Heading Down Under

Day one of 43

Our journey began with a sedate ride on a shuttle van to Pier 91 where the  Holland Noordam was the only ship still in port. Walking back and forth through the que lines moves the crowd pretty quickly from step to step of the check in process. However it always reminds me of the Shrek movie where he just charges right down the center dragging all the stanchions and cords behind him. (Tempting, but I don’t think that would have gotten me on the ship without an uproar.) 

Once aboard we dropped our carryon gear in our room and went in search of lunch. Of course food is not hard to find on the ship, it’s just hard to choose. With 34 days on the ship though, we figured we’d have plenty of  time to try whatever peaked our interest. 

Although we are not cruise experts, this trip seemed to have even more gray hair than on our prior trips. While on the back deck taking in the Seattle skyline on a sunny October afternoon, we heard many Australian or New Zealand accents flowing around us.  It will be interesting to discover how many of the passengers are on their return journey home. 

The sun had set by the time we cruised past Port Townsend and on toward the Pacific. A clear evening with stars and the lights from shore and   “Southern Cross” was playing on our bluetooth, as we relaxed from the stress that had led up to beginning of this adventure. South Pacific here we come.

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