The Senior Scene

Sometimes you can do the smallest thing and it makes all the difference in the world.

We took a small group on Holland America’s Amsterdam for an overnight cruise from Vancouver to Seattle. A nice drive to Vancouver (a couple took Amtrak), and then onto the ship for the cruise back.

You are transported into the cruise world with all the pleasures of cruising. You enjoy the shops, the lounges, the duty-free, the entertainment and the meals. When all is said and done with your day, you retreat to your cabin for a lovely night’s sleep and wake up the next morning in Seattle. These cruises are only offered at the beginning and end of the Alaska cruise season but are truly a great little adventure. We will plan on doing it again and may even extend it to one of the three-day adventures out of San Francisco.

Sometimes you just need something to transport you into another world.  We will do that in July when we take a day trip into Seattle and the Pacific Science Center. The Terra Cotta Warriors are on exhibit.  Seattle is one of the very few stops where the public will be able to view these statues which were uncovered in China.

It is summer and time to get out and enjoy everything.  Stay in touch for quick trips. Those are the day trips that come up suddenly. They are announced to the e-mail list, so be sure that you have been added to that list in order to find out what is going on.  We will probably take off for the ocean or the mountain, but it will be on short notice.

Now is also the time to sign up for those bigger trips — Mexican Coastal cruise in January,  Cuba in February, Viking  river cruises in April, Albuquerque Balloon Festival for October 2018.

Call or e-mail me for further information at 253-927-8207 or linda.finch@gmail.com.

When you think of cruising, you usually think about what ports of call you will be visiting. You don’t normally think about spending long days at sea.  In prior years, we have gone to Hawaii and rented a house in one location for two weeks. This year, we decided to take a 15-day cruise out of Vancouver: Five days at sea, five in the Hawaiian Islands, and another five at sea. Just how were we going to keep from getting bored during those long sea days? 

It didn’t take long to find out that there are so very many things to do besides eat — and we did plenty of that. Mornings started with some sleeping in and others heading to the spa/gym for a short workout.  From there, after a sumptuous breakfast, most of us headed to Morning Trivia with a very eclectic 20 questions.  This was followed by a Destination Talk, a different island each day, or a lei-making class, a ukulele class or a health and wellness seminar.  By then it was time for lunch.

In the afternoon, there were always arts and crafts, bridge players’ get-togethers, poolside games and dances, photo seminars, and dance classes.  There was even time to take a nap, read a book, shop the stores and the specials for $10, or a closeout sale of items for previous cruises.

Our dinners were the time that we all got together to talk about what we had done during the day. It’s fun to see how many different things that everyone could do.  No one seems to be saying that this was a boring sail at all.  And then, of course there was the food — such a wide selection to choose from that everyone could find something to make them happy.

And in the evening there were the shows — variety, comedy, vocalists, productions, classical, jazz. There was something different each night. And from there you could spin off to a variety of musical venues to listen or dance. Late-night game shows are always fun, or just take life easy and head for the cabin.

Once in the islands we were off the ship each day, renting vans and taking off for spots unknown.  Out of Hilo, we drove to the volcanoes and the black-sand beach. On Oahu, we stopped at the USS Arizona Memorial before heading to the North Shore with the surfing beaches, lunch at Turtle Bay, a view from Pali, and ending with a stop at the Punchbowl  (even a rainy day didn’t slow us down).

Kauai was special, visiting the Smith Family Gardens and Fern Grotto.  A small boat took us up the river into the lush valley and up to the famous grotto where the Hawaiian Wedding Song was performed.  There was then the trip back down the river while we learned to hula. On Maui, we encountered rain, but it didn’t slow us down as we drove to McKenna and then back to the other side of the island for lunch in Paia.

Back on the ship after five days in the islands, we found that we now knew the familiar routine and what our favorite activities were. It took no time at all to be back into trivia, pick up the the ukulele lessons or learn a new dance.

All too soon, the adventure was over and we were back at home. Many memories to share with others, and dreams of future trips

Stay in touch for future trips by contacting me at 253-927-8207 or linda.finch@gmail.com.

It is incredible just how blessed we are to have been born in the United States.  Indeed, there are problems and conflicts, but we have the ability to work around them. We are free to make our choices, to have a job whereby we can support our family, to have a comfortable home and plenty of food on the table. Not every country in the world can make that claim.

Our Fathom cruise to Cuba was an eye-opener to those freedoms.  We were able to talk with the locals and take a small peak into their lives.

Those in the tourist industry, those who have learned another language and can interact with visitors, seem to be the luckier ones. Today they can work independently and make more than the average $20 per month that an average Cuban is paid. Yes, they may be given something that is called a house but shared with multiple generations. Yes, they have healthcare with many available clinics, etc., but certainly not up to our technology. Yes, they receive ration booklets to help with food, but these are meager and the food is not always available. Looking “outside the box” is new to these people. They are just learning how to prosper on their own with a small business. It will come but it will take years.

We started our cruise out of Miami with the first day at sea.  This gave us time to listen to a few lectures on what to expect while on land.  We heard some of the history, some of the culture, and how to interact with the people.  Of course we also had time to remember that there is sun and warmth in the world instead of constant rain and gray skies.

Our ship was small with only 670 passengers.  It was wonderful to meet people from all over the country who were excited about this experience.  You actually had an opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers and exchange happenings. On this ship you were not distracted by a casino or big theater productions. Movies were about Ernest Hemmingway or the Cuban people. Shipboard activities included learning how to Salsa or speak a bit of Spanish.

Our first port of call was Santiago, the capital of the colony from 1522 to 1589 prior to it moving to Havana.  The watchtowers and cannons used by the Spanish-American war still protect and guard the city.  We visited the Cathedral at El Cobra where the Pope spoke to the people of Cuba and saw the compound in which he stayed, the site of the Battle of San Juan Hill was impressive and the UNESCO sites in the city itself explored the colonial past.

Our second stop of the city of Cienfuegos ocated on the southern coast of Cuba app. 250 km from Havana.  The city sits around a spectacular natural bay and is known as The Pearl of the South.  Our driver had a restored 1954 Mercedes and when he heard we were from Seattle he immediately started talking about the Mariners and then took us to his baseball stadium.

At last we came to Havana where we had two days in which to explore.  Shore excursions took people throughout the city on bus tours and walking tours.  We visited the handicraft market to see the artists and jewelers.  It was not much different than any flea market with some treasures hidden among the normal type of things.

Some groups had an opportunity to visit a senior home where residents are taken care of my the state.  They have dormitory accommodations and communal eating but are well taken care of and seemed comfortable and happy.  Others were able to visit medical clinics and noted the lack of technology but still the attention given to the people.  Many people were able to travel to Hemmingway’s home up on a hill overlooking the city.  Here we saw where the great writer did a lot of his work.  We even saw the PILAR, his boat from Old Man of the Sea.

All in all it was a very exciting and interesting trip.  It is highly recommended for anyone to visit.  I certainly would love to return. but must first at least take off for a Princess 15 day cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii.  You can read about that next time.

For reservations and further information contact Linda Finch at 253 927 8207 or get on the email list at linda.finch@gmanil.com.

What a winter! All that snow followed by all that rain and cold weather just makes me want to leave town and do something fun. There aren’t always those options, however, so we need to look elsewhere. 

In February, we took advantage of the First Thursday free admission to museums in Seattle and wandered around S.A,M. (Seattle Art Museum),  There were no particular displays, but many with great interest. Indian themes, modern art, statues and so much more.  We even found a piece of silverwork that was made by a company started by the great grandfather of one of our participants. It kind of just made the day.

After taking our time and seeing as much as we could absorb, we moved on to The Broadway for a nice lunch. Plans are now being made for the First Thursday in March, and perhaps we will continue through other months.

We also made the decision to see what the winter winds were doing down at the ocean and made reservations at The Quinault Resort and Casino for an overnight. It is always fun to see the ocean in the winter, when the waves can be so strong. Add to that the fun of a casino, and we had a great time. It is a beautiful resort, and we had rooms with fireplaces that looked out over the ocean. No need to get cold and wet, but just enjoy razor clams for dinner, a great view and a fun night.

Cuba is our big adventure for March. We will finally be taking off and have so much to report for next month.  Be sure to pick up Senior Scene and read about all we were able to do.

April will be our 15-day cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii and back. There is still room available for those who would like to join in and perhaps find out that the sun really still does exist.

April is also the trip to Scotland, and there could still be room on that trip.

For late July, we have put together a cruise with Royal Caribbean from Miami to St. Maarten, San Juan and Labadee. In September, there is an Alaska cruise on Norwegian Cruise Lines. And looking far ahead, we have a Canada-New England cruise planed for October 2018.

It’s always fun to have something to dream about and plan on. We’re even working on the possibility of another Viking Riverboat cruise in Europe for the summer of 2018. Now is the time to reserve and get the best rates.

For further information, contact me at 253-927-8207 or e-mail me at linda.finch@gmail.com.

Linda Finch writes the Senior Adventures column.