We discovered that the pink tag on our suitcase meant we'd be one of the earlier groups to disembark. We were up at 5:15 and had a nice, last buffet breakfast. I had three pieces of bacon. Yup, I did.
Our suitcases had already been picked up the night before.
Our group met in the "Fusion" lounge at 7:15 AM and we boarded a bus for Vancouver airport.
That was where we found the only Princess glitch. The staff people just didn't have their act together and there was an interminable wait for our luggage. People who came after us got their suitcases first and it was hard to hear which group's luggage was being delivered.
The next morning we got up and checked our answering machine. There was a surprise message from Art's cousin's husband saying they (he, Art's cousin, his daughter and son-in-law) were coming to Hawaii on Tuesday and wanted to see us. We offered them a place to stay since they'd taken such good care of us when we lived in Chicago, 35 years ago.
And then it was a mad dash to unpack, do laundry, clean up the house, prepare the guest bedrooms, get groceries and supplies, and prepare for their arrival in less than 2 days. They stayed with us for a week.
The house is quiet now...
POSTSCRIPT #1: Many of you asked if we gained weight on this trip. Incredibly, Art and I both lost two pounds. Mom said she gained two and Auntie won't get on the scale. Mom says she thinks Art and I were under too much stress looking after the two of them. I think it's because we were really always on the move doing things and just not realizing how much exercise we were getting.
Thanks for taking us on your amazing adventure to Alaska Kay. I love reading your posts and all the photos were so enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you got plenty of exercise.
ReplyDeleteNOW can you rest?
ReplyDeleteI agree. You got in a lot of exercise and many early mornings. I hope you have caught up with your sleep and are gaining back those 2 pounds. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a good Sunday!
what a wonderful, busy time it's been. It's lovely that your mom and aunt enjoyed their trip so much.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed your trip so much, sounds like you had a busy homecoming,
ReplyDeletewhat a fun trip you had and didn't gain weight-good for you. and you are safely home...
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure you had. I am so grateful that you have shared it with me, I feel like I went along with you! And about not gaining weight, it just goes to show that if you eat everything but not much of it, you can keep from piling on the pounds. But to LOSE weight on a cruise? I don't think I've ever heard of that before... :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't think you realize how lucky you were not to have gained weight. Last time I went on a cruise I made an effort to be active (always took the stairs, never the elevator, walked every day) and STILL came back with extra pounds!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed reading about your trip, but you don't say how much you enjoyed it or whether you'd recommend it to other people?
ReplyDeleteWelcome home, Kay! What a wonderful trip! See you and Art at Longhi's today!!!
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have lost weight...but I think you planned NOT to gain weight (portions control, extra laps etc), hence your actions were in line.
ReplyDeleteL.
So much fun traveling. Damn the calories! Life is so short.
ReplyDeleteGood for you and Art losing 2 lbs. on a cruise!! What a wonderful trip you all had! Welcome Home!!
ReplyDeleteWell, I think I'm caught up to you now. Now maybe you'll have time to catch up with yourself!
ReplyDeletethat's what I notice about the food photos. The food pics always came after the exercise activity photos. When I look at the food pics posted almost bragged about by many bloggers of what they recently ate at a luxury restaurant, etc., I always thought of the non-healthy aspects. No, I'm not being cynical or kill joy, its just when there's never a mention of physical exercise throughout an entire year of posts.
ReplyDeleteCould be a couple of day lag with the weight gain, don't uncross your fingers yet.
ReplyDeleteTwo pounds? That's not a bad effort! Takes me a few days of no eating & hard exercise to achieve that.
Blessings....
ReplyDeletesounds like you enjoyed yourself. I've never been on a cruise. The last time i remember being on a boat i was about 7/8
have a good day
rhapsody
http://twitter.com/rhapsodyphoenix
You have provided such a complete picture of a tour that I feel like I went on it myself!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I lose weight on vacations these days, too, because I do so much more walking than I do at home.
Loved reading about your trip Kay. No wonder you lost weight its sems like you were busy. Oh that food on the cruise looked amazing...
ReplyDelete