Mountain climbing on Lower Dewey Lake, Skagway, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Mountain climbing on Lower Dewey Lake, Skagway, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

We missed our first routine at Skagway, Alaska to climb on the Lower Dewey Lake due to our newly met Filipina nurse friend from San Diego, CA. She was not able to climb at all. We had to skip at our first back of the cruise. We did it on our second back of the cruise. We walked along the old railroad track to the entrance of the Lower Dewey Lake, the water resource of the small township.

It was more difficult for me to climb up this time due to my hurting left knee. I forgot to bring my knee braces to make some protection. At on point, I made a mistake to reach to a different path other than the regular one, I was trapped for a while and I asked one kind fellow mountain climber to allow me to get down by myself. It was too dangerous for him to come up and rescue me. I did manage to hold up tied a small branch and released myself from such crisis. Even though the climbing path is difficult yet it is manageable even for an old man. The young person can jump around without any difficulty. We turned right on the path as usual for the first half of the lake. it was a smooth with several view points of the small lake, the tap water source of the township came from the top of the mountain melting glacier. There is a rock angle for interested person to fish the lake trout. I did witness some with catches of small fishes and they all let them go back to the water. At the end of the lake edge, there is a path to go somewhere which I forget yet some one did mention it to me. We turned to the other side of the lake. There is an old gold mining trail track left on sight with a small plain of grass and spring flowers. A bar-b-cue stand was there for the mountain climbers with a clear sign ow fire watch. We kept on entering a more difficult route; however, it was improved by the township to make it better this time. I found my favorite spot to view the mountain glacier. I take many photos as usual. It is on a high mountain rock stick out of the path.

Finally, we came to the end of our hike. We followed the sign to get down to the city. It is a divided path for some interests to keep on going to the Upper Dewey Lake on the right side. I did it one time and turned back before finishing it. I was afraid that would take too much of my time. I am not quite sure if I can make it to the Upper Dewey Lake in my limited life time.

登山下杜威湖2022／莊峻華

 登山下杜威湖2022／莊峻華

下杜威湖座落於阿拉斯加州史凱格衛鎮郊山上，湖為小鎮水源地，湖水源為山峰融雪，我們自2012年郵輪旅行以來，抵達史鎮必登下杜威湖，這是一容易達成目標，這次拖到第二次抵達史鎮，始重登此湖，實在是將就一便於行之菲律賓籍女護士，因此第二次抵達，重遊此湖。

我們沿著小鐵路軌道，走進山徑，起初登高山徑崎嶇坎坷，左膝蓋開始不支，一處爬錯，一時下不來，只好小心翼翼，抓緊小樹枝，爬將下來，已經嚇出冷汗小便，鎮公所設立廁所仍在，我們例行右轉方向，就是要繞小清水湖一周，再下山到史鎮鬧街。

右行徑一直都是平坦無礙，其間有一處山岩可垂釣，湖內有小尾鱒魚，確實有年輕登山客，自行簡易背包裝備，前來享受風景，深山垂釣，釣上鱒魚多半釋放回湖，右徑盡端，有一山徑通他處，一次幾位熟悉登山客，由此前往，我已憶不得是否為上杜威湖？

我們有經驗的走過湖畔，鎮公所仍保留之舊運金礦砂小火車鐵軌，這是一平矌小湖畔草原，各色春花仍在，一處為遊客烤肉野炊處，明顯標誌小心煙火，此半方圓山徑有上下，但鎮公所有改善，不若當年困難，我找到一處山端岩塊，可供眺望山頂冰洲，這是絕境，我內心之仙境，我忘記攜帶小望遠鏡，但感謝幾位眼醫，妙手回春，給我白內障手術，重回20／20視力。

回到左右分徑處，回史鎮路標以示，下杜威湖遊結束，有一年獨行，我經次處邁向上杜威湖，半途而廢，我也不再野心，畢竟年邁矣。

My high blood pressure/Carlos Pueblo

 My high blood pressure/Carlos Pueblo

In addition to my chronicle diabetes, dental issues, and vision problems, I have my high blood pressure to deal with nowadays. Before previous cruise trip, my dental hygienist discovered my blood pressure was high 168/85, yet still performed the teeth cleaning regardless I only have a few left. At home, I concluded that were because that I had a gum infection, ate too much salted pickle white reddish, and a dying 20 years old cat at the moment. I needed to escape such environment immediately. I went to a 11 days cruise in the east Caribbean sea. I forgot every thing, no television, no internet, no i-phone calls and every day was eating  and resting.

My Dad had a high blood pressure and he was not aware, in such result he was suffered a stroke at age 65. It is very much difference for me now, I am under the Medicare and many physicians are monitoring my well being most of the time due to the requirement of the insurance company. I know the result of my high blood pressure is taking a medicine like my diabetes which I am taking five kinds a day and is very annoying. I am getting in age and must face the reality.

I ate light on the ship except two free dinners on fee restaurants which were provided by the cruise latitude reward otherwise I attempted to eat vegetarian dishes to get less cholesterol intake. I went to the golf cage to strike 81 golf balls to warm up myself, then I swam in the pool. During the land day, I marched on the port town till I was tired. I had had my regular exercises. I am not sure that I am doing alright or not. I shall see my internal medicine physician when my semi annual physical examination is due for my diabetes.

I know that my high blood pressure is age related. I shall avoid the stressful intake such as the internet watching programs like the news of Trump and Chinese invasion of Taiwan. I have quit watching television for some 30 years and now I am determined to go back to the basic and will not let the modern technology bothers me any more.

I go back to the library to check out two books to read. I shall return to my old habit of reading books. I shall go to travel more often to stay away loniless old life.

高血壓／莊峻華

 高血壓／莊峻華

臨行郵輪11日行，牙醫診所例行洗牙，護士發現我血壓高，168／85，但仍繼續洗牙，回家後十分懊惱，因為一牙發炎，牙落後，整個底層假牙需要重做，所以我又龜縮，假藉一日算一日，家裡愛貓年紀20，好像是臨終前夕，元兒與此貓甚親，準備開車過10號公路，到寵物店購買注射筒，注射水給愛貓，讓我痛斥一頓，我要愛美找獸醫，給愛貓安樂死，她說時間尚未到，於是我血壓繼續飆高。

球伴竇大夫贈我一小瓶高血壓藥劑，和切藥片剪刀，因我身材小於他，我一下又找不到我的內科醫生，飛機馬上就要起飛，於是我把血壓藥，阿斯匹靈藥，和退火用綠豆等都帶上船，真是十分狼狽。

終於等到房間就續，沖涼後倒頭就睡，為降低血壓，黎明號游泳池水溫宜圏泳，於是每日早餐後小憩一陣，八點高爾夫練球場和游泳池開放，我就揮81桿3號，流一些汗，然後下水圏泳些時，上岸後在旁三溫暖池，泡些分鐘，泳池若無人，我就再游幾圏，如此一段清晨運動，已甚理想，若船靠岸，我就行軍去也，一日內洗澡兩次，途中郵輪就免費洗一包衣服，很是方便。

郵輪上網路不便又昂貴，所以我的生活回復到1975年前在台灣的日子，我也不看電視，無網路也無網誌，就沒有川普之新聞干擾，三餐都在大飯店解決，而且有幾座都是免費，船費中包括，食畢拍屁股走路，非常安逸，當然血壓不高。

琳兒電訊來提醒手機在加勒比海，操作要錢，我找波多黎哥，電話交待愛美，轉告琳兒勿慮，我只電話愛美報平安，也不想家裡碎事，況且我平日無友，慎獨功夫了得，這些高科技，我都不曾學過，而且我做人清楚，若用到需費手機，我會賠她，琳兒幫我手機加入她名下，每月節省$50，非常感激。

平安返家後，我對這血壓第二高有對策，我要開始恢復看書，到圖書館借新書來看，加上我私人藏書，練習語言，簡單問候幾句，像日文，西班牙文，可以再精進，我已經不看電視節目多年，現在連望誌電腦網路都避免，只聽音樂可也，對降血壓有助益。

A brief tour of Tampa City, Florida/Carlos Pueblo

 A brief tour of Tampa City, Florida/Carlos Pueblo

The cruise liner arranged a brief tour of Tampa City, Florida on the way to the airport at the end of our Eastern Caribbean tour. Our guide, Dr. Reyes made two stops on our way, one was the University of Tampa main campus and the other one was an old home site owned by Cuban Government in a Cuban neighborhood at the old Tampa downtown.

He introduced the campus buildings, the old Tampa Hotel owned by Henry B. Plant some 100 years plus ago, and converted to a junior college some 93 years ago and then merged to the current day University with 10,000 plus enrollment offered 200 degree programs. I am most impressed with the campus landscape and four Moorish type buildings now a State Heritage site. I have been passing by on buses several time while I embark at Tampa Bay port for cruises. I always want to know more about those attractive and unique campus by the bay. Later on the second stop, he answered my question about Ted Roosevelt's adventure in Cuba. Tampa Hotel was the site of the invasion plan and those generals were invited by Plant to stay at the Hotel to draw the war plan. After the Spanish-American War, the U.S. took Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippine, and many other Spanish colonies.

There are many Cuban American living in Tampa. Tampa is famous for her cigar factory. Our bus came out of campus and turned to the Bay to view a luxury residential area helped built by Plant. It was one of my dream to visit this site recommended by my old Taiwanese couple who drove by it some 40 plus years ago. The closed one for me was at Orlando on the east site with the Disney World. I never have had another opportunity to drive across the center Florida.

The second stop was a regular home site less than 1/4 acres in the Cuban American Area at Tampa. The old frame house was torn down to set up a memorial site with a statue on it. Across the site is an active cigar factory still. He explained some details history of the city and there were some beautiful chickens walking around the site and I took many shots on them. Chicken are protected in the city as well as the State and are very wonderful.

We went to the west Tampa to tour both the Yankee spring training field and the Tampa Buccaneer stadium. The Buc made to the Super Bowl once while the Yankee won the World Series frequently. 

I am reminded to go back to my books reading habit to enlarge my knowledge such as the Teddy Roosevelt's story in Tampa, etc. I am going back to the library next week.

郵輪車返天帕機場／莊峻華

 郵輪車返天帕機場／莊峻華

前日黎明號結束東加勒比海十一日行，在佛羅里達州母港天帕市靠岸，郵輪贈我一$50禮券，我使用在郵輪車返天帕機場用，此包括兩站和天帕灣豪華住宅區，十分有趣，容我描述如下。

首站是私立天帕大學本校園，在甘迺迪大道上，我搭巴士到碼頭，好幾次路過，這是一非常美麗之校園，已經成為歷史遺產區，原是天帕大飯店，有511房間出租，約91年前，改為私立初級學院，逐為完整大學，有學生萬餘位，93％學生有助學金，這座大學有數棟原大飯店大樓，西班牙摩爾式風格，摩爾人統治過西班牙600年，是回教徒。我們的導遊是位古巴裔美國人，名牌上鑲有哲學博士銜，非常博學知識，他很詳細介紹天帕市歷史，我非常感激。我查一下谷歌，這位天帕大飯店主人名曰，亨利普蘭特。

遊覽車出天帕大學校園，轉入天帕灣畔之豪華住宅區，40餘年前，有對客戶台灣長輩，開車經過，特別介紹，我最近一處到奧蘭多，不敢開過佛州腰帶高速公路，甚是遺憾，時年應是2007，現在已經年邁不能，這豪華區確實有特色，難怪我同街鄰居，隨夫婿工作搬來休市，夫婿因病過世，立即售屋，遷回天帕市。天帕市許多古巴裔美國人，導遊雷亞博士特別介紹古巴區，一塊住宅地，已夷為平地，立一名人塑像，草地上許多漂亮土雞漫遊，原來土雞受到佛州市府保護，在邁阿密市區亦然。雷亞博士詳細介紹這塊古巴政府仍有所有權之地，很是有趣，我終於想到讀過一段歷史，發問天帕市是否為小羅斯福進攻古巴之港？博士連忙補充這一段，小羅斯福這群人，是在當年天帕大飯店策劃進攻，此役美國獲得古巴，多明尼加，波多黎哥，菲律賓，關島等地。

我們也經過西天帕市的兩座職業球場，一座是紐約洋基職棒練習場，一座是天帕市職業足球海盜隊，洋基非常馳名，海盜隊也拿過超級杯一次冠軍。

回家後，我深覺應該恢復看書，有益身心健康。

Our march to the Last Chance Gold Mine, Juneau, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Our march to the Last Chance Gold Mine, Juneau, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

Our march to the Last Chance Gold Mine , Juneau, Alaska  is a routine to the city's visit. We walk to the city center following street signs on the way up to the hill. It is very beautiful especially in the spring, the snow cap on top of mountains and flowers on the grounds so colorful everywhere. We don't have this kind of luxury at home; therefore, we must pay to have Alaska cruise all the time.

I was still unable to find the Russian House owned by Olga. She must be retired. We were invited to the inside of a wooden Russian church, the first one in the territory yet very basic structured. On the next door, a Catholic Church is more up to date and functional. I took many pictures on the way up by the residential neighborhood with many charming spring flowers. It was very straight forward after we entered a speedy mountain highway on a river valley. 

I usually run into locals walking their pets. Most of them allow me to pet their lovely dogs. Some bigger ones have already enjoyed the worm weather and jumping into the creek. They don't mind the melting glacier from top mountains and the quick cascade stream at all.

A group of tourists whom I guessed were from cruise ships on the excursion program. They were doing some gold finding with a pan distributed by their guides. You could see how they checked on each other on their find. We walked on a small suspended bridge across the mountain cascade stream to the Last Chance Gold Mine Museum. I tried to see a lady in charge of the museum whom I met on last trip. We chatted about her visit of Taroco Gorge and went to a local election campaign rally. I like to inform her that girl is now the ambassador of Taiwan to the United States. Unfortunately, the museum was closed on that day.

I guided Amy to march back on the other side of the creek which was constructed in the past  10 years. Some portion of the path are on boards very pretty. At the end we can enter the city center easily. I located the Governor Mansion and took more pictures again. Amy passed on a phone call from my old college friend about the death of our classmate who was 74. Ronald helped me to gather some $1,000 plus deposit money to apply my F-1 visa in 1975. I have appreciated his effort ever since. He had a sudden stroke.

行軍到珠諾最後機會金礦溪／莊峻華

 行軍到珠諾最後機會金礦溪／莊峻華

船抵珠諾市，我們熟練行軍到城中大街，我繼續問人俄羅斯老店不果，今日我決定行軍到珠諾市最後機會金礦博物館，找一位館員太太，向她報告蕭美琴和蔡英文之近況，一年我行軍上山，她邀我在博物館前聊天，談起當年她旅行花蓮太魯閣，值蕭競選花蓮縣長一事，蔡英文來花蓮助選，我想了半小時始想出美琴大名，如今她是台灣駐美大使，傑出業績，真想語她分享。

俄羅斯店仍舊找不到，結果上山崗在俄羅斯正教前拍照，教堂執事邀請入內參觀，這次首次機會，教堂十分克難，俄羅斯人在阿拉斯加歷史並不久，經濟力並不顯著，我在日本旅行各地，有些希臘正教堂規模，比珠諾市這棟，阿拉斯加首座規模大，而且維護更佳。教堂旁就是一座天主教修女教會，已經入世服務居民就業，較具規模而且新穎。

沿著路標指示上山，行軍者畢竟甚少，卻是有巴士攜帶郵輪遊客上山溪掏金，我們繼續慢步上山，一路上遇見當地人攜愛犬上山散步，我喜歡和愛犬打招呼，非常愉快有趣。郵輪節目組安排掏金車輛，就停在溪流旁，這是高山融雪急湍，巨大鵝卵石紛落溪中，節目組分給鐵皮掏金盤，然後大家各顯神通，我們跨過吊橋，不巧金礦博物館關閉，裡面是一些舊日大型掏金機器，很像舊日巨型打鐵店，最後機會金礦，只是珠諾市附近許多金礦之一，珠諾城中可搭巴士到道格拉斯區，也是老金礦，許多居民聚集，我一直未曾遊覽過。

我們沿著珠諾溪的另岸小路回城中，這步徑也是最近十年開闢，可以走進城中，經過州長官邸，官邸美麗大方，我拍上許多相片，愛美告知大學校友電話來，因為是國內電話，所以我可以回話，原來是一耗訊，一位加州同學過世，這位同學曾經在1975年，借錢給我辦理出國手續，我今日能在美國愉快生活，與他幫忙有關。

Attempting to trade stocks on the road/Carlos Pueblo

 Attempting to trade stocks on the road/Carlos Pueblo

It was boring during a repeated cruise route, yet I did think of attempting to trade stocks on the road. It is a part of my get something from nothing philosophy, a Chinese Taoism. I have done it several times and it is very simple, to buy low and sell high. Before I left home, I did check my used i-phone to be able to connect with a free WiFi in case I needed. I checked my investment accounts to see if I could log in and It was alright to use it.

I did see the movement of my oil stock and it was fluctuated up and down for $2 a share. My method is to sell it all if it is up $2 and buy it all back if it is down $2. It was at that range when I arrived at Ketchikan on the second time. There is a free WiFi set up at the port. I tried to log in to my account; however, I was rejected several times and finally the old i-phone was locked up. I called 1-800 number for help to un-lock it. After that, It was still not working and I asked Amy's help to fill in my password and was still not working. Finally, I gave it up.

It was because that I did have a double vision, an IOL dislocation of Intra-Ocular Len on my left eye. The cataract lens moved. I suspected that my fall with a big bump on my head after my coming back from a month cruises created an impact on my left eye and forced the lens movement. The new eye surgeon was not quite sure my theory; however, he did an excellent job to correct it. 

I did complete my sell high and buy low twice after I came back home. The stock which I traded went up exceeding $15 of my last sold price. I felt sorry for myself yet I would never know and never win all the time.

旅行中之變錢／莊峻華

 旅行中之變錢／莊峻華

出外旅行中，我也想變錢，甚麼是變錢？變錢就是道德經內之，無中生有，我們工作就業掙錢，也是靠勞力智力來賺錢，郵輪中之賭場，也是變錢場所，我注意到旅行中，也可以變錢，於是我開始準備我的備用手機，只要碼頭有免費網路，我就可以買賣股票，今年剛好有通貨膨脹，我的石油股，有機會操作變錢，就是買低賣高，賺取毛頭盈利，變錢之道也。

阿拉斯加第二週，郵輪出港，我注意到石油股已經開始小漲，我決定在凱其坎港碼頭，賣掉一千股，我的舊手機在家裡，已經調好帳戶密碼，能進出自如，剛好凱鎮碼頭有免費網路可使用，於是我開始輸入密碼，但是手機一直無法進入，我想是我看不清楚，於是請愛美幫忙，愛美視力較佳，但仍有問題，於是改變密碼，仍舊無效，眼見到手熟鴨，又展翅高飛，心中甚急，於是打電話給股票公司，業務代表也是愛莫能助，於是我就放棄變錢，走出碼頭往凱其坎溪方向，心中惆悵，幾週前我在紐約機場，請在家裡的愛美買下兩千股，愛美稍有意見遲疑，我就威脅她無需到機場接我，因為她答應琳兒，到奧斯汀照顧她家裡之大小四日。

走到繁殖場盡頭，我們就走出小公園，我心惦念那棟老朽放棄木屋，明明知道凱鎮已經要屋主翻修，但我仍舊嘮叨指給愛美老故事，愛美甚是不耐煩，和我吵起來回鎮中之路線，我心中仍是為變錢不順而牽怒。

原來我的左眼白內障鏡片移動，我起先以為因久未網球，退後跌倒四肢朝天，震盪鏡片，左眼已無視力，眼醫推薦給另一專科眼醫，馬上手術更正，就是重新一次白內障手術，更換移動鏡片，難怪我有雙層視力，單目衡量球之遠近，當然手機字幕太小，無法正確輸入。

回家後，我又繼續變錢，人算不如天算，我售罄所有石油股後，石油股繼續盤昇，每股漲$15，我是少賺幾萬元，變錢不力，現在石油股又跌近我售出價錢，我不敢再變錢矣，已免當年之套牢。

Returning to the cruise this Saturday/Carlos Pueblo

 Returning to the cruise this Saturday/Carlos Pueblo

Even though I am behind all my writings about my cruise trips, yet I am still going to the cruise these days. I love to go to the cruise and it has become to my major part of my senior life. Other than playing tennis every day, I manage to get out to the tennis court for several days. I like to meet more interesting people, taking a good service at restaurants, and dressing up with my old uniforms at work.

I have found the cruise is a more relaxing travel among all. I compare with what I pay for any kinds of travel in my life. I think that the cruise trip cost is more reasonable. I would total up what I have paid and compare to what I would paid on individual events such as rooms and board, transportation, and what I receive from my trips. I find that restaurants on the ship are the best among all I have been. I have met many successful persons on board including passengers and mostly serving staff. It is a better life indeed.

The cruise liner which I have taken all the time has advocated dressing casual because that it is on vacation. Finally, I realize that I can dress up to go to a party and a restaurant to show my respect to workers on board. They are all in uniform. I still keep my old uniforms, suits, ties, shoes, and shirts, etc. and would cost me nothing to be dressed up and I feel better because Amy claims that she would donate those when I die.

On the cruise vacation, I can rest my left knee briefly to be recovered from daily tennis. I can stay away from the internet and back to some thinking alone. I can be enjoying the scenery without driving hassle. I don't have to cook the food and wash dishes. I don't have to worry that I would live too long.

又要上船旅行／莊峻華

 又要上船旅行／莊峻華

週六又要上船旅行，這次飛到佛州恬波洛市上黎明號，閒逛東加勒比海11日，都是舊遊之處，冬日加勒比海溫暖，很像夏威夷氣候，搭過黎明號多次，結識許多朋友愛女，而且和一位澳洲女士相約共餐4次，解決郵輪贈我兩次攜伴牛排餐廳之困境，她也是藍寶石級，她邀請我兩次，我邀請她兩次，絲毫不浪費，下個月回寶石號32日，有6次免費餐券，我再煩惱不遲，明年春天旅行日本三週正，已經購妥機票和新幹線，愛美終於同意，一年和我郵輪旅行一次，但有條件和規矩需遵守，我都可以接受。

剛好可以讓左膝蓋休息一下，每日網球折磨，左膝需戴護膝，右膝右臂右腕都戴保護，全付武裝，也無所謂美觀與否？這是老邁，我看我們史丹那隊長，週二，六清晨都來打網球，他已經84歲矣，真是我的好榜樣。

老船上有網球場，有高爾夫擊球處，有步徑，海上日早上有體操，我也攜帶腳底按摩板，應該有充份之設備運動。

Finishing our first back in Seattle, WA 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Finishing our first back in Seattle, WA 2022/Carlos Pueblo

Our cruise trip was designed for a back to back two weeks repeated journey from Seattle back to Seattle and repeated one more time. This way we feel that we save one round trip in the air from Houston to Seattle; therefore, we can average out of the cost for about $100 a day including rooms, board, and transportation which I consider a good deal. I am not tired of repeated cruise trip plus visiting Seattle is very convenient.

When I was a little bit younger, I used to visit Seattle by the land trip, i.e. rent a car to go around even to Vancouver, Canada. Washington State is very beautiful especially in Seattle area. If you drive a car, you can cover some area such as the Rainier National Park, the Olympic National Park, or the Cascades National Park, etc. I wish I could go further east on the River Skagit toward the eastern part of the State.

I am very satisfied now with the cruise. We walked along piers for a short distance. It was late spring weather and people were coming out with their short cloths. We're ready for the next week.

結束2022首次阿拉斯加七日遊／莊峻華

 結束2022首次阿拉斯加七日遊／莊峻華

七日遊機票不夠本錢，因此再購一程，可以使每日耗價降到一百美金內，食宿交通在內，況且阿拉斯加風景美麗，郵輪舒適，剛好有連續特價，我們換領新房間門卡，然後就下船，有將近8小時可以逛西雅圖市，但我們選擇逛幾個碼頭而已，我曾來西雅圖旅行十次以上，8小時可以逛蘭妮爾山國家公園，奧林匹亞國家公園，和小瀑布群國家公園，我甚懷念之鮭魚故鄉史凱濟河。

沒有，我們就在碼頭大道閒逛，週日遊客甚多，難得天氣暖和，人們開始短衣短袖，畢竟夏日不遠，逛上幾座碼頭，已經開始無聊，於是打道回船，郵輪開始迎接新上船旅客，我們重複旅客有捷徑，不用排隊，船上也有幾處餐廳開放，大部份整理中，迎接新乘客，我們新房間也在舊房間隔壁，都在9層。

約是一點正，自助餐廳已經開始營業，當然開放24小時之奧西罕餐廳也開放，郵輪已經開始新一週營業，7層大廳已經有鋼琴師駐奏，新乘客開始點酒，持酒杯到處亂逛，休假是也。

Re-visiting Victoria, Canada 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Re-visiting Victoria, Canada 2022/Carlos Pueblo

The ship was returned to Victoria, Canada at the final port of this route. Victoria is the capital city of the British Columbia where I have been visiting several times. I drove to the city from Vancouver, Canada via a ferry to carry my rental vehicles and I also took a ferry from Port Angeles on the north tip of the Olympic National Park, Washington State. I love to visit this lovely city. We arrived late in the afternoon and waited a little bit to have a tour of the famous Butchart Gardens.

Amy liked to join the Filipinas for the visit even though we did have three visits during day time hours before. The gardens was opened for our three buses loads to have such special visit that night. I didn't see my favorite flowers, roses and dahlias, etc. It was still very attractive that night with different kinds of flowers. Our driver and tour guide introduced us the founder and  his family and was quite interesting.

He also introduced the main campus of the University of Victoria. It reminds me of a distinguished professor friend who was retired at the university. I got to know the late Professor Hsiao Hsin-Yi who was from Taiwan, a graduate of Tung-Hai University in Taichung, and a Ph.D. from Harvard. He taught Lao Tze and Chuang Tze, the ancient Chinese Taoism at this University. We met at the board meetings in D.C. for the Taiwanese Association of Public Affairs in 1990's. He mentioned that he would take two or three days to make a trip from Victoria to the U.S. for meetings and I quite understood. 

We had a brief one hour visit at the garden. Amy figures out the cost of such visit for two is about $150 with my latitude discount and a shore excursion discount of $50. I thought that was very expansive till I Google it now it will charge an adult ticket for $214, the inflation.

郵輪駛入維多莉雅港2022／莊峻華

 郵輪駛入維多莉雅港2022／莊峻華

從阿拉斯加史凱格衛港落日南下，海上一日夜餘，終於抵達加拿大不列顛哥倫比亞省會，維多莉雅市，已經是夜晚，愛美堅持參觀巴卡賀花園，於是我們在船上等候到夜晚八點三刻，從碼頭出發，花園專程舉燈火招待，我真捨不得，但愛美曰她出錢招待，是這樣的，我們參觀過此花園三次，這次是第四次，花園是美，但晚上賞花一小時，一人美金一百元，真是捨不得，卻是有三車大巴士，超過150位賞客。

平日此花園尚在關閉中，武漢肺炎之故，進入加拿大需要特別申請，手機查核疫苗注射，還有船上鼻腔檢測無感染證明，很是麻煩，我的手機是那位菲律賓護士，幫忙申請通過，她們倆唆使愛美來參觀花園。花園還是有些花，但我看不到玫瑰花，也看不到大理花，非常失望，花園執事告知並非花季，若是花季，兩花圃之位置，我曾注意到此花園之兩種花朵，都是特別巨大，鮮艷迷人美麗。有一次加拿大人勸我們莫搭公車到花園，因為班次時間不可靠，惟恐耽誤船期。

其實我們三次參觀此花園，都是租車專程從溫哥華來，兩次帶小孩們，一次是專程補上愛美旅行急診之憾，這次巴士駕駛兼導遊，詳細介紹這座美麗城市，我自己再加兩次，專程從奧林匹亞半島北端，國家公園處，搭渡輪來維港，有一次郵輪行路過，我就帶愛美逛街，逛碼頭夜市，只未帶她參觀省議會耳，其實有一次開租車來是去過省議會和省長辦公室。

巴士經過維多莉雅大學本校，駕駛導遊特別介紹該大學，令我懷念我們同鄉前輩，蕭欣義教授，他是台灣東海出身，哈佛博士，在維大教授老莊哲學，有次我們參加台灣人公共事務會，在華府機場候機，他說為來美國開會，從維多莉雅搭兩日飛機，旅途勞累，我現在是搭郵輪，幾乎常來維多莉雅。

Free drinks at sea days/Carlos Pueblo

 Free drinks at sea days/Carlos Pueblo

Repeat passengers like to have free drinks at sea days. You can see the line up in front of the latitude party every time on the first sea day at noon. People are drinking while at the cruise in order to have a good time, yet you usually must pay to have a package or a good mark up price. I don't drink at home because of my diabetes, the alcohol would void my medicines which is indicated on the label. I once drank beers with pizzas, crabs, and some good meals. I like tp attend the free drinks party each time I board the ship; therefore, I can meet some good people and have a chat of our like of the cruise.

This Alaska ship is a new edition of a large ship with the company; therefore, there is more in budget to treat repeated customers such as the latitude party. The second one on a second sea day is hosted at a Brew House Bar on the Deck 8 very prominent location. It is sponsored directly by the General Manager's office only Platinum members and above are invited. The bar is considerably smaller than the one used for the previous latitude party, yet there is still a live music provided. A group of managers are present and kindly chatting to every guest. I mentioned the general manager of this ship was the one in charge of the mass evacuation of staff to their native nations in Europe, Asia, and the Central and South Americas. He was there at the party and told me that he would be on vacation at the time of my plan to be back for the last Alaska season route and cross the Panama Canal back to Miami, Florida. Actually, I don't have the chance to purchase such deal. there is no discount at all. Instead, I went to New England and Two Canadian Provinces. Plus, next week I am going to Tampa, Florida to join another of my favorite ship to tour the Eastern Caribbean.

I did try two small glasses of draft beer. I asked the newly popular beer called the Craft Beer and the bartender didn't know what I was talking about. The draft beer is infiltrate beer which is very popular and very tasty when consuming with boiling crabs and pizzas. The craft beer is a new revolutionary beer in the young beer drinking world. I once had an opportunity to taste the craft on Denver International Airport while I was in a long waiting period. I paid $10 for a four different craft beers and kept the small glass as my souvenir. I was not that impressed yet I loved to try once more. Of course, the ship doesn't have it. 

安可號海上日2022／莊峻華

 安可號海上日2022／莊峻華

阿拉斯加遊中過五站，凱其坎鎮，珠諾市，冰洲灣，史凱格衛鎮，加拿大維多莉雅港，如此佔去七日中之五日，兩日是海上日，西雅圖啓航一日，凱其坎鎮回程至維多莉雅港一日，安可號屬新型巨輪，操作預算高於一般稍小型舊郵輪，所以海上日招待乘客活動，比較精彩，首日海上日，她分兩次招待一般重遊旅客喝酒，第二次海上日，則招待鉑金級以上乘客，到八層釀酒屋喝啤酒等，這次安可號又加一次喝酒，我喝酒是海量，但因糖尿病顧忌，平常不喝酒，海上日招待，甚難錯過，尤其釀酒屋還請美麗歌手助唱，這節目是船上總經理主辦，他的美麗助理安排一切，船上主管很多位，必需到場協助招待，有時候船長也來捧場，美國人善於生意。

這位總經理，就是承辦武肺船員疏散全球，安可號總經理，他的美麗能幹助理金伯莉，幕後策劃邀請卡，現場招待，她有賭場女經理幫忙，郵輪不僅有酒屋調酒師，也調各酒吧侍者來幫忙，有酒有乳酪有小菜如越南春捲等，我注意到總經理助理，均是全船最美麗者之一，而且和藹可親，身著海軍准尉制服，非常迷人。

助興助唱一對，是年輕一對菲律賓歌手，唱流行歌，我有機會和他們聊天，釀酒屋有各種啤酒，生熟啤酒，倒滿酒杯，擺在酒吧櫃台，也有侍者送來，這酒會有時候可以巧遇談心旅客，有許多社會上有成就之老人。

約是十餘年前，我尚陸地旅行各地，有次在科羅拉多州丹佛機場，巧遇一手藝啤酒節，當地手藝啤酒廠和機場合作，由我們達拉斯西南航空協辦，參加者交十美金，可喝四小杯手藝啤酒，喝畢可留小杯紀念品，我喝不出所以然，請教我們家琳兒，她解釋此新時尚，手藝啤酒與傳統釀製法有異，比較省時，為年輕人喜愛，我問酒屋調酒師，他們尚未有所聽聞。