fields".  Darcy came to our lunch to sing us some songs.  He sang two songs from WWII and then sang many other wonderful "oldies".  His voice and personality was awesome!   He sang for 90 minutes!   Everyone enjoyed this wonderful surprise!

Red Hat is a nice group of ladies who get together once a month and have lunch.  We mostly go to restaurants and all pay our own.  Yesterday some of the ladies offered to make sandwiches and goodies and we all chipped in to cover their costs. 

This pretty wells sums it up

 

Elections!

We had a Provincial Election in British Columbia.  The election was very close.  There were recounts and as usual, both parties are present when the recounts take place.  After it was over the loser of the election, posted this on Twitter:

This morning, I personally took part in counting some of the final ballots in Surrey-Guildford. @ElectionsBC staff were all incredibly diligent in their work and very thorough in ensuring transparency. 

I feel confident in their work. 

We now await a judicial recount in at least one riding. Regardless of whether we pull that off or even if David Eby wins government by one single vote—this is democracy. 

They lost and what an eloquent post.  Today the US has a presidential election.  I hope they have the same reaction if they lose.  Somehow I doubt that may happen and I really hope I am wrong.

On our cruise, a fellow passenger from Arizona gave me this button to wear.  I wore it on the cruise and on the flight home.  I hope someone who read it will react to what it says:

Dr. Jack Taunton

25 years ago I was referred to the UBC Sports Medicine Clinic.  I knew the name Taunton, because Mr. Taunton was my boss at Kelly Douglas!  He was the nicest boss and a lovely person.  I asked Dr. Jack if he was related to him.  Mr. Taunton was his dad.  Dr. Jack and I worked at Kelly Douglas at the same time.  He was in the warehouse and I was in accounting so we wouldn't have crossed paths.  He worked at Kelly Douglas through high school and university.  Dr. Jack was so personable.  He couldn't help me, told me what my problem was and sent me to another orthopedic specialist.

I was sad to read this article when were on the our cruise:

The UBC Thunderbirds family is mourning the loss of Dr. Jack Taunton, a giant in the field of Canadian sport and exercise medicine, and member of UBC's Sports Hall of Fame. Taunton passed away this week at the age 77.

As a pioneer in sport exercise medicine in Canada, Taunton founded countless organizations and initiatives including SportMedBC and the BC Brain Wellness Program.

 

Taunton faced serious health complications as a child, and recovering from these experiences spurred his earliest interest in sport medicine. He went on to become a nationally ranked marathoner, completing 60 races with a personal best of 2:25:29. Taunton did this while attending UBC medical school, where he was one of the top students despite battling dyslexia. 

 

In 1971, Taunton started Canada's first road-running club, the Lions Gate Road Runners, alongside fellow UBC Physician Doug Clement. With their wives Cheryl Taunton, and Diane Clement, the couples organized local races that would eventually grow to become the BMO Vancouver Marathon and the Vancouver Sun Run.

 

Immediately after completing his Doctor of Medicine at UBC in 1976, Taunton, Clement and Don McKenzie co-founded the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre. As director of the centre for over 25 years, he worked with athletes as both a doctor and a coach, and with students as a graduate supervisor, clinical teacher and mentor. Over the past four decades, innumerable UBC students, athletes and coaches have benefited from his expertise.

"As our team doctor for over decades, Dr. T was always positive and encouraging. For myself and countless other athletes there was never an injury that you couldn't come back from or a timeline that was too tight to get you back on the field of play. No hurdle was too significant to overcome. It was obvious that's how he lived his life and it's how he inspired everyone around him." Robin D'Abreo, field hockey Olympian, Director of Athletics, UBC.

 

VANCOUVER,BC:NOVEMBER 27, 2021 -- UBC Thunderbirds v University of Saskatchewan Huskies during U Sports Canada West action at UBC in Vancouver, BC, November, 27, 2021. (Rich Lam/UBC Athletics Photo) ***MANDATORY CREDIT***

Dr. Jack Taunton at his 2021 induction to the UBC Sports Hall of Fame alongside former UBC President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Santa Ono 

 

Due to his boundless resiliency and optimism, Taunton always had a knack for accomplishing the impossible; including supporting athlete health at eight Olympic Games and earning a rare distinction from the International Olympic Committee for the best sport medicine program in Olympic Games-host history for his role as Chief Medical Officer for Vancouver 2010. 

 

Along the way, he served at hundreds of other events locally and abroad, including coordinating the medical portion of Rick Hansen's Man in Motion World Tour, even running alongside Hansen for nearly 100km a day across Alberta and part of Saskatchewan. 

 

Taunton's work ethic, innovation and team approach garnered Jack numerous awards and accolades, including the UBC Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Faculty Community Service and induction to both the UBC and BC Sports Hall of Fame. Just this past year, he was deservedly appointed to the Order of Canada.

"I feel privileged to have had the chance to know and work with Jack over the years. The impact that he made here at UBC cannot be understated," said Kavie Toor, Managing Director, UBC Athletics and Recreation. "Jack's passion for our community as a mentor, a supporter and a friend embodied the true spirit of the Thunderbirds. His contributions, in both athletics and academics, have left an indelible mark on UBC Athletics." 

 

A Thunderbird for life, Dr. Jack Taunton never stopped supporting UBC Athletics, forever lending his passion, skills and voice to helping UBC's student athletes. 

 

 

Time Change

Ship life

We are home and we really enjoyed this cruise.  We find repositioning cruises have a lot of frequent cruisers and the passengers are usually older.  It's a very relaxing cruise.

Every meal was superior.  We usually stay away from the buffet, but there was always a table and again, great choices and tasty entrees.  I am taken away with the staff in the buffet.  They are very quick in clearing tables, bringing coffee and marching along with the drinks cart.  I would say the best staff in a buffet I've seen on Princess for a long time.  This ship doesn't look like they are short staffed like others I've sailed on. Good for Princess.

The ship entered service in 2007.  She doesn't look dated.  The ship is in excellent shape.  I miss some of the venues on the Royal Class, but the balconies are larger.  She holds 3,117 passengers.  Very few children on board, mostly in strollers!  

People always ask me what is the best place for a stateroom.  My choice is mid-ship, mid aft or aft.  I always choose a lower deck as if the seas are rough it's better lower down.  Always check to see what the deck above and below the one you choose is.  If there is a lounge and you go to bed early, chances are you will hear the music.  Cheryl and Dave once had a cabin on top of the casino and they could hear the machines.  This trip, I booked quite late.  The only balcony I could get was aft on deck 15, underneath the buffet.  It's an easy walk, just up one flight of stairs.  In our room we can only hear carts rolling.  At first when I was trying to sleep I thought it was a jet engine.  It wouldn't wake you up, but you do hear it.   

Day 15 - Fort Lauderdale

 

The view from our balcony on the ship.  What a gorgeous sunrise!

Goodbye Emerald Princess

After a nice breakfast we headed to the Princess Theatre to get our last shore excursion.  Princess offers a short excursion and drop off at the airport.  Great for passengers with a late flight.  We took the Miami Airport & Fort Lauderdale Waterways Discovery Tour!

Our tour left the port at 8:30 and we drove along the beach in Fort Lauderdale ending at Las Olas drive, a trendy street for nice coffee shops, lovely stores and we were to meet at the Cheesecake Factory!  Too bad we just ate breakfast. 

After an hour on shopping and enjoying the warm temperatures, we walked to our boat tour.  It was a 90 minute tour of the waterways of Fort Lauderdale.  The boat was two stories, we stayed downstairs as it was really warm and windy and the lower floor was air conditioned.

The yachts and homes were magnificent.  We saw Dave Thomas's house, the founder of Wendy's.  The largest home on the waterway is home to a husband and wife.  It's 40,000 square feet!  

We got dropped off at the Miami airport where we easily found the Air Canada check-in and boarded a direct flight to Vancouver!  The flight was early and our luggage arrived on the flight!  It's always nice to be home even if it's cold and raining.