I'm BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey my beloved internet surfers,

   Yes ladies and gentlemen, I have finally returned from my trip to Alaska. I had a great time on my very first cruise ship and I have to say staying on the Holland America is somewhere close to being a pampered rich eprson because no matter what I wore, what I ate, what I did, or what I looked like to them: the workers on the ship called me "madam" or "miss" and made sure I was happy, safe, and that I had fun! It was truly a major highlight of my summer. I met some really cool people from people all over the country and even some from outside the country! So here are some of the highlights from my trip starting in Seattle where I boarded the ship called "Oosterdam".

Seattle
In Seattle the streets of the city are a complete 180 degree turn from Chicago. It's quiet and cleaner compared to our Chi-town downtown.
Juneau
After 3 DAYS at sea we arrived at our first port in Juneau and there I took a tram up a mountain, saw a bunch of our nation's 'noble birds', took a tour to Mendenhal Glacier, I visitied a salmon hatchery, and fell in love with sunglasses at Del Sol (a store on the dock).

Sitka
The very next day we arrived in Sitka and we docked in the middle of the ocean and took small life boats to shore where we were greeted by the natural waether in Sitka... rain. So we didn't really stay ashore very long but we still did our job as tourists and spent some money in local shops. :P

Ketchikan
Here we took a tour of a nearby Native American tribe that has a very unique carving talent. We visited a totem pole artist and took kind of a gallery walk type thing and looked through some of his work.

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
I actually didn't get off at this port becuse when we finally arrived in Victoria it was late at night and this little traveler was dead on her feet to even think about getting off the boat to go through the customs line to get into the little Canadian city. But I have to say, from the port Victoria was definately beautiful and I will most definately make a return visiti there someday.

And aside from just the ports the boat itself was like being in a Hilton or Peabody type hotel in the water! Onboard there was a:
Spa 
Hair salon
Library
Computer lab
Movie Screening Room
Night Club
Theatre (live entertainment every night)
All you can eat buffet
2 Formal dining rooms
Kid and Teen Activity and Lounge areas
Sports Deck
Gift Shop
Art and Photo Gallery
Piano Bar
Casino
and more....but this is all I discovered onboard in a week.

I'm so sorry I couldn't post some of my pics so you guys could get the entire experience but blogger is being incooperative to my wants, but I hope this short little review of my trip was enough to encourage you to go to Alaska or just cruise with Holland America.

Love your bookishly nerdy blogger,
                                              Nia