A
journey through South-East Asia - visiting the temples of Thailand,
floating down the Mekong in a slow boat, seeing the sunset in Laos,
waiting for the quiet of night in Hanoi, drifting through Halong Bay,
trekking the mountains of SaPa, travelogue, trip, travel, journey,
road, Asia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Indochina, Mekong, Halong Bay,
Hanoi, Vang Vien, Chang Mai, Bangkok, slow boat, Luang Prabang, Pak
Ou
Baked Alaska Part 1: This Katharine-Hepburn-fantasy
I've always
wanted to take the ferry through the Inside Passage and
camp out on deck under the heater lamps, but somehow I found
myself on the Dawn Princess instead.
I know cruises
aren't traveling. You barely leave the ship, and when you
do, you're surrounded by tourists. But I had this Katharine-Hepburn-on-a-sea-crossing
fantasy, sipping gin and tonics in a steamer chair on deck.
So I bought a wide-brimmed hat with flaps that tied under
my chin and flew to Anchorage.
Besides, all
this luxury came cheap. My online travel agent, "Corky"
Champagne, found a week-long cruise for $699, including
3 banquets a day and free 24-hour room service.
Once aboard the 13-story ship,
my basket overflowed with succulent peaches and pineapples.
I could charge everything to my Cruise Card: shore excursions,
casino chips, spa treatments. Each
night, the Princess Patter newsletter magically appeared on
my door, announcing tomorrow's cocktails and sunset time.
