Farewell to the ms Volendam

Wow, what an incredible three days. As I write this it is 6:30am, Saturday 3rd June and we have just docked in Skagway, Alaska.
Time to reflect and record some of the fabulous memories of this time.
Thursday was a day at sea, time to really acquaint ourselves with all that the Volendam has to offer. The day started with a buffet breakfast, then a stroll around the ship endeavouring to get to know our way around. Although the ship is only 746 feet long it is quite amazing how you can easilly get lost finding your way around. During the
day we attended a few talks, jogged a km or so on the treadmills in the gym (which has one of the best forward views), did a tour of the kitchens, took heaps of photos, saw the latest "Pink Panther" movie, ckecked out the library and ATE.......
The weather has taken a downturn, it was raining for the 4 hours we spent in Skagway, a charming small "western" town with boardwalks for footpaths. The shopping is frantic for most people as there are dozens of shops selling everything from top shelf diamonds etc to cheap T-shirts. With careful selection, there are some good bargains though.
At 12:30 we boarded the White Pass Railroad which took us from Skagway up through the snow covered pass used by the gold-seekers during the 1898 "Klondike Stampede". We are in a luxurious vintage train carriage, they were on foot battling the elements and having to move 12 months supply of provisions and clothes etc.
Transferred to our coach at Fraser - the border control point between USA and Canada. We are now in the Yukon Territory, where the history of the Gold Rush days is the big tourist attraction. Checked into our hotel in Whitehorse around 6pm, then after dinner saw a vaudiville show - The Frantic Follies, terrific. The show finished at 11pm and it is still broad daylight. Sunrise tomorrow is around 3:30am - about 20 hours of daylight each day.

Kevin & Gail

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