the italian job

Ok so here is the start of my blog, no pictures yet just a quick update.  As always the trip over was long and boring we really need to work on that transportation thing, having said that last night less than twenty four hours after I left Chilliwack I was sitting in a cafe at the Rialto bridge have a cold glass of Prosseco and watching the world go by waiting for my friends.

|Venice is truly a beautiful city in the summer time lots of people here so I guess tourist season is going well.  We had dinner at Al Fontego a resturant that Mike, Denise and I loved last year and once again had a fantastic experince same waiter as last year, even more amazing in this town is that I managed to find the resturant first time.  If you have ever been to Venice you know that can be a challenge.

Anyway thats all for now, got to go out and try to find this coffee shop that has the best coffee I've ever had, later today we board the Wind Surf will try to get some pictures on then of our departure out of town.

Disney Wonder

I had the opportunity to tour the "Disney Wonder" before she headed back to Alaska, where she has been sailing since May.

The "Disney Wonder" being 13 years old was not showing her age at all!  It is has a modern but classic ocean liner feel with a touch of Disney through out.

The Disney Cruise Line does cater to families of all ages and does have areas of the ship that are adult only sections.

One of those areas is Route 66 which after 9pm becomes the adult only area. It has a nightclub, plus there is Cadillac Lounge which is a piano bar and Diversions which is a games room lounge.   

There are 3 main dining rooms and unique to Disney they offer rotation dining. You have your set dining time, table number and wait staff but each night you eat in a different restaurant.

One of the restaurants is Animators Palate which when at the start of the meal everything is black and white but as the meal progresses the room becomes more colorful. You will notice in the photo the tables were covered but they wouldn’t let us peck to see what was underneath.  

The staterooms were a good size and fit 4 passengers comfortable. In the Deluxe Insides and Ocean view cabins they have a split bathroom so that if someone is using the shower there is still a toilet and sink to use. This is great when traveling with a family.

There are 3 pools to cater to everyone. The 1^st is the adult only quiet pool with its soft music and comfortable loungers. The center pool is the family pool with a jumbo screen on the funnel where they show movies and cartoons all day and into the evening. This pool also has a retractable dance floor so at night they have deck party here. The 3^rd pool is the children’s pool with water slide and baby splash pool.

When we were making our way off the ship, passengers were embarking and that is when the Disney staff went into action. Each family group was announced as they entered the atrium and the staff clapped and cheered as Snow White waved from the balcony and Goofy hugged the little ones that squealed with excitement. I can just imagine what great family memoirs are gong to be made in the week onboard the Disney Wonder. 

                                                           

Powell Lake

Yesterday was our first cloudy day,  with a slight rain sprinkle.  It didn't last long, and by the afternoon the sun was out again.

   All we accomplished today was a small hike on Powell Lake.

Part of the Sunshine Coast trail

A beautiful Lake ..  part of Canoe circuit

These beautiful Red wood trees were all over the place.

Floating Cabins are available for renting,  as well we did see Houseboats on the Lake as well.

Lund BC "mile 0 "

yesterday was a day of driving around and exploring, as well as a good visit with family.

This is the Lund Hotel,  located approx 27 kms from Powell River,   built in 1905

 Marina views from in and around Lund,  cute little shops, bakery, cafe,  restaurants

         The Marina is where you get the water taxi to Savory Island.

Lots of people have summer cabins over there.

Mile 0 of highway 101

Bike rental on Savory ????  Make sure you sign a release  ....











     On our way back to the cabin,  we drove through "Old Powell River"  and grabbed a shot of the Patricia Theatre

Wellington Beach

 A quick trip into town  for a stroll along Wellington Beach.  Sunset is absolutely striking from here,  but we aren't staying that long tonight.  It would be another hour and half.

this is the area where the comox ferry comes  in

couldn't find any info on how long the path is

Powell River day 2

Talk about a good nights sleep!!!  must have been all that fresh ocean air.   Low tide when we woke up this morning,  could walk out to Myrtle Rocks.  By 7:00 am  a beautiful sunrise.

      Today we decided to head out to Inland Lake,   it is 5 1/2 kms long and has a very well maintained foot path all the way around,  giving a 13 kms walk.  It is even wheelchair accessible.  

 The Lake was super calm....  and me without the canoe ...darn.  

 My husband, pointing at nothing  ...

a neat bridge path around the rock face.  you can see this in the first photo

        It was at the bridge above that my hubby tried to swoosh away a bug with his cap, not realizing his sunglasses were still there.   Needless to say,  we are down 1 pair of sunglasses  ha ha ha.  But the water sure was clear,   could watch them sinking for a long time.

Finally a mileage marker  !!

I cannot tell a lie,   we did not go the whole way today,   these markers are marked on both sides,  so at this point,  we had gone 1 km.

Not too much in the way of flowers out anymore,   we did however come across some garter snakes, just couldn't get the camera out fast enough to get a shot.

     Today we did 6kms,  enough for the dog and this old mare ..  time to head back to the cabin to relax on the deck.

Here are a couple more shots of the property,   a indoor pool area,  and a games room,  which had a pool table and air hockey table.

kids play area

BBQ area under the back gazebo

   We are going to try some BBQ tomorrow,  looks like a good set up.

          Tonight it is fish n chips  from Skeeter Jacks,  about 5 mins up the road,   really good Halibut or Cod,  they are also well known for their cheesecake desserts ... but not for us today .

That's it for me today  ... time for a snooze

  

Powell River "staycation"

Well,  let the blogging begin.  We have arrived in destination,  Oceanside Resort on the sunshine coast, Powell River BC.   We left this morning at 8:00 am and made the 9;40 am  ferry from Horseshoe Bay, a short 40 min ferry trip to Langdale.  Then approx 84 kms (1 to 1 1/2 hrs)  to the Earls Cove Terminal.  Another 50 min crossing and we arrived into Saltery Bay.  From the ferry terminal it is approx 25 mins to the resort.  As you  can see on the pictures,  our weather is  perfect,  tide is on the way out.    Our cabin looks right onto the ocean,  the picture above was taken from our deck.
    This is a picture from the rocky beach front looking back at our cabin.

       so this particular cabin has 2 bedrooms,  with queen beds, but not much room for anything else,  a loft area with double bed,  and fold out couch in living room area.

  well,  time for a snooze on the deck before dinner.   Apparantly there is phosphorous stuff in the ocean tis time of year,  so we will check it out tonight and get back to you .. ha ha.