Rathtrevor

 

Eric and I took off with Kai this morning to do his fasting diabetes testing.  There was a 45 minute wait so we left and went to CDH, but there was no parking.  So, we carried onto Walmart.  We did get Onyx's insurance but we forgot to take a picture of her speedometer so we have to go back.  We did get our camping groceries and supplies for Jia and Fei and a few things the house needed but we forgot to get me a new printer, so we really need to go back.    Most importantly, we found shoes for Kai.  Not the ones pictures.  It is extremely difficult to find a shoe that fits his very oddly shaped foot AND one that he can manage to get off and on.  So, even though we didn't do so great at getting our errands done it's still a win for finding Kai some shoes.  We bought him black jeggings in the ladies dept too but he hasn't tried them on yet.  I have high hopes.

Non stop all day to get to Rathtrevor today.  Phew.  It always takes longer than I think.  We had the radios in the Jeeps.  I asked Eric to stop so we could get a picture of both Jeeps with both rvs.  Onyx looks so small back there.

So I changed perspective.  Haha.

A little better.  I need a do over.

We're here.

All set up.

Eric and Luk were planning to head home tomorrow after dinner to pick up Jia from work and stay home with her because Fei is working night shift.  However, Oscar developed a seized rear brake caliper.  So that will change their day.  We're not sure how yet ;)  Kai and I are hanging around here.  No big plans.

Can you all believe how warm it got today?!  

A quiet evening at fire tonight and we're not too cold!

I did back Cheese in.  It was awful.  It took a lot of attempts and a ton of instruction.  A neighbor came over after.  He had watched.  Nice.  Haha.  Not embarrassing at all.  He wanted to talk Chalet A-frames.  Cheese and Oscar always get the attention.  Too funny.

Lili's move in day.

Yesterday was move out day.  Eric and Lili emptied her basement suite and did the cleaning.  It's a blessing that she moved because the house is now up for sale and she would have needed to move anyways.

We all have NO IDEA how Eric got the couch up there.

Lili didn't want me taking pictures of her place.  She agreed to an outside picture.  This is her friend and roommate Devon.  I think they'll have so much fun living together.  I love watching their negotiations.  Lili took the small bedroom but she got the one allocated parking spot in exchange.

Funnily enough, this is the same complex that Eric lived in with his ex.  What are the odds?!

I snuck this one but she approved it.  The couch came in first so that I could be soooo helpful by holding it down.  

We went for a nice dinner after everything was moved in.  Eric and I came home.  They went back to their apartment to figure out setting up the wifi.  Lili and Eric didn't grab the slats for Lili's bed so she is coming here to sleep later.

In amongst all the regular life things and Lili's move we are still getting ready to camp tomorrow.  Jer-bear got his house cleaned so he's set for a while.  I was a flurry of cleaning and organizing until lunch time and then to my desk until it was time to go.  My printer has stopped grabbing paper so I didn't quite get my work all done, or I should say, all printed ;)  We're shopping at Walmart for camping in the morning so we can get Onyx insurance and a new printer at the same time.  After we take Kai for diabetes testing.  The boys school is doing a whole school track day and both boys have requested to skip out.  Works for us since we're camping and it clears our shedule a bit.

Eric and I just made a meal plan and shopping list.  Truely the hardest part of camping preparation!

The meadow.  Oy.  Eric had a huge job catching up with lawn care.

Laundry is caught up.  That's in our favor.  Haha.  It's time to start culling items for the Alaska cruise.

It's good to be busy.

Goodbye Koningsdam.

 

Well, that's a wrap.

Four days of relaxation done.

The trip home was ridiculously easy. Island friends, you all need to consider doing a Vancouver to Vancouver cruise using the Hullo.  

I'm still looking at the four day in April 2026.  Anyone interested in joining us?

Back to real life.

Victoria Port

 

Hanging around on board. Lazy day.  Not much happening on port days.  We had a great lunch.  Enjoying the sun with phone service.  

The plan at this point is to meet Shannon and Ken for a late dinner.

We walked.  It took half an hour to get to the Spaghetti Factory.  We stopped part way and sat on a bench in the inner harbor watching this guy dance.  Like it's his job.  He has two, maybe three moves.  Haha.  He's fabulous.  Apparently he was there all day.  I need his story.

Back to Vancouver tonight and home in the morning.  

Sea Day

 Not the day we had planned.  First we hit the future cruise desk who weren't helpful at all.  We wanted to book this cruise for next April with the kids.  Doesn't exist.  Close but on a different ship and no rooms that take 5.  We moved onto fancy dining room breakfast that was fabulous and then to play bingo for a free cruise.  Did a half hour line up, because apparently bingo is very popular.  Who knew?  However, our room card wouldn't allow payment.  We went to guest services to sort and my visa card has been declined.  So we used Eric's visa from a different bank.  Can't call the bank because we're on airplane mode. We missed bingo. We went to the library for the secret hidden plush chairs with a view and I was on my phone.  Checking emails.  Holland offered up a spring sale and the cruise we just inquired about was on sale for 499 each.  I tried to book it for just Eric and I but the crappy wifi knocked me out.  So, we went back to the cruise desk and they didn't have access to the sale.  I needed to call our cruise person, but, on airplane mode.  I've given up.  It shouldn't be this hard.  There will be lots more sales.  

Then it became clear to me that our little inland coast line cruise was out in open waters.  No land visible.  Oy.  It was a bit rock and rolley and we were near Tofino.  I mean, why?  Then I got sea sick.  It's rare for me.  Yuk.  I spent a few hours in the room regretting life and vowing to never cruise again.  Haha.  I finally slept and woke up feeling better.  

Eric came to check on me.  I was hungry and he was heading to an international beer tasting.  However, we got a letter at our door saying our spending was halted as the visa card on file was declined.  I called Eric back before he got too far down the hall.  Holland did not want us to spend moola on board today.  Eric missed the event while we headed back to the service desk.  

We checked out pickle ball.  It was cold and windy and looked to me like everyone is just chasing the ball after one hit.  The spa was nice before dinner.  I don't know how we'll go back to regular cruising now that we know about hydrotherapy packages.

Yesterday while laying in the heated chairs that fix your alignment I fell asleep three times and my snoring woke me up.  Too funny.  

We said we wouldn't bother with elegant night but after such a great breakfast we went to the dining room tonight.  Eric enjoyed.  I survived.  Then to a comedy show that was great.  We gathered snacks and are back in our room, finally watching Wicked.

Penquins and Gorillas and a Rhino Oh My!

The enclosure is huge.  The young-uns clearly enjoy the interactions through the glass.

She had eye contact with me, then dug around and showed me her dead bird.  Treasure.  I will truely never forget this interaction.  

The blankies shocked me.  Much loved.  We all need to send more blankies. Haha.

The man is special needs.  He was sitting near the sleeping tiger talking out loud with straight tiger facts.  As spectrum as you can get.  I had more fun watching him then the tiger and then we asked him a few questions.  He knew all the answers :)

Sloth bear.  A whole family here but they aren't out.  New baby Bowie is being introduced this weekend.

Best day ever.  Seattle is redeemed a bit for me.

We enjoyed room service breakfast and took an Uber to the Woodland Conservative Zoo.  It's huge.  It's fabulous.  The enclosures are amazing.  The animals all look healthy.  There were some highlights.  I was all about the Gorillas and Penquins for sure.  Now, did Eric want to go to the zoo.  Not really.  Did he enjoy it?  Totally.  I mean if you're going to walk way too many steps, why not do it in a wonderful setting full of exciting critters to oggle.  Plus he got to watch me be completely delighted. The weather is perfect.  We had so much fun trying to get good pictures.  I totally, without question want to come back here.

We're back at the ship, sitting while Eric texts me his photos before we're on board with airplane mode.  I can't load any photos.  Frustrating.  I'll have to do it when we're home.