We are docked in Kodiak right now. Sunny skies after one gloomy, rainy day yesterday. It's so weird being on the ship without the departed MOOSE herd. I keep thinking I see one of them at the end of the hall.....but no, only a stranger I haven't met yet.
Fanastic visit with my in-laws who I think were impressed and were introduced to all MOOSE herd people left on board, plus half the staff. But they already knew I am nuts.
Cindy - Last night I was wishing this cruise was "Beyond Mouse" & not MOOSE. What a ride. A mouse would have been so much gentlier. For the 1st time ever I left the dining room early although was never sick. Only felt VERY drunk. (no Betty drinking comments please ) Tonight I eat with my back to the water. Back in the cabin I discovered I would be sleeping, not with my luggage, but with my patio furniture. And Henry, my steward, has told me I get to cuddle with it again tonight. Actuallly it's not a problem until you need to get up in the middle of the night to close another drawer or retrieve some "precious" item you think might be ready to fly across the room. Was happy the TV stayed in place. Tonight I will take care of all that before bed.
Kodiak is small, slightly interesting with it's Russian heritage, but have discovered that most of that has been added in the past 20 years. So it's not like a minature St Petersburg with very old, orginal artifacts. Or even close to it.
One more port for me to see an Alaskan bear - only disappointment with the trip so far. I'll get over it. Seen enough in Yellowstone & Colorado to last a lifetime but still...........it's Alaska.
And to add a boring addendum - for those few of you (if any) that like to follow the trail of watch batteries, the brand new one from Ketchikan lost its life on the rafting trip in the rain in Juneau. Burial will be at disembarkation in Osaka.

Battery: R.I.P.

Great animal sighting during lunch in LV. At 1st we all thought they were sea otters - but were seals (BIG ONES) fishing for their lunch while a flock of birds was trying to steal their catch. Fascinating.
It still wasn't a bear but something I hadn't seen before.
"Baby, it's cold outside!"

Betty, I'll look forward to your seamail! Mr. Anna B and I looked all over for you on Tues. night so we could say good-bye! Loved meeting and talking with you! Have a wonderful trip and keep in touch! Kathy

Great hike today in Kodiak. We were lucky that the sun came out. Now, where are those bears? Time for a nap.

Where are y'all - I'm missing you! Come back - please! Was it something I said?

Michael and I have had a few mishaps trying to stay on board. Our housemaid was told we were leaving in Seward so put on the 'time to go home' thingy on the bed, they cut off our internet and phone, gave us our tags, cancelled all excursions - need I go on? Bit of a disaster, but in spite of all their best intentions, we're still here!!

I'm minus my 'eyes' so all is a little blurred - no I have not been drinking (not today anyway). Hope I don't make too many typos!

The ship seems lost without you and like Betty, I've been seeing you all over the place.

Last night we apparently had some rough seas but apart from watching the waves in the dining room, don't remember too much about it. Now if that lasts for the rest of my cruise, I'll be one happy camper!

We hired a car in Seward and went for a drive to "Hope" but apart from seeing some lovely fall leaves, it was a case of 'now you see it, now you don't". We did enjoy the wild life centre there though.

Kodiak was a great surprise - I really enjoyed the tour I was on. We finished up at a school where a group of kids played the bongo drums for us. Absolutely brilliant! Of course nothing will touch Hubbard Glacier but this was unexpected and different.

We've been warned about the loss of the internet once we reach Japan, so don't think we've forgotten you if, after we get there, you don't hear from us.

Lee

Missing you all, too!! Our case of smoked salmon arrived from Ketchikan today. We're wondering when someone will bring our dinner and fill our wine glass. Wait, where's our wine glass? This stinks.

Edit to add: Betty, just have another pina colada. Maybe those seals will grow some bear fur. You know I'm kidding you!!!!

Kim, my thoughts exactly on the wine and the dinner! Re-entry to reality is going to be tough! Hope you had a good trip home!

Glad to know we are being missed. Sure wish we could have stayed aboard with you all. Randy is looking at the two new Regent catalogs picking out our next cruise!!!!!

Thanks for the seamail.

LOVE that news Beth!!!!! :app: :app: :app:

Kathy - Mr Anna B dropped by our table twice Tuesday night during dinner but after dinner...I wish I could remember which mischief I chose.
Kim - I don't even have to say pina colada in the LV any more. They start coming and end at 3. Harvey, my BIL, was very impressed. So Pam meeky says "Can I have a Mai Tai?" Bingo it was there almost immediately. So Harvey decided this isn't a bad deal - martinini, straight up. I must not do a good job explaining all inclusive or people who have sailed other lines just can't believe Regent's reality is true.
When Lee says she can't remember something all you have to do is ask her how the Brandy Alexanders tasted the night before and it will all return to her.
Time for dinner - almost. Prime 7. One can never get enough of that place.
And if any animal would like to throw some bear fur my way I won't mind a bit. But to all you other Alaskan animals, I would like the entire bear if possible.

I don't think I would have liked the rough seas last night, but I know I wish I could be joining you in Prime 7 tonight. Have a wonderful cruise, Betty, Lee, Michael, and the rest of you who are lucky enough to still be on board. Keep the sea mail coming!

Kathy

You're cracking us up!!!!! We so miss you and all the Moosies.

We just watched all of our MOOSE videos. What a spectacular trip. Just amazing.

Betty, Lee, Michael, Donna, Alan, et al, we wish you the best for the rest of your cruise!!

Cuddle-up now to that veranda furniture and sleep well my friends!

My laptop keeps logging off. Omen that another storm is on the way? My possesions are ready Will try to recreate post tomorrow.

Well the verandah furniture has been back where it belongs since last night - that's got to be positive. It looks pretty calm out there now. The rough seas they were anticipating obviously didn't happen.

We were whale watching in Compass Rose this morning and then saw another couple from the cabin - that's a bonus!

I'm off to have my first manicure in about ten years when my daughter gave me a voucher as a birthday gift. It's something I'm always going to do but never get around to it.

Michael has been having trouble with his internet connection but hopefully he will get some of his 'better' shots on the board soon.

Beth: I should have taken a page out of your book and ordered half the amount of Alaskan King Crab - I just couldn't eat it all. They weren't sure what to make of me when I asked for a 'doggy bag' to send the leftovers home to Brian!

Lee

Lee, so good to hear from you and glad last night was calm for you all. Enjoy your manicure. Brian would have loved those leftovers.... but just a bit long to get them back home!! Miss you guys!! :hello1:

Anybody wanna do me a favor? I told Alice I'd be able to remember the name of the wine we had the last night in Compass Rose. I saved the cork, but somehow lost it. And now I can't remember the name. It's from the reserve wine list and I think is the only French sauvignon blanc. The other French whites are all chardonnays. Wine lists are at all the bars, I think. Anyway, if someone has a chance, that would be great! Thanks! and hope the seas continue to be calm!

Kim - do you have your wine answer yet? I haven't eaten in CR since you asked but will make it one of my missions today since we can't do mush else.
The seas are ugly today 'my friends' and the ship is moving a little too much for my taste - but the waves aren't that high. Hope to get more than 1 Betty in a yellow whale outfit photo posted. Clay says I would have dropped straight to the bottom in all those clothes if I fell in without a life vest. I assured him the coast guard made certain I was safe.
Sadly, as we sailed away from Dutch Harbor, I realized my dream of seeing the elusive Alaskan Bear in person was now only a fantasy. Do I return in a few years or do I call the Houston Zoo to find out what they own? I think returning is the best solution.
And last - but not least - of this fascinating sea mail on a sea day, they are serving Mimosas in the LV since it's Sunday. It was tough, but I said no. Waiting for my lunchtime standing order.

Kim: If Betty fails in her mission, I will ask that trusty son of mine to find out. No use asking me - I'll forget what you asked the minute I sign off.

Karen: I'm so jealous I had to polish off some eggs florentine this morning instead of what you had!

Dutch Harbor was all they told us it would be - very quiet but the inhabitants were quite happy to see us. Unfortunately, Regent told us to put our clocks back one hour but they didn't tell the welcoming committee who were still on the correct time - so things were a bit confused as far as shuttles were concerned. Don't know whose fault that was, but I enjoyed the extra hour in bed.

They had a small but very interesting Russian Orthodox Church and a World War II museum which I thought was worth seeing. They had lots of really 'personal' information about their part in the war. Most guests seemed to head for Safeway to buy souvenirs - each to their own I suppose. It is the place where the TV series "The Deadliest Catch" is filmed - their main claim to fame.

It was absolute bedlam on Deck 6 yesterday - the shop had a 75% off sale of all Alaskan souvenirs. I had a quick peak but there really wasn't anything there that I couldn't live without.

It is a sea day today and the most popular place seems to be the laundries! Just wish the computer room wasn't so close to the coffee corner as they make a beautiful hot chocolate!

Lee

Hi!!! We miss you so much!!!

Nope, don't have an answer yet on the wine. If you go to any bar, there will be a wine list there. Lee, I think best bet is to assign the task to your trusty Michael. Of course, it is not a necessary thing. We'll live fine never knowing. But, if you can manage it, then Thanks!!!

I was reading outloud to Alice and immediately she said: "RETURN!!!!"

I agree with Alice! Miss you guys!!!!!

editing to add: and of course you too, Lee, Michael, and Betty! :)

I see a MOOSE 2 in the works... subtitled "Betty Sees Bears!!!!!"

Cute!! Very cute! I love it, Beth! Well, on our first Alaska cruise in 2003, Alice did not see a moose, I did. This time, on the bus to the Anchorage airport, Alice saw a moose!!! So, sometimes, it takes that second shot!

I prefer the return option myself. Does that mean we can already add Beth, Rand Man, Crystal, Kim and most of all Alice to the rollcall? Wait.....Isn't this the same group I had swear on a stack of Regent brochures that I wouldn't book another cruise for at least....darn, can't remember how long I have to wait! :mecry: Until Ho Down?

Kim, we saw that moose on the way to Anchorage, too.

Betty, we'll be there!!

I wanna see a Moose! I've paid a heavy price for staying on board! Don't like my chances of returning yet again, so please send photos! Lee

Lee, the bus went by so quickly, I barely got this video.

Karen or Julie took Moose photo's from the bus, cute Mama moose and her baby. We saw nothing but scenery from the train and felt like sardines in a can for 4 hours.

Julie has the moose photos, I will see if she will send them to me.

Lee, I got a photo on my iPhone. It's not very good, but I'll send it to you. It happened too fast for Alice to get anything better with her camera.

This is really bad, but as good as I got. Julie's will probably be better.

Thanks for all your help. The closest I've come to one is when I saw a stuffed moose in an LL Bean store many moons ago!

Thanks Beth for your excellent video! Truly amazing!

It's been pretty rough out here today - 25ft waves - still hasn't affected my eating habits! Betty has invited us to join her at Prime 7 tonight - Maine lobsters look out!

We seem to have a couple of things going on the board at the moment - who was it who wanted to know what chef we had on board? I asked the pastry chef today and he gave me the name (he didn't know how to spell it) of Mike Roemild - does that help you at all?

Kim: We've asked in Compass Rose about the wine and they are going to check it out for us. If we don't hear from them in the next couple of days, we'll try again.

Lee

Just lost my long post about LV losing much of their china and at least half of their luncheon menu to a big wave. No details this time - hate for it to go away again.
Looks like a scene from Moby Dick outside our windows. My drapes are close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, we are rocking and rolling here on Mariner. However, I didn't realize that LV lost their china. The evening started with a fun James Bond martini night in Constellation Theater. We made it through dinner (delicious Osso Buco) plus the show in Compass Rose (a very bad comedian). Then, another nightcap in Observation Lounge with Nature's Rhythm. As much as I like them, the musical sets are getting old. The entertainment really needs beefing up. Somehow, we're rising above it (currently on the crest of a wave). They're advising that we may lose internet connection while in Russian and Japanese waters. We'll come out on the other side around Oct. 2.

Thanks for trying, Lee! No worries though if you can't track it down. However, if no one gets back to you, just ask for the wine list or take a look at one at any bar. They are usually there near the restaurant menus. The one we want to know the name of is the only sauvignon blanc listed in the French Whites section, I'm pretty sure.

I sure hope someone is getting photos of the high seas!!! :eek: And I'm glad everyone seems to be keeping it together.

Thanks BEYOND MOOSErs for your SeaMail. Hope the seas are calmer for you all.

We are anchored outside the Russian town I forget how to spell. Waiting for all our Visas to be approved. Plenty of dishes in LV for breakfast - but we lost all lights in the restaurant part this morning. I could see things were fine in the kitchen.
The Wrights and I are doing the Rustic Farm Picnic. Unfortunately another cloudy day, but that could change. We are hoping our tour is a fun as Peggy & Ngaire's were several years ago. Can anyone spell V-O-D-K-A? I shouldn't. Too much wine last night. Next cruise I'm thinking a flow chart that follows activities and wine consumtion is probably the best way to go. Would I follow it? Doubt it. Hope we still have internet after tour so can report in.

Glad to hear your report, Betty, and to know you're safe and sound! Keep the reports coming when you can!

Kathy

Can't wait to hear about the "picnic"--we had such a fun time--hope the weather was good for you. One thing we had on this segment a couple years ago that really added to the entertainment were the folks from Jazz Dagen. They're a group of jazz lovers who brought their own fantastic jazz entertainment with them on their group cruise. We were entertained morning, noon and night with great jazz pianists, clarinetists, flautists, singers and TWO jazz bands.