One Way Trip to Canada, Eh? FINAL THOUGHTS 08/10

[MAGICFOR2]

LOVE the Cable Car story!! I think I am too afraid to try those.
Speaking of SF assorted Nazis..I was in Chinatown with a group of friends in a very popular, tiny and packed restaurant and one of us was dithering with the menu too long a guy came along and took away all out menus and didn't let us order and just started bringing dish after dish after dish along with some sort of Chinese beer until we told him to stop..the food was great (but all of it had some sort of hotter than heck sauce on it). It was quite a memorable experience!
Yes..lots of candy! I am going back and forth on the FE thing..seems kinda fun but also seems like alot of extra stuff to lug home and I plan on packing light.

Oh, you have to do the cable car - just because! There is an actual station, (the one that was closed the first day) which we saw the first day - get off the ship and go right (where everything is) and about a block or two past Ghirardelli - there is a ticket box and cars take off from there. I think that would feel friendlier - and you can ride all the way to the top and back, or just tell the conductor when you want off, and go one way.

That is a great Noodle Nazi story!

I'm not sure if I will do FE again. It was fun, and definitely added a personal touch, but it was also alot to carry coming and going. It would be better if the list were split in to two groups if it gets so large - that way you could do more and carry less, IMHO.

 

[nunzia]

Oh, you have to do the cable car - just because! There is an actual station, (the one that was closed the first day) which we saw the first day - get off the ship and go right (where everything is) and about a block or two past Ghirardelli - there is a ticket box and cars take off from there. I think that would feel friendlier - and you can ride all the way to the top and back, or just tell the conductor when you want off, and go one way.

That is a great Noodle Nazi story!

I'm not sure if I will do FE again. It was fun, and definitely added a personal touch, but it was also alot to carry coming and going. It would be better if the list were split in to two groups if it gets so large - that way you could do more and carry less, IMHO.

Thanks for the cable car tip..that sounds much better

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

very interesting pictures, some of the food looked good....some ehhhh not so much.


and i like laundry day.
a whole new meaning to airing out your laundry especially if it is whitey tighty day.

 

[NAB]

We loved the cable car. Got on as a large group because we were on a tour. That really freaked the guys out because we didn't have to pay the bus person did, he didn't know was to pay who didn't so he wasn't too happy with us either.

Did you check out how that break for that thing works. Pretty scary , surprised it stops with the wooden brake stick thing.

Love seeing all the Fishender stuff. Have been on 5 cruises but never have done it do to cost and no room in my luggage.

 

[YukiPhnx]

Oooh, I LOVE durian (the stinky fruit)!! They're great in the summer time when you take the meat out and freeze it. It eats like thick ice cream and is WONDERFUL. I miss home...

Oh my gosh, what a scary conductor!! How did you keep smiling in the face of that? Weird that his mood totally changed. Guess he's peeved about people that don't know how to use the trolly? But still, geez....

That red fruit is dragon fruit. I think you can see it in Living with the Land. It's got a thick red skin that is inedible, but its meat looks like white kiwi! Pretty cool and has a very nice light and sweet flavour. If you can learn how to prepare it, I highly recommend it.

Mmmm, all that food looks so good! I'm laughing at the "NO MSG" sign in that one window, haha. That's all you hear from a Chinese place nowadays. "No msg! No msg!" A friend of mine said it stands for "Mmm, so good"

Wow, so many FE goodies! Love the Van-city Olympic stuff you got. Also really like your pirate pin! Do Castaway Club members get a pin too? Or just the lanyard?

Glad you got some relaxing time despite the rowdy group. Too bad they don't have CMs around to moniter it? I'm a librarian at school and some people just don't understand that a library is a place to be QUIET so I have to shush them pretty often...

Good thing you had that spa cream that helped! Would NOT be good if it peeled.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Thanks for the cable car tip..that sounds much better

I'm glad - it's a must do when you're there!

very interesting pictures, some of the food looked good....some ehhhh not so much.


and i like laundry day.
a whole new meaning to airing out your laundry especially if it is whitey tighty day.

We loved the cable car. Got on as a large group because we were on a tour. That really freaked the guys out because we didn't have to pay the bus person did, he didn't know was to pay who didn't so he wasn't too happy with us either.

Did you check out how that break for that thing works. Pretty scary , surprised it stops with the wooden brake stick thing.

Love seeing all the Fishender stuff. Have been on 5 cruises but never have done it do to cost and no room in my luggage.

Oh! Oh! You angered the Cable Car Nazis! I didn't see the brake - I was just hoping that guy wouldn't throw me out of the car!

Oooh, I LOVE durian (the stinky fruit)!! They're great in the summer time when you take the meat out and freeze it. It eats like thick ice cream and is WONDERFUL. I miss home...

Oh my gosh, what a scary conductor!! How did you keep smiling in the face of that? Weird that his mood totally changed. Guess he's peeved about people that don't know how to use the trolly? But still, geez....

That red fruit is dragon fruit. I think you can see it in Living with the Land. It's got a thick red skin that is inedible, but its meat looks like white kiwi! Pretty cool and has a very nice light and sweet flavour. If you can learn how to prepare it, I highly recommend it.

Mmmm, all that food looks so good! I'm laughing at the "NO MSG" sign in that one window, haha. That's all you hear from a Chinese place nowadays. "No msg! No msg!" A friend of mine said it stands for "Mmm, so good"

Wow, so many FE goodies! Love the Van-city Olympic stuff you got. Also really like your pirate pin! Do Castaway Club members get a pin too? Or just the lanyard?

Glad you got some relaxing time despite the rowdy group. Too bad they don't have CMs around to moniter it? I'm a librarian at school and some people just don't understand that a library is a place to be QUIET so I have to shush them pretty often...

Good thing you had that spa cream that helped! Would NOT be good if it peeled.

It is so fun seeing things through your eyes - you are so multicultural! I'm really scared of the Durian, but now I wish I had purchased a Dragon Fruit so we could try it - someday.

I didn't see the No Msg sign - you are so observant!

No Castaway pin, we got a keychain instead.

I suppose the CMs want to see people having fun, so they weren't minding the noise as much as I was.

Thanks for being here to read!

 

[dizneeat]

All caught up again (hm, I seem to say that a lot! )

May I say that all your photos of SF brought back so many fond memories of this wonderful town!
I just LOVE following you around! Your descriptions of events are just so much fun. I have yet to find a really friendly Cable Car guy, but boy, the can be funny too!
Oh, and btw, they have a one day ticket, that lets you get on and off a CC as often as you wish! We used our three day tickets well! LOVE riding those CCs. Did you stand on the little platforms at the front too? SCARY FUN!

How wonderful you got to meet friends and visit the Disney Family museum. They were still building it when we last visited and I have been dying to go back, but airfare is pretty high and having a WDW AP doesn't help either.

Can't wait for more!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

All caught up again (hm, I seem to say that a lot! )

May I say that all your photos of SF brought back so many fond memories of this wonderful town!
I just LOVE following you around! Your descriptions of events are just so much fun. I have yet to find a really friendly Cable Car guy, but boy, the can be funny too!
Oh, and btw, they have a one day ticket, that lets you get on and off a CC as often as you wish! We used our three day tickets well! LOVE riding those CCs. Did you stand on the little platforms at the front too? SCARY FUN!

How wonderful you got to meet friends and visit the Disney Family museum. They were still building it when we last visited and I have been dying to go back, but airfare is pretty high and having a WDW AP doesn't help either.

Can't wait for more!

I know - I say that alot, too! I just don't want to give my excuses every time!

Thanks for your comments. I think we saw the all day pass at the "real station" but not at the little mini stand we went to - but by that time we were on a half day. I didn't try the front platform - I'll have to do that next time! I was thinking about hanging off the side, but decided I'd probably fall

Yes, airfare is crazy. They do have a East and West AP now for $700 That would have to be alot of trips to Disney to make that one pay off.

Thanks for reading along!

 

[podsnel]

You and I will get a long GREAT when we eventually met.. someday LOL maybe a west coast dismoms trip!!! lolI love that you hit up all the great burger joints. I LOVE In n Out. 5guys is OK to me. Chipotle OMG and Dennys at 3am after a few beverages is always great lol.

Ok I didnt see any pics of Jim rocken his shorts and UGGS lol

I am waaaaay back here trying to catch up, and I just saw this- if you guys ever do a West Coast DISmoms, you'd better include me!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I am waaaaay back here trying to catch up, and I just saw this- if you guys ever do a West Coast DISmoms, you'd better include me!!!

Of course we will! I'm thinking when I'm living 4 hrs away, we should do a DL mama extravaganza!

 

[glennbo123]

I was a couple of updates behind, but am caught up! I am loving your San Fran. pictures....they really remind me of the time I got to visit out there, pre-kids.

The Walt Disney Family Museum sounds like a really great site. I had never heard of it!

I thought this item in the arcade looked rather interesting: "See what the Belly Dancer does on her day off!"

Could it be another picture of.....











....laundry day?

 

[dizneeat]

They do have a East and West AP now for $700 That would have to be alot of trips to Disney to make that one pay off.

Don't give me any ideas! One year we held APs for 3 Disney Parks! Yes, we are as crazy as that.
Hm, maybe we SHOULD do another Disney parks vacation marathon again!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I was a couple of updates behind, but am caught up! I am loving your San Fran. pictures....they really remind me of the time I got to visit out there, pre-kids.

The Walt Disney Family Museum sounds like a really great site. I had never heard of it!

I thought this item in the arcade looked rather interesting: "See what the Belly Dancer does on her day off!"



Could it be another picture of.....











....laundry day?

I didn't even see that Belly Dancer one - You're probably right!

Glad you enjoyed the pics. Maybe time for you and Judy to see SF again for old time's sake?

Don't give me any ideas! One year we held APs for 3 Disney Parks! Yes, we are as crazy as that.
Hm, maybe we SHOULD do another Disney parks vacation marathon again!

Oh I love to spend other people's money!, ummm, I mean help other people spend their money

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Good Morning! I will be back later with the story of Pirate Popsicles, but Cynthia's mention of the lap swimmer at her resort pool reminded me of something funny that happened at the pool before leaving SF. I wish I had my camera with me - you'll have to use your imagination.

While we were relaxing by the pool, a tall, thin elderly gentleman wearing a speedo and a backpack arrived. He stood by the edge of the pool, hands on hips, as made his plan of attack. He went over to the other side, same stance - then back to our side. He put his belongings down on a chair and proceeded to "gear up" for a swim.

I went back to my book and when I looked up, he had donned a white swim cap, swim goggles, and what looked like a weight belt. With that, he started swinging his arms forward and back in a butterfly motion - warming up. He jumped into the pool, hooked his belt to a ladder pole with a bungy cord thingy, and started swimming laps in place. Quite ingenious, really, except that he took up a ladder and a whole section of the pool, but I don't think anyone minded.

Maybe he was one of the swimmers we saw swimming out in the bay that morning. There was some kind of swim race right near the ship with boats to accompany them. I guess the call of ALCATRAZ makes people want to swim out there.

See Ya Real Soon!

 

[eandesmom]

Good Morning! I will be back later with the story of Pirate Popsicles, but Cynthia's mention of the lap swimmer at her resort pool reminded me of something funny that happened at the pool before leaving SF. I wish I had my camera with me - you'll have to use your imagination.

While we were relaxing by the pool, a tall, thin elderly gentleman wearing a speedo and a backpack arrived. He stood by the edge of the pool, hands on hips, as made his plan of attack. He went over to the other side, same stance - then back to our side. He put his belongings down on a chair and proceeded to "gear up" for a swim.

I went back to my book and when I looked up, he had donned a white swim cap, swim goggles, and what looked like a weight belt. With that, he started swinging his arms forward and back in a butterfly motion - warming up. He jumped into the pool, hooked his belt to a ladder pole with a bungy cord thingy, and started swimming laps in place. Quite ingenious, really, except that he took up a ladder and a whole section of the pool, but I don't think anyone minded.

Maybe he was one of the swimmers we saw swimming out in the bay that morning. There was some kind of swim race right near the ship with boats to accompany them. I guess the call of ALCATRAZ makes people want to swim out there.

See Ya Real Soon!

OH my goodness, that is quite the visual! Well, at least he wasn't running into anyone.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Sorry for the delay - I wrote an update last night - I'll be back to post it later today.

 

[YukiPhnx]

It is so fun seeing things through your eyes - you are so multicultural! I'm really scared of the Durian, but now I wish I had purchased a Dragon Fruit so we could try it - someday.

I didn't see the No Msg sign - you are so observant!

No Castaway pin, we got a keychain instead.

I suppose the CMs want to see people having fun, so they weren't minding the noise as much as I was.

Thanks for being here to read!

You should be able to find it in your local Asian grocer? I've also seen them being sold in some of the main chains too. You should try frozen durian. The smell isn't as overwhelming and the taste is very creamy and savoury.

Haha, I notice these things in other people's photos but not my own!

Yeah, that's nice of the CMs, but isn't the adult pool considered the quiet pool?

Good Morning! I will be back later with the story of Pirate Popsicles, but Cynthia's mention of the lap swimmer at her resort pool reminded me of something funny that happened at the pool before leaving SF. I wish I had my camera with me - you'll have to use your imagination.

While we were relaxing by the pool, a tall, thin elderly gentleman wearing a speedo and a backpack arrived. He stood by the edge of the pool, hands on hips, as made his plan of attack. He went over to the other side, same stance - then back to our side. He put his belongings down on a chair and proceeded to "gear up" for a swim.

I went back to my book and when I looked up, he had donned a white swim cap, swim goggles, and what looked like a weight belt. With that, he started swinging his arms forward and back in a butterfly motion - warming up. He jumped into the pool, hooked his belt to a ladder pole with a bungy cord thingy, and started swimming laps in place. Quite ingenious, really, except that he took up a ladder and a whole section of the pool, but I don't think anyone minded.

Maybe he was one of the swimmers we saw swimming out in the bay that morning. There was some kind of swim race right near the ship with boats to accompany them. I guess the call of ALCATRAZ makes people want to swim out there.

See Ya Real Soon!

Wow, what a funny story!! I don't think I've ever seen a swimmer like that on a cruise ship. This is a serious dude.

at your comment on Alcatraz

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Well, where were we? I think we had just relaxed by the pool, got a sunburn and sat near the window to watch our sailaway. Now it was time to get ready for dinner and Pirate Night! With not a lot of extra room in our suitcases we opted not to dress in costumes, but to be festive. Jim wore a POC T-shirt and a black pirate bandana. I wore a long sleeved black T with sort of a “biker chick” design on it – Large angel wing down one side, and a swirly design across the rest – savvy? I wore my Mickey ears pirate bandana and a POC medallion. I also put one of the FE pirate tattoos near my collarbone – for me that was quite risqué LOL! Sadly, I don’t have a picture – we had one taken by the Shutters crew, which we chose not to purchase, and forgot to get one on our camera.

Today was Erica’s 11th birthday (daughter of Laura, HillaryOne and Sean) – I brought her a little gift, but didn’t really get to see her open it, because of the picture taking the minute we sat down. She was dressed up so cute – and brought her little pirate parrot with her:

Pirate Night dinner was perfect – we were in Parrot Cay! The atmosphere just works for a POC night. I was feeling festive, so I ordered the Blue Margarita
Then I noticed the servers taking orders for Pirate Smoothies, with a light up Tinkerbell perched on the edge of the cup. I mentioned to Jim that I wanted the Tink to wear for the Pirate Party, so he ordered a Berry-Banana smoothie with a Tink ! Sean piped up with “It’s Pirate Night – put a shot of rum on it!” Jim nodded, and Luis went off to fulfill our combined wish. He came back with the smoothie, only to inform us that as this was a kid’s drink, they would not put a shot in it – hmmm I guess that makes sense!


So I said, bring him a shot – and Sean cheered me on! Jim nodded, and soon the shot appeared, Jim made his own daiquiri and the celebration was on, and Tink was on me!
At about this time, we felt the engines of the ship “chugging” and the rudders seemed to be kicking in – the captain made an announcement that we would be turning around and heading back to SF, as there was a seriously ill passenger and the doctor had determined this was the best thing to do. So we repeated history and sailed back under the GG! (We later found out the emergency was a lady with an appendicitis, and she had her surgery and joined the ship again on Tuesday in Vancouver for the cruise to Alaska! What a trooper!)

Let’s see – no food porn tonight, and I don’t know what Jim ate, but for an appy, I ordered Baked Crab Dip Martinique with colored tortilla and plantain chips – it was absolutely fabulous! I wanted to lick the bowl!

I had the Parrot Cay salad with bacon and egg and red onions with a warm bacon dressing – this was great, too! By this time, our table was on our 3rd basket of banana bread – this is the best bread ever – well, except for the banana bread at Ohana’s , but that is a different TR!
For Entrée, I ordered the Caribbean Roasted Chicken with the mashed sweet potatoes. This was succulent and juicy and the spices were good, but not really true jerk seasoning.
For dessert, I had the Parrot Cay Sweet Temptations – tiny samples of Crème Brule cheesecake, Lemon Meringue Pie, and Chocolate S’More Vanilla Cake.
I was so full, that even these tiny bites were just too much, but they were delicious! Mickey and Goofy came through the dining room and got us all excited for Pirate Night, and the servers were dressed in pirate costumes. It seems like we had some kind of napkin waving excitement, but I honestly don’t remember!


We went up on deck to see that we were already heading back out of the bay, and moving quickly out to sea.
We headed back to the room so I could pour my glass of wine, and this guy was waiting for us:

Tonight was Toy Story, the Musical, which we hadn’t seen before, so we hurried to see if we could get our front of the second section seats again. SCORE! There were pirates still selling those smoothies with Tink or a Captain Hook (?) on them.

Festive Guest:

The show was a lot of fun, but not the most stellar performance of the week. I think this one is hard to do because of all the logistics with those costumes, so I still give the performance a thumbs up! Jim gives it a thumbs down:

We heard from our CD Christiaan that the Pirates In the Caribbean party was on, but it was “a little chilly on deck so grab a jacket and come and join us for a Rockin Time – Dancing will keep you warm!”

NEXT: POPSICLES PART 2

 

[ibouncetoo]

Good Morning! I will be back later with the story of Pirate Popsicles, but Cynthia's mention of the lap swimmer at her resort pool reminded me of something funny that happened at the pool before leaving SF. I wish I had my camera with me - you'll have to use your imagination.

While we were relaxing by the pool, a tall, thin elderly gentleman wearing a speedo and a backpack arrived. He stood by the edge of the pool, hands on hips, as made his plan of attack. He went over to the other side, same stance - then back to our side. He put his belongings down on a chair and proceeded to "gear up" for a swim.

I went back to my book and when I looked up, he had donned a white swim cap, swim goggles, and what looked like a weight belt. With that, he started swinging his arms forward and back in a butterfly motion - warming up. He jumped into the pool, hooked his belt to a ladder pole with a bungy cord thingy, and started swimming laps in place. Quite ingenious, really, except that he took up a ladder and a whole section of the pool, but I don't think anyone minded.

Maybe he was one of the swimmers we saw swimming out in the bay that morning. There was some kind of swim race right near the ship with boats to accompany them. I guess the call of ALCATRAZ makes people want to swim out there.

See Ya Real Soon!

My sister rigged up something similar for her pool...she got real tired of eight strokes and turn!

.....now back to reading the latest installment!...

.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

My sister rigged up something similar for her pool...she got real tired of eight strokes and turn!

.....now back to reading the latest installment!...

.

Pretty smart! I hadn't seen anything like that before, but it allowed him to swim laps without disturbing everyone else!