Day three.. and the rest
Day 3 - Stavanger
Not too much to say for here. It was about as warm as I was expecting but there was more sun than I thought there would be. We stepped off right into a sleepy little town that only seemed to start waking up around 11. The fashion here was.. “interesting” and everywhere had a sale on. Compare their little town on a Saturday to Liverpool's equivalent (ignoring the fact it's a city) and it was like a ghost town! There was an interesting little fish café that was more like a fishmongers. There was one little fish (okay so it was like a foot long) swimming around in one of the tanks and I swear to god it was giving me puppy eyes!! I wanted to put it in a bag of water and carry it home with me - but they wouldnt let me *sad face* We went back on board for grub at dinner then ventured back out in a different direction. The houses are so quaint! We saw a Norwegian wedding just coming to a close but it had started chucking it down with rain so we headed back for the ship and yep... another power nap of around 3 hours was needed before getting ready for the evening meal. Semi-formal night, and the show was put on by the headliners crew again - F-ABBA-LOUS... yeah baby! They were fantastic.. but it pissed me off when the guys changed Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie to 'a girl after midnight' grr, don't mess with the classics!!!
Spent most of the night in the Horizon bar working through the days specialities before heading out for a stroll around the deck. Tried to get online and managed about 3 minutes - stupid bloody thing!! Karen & Kes if I find out you've had anything to do with this!!
Day 4 - Molde
I'm really excited today.. I think I caught a glimpse of Stephan from a previous cruise!!! I shall be keeping an eye out and hoping it is him.. I can see I shall be spending more time at the spa..
okay so Molde... best port so far, lol. The sun was shining, it's was so lovely out. I went out in my usual long sleeve/T combo and ended up having to strip off the long sleeves under the Tshirt which got me a few curious glances.. all those years of PE and I said I'd never learn anything... looks like getting changed under a shirt has come in handy. The fashion here was considerably more desirable.. but it's Sunday and ALL the shops are bloody shut!!! Typical. And those of you that know me, know I'm not much of a clothes shopper.. I coulda quite happily spent a couple of hours there in and out the shops. Spent a few hours wandering around and getting lost trying to find an open air museum.. we had to walk through a graveyard to get to it and I've discovered I have a morbid fascination with headstones.. there were some gorgeous designs in there! Got to the museum but it was just a bunch of traditional Norwegian huts and they wanted quite a bit to go in so we bypassed then realised we were in the middle of it anyway so carried on going to find a view point that was supposedly just around the corner. We found it and had a fabulous view of the surrounding mountains across the water. The scenery really is out of this world. We headed back to the boat - again for some grub (seriously I just eat on these things!!) and to freshen up as we were booked on a tour in the afternoon. It was a coach trip over the Atlantic Highway - a road jumping from island to island with 7 bridges. The scenery on the way to the road was breath taking. The actual road - and the tallest bridge was awesome. We had a stop for photos and we head up over a little path, then found it got really muddy so I made my own way over a higher path and a few people followed me, when I was about halfway up an older guy was trying to get back through the mud, somehow his foot went down a hole and he was covered in mud up to his knees and his hands were covered, I was cringing over his very expensive looking camera with telescopic lens.. I think it was ok (he was too, just very red lol) took some pics then went for a wander down to the cliffs.. nearly fell in a rock pool... then another one.. missed the third and nearly went in the 4th lmao! If I'd gone any further forward I probably would have ended up in the Atlantic so 'cause time was getting on I headed back over the way I'd come.. only to find that everyone was waiting around for me to get back over the higher path so they could follow where I was walking - talk about guinea pig! But we all got back safe n sound. Back in the coach, more scenery and they took us up to a German WW2 bunker site (after a slight misshap with the coach having to reverse up the short hill, braking harshly cause he was about to hit a car and then stalling the coach so we started rolling down the hill again.. fun timez but we got up in one piece and I hate war stuff like that so wasnt paying much attention, wandered off to look at the big gun and then realised I'd lost everyone.. I went down into the bunker to see if I could catch up with them - there was about 7 rooms down there - a lot roomier than I was expecting - and I managed to get lost then freaked out cause I couldnt get out again and ended up walking around the long way to get out when if I'd just turned left instead of right I woulda been out. Then when I got to the entrance I saw everyone ahead of me coming out of a side tunnel *insert eyeroll* back on the coach to head back, passed a few Viking graves and some other interesting things along the way but really that scenery has to be seen to be believed. It's so inspiring I had an entire plot bunny worked out and fleshed out for a short.. no it wont be getting written. Might have some time to get working on the islands fic on a sail day.. possibly.
I LOVE Dominick the waiter!! He is so cute and funny and cheeky and keeps trying to fatten me up with extras when I say no but he is just adorable!! the entertainment tonight was a comedian from back in the day - he was on opportunity knocks - he's pretty good for his age but his jokes were as old as him and you could see them coming a mile off. He had a voice for radio and played a couple of songs - instrumental only, he was on electric guitar with the house (ship?) band playing backing. All was good 'til the last song he played had me in fits thinkin of a scene from the Fresh Prince... that got me a couple of glares...
Since I didnt get my power nap today I've been boring and come back to the cabin so I'm typing up these last two days listening to music and I'm not sure if I wanna head down and fight with the internet connection now, or go for a stroll out on deck (its still pretty light out - its 10.45 atm) and there's a strange warmth about the place, or shall I just stay here and curl up with a book. I've finally got the time to just stop and read a book so at long last I've gotten around to reading Bone Key.. I'm hoping it will help pass the hiatus but reading about the characters it just makes me want to see them back on the screens now!! oo there's another idea.. I could just watch some eps or a couple of their films. Oo decisions decisions!! I think i'll go fight and try and get this posted.
Hope you're all keeping well!! Miss you all - especially work. Sorry, but it's true! (keep Nick away from my Plotter!! - I totally shoulda dismantled it a little and taken something crucial for its function so it couldnt be used!)
huh.. I think I'm hungry again.. might go see what's for desert up on the top deck - oo and I can grab a hot chocolate with Kaluah, take a book and tuck in up on deck with one of the blankets. Now that sounds like a plan. And I'm still babbling aren't I?? - see this is what happens when I dont get to chat to you guys and space it out through the days!! I get verbal diarrhoea - add in the fact that I've not been typing a fraction of the amount I usually do in a day and I'm still here typing..
really gonna try and post this now - cross your fingers for me!!
EDIT: well ya didnt cross your fingers very well.. first I got distracted by the sky outside (long story not relevant suffice to say “oo shiny”) Then when I got to the computers the internet didnt want to play on my laptop which is where I've got this typed out. So I played around on Facebook on the ships computers instead lol.
Day 5 - Trondheim
Walking around the town there didn't seem to be a lot to do. And it was chucking it down. A lot. Luckily I had an umbrella with me but no waterproofs. Despite the rain it was actually a nice temperature walking around so it wasn't too bad. We headed to a fish market first.. we were happily making our own way in when an elderly couple (well, the vast majority of the other people on the boat are elderly, this couple was at the younger age of elderly) stopped us from going across one bridge saying we needed to go across the flower bridge to the side heading in a different direction. So we followed the masses from the ship (about 20 others) and ended up in a really nice marina with dock side bars, real trendy places - bit like the Albert Dock only much nicer *sorry Liverpool* carried on walking and following the map we redirected ourselves from crossing the different bridge when the elderly couple decided they wanted to follow us cause we seemed to know where we were going. We went round in a big U and ended up at the end of the bridge we were originally going to cross. Back on track we carried on, the elderly couple decided we were going the wrong way so went off in their own direction. We found the fish market and there was a lovely Norwegian guy by a big metal tub with his two kids.. when I went closer to see what he was doing to have the kids laughing and clapping so much I saw there were actually 4 big fish swimming around and he was feeding them the heads and legs of some prawns he'd just bought from the market (also when I say market it was very civilised, not the cart stall style markets with everyone shouting, this was more like the fish counter in a supermarket only a lot bigger and with more to offer) The big fish swimming around were eating right out of the guys hand.. nearly eating the guy's hand in the process. He was made up to practice his English with an actual English person and he was pretty good too, we had a good chat about random things while he kept feeding the fish with black holes for mouths :|
moving on we headed to the big cathedral there. The stone work on the building was incredible, you could spend all day looking at the detail and still not be half way around the building. After a coffee break we split up, I didnt want to go inside (whole issue with religion - do not get me started) and instead went through to a little courtyard where there was an armoury and war museum.. there were little market stalls set up which I walked through to get to the museum but didnt take much notice. The museum was 3 floors high (and a half for a commemorative hall on the other side of the staircase) the first floor I found completely fascinating, it was all about the Vikings and was awesome. There was a sword there as long as I am tall.. I would not have liked to have felt the weight of that thing! I dread to think what it would have taken for a man to be able to lift one. They had some of their earlier weaponry and went through the times to the more modern of their arms... there was a 2 meter long riffle style gun!! I didnt realise the later generations of Vikings had pistols and things. The other two floors were more modern war history which is when I start to go to sleep in the history classes, I'm only interested in the ancient stuff lol. But I went round for a nosey then headed back down to the market stalls. First one I came to was full of bows and arrows. They were actually pretty gorgeous bound in leather and suede, proper craftsmanship. Moving on there were a few stalls all dedicated to the way they used to live, bakery stalls selling cinnamon danish pastries - so good I had two! Nothing like the Danish pastries you get over here at all!! There was a toffee apple stall, one tent was making flat bread and a type of pancake in a generations old tradition. There were glass stalls and soap crafts and a metals stall with jewellery in silver, brass, copper, pewter and a couple others. They had a fire making kit - not quite sure what was in it but I had great fun and managed to get one started and I saw some gorgeous leather bracelets with a celtic knot pattern running down the centre in silver. Further around the other side of the courtyard they were setting up for a music gig of some sort in a tent... WORK (and I had my Star fleece on hehe) so I went over to try and talk to some of the guys setting up.. funny enough they were Norwegian! And I ended up speaking to a French guy instead about the arena and I still dont know what on earth they were setting up for! Next to the tent there were some traditional crafts - stone masonry, a blacksmith, a couple of girls making braids (bracelet kind not hair) and some musicians and dancers. I had a go at being a blacksmith (wasnt very good) and at a couple of the stone work techniques (I think I was even worse at this!) We met up again and started making our way back through the town to the ship after spending a few hours at the cathedral. Nothing much happened to report on the ship. Dominick is definitely becoming a highlight of my day though. *draws hearts around him*
Day 6 - @ Sea
Woo hooooooooooo it was Stephan I saw the other day!! I was booked in for my manicure and pedicure at 9am (the guys that work with me know how bad my time keeping is especially in the morning... this I had no problems with :p) and there in the reception was my guy! I wasnt sure he'd remember me but he near broke my ribs when he saw me, he's such a darl! So I'm booked in for a couple of massages with those hands of his - minds out the gutters people, its his job... :p
back in the cabin we had breakfast served to us so nice lazy morning.. at 12 I met with my personal trainer... Alex... wow. Gorgeous guy but a freakin slave driver! I could barely look him in the eye (“like staring into the sun” comes to mind..) Not much to say there.. he doesnt have the personality. Had a really lazy afternoon - fell asleep sunbathing on the back of our deck then it was time to get ready for tea.. and by that I mean a certain waiter. Meal times are the highlight of this trip!! *sighs dramatically*
Day 7 - Honningsvag
Early start today we had a trip to the most northern fishing village IN THE WORLD. We passed the most northern petrol station IN THE WORLD and the most northern church IN THE WORLD - yeah that got old real quick. The tour guide was lovely but she really did love that phrase. The first stop we made there's not much to write about (Okay so I've been a little busy and I'm typing this a few days later, I cant quite remember what went on at the first stop so it cant have been much!) the second stop there was a German lady had set up an art gallery.. the most northern IN THE WORLD... and her pictures where quite intriguing until she turned one over that she was working on at the time. They were collages, literally scraps of magazines stuck into place with pritt stick.. lovely effect but not worth the money. We saw loads of wild reindeer that belong to 5 Sami families and they travel with the animals all year long. There was more flirting from Dominick, he seems to have taken over the running of our table from the other waiter (Perpetuo or Pepe lol) and has a sly way of getting to me to push my chair in first and give me my napkin - although his hands do seem to slip with a wink. He's still giving me extra portions even when I only want a little bit - but only with the deserts lol. He managed to slip me a note (under my desert plate!) asking me to meet him after his shift. It was the night we sailed past the north cape at midnight. We were up in the Horizon lounge (equiv of the Crow's Nest bar) watching the sun lower in the sky and the moon come up level and then headed out for the deck party. The entertainment staff and the higher up staff all came out to join us, Stephan was out and was keeping me warm along with the numerous cocktails I was being supplied with and the hat & coat I was wearing. I was texting a few of you - sorry if I didnt manage to get a message to you its bloody expensive on here. Then I caught sight of Dominick walking away holding a tray. I went to catch up with him and he thought I had something going with Stephan - which I do but not like that, didnt work out the first time lol. Long story short there was a big misunderstanding all resolved when I managed to get him alone in a quiet corner.. lets just say I wont be forgetting the north cape sail by easily. Between Stephan, Dominick, some camouflage and a lot of luck I was smuggled into the crews quarters where they were having a party of their own... There was more drinking (remind me never to take on sailors ever again) a lot of dancing, some limboing and more drinking and more dancing with Dominick before crashing out with him then stumbling back to my cabin for 8 cause I had to be out for 9 the next day in port.
Day 8 - Hammerfest
Well luckily the plans changed and we only headed out at around 10.30... not quite enough time for me to recover so after seeing one monument, realising there was nothing else worth seeing without going on a tour I made my excuses and went back to bed! I'm getting old!! when I emerged in the afternoon I managed to catch up with Stephan and was filling him in on the goss.. I'd lost track of him a couple of hours in the night before. He had a quiet afternoon so told me to head back in an hours time and he'd squeeze me in. My god that boy has magic hands!! I felt 1000 times better after an hour with him. At the dinner table Dominick was being a lot more hands on but I dont think the rest of the table noticed. He wanted me to meet him again after his shift but I had another early start in port the next day that I really did not want to miss cause...
Day 9 - Tromso
...is HUSKY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was booked on a tour that went to the Polaria center - it was a lot more interesting than I thought. They showed us a special 7 screen panoramic film of the flight of a little bird from somewhere in Norway to some place in the Arctic (what?! It was the first stop of the day and I was still shattered! I looked at the pretty pictures and oo's and ah'd in all the right places) then there was a walk through supposed to be set out like being in the Arctic.. parts of the floor were set up like walking on sponge.. something to do with the ice melting but not completely melting so you got a spongey bouncy effect. There was a stepping stone pathway of blocks of ice floating in the water - that was interesting. And then there was a tunnel walk through with seals swimming over the top - 4 of them in total. Walking around there were more tanks with fish and then you got to the seal tank - they were lovely but I felt so sorry for them just swimming around in their fake Arctic looking environment the same path every time. Such a dull life. Walking further around there was another window lower down looking into the seal tank and there was one that seemed to look straight at me stood watching, the other seals would swim past a little higher or a little further away but the bigger of the 4 swam low and close and I could see the whites of it's eyes move as he kept his eye on me. It was strangely surreal and I didnt want to leave but time was running out. The next stop was the Huskies. OMG words cannot describe how cute they all were and so incredibly friendly! We were met by one of the workers who took us over 2 6 dogs tied to a wooden pole and a sled behind that simulating the way they would run. It was described how Pepsi and Sprite the two front dogs where the most intelligent because they were the pace setters and the direction givers - it was also said that the 2 front dogs were always female! Ha! The middle two were often the youngest of the group to keep up enthusiasm, to chase on the front two if they started to get tired and to keep the rear dogs in pace. After the middle two it was explained that there could be up to 10 dogs between the 2nd set and the final two dogs, these are known as the engine and are the dogs that just like to run and run and run. They did start saying something about the sled but I ended up attached to Pepsi. Beyond the entrance way there were 125 wooden structures providing shelter for a pair of dogs... yes, 250 dogs. All adorable! We were told to make our way through them and that the puppies were at the far end. As much as I wanted to go see the puppies the big dogs were too adorable!!! They were more friendly than words could describe!! the older dogs seemed to be on the outter edges though so I made my way over there. There were two old looking dogs lying down at the back and when I got a bit closer their tails wagged but that was it so I went right up to them and when they realised it was them I was heading to and not the two white ones in front that were trying to tie me up in their chains (even though I did stop to give them a bit of a fuss) the two older ones got up and were all over me and so damn adorable!! I had both of them leaning against either of my legs as I was rubbing their sides and they were getting heavier and heavier as they were leaning more and more lol. After stopping by a lot more of the dogs and giving them a fuss I headed over to the puppies and got my hands on one that was too cute for words but a proper wriggle!! I have pics but they're all a bit pants cause either my face is screwed up trying not to drop the pup or I look ok but the pup is doing an impression of the exorcist and bending over backwards lmao! I wanted to get my hands on one of the younger ones but we were being herded around the side to go see a Sami. He was 27 and it was his birthday. He had one of the traditional boats with him that was over 100 years old and showed some of the things they carry with them and the differences in the reindeer antlers. There was also a wigwam tent set up full of furs showing how they live.. yes present tense. There are several Sami families that still live true to tradition travelling with their reindeer. Moving on we were moved into a big wigwam tent set out with a projector in the middle of a circle of tables and benches, we were handed a cup of what they called lemonade but it was some sort of berry juice drink, bit of an acquired taste but it was surprisingly refreshing. We watched a short film about one of the big races across the Arctic that the dogs we'd met take part in before heading back to the ship again.
I caught up with Stephan again back on the boat and he was filling me in on some of the gossip while giving me a foot & hand massage. He knew I just wanted to hear about Dominick so of course left that info 'til last. He seems to have become the middleman passing messages between me and Dominick. He wanted to meet me after his shift again and since there wasnt much going on the next port day I did...
Day 10 - Lofoten Islands
Right I'm all caught up again now cause this is today - well it's past midnight for me on the time difference but ya'll know how I work my days. So after not much sleep - we were talking people!! minds out of the goddamn gutters... ok so mostly we were talking.. most of ya'll know me too well anyways. Suffice to say Jay is back on form. I didnt realise how much I'd been missing that part of my life.. Well I did but that's a whole other LJ entry. Anyway's the Islands didnt have a big enough port for our ship to moor up to so it dropped anchor in the middle of a bay and we had to travel in by one of the lifeboats acting as a tender... I hope to hell more than anything that nothing goes wrong with this ship cause I will lose my mind if I have to get in one of those. I ended up stuck on the boat cause the bloody elderly fools wouldnt wait their turn.. me + claustrophobic environment + being kept in place by a member of authority = a very not good thing. Soon as the guy blocking my doorway moved an inch I was through the gap and across the distance between the boat and the decking in a second shaking like a leaf... so apparently I dont like little boats.. huh.. the fjord cruise on the last stop should be interesting then..
Back to the island there wasnt much to see or do at all. We'd tried to get onto one of the tours when we realised but everything was sold out. There's a bar made entirely of ice.. the room, the seats, the tables.. the glasses!! I REALLY wanted to go see it but there was no way of getting to it so today was a bit of a wasted day. Luckily we got back to the boat by tender a lot easier cause they let me sit up in the main cabin space and was the first one off. Headed up for dinner and then had an hours kip before needing to get ready for tea. Semi formal tonight and I'm in the red dress with the black print - some of you know which one I'm on about - I walked into the restaurant first and Marvin (the head head waiter) gave me a wink then walking up towards my table Samir (one of the other waiters I've gotten to know from my trips down to the crew quarters) was saying hello automatically, looked up half way through and totally changed the tone of the word when he saw me... now that I'm not used to at all and my god it was awesome lmao! Dominick dropped the cutlery he was polishing when I walked by which I also take as a good sign and was at my chair in a second. I couldnt meet up with him tonight though cause he's covering one of the later shifts in the other restaurant which is why I have time to catch up with this now lol. I'm hoping to get this posted tomorrow but the internet connection has been a total nightmare so I'm not holding my breath for it. We're at sea tomorrow and when I tried to get online tonight I was met at the door by a sign telling me there is no connection due to the location of the ship so I cant see that changing by tomorrow either *sulks* - even my phone has stopped receiving signal again so no txts, no contact, no nada. *goes crazy* and I have to wait 'til tea before I can see Dominick again *sulks even more*
so night all, I'm turning in early for once!
Day 11 - @ sea
So it turned out I didnt have to wait til tea time to see him again. I couldnt be bothered with the main restaurant downstairs for dinner so went up to “the conservatory” which is a lot more laid back, buffet style place. I managed to grab a window seat, turned up my ipod and was tucking into my chips and salad - no seriously, im addicted to the caeser salad they have here - when someone comes up behind me and starts giving my shoulders and neck a massage.. yup. Domnick. He couldnt sit with me - wouldnt be seen to be proper *rolls eyes and glares at his snotty nose boss* so we settled for him standing with me when he wasnt busy and then eventually his boss left for the other side so he could sit with me. I have to say I LOVED the scandalised faces of the old women who saw us together. I felt like sitting in his lap and sucking out his breath just to give them a heart attack, narrow minded bloody fools *kills them all in their sleep* *coughs*... so, where was I? Lol, yeah so I ended up spending the afternoon with him there until he had to go start his prep for the main restaurant for the evening meal. Before he left he told me where to meet him at the end of his shift later that night, he has a cheeky smile but when he told me he looked downright mischievous. Nothing much to report for the rest of the day, and even through the meal Domnick was a bit quieter than usual but it was a busy night. I went to the show and the piano recital afterwards - I'm cultured me! - had a drink up in the Horizon lounge with Sue, Colin & my 'rents and laughed at the quiz people up there before heading down to meet Domnick and doing the usual sneak through.. nearly got caught this time.. didnt help when he made me laugh walking past the crew's gym! He took me out to the front of the boat - no titanic jokes please, it wasnt that cheesy and I didnt stand up at the front and scream into the wind... well ok I did stand up at the front and lean right over squeeling but it was so cool!!!! We went around to our usual spot at the back of the boat and things were quiet, we saw some seals (mighta been sealions...) swimming just away from the boat, the nights are getting longer now after the midnight sun's daylight but there was enough moonlight to see them, there was a group of 6 and then a bit later there was a group of 3 and then 4. Domnick's usually always joking around or singing or we just chat.. there's always noise if ya get what I mean but it was quiet and it was nice and I've just deleted a chunk cause OMG he's turned me into a sap!!! /end cheese.. well nearly... he gave me a bracelet.. the kind I'd seen in Trondheim - leather with a Celtic knot pattern running through the centre only this one is thinner and has a silver plat running down the centre, I'm not just saying this but it's the nicest one I've seen and it's just.. >me< it's starting to really hit home how much I dont want to leave him now.
Day 12 - Bergen
After last night I was surprised how awake I was when I was up early for the port. I'm glad I was though, we walked off the boat right into history. The wooden houses along the front are incredible the way they've warped and twisted over time. Bergen is such a lovely place! We walked over to the fish market (are you seeing a pattern here?) and the guys there were surprisingly hot... I dont know about my Twinny with her pig farmers but I could sure settle for a Nordic fisherman.. but of course the whole time I was kinda thinking about Domnick.. sorry! Less cheese I promise... the fish for sale were incredible so fresh and they were each giving out little tasters of the stock.. .WOW ya dont get prawns like them in the local Tesco that's for sure! I also tried whale... I ate Moby Dick... and it was goooood lol, tasted surprisingly like beef. It was a piece smoked that I tried but you can grill a fresh piece and eat it just like any other piece of fish. Wandering through we stumbled across the vernacular tram thing to take us up to a view point. Awesome!! lovely views and a little wooded area with a kids adventure playground at the top with carved statues of trolls.. one of them looked like a characterisation of John Lennon. And best of all... I was in the souvenir shop at the top and guess who came on the radio with the new song I've not had a chance to hear..? MUSE! So there was me jumping up and down in this over packed shop cramped with stands of gifts jumping up and down going “muse! Muse! MUSE It's MUSE” while getting sworn at in numerous languages for blocking up one of the aisles lmao. Heading down on the vernacular was a lot more fun, I got to the front bench as it went whizzing down the track. On the way back I got the biggest ice cream on a cone I've ever had - ever seen for that matter! It kept dripping everywhere so I had to eat most of it too quick to savour and gave myself brain freeze.. but its was also gooood. Back on the boat and usual plans for the night although I did end up having a game of pool with Domnick and a few of the other waiters.. interesting on a moving ship. Nick seemed a bit upset that I already knew how to play hehe. Didnt stay out as late either. I'm shattered.
Day 13 - Eidfjord
Small. Very small. Nestled between mountains there's a sleepy little town of 1200 inhabitants (there's 1400 passengers on board the ship and then staff on top of that!) the only thing to see there was pretty much a church (which was locked). Some lovely views though. For the afternoon we had an early sail but we had a fjord cruise on a smaller ship to see a bit more of the surrounds. I cant say enough how stunning the views are here. The pictures do not do it justice. I got very excited to see a huge waterfall only to have another one twice as big pointed out to me a little bit further down the way. Back on board the ship we had the chocolate buffet - the highlight of every cruise. When Domnick told me the times the day before I thought I was going to miss it cause it started at 3.30 - not realising we had such an early sail away time. The fjord cruise finished at 3.15 and was docked a few paces away from our boat. There were 2 queues.. a longer one which me and Sue joined and my mum went for the shorter one... seeing Domnick was on the other side of the shorter queue we went over to join my mum.. Nick was handing out leaflets.. then I realised it was for the galley tour and we had to walk past all the chocolate and do the walk through before we could get to the chocolate. But I got to see Domnick and his smile so it was all good. I totally stuffed myself when I got the choc though.. there was a 7 tier chocolate fountain.. we were only served a pool of it on our plates though. I got some things to dip into that then had a doughnut and a chocolate moose in a wine glass, a chocolate muffin, some random little chocolate deserts, some chocolate fudge and finished it all off with some chocolate wine... by the time tea came around I was feeling very stuffed and very ill.. then after Nick watched me struggle to finish my desert he came out with a plate of chocolate truffles he'd saved for me from the banquet... they're still in my bag now! (writing this the day after lol)
Another formal night, another dress lol. Domnick pulled me to the side as I was leaving to ask how many I've brought with me.. only 6!! I said I'd be changing out of it for meeting up with him later and he wanted me to wear my red one instead cause it was better for dancing in. I told him there would be no dancing.. there was dancing. It felt a bit like the last night we'd be able to spend together even though there's still another night. He had a half day off the following morning so I've been with him pretty much the whole time. The rent's think I'm bunking in with Robyn cause she has a bigger cabin.. I think I've only seen her and James about 4 times the entire cruise.. I feel kinda bad about that but they're cool about it. Stephan a little less so... so I dragged him up for a dance (and I will deny that if you remind me of it in future) it was weird seeing Nick watching me the way he was.. I never really had that kind of open honesty with H. I feel more alive than I have in nearly 2 years and as happy as I am in work I have been using it as a substitute. I just wish it wasnt Domnick who had made me realise that cause I really dont want to let go of him. Then again maybe it is only working out so well because I know it does have to end.
Day 14 - @ Sea
Well, as I said in yesterday's write up I spent the morning with Domnick too. Was a little awkward when his cabinmate came back not realising I hadn't left yet hehe. Nick brought me breakfast in bed only toast and some juice but it was perfect and lazy. Getting back up to the passenger decks was a little more tricky since it was daylight and most people were floating around. He did joke about putting me in the laundry hamper... at least I think it was a joke. All worked out well with the help of a couple of the others though and now I'm back up in my cabin which brings me pretty much up to date. I have some time remaining on the internet so I'm gonna see if it's available and try and get this uploaded at last. Or I could just wait til I'm home tomorrow and have a decent connection lol. It might actually come to that!
See you all soon I guess. Any one know the laws on marrying for green cards? Domnick could totally fit in my suitcase.
Not too much to say for here. It was about as warm as I was expecting but there was more sun than I thought there would be. We stepped off right into a sleepy little town that only seemed to start waking up around 11. The fashion here was.. “interesting” and everywhere had a sale on. Compare their little town on a Saturday to Liverpool's equivalent (ignoring the fact it's a city) and it was like a ghost town! There was an interesting little fish café that was more like a fishmongers. There was one little fish (okay so it was like a foot long) swimming around in one of the tanks and I swear to god it was giving me puppy eyes!! I wanted to put it in a bag of water and carry it home with me - but they wouldnt let me *sad face* We went back on board for grub at dinner then ventured back out in a different direction. The houses are so quaint! We saw a Norwegian wedding just coming to a close but it had started chucking it down with rain so we headed back for the ship and yep... another power nap of around 3 hours was needed before getting ready for the evening meal. Semi-formal night, and the show was put on by the headliners crew again - F-ABBA-LOUS... yeah baby! They were fantastic.. but it pissed me off when the guys changed Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie to 'a girl after midnight' grr, don't mess with the classics!!!
Spent most of the night in the Horizon bar working through the days specialities before heading out for a stroll around the deck. Tried to get online and managed about 3 minutes - stupid bloody thing!! Karen & Kes if I find out you've had anything to do with this!!
Day 4 - Molde
I'm really excited today.. I think I caught a glimpse of Stephan from a previous cruise!!! I shall be keeping an eye out and hoping it is him.. I can see I shall be spending more time at the spa..
okay so Molde... best port so far, lol. The sun was shining, it's was so lovely out. I went out in my usual long sleeve/T combo and ended up having to strip off the long sleeves under the Tshirt which got me a few curious glances.. all those years of PE and I said I'd never learn anything... looks like getting changed under a shirt has come in handy. The fashion here was considerably more desirable.. but it's Sunday and ALL the shops are bloody shut!!! Typical. And those of you that know me, know I'm not much of a clothes shopper.. I coulda quite happily spent a couple of hours there in and out the shops. Spent a few hours wandering around and getting lost trying to find an open air museum.. we had to walk through a graveyard to get to it and I've discovered I have a morbid fascination with headstones.. there were some gorgeous designs in there! Got to the museum but it was just a bunch of traditional Norwegian huts and they wanted quite a bit to go in so we bypassed then realised we were in the middle of it anyway so carried on going to find a view point that was supposedly just around the corner. We found it and had a fabulous view of the surrounding mountains across the water. The scenery really is out of this world. We headed back to the boat - again for some grub (seriously I just eat on these things!!) and to freshen up as we were booked on a tour in the afternoon. It was a coach trip over the Atlantic Highway - a road jumping from island to island with 7 bridges. The scenery on the way to the road was breath taking. The actual road - and the tallest bridge was awesome. We had a stop for photos and we head up over a little path, then found it got really muddy so I made my own way over a higher path and a few people followed me, when I was about halfway up an older guy was trying to get back through the mud, somehow his foot went down a hole and he was covered in mud up to his knees and his hands were covered, I was cringing over his very expensive looking camera with telescopic lens.. I think it was ok (he was too, just very red lol) took some pics then went for a wander down to the cliffs.. nearly fell in a rock pool... then another one.. missed the third and nearly went in the 4th lmao! If I'd gone any further forward I probably would have ended up in the Atlantic so 'cause time was getting on I headed back over the way I'd come.. only to find that everyone was waiting around for me to get back over the higher path so they could follow where I was walking - talk about guinea pig! But we all got back safe n sound. Back in the coach, more scenery and they took us up to a German WW2 bunker site (after a slight misshap with the coach having to reverse up the short hill, braking harshly cause he was about to hit a car and then stalling the coach so we started rolling down the hill again.. fun timez but we got up in one piece and I hate war stuff like that so wasnt paying much attention, wandered off to look at the big gun and then realised I'd lost everyone.. I went down into the bunker to see if I could catch up with them - there was about 7 rooms down there - a lot roomier than I was expecting - and I managed to get lost then freaked out cause I couldnt get out again and ended up walking around the long way to get out when if I'd just turned left instead of right I woulda been out. Then when I got to the entrance I saw everyone ahead of me coming out of a side tunnel *insert eyeroll* back on the coach to head back, passed a few Viking graves and some other interesting things along the way but really that scenery has to be seen to be believed. It's so inspiring I had an entire plot bunny worked out and fleshed out for a short.. no it wont be getting written. Might have some time to get working on the islands fic on a sail day.. possibly.
I LOVE Dominick the waiter!! He is so cute and funny and cheeky and keeps trying to fatten me up with extras when I say no but he is just adorable!! the entertainment tonight was a comedian from back in the day - he was on opportunity knocks - he's pretty good for his age but his jokes were as old as him and you could see them coming a mile off. He had a voice for radio and played a couple of songs - instrumental only, he was on electric guitar with the house (ship?) band playing backing. All was good 'til the last song he played had me in fits thinkin of a scene from the Fresh Prince... that got me a couple of glares...
Since I didnt get my power nap today I've been boring and come back to the cabin so I'm typing up these last two days listening to music and I'm not sure if I wanna head down and fight with the internet connection now, or go for a stroll out on deck (its still pretty light out - its 10.45 atm) and there's a strange warmth about the place, or shall I just stay here and curl up with a book. I've finally got the time to just stop and read a book so at long last I've gotten around to reading Bone Key.. I'm hoping it will help pass the hiatus but reading about the characters it just makes me want to see them back on the screens now!! oo there's another idea.. I could just watch some eps or a couple of their films. Oo decisions decisions!! I think i'll go fight and try and get this posted.
Hope you're all keeping well!! Miss you all - especially work. Sorry, but it's true! (keep Nick away from my Plotter!! - I totally shoulda dismantled it a little and taken something crucial for its function so it couldnt be used!)
huh.. I think I'm hungry again.. might go see what's for desert up on the top deck - oo and I can grab a hot chocolate with Kaluah, take a book and tuck in up on deck with one of the blankets. Now that sounds like a plan. And I'm still babbling aren't I?? - see this is what happens when I dont get to chat to you guys and space it out through the days!! I get verbal diarrhoea - add in the fact that I've not been typing a fraction of the amount I usually do in a day and I'm still here typing..
really gonna try and post this now - cross your fingers for me!!
EDIT: well ya didnt cross your fingers very well.. first I got distracted by the sky outside (long story not relevant suffice to say “oo shiny”) Then when I got to the computers the internet didnt want to play on my laptop which is where I've got this typed out. So I played around on Facebook on the ships computers instead lol.
Day 5 - Trondheim
Walking around the town there didn't seem to be a lot to do. And it was chucking it down. A lot. Luckily I had an umbrella with me but no waterproofs. Despite the rain it was actually a nice temperature walking around so it wasn't too bad. We headed to a fish market first.. we were happily making our own way in when an elderly couple (well, the vast majority of the other people on the boat are elderly, this couple was at the younger age of elderly) stopped us from going across one bridge saying we needed to go across the flower bridge to the side heading in a different direction. So we followed the masses from the ship (about 20 others) and ended up in a really nice marina with dock side bars, real trendy places - bit like the Albert Dock only much nicer *sorry Liverpool* carried on walking and following the map we redirected ourselves from crossing the different bridge when the elderly couple decided they wanted to follow us cause we seemed to know where we were going. We went round in a big U and ended up at the end of the bridge we were originally going to cross. Back on track we carried on, the elderly couple decided we were going the wrong way so went off in their own direction. We found the fish market and there was a lovely Norwegian guy by a big metal tub with his two kids.. when I went closer to see what he was doing to have the kids laughing and clapping so much I saw there were actually 4 big fish swimming around and he was feeding them the heads and legs of some prawns he'd just bought from the market (also when I say market it was very civilised, not the cart stall style markets with everyone shouting, this was more like the fish counter in a supermarket only a lot bigger and with more to offer) The big fish swimming around were eating right out of the guys hand.. nearly eating the guy's hand in the process. He was made up to practice his English with an actual English person and he was pretty good too, we had a good chat about random things while he kept feeding the fish with black holes for mouths :|
moving on we headed to the big cathedral there. The stone work on the building was incredible, you could spend all day looking at the detail and still not be half way around the building. After a coffee break we split up, I didnt want to go inside (whole issue with religion - do not get me started) and instead went through to a little courtyard where there was an armoury and war museum.. there were little market stalls set up which I walked through to get to the museum but didnt take much notice. The museum was 3 floors high (and a half for a commemorative hall on the other side of the staircase) the first floor I found completely fascinating, it was all about the Vikings and was awesome. There was a sword there as long as I am tall.. I would not have liked to have felt the weight of that thing! I dread to think what it would have taken for a man to be able to lift one. They had some of their earlier weaponry and went through the times to the more modern of their arms... there was a 2 meter long riffle style gun!! I didnt realise the later generations of Vikings had pistols and things. The other two floors were more modern war history which is when I start to go to sleep in the history classes, I'm only interested in the ancient stuff lol. But I went round for a nosey then headed back down to the market stalls. First one I came to was full of bows and arrows. They were actually pretty gorgeous bound in leather and suede, proper craftsmanship. Moving on there were a few stalls all dedicated to the way they used to live, bakery stalls selling cinnamon danish pastries - so good I had two! Nothing like the Danish pastries you get over here at all!! There was a toffee apple stall, one tent was making flat bread and a type of pancake in a generations old tradition. There were glass stalls and soap crafts and a metals stall with jewellery in silver, brass, copper, pewter and a couple others. They had a fire making kit - not quite sure what was in it but I had great fun and managed to get one started and I saw some gorgeous leather bracelets with a celtic knot pattern running down the centre in silver. Further around the other side of the courtyard they were setting up for a music gig of some sort in a tent... WORK (and I had my Star fleece on hehe) so I went over to try and talk to some of the guys setting up.. funny enough they were Norwegian! And I ended up speaking to a French guy instead about the arena and I still dont know what on earth they were setting up for! Next to the tent there were some traditional crafts - stone masonry, a blacksmith, a couple of girls making braids (bracelet kind not hair) and some musicians and dancers. I had a go at being a blacksmith (wasnt very good) and at a couple of the stone work techniques (I think I was even worse at this!) We met up again and started making our way back through the town to the ship after spending a few hours at the cathedral. Nothing much happened to report on the ship. Dominick is definitely becoming a highlight of my day though. *draws hearts around him*
Day 6 - @ Sea
Woo hooooooooooo it was Stephan I saw the other day!! I was booked in for my manicure and pedicure at 9am (the guys that work with me know how bad my time keeping is especially in the morning... this I had no problems with :p) and there in the reception was my guy! I wasnt sure he'd remember me but he near broke my ribs when he saw me, he's such a darl! So I'm booked in for a couple of massages with those hands of his - minds out the gutters people, its his job... :p
back in the cabin we had breakfast served to us so nice lazy morning.. at 12 I met with my personal trainer... Alex... wow. Gorgeous guy but a freakin slave driver! I could barely look him in the eye (“like staring into the sun” comes to mind..) Not much to say there.. he doesnt have the personality. Had a really lazy afternoon - fell asleep sunbathing on the back of our deck then it was time to get ready for tea.. and by that I mean a certain waiter. Meal times are the highlight of this trip!! *sighs dramatically*
Day 7 - Honningsvag
Early start today we had a trip to the most northern fishing village IN THE WORLD. We passed the most northern petrol station IN THE WORLD and the most northern church IN THE WORLD - yeah that got old real quick. The tour guide was lovely but she really did love that phrase. The first stop we made there's not much to write about (Okay so I've been a little busy and I'm typing this a few days later, I cant quite remember what went on at the first stop so it cant have been much!) the second stop there was a German lady had set up an art gallery.. the most northern IN THE WORLD... and her pictures where quite intriguing until she turned one over that she was working on at the time. They were collages, literally scraps of magazines stuck into place with pritt stick.. lovely effect but not worth the money. We saw loads of wild reindeer that belong to 5 Sami families and they travel with the animals all year long. There was more flirting from Dominick, he seems to have taken over the running of our table from the other waiter (Perpetuo or Pepe lol) and has a sly way of getting to me to push my chair in first and give me my napkin - although his hands do seem to slip with a wink. He's still giving me extra portions even when I only want a little bit - but only with the deserts lol. He managed to slip me a note (under my desert plate!) asking me to meet him after his shift. It was the night we sailed past the north cape at midnight. We were up in the Horizon lounge (equiv of the Crow's Nest bar) watching the sun lower in the sky and the moon come up level and then headed out for the deck party. The entertainment staff and the higher up staff all came out to join us, Stephan was out and was keeping me warm along with the numerous cocktails I was being supplied with and the hat & coat I was wearing. I was texting a few of you - sorry if I didnt manage to get a message to you its bloody expensive on here. Then I caught sight of Dominick walking away holding a tray. I went to catch up with him and he thought I had something going with Stephan - which I do but not like that, didnt work out the first time lol. Long story short there was a big misunderstanding all resolved when I managed to get him alone in a quiet corner.. lets just say I wont be forgetting the north cape sail by easily. Between Stephan, Dominick, some camouflage and a lot of luck I was smuggled into the crews quarters where they were having a party of their own... There was more drinking (remind me never to take on sailors ever again) a lot of dancing, some limboing and more drinking and more dancing with Dominick before crashing out with him then stumbling back to my cabin for 8 cause I had to be out for 9 the next day in port.
Day 8 - Hammerfest
Well luckily the plans changed and we only headed out at around 10.30... not quite enough time for me to recover so after seeing one monument, realising there was nothing else worth seeing without going on a tour I made my excuses and went back to bed! I'm getting old!! when I emerged in the afternoon I managed to catch up with Stephan and was filling him in on the goss.. I'd lost track of him a couple of hours in the night before. He had a quiet afternoon so told me to head back in an hours time and he'd squeeze me in. My god that boy has magic hands!! I felt 1000 times better after an hour with him. At the dinner table Dominick was being a lot more hands on but I dont think the rest of the table noticed. He wanted me to meet him again after his shift but I had another early start in port the next day that I really did not want to miss cause...
Day 9 - Tromso
...is HUSKY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was booked on a tour that went to the Polaria center - it was a lot more interesting than I thought. They showed us a special 7 screen panoramic film of the flight of a little bird from somewhere in Norway to some place in the Arctic (what?! It was the first stop of the day and I was still shattered! I looked at the pretty pictures and oo's and ah'd in all the right places) then there was a walk through supposed to be set out like being in the Arctic.. parts of the floor were set up like walking on sponge.. something to do with the ice melting but not completely melting so you got a spongey bouncy effect. There was a stepping stone pathway of blocks of ice floating in the water - that was interesting. And then there was a tunnel walk through with seals swimming over the top - 4 of them in total. Walking around there were more tanks with fish and then you got to the seal tank - they were lovely but I felt so sorry for them just swimming around in their fake Arctic looking environment the same path every time. Such a dull life. Walking further around there was another window lower down looking into the seal tank and there was one that seemed to look straight at me stood watching, the other seals would swim past a little higher or a little further away but the bigger of the 4 swam low and close and I could see the whites of it's eyes move as he kept his eye on me. It was strangely surreal and I didnt want to leave but time was running out. The next stop was the Huskies. OMG words cannot describe how cute they all were and so incredibly friendly! We were met by one of the workers who took us over 2 6 dogs tied to a wooden pole and a sled behind that simulating the way they would run. It was described how Pepsi and Sprite the two front dogs where the most intelligent because they were the pace setters and the direction givers - it was also said that the 2 front dogs were always female! Ha! The middle two were often the youngest of the group to keep up enthusiasm, to chase on the front two if they started to get tired and to keep the rear dogs in pace. After the middle two it was explained that there could be up to 10 dogs between the 2nd set and the final two dogs, these are known as the engine and are the dogs that just like to run and run and run. They did start saying something about the sled but I ended up attached to Pepsi. Beyond the entrance way there were 125 wooden structures providing shelter for a pair of dogs... yes, 250 dogs. All adorable! We were told to make our way through them and that the puppies were at the far end. As much as I wanted to go see the puppies the big dogs were too adorable!!! They were more friendly than words could describe!! the older dogs seemed to be on the outter edges though so I made my way over there. There were two old looking dogs lying down at the back and when I got a bit closer their tails wagged but that was it so I went right up to them and when they realised it was them I was heading to and not the two white ones in front that were trying to tie me up in their chains (even though I did stop to give them a bit of a fuss) the two older ones got up and were all over me and so damn adorable!! I had both of them leaning against either of my legs as I was rubbing their sides and they were getting heavier and heavier as they were leaning more and more lol. After stopping by a lot more of the dogs and giving them a fuss I headed over to the puppies and got my hands on one that was too cute for words but a proper wriggle!! I have pics but they're all a bit pants cause either my face is screwed up trying not to drop the pup or I look ok but the pup is doing an impression of the exorcist and bending over backwards lmao! I wanted to get my hands on one of the younger ones but we were being herded around the side to go see a Sami. He was 27 and it was his birthday. He had one of the traditional boats with him that was over 100 years old and showed some of the things they carry with them and the differences in the reindeer antlers. There was also a wigwam tent set up full of furs showing how they live.. yes present tense. There are several Sami families that still live true to tradition travelling with their reindeer. Moving on we were moved into a big wigwam tent set out with a projector in the middle of a circle of tables and benches, we were handed a cup of what they called lemonade but it was some sort of berry juice drink, bit of an acquired taste but it was surprisingly refreshing. We watched a short film about one of the big races across the Arctic that the dogs we'd met take part in before heading back to the ship again.
I caught up with Stephan again back on the boat and he was filling me in on some of the gossip while giving me a foot & hand massage. He knew I just wanted to hear about Dominick so of course left that info 'til last. He seems to have become the middleman passing messages between me and Dominick. He wanted to meet me after his shift again and since there wasnt much going on the next port day I did...
Day 10 - Lofoten Islands
Right I'm all caught up again now cause this is today - well it's past midnight for me on the time difference but ya'll know how I work my days. So after not much sleep - we were talking people!! minds out of the goddamn gutters... ok so mostly we were talking.. most of ya'll know me too well anyways. Suffice to say Jay is back on form. I didnt realise how much I'd been missing that part of my life.. Well I did but that's a whole other LJ entry. Anyway's the Islands didnt have a big enough port for our ship to moor up to so it dropped anchor in the middle of a bay and we had to travel in by one of the lifeboats acting as a tender... I hope to hell more than anything that nothing goes wrong with this ship cause I will lose my mind if I have to get in one of those. I ended up stuck on the boat cause the bloody elderly fools wouldnt wait their turn.. me + claustrophobic environment + being kept in place by a member of authority = a very not good thing. Soon as the guy blocking my doorway moved an inch I was through the gap and across the distance between the boat and the decking in a second shaking like a leaf... so apparently I dont like little boats.. huh.. the fjord cruise on the last stop should be interesting then..
Back to the island there wasnt much to see or do at all. We'd tried to get onto one of the tours when we realised but everything was sold out. There's a bar made entirely of ice.. the room, the seats, the tables.. the glasses!! I REALLY wanted to go see it but there was no way of getting to it so today was a bit of a wasted day. Luckily we got back to the boat by tender a lot easier cause they let me sit up in the main cabin space and was the first one off. Headed up for dinner and then had an hours kip before needing to get ready for tea. Semi formal tonight and I'm in the red dress with the black print - some of you know which one I'm on about - I walked into the restaurant first and Marvin (the head head waiter) gave me a wink then walking up towards my table Samir (one of the other waiters I've gotten to know from my trips down to the crew quarters) was saying hello automatically, looked up half way through and totally changed the tone of the word when he saw me... now that I'm not used to at all and my god it was awesome lmao! Dominick dropped the cutlery he was polishing when I walked by which I also take as a good sign and was at my chair in a second. I couldnt meet up with him tonight though cause he's covering one of the later shifts in the other restaurant which is why I have time to catch up with this now lol. I'm hoping to get this posted tomorrow but the internet connection has been a total nightmare so I'm not holding my breath for it. We're at sea tomorrow and when I tried to get online tonight I was met at the door by a sign telling me there is no connection due to the location of the ship so I cant see that changing by tomorrow either *sulks* - even my phone has stopped receiving signal again so no txts, no contact, no nada. *goes crazy* and I have to wait 'til tea before I can see Dominick again *sulks even more*
so night all, I'm turning in early for once!
Day 11 - @ sea
So it turned out I didnt have to wait til tea time to see him again. I couldnt be bothered with the main restaurant downstairs for dinner so went up to “the conservatory” which is a lot more laid back, buffet style place. I managed to grab a window seat, turned up my ipod and was tucking into my chips and salad - no seriously, im addicted to the caeser salad they have here - when someone comes up behind me and starts giving my shoulders and neck a massage.. yup. Domnick. He couldnt sit with me - wouldnt be seen to be proper *rolls eyes and glares at his snotty nose boss* so we settled for him standing with me when he wasnt busy and then eventually his boss left for the other side so he could sit with me. I have to say I LOVED the scandalised faces of the old women who saw us together. I felt like sitting in his lap and sucking out his breath just to give them a heart attack, narrow minded bloody fools *kills them all in their sleep* *coughs*... so, where was I? Lol, yeah so I ended up spending the afternoon with him there until he had to go start his prep for the main restaurant for the evening meal. Before he left he told me where to meet him at the end of his shift later that night, he has a cheeky smile but when he told me he looked downright mischievous. Nothing much to report for the rest of the day, and even through the meal Domnick was a bit quieter than usual but it was a busy night. I went to the show and the piano recital afterwards - I'm cultured me! - had a drink up in the Horizon lounge with Sue, Colin & my 'rents and laughed at the quiz people up there before heading down to meet Domnick and doing the usual sneak through.. nearly got caught this time.. didnt help when he made me laugh walking past the crew's gym! He took me out to the front of the boat - no titanic jokes please, it wasnt that cheesy and I didnt stand up at the front and scream into the wind... well ok I did stand up at the front and lean right over squeeling but it was so cool!!!! We went around to our usual spot at the back of the boat and things were quiet, we saw some seals (mighta been sealions...) swimming just away from the boat, the nights are getting longer now after the midnight sun's daylight but there was enough moonlight to see them, there was a group of 6 and then a bit later there was a group of 3 and then 4. Domnick's usually always joking around or singing or we just chat.. there's always noise if ya get what I mean but it was quiet and it was nice and I've just deleted a chunk cause OMG he's turned me into a sap!!! /end cheese.. well nearly... he gave me a bracelet.. the kind I'd seen in Trondheim - leather with a Celtic knot pattern running through the centre only this one is thinner and has a silver plat running down the centre, I'm not just saying this but it's the nicest one I've seen and it's just.. >me< it's starting to really hit home how much I dont want to leave him now.
Day 12 - Bergen
After last night I was surprised how awake I was when I was up early for the port. I'm glad I was though, we walked off the boat right into history. The wooden houses along the front are incredible the way they've warped and twisted over time. Bergen is such a lovely place! We walked over to the fish market (are you seeing a pattern here?) and the guys there were surprisingly hot... I dont know about my Twinny with her pig farmers but I could sure settle for a Nordic fisherman.. but of course the whole time I was kinda thinking about Domnick.. sorry! Less cheese I promise... the fish for sale were incredible so fresh and they were each giving out little tasters of the stock.. .WOW ya dont get prawns like them in the local Tesco that's for sure! I also tried whale... I ate Moby Dick... and it was goooood lol, tasted surprisingly like beef. It was a piece smoked that I tried but you can grill a fresh piece and eat it just like any other piece of fish. Wandering through we stumbled across the vernacular tram thing to take us up to a view point. Awesome!! lovely views and a little wooded area with a kids adventure playground at the top with carved statues of trolls.. one of them looked like a characterisation of John Lennon. And best of all... I was in the souvenir shop at the top and guess who came on the radio with the new song I've not had a chance to hear..? MUSE! So there was me jumping up and down in this over packed shop cramped with stands of gifts jumping up and down going “muse! Muse! MUSE It's MUSE” while getting sworn at in numerous languages for blocking up one of the aisles lmao. Heading down on the vernacular was a lot more fun, I got to the front bench as it went whizzing down the track. On the way back I got the biggest ice cream on a cone I've ever had - ever seen for that matter! It kept dripping everywhere so I had to eat most of it too quick to savour and gave myself brain freeze.. but its was also gooood. Back on the boat and usual plans for the night although I did end up having a game of pool with Domnick and a few of the other waiters.. interesting on a moving ship. Nick seemed a bit upset that I already knew how to play hehe. Didnt stay out as late either. I'm shattered.
Day 13 - Eidfjord
Small. Very small. Nestled between mountains there's a sleepy little town of 1200 inhabitants (there's 1400 passengers on board the ship and then staff on top of that!) the only thing to see there was pretty much a church (which was locked). Some lovely views though. For the afternoon we had an early sail but we had a fjord cruise on a smaller ship to see a bit more of the surrounds. I cant say enough how stunning the views are here. The pictures do not do it justice. I got very excited to see a huge waterfall only to have another one twice as big pointed out to me a little bit further down the way. Back on board the ship we had the chocolate buffet - the highlight of every cruise. When Domnick told me the times the day before I thought I was going to miss it cause it started at 3.30 - not realising we had such an early sail away time. The fjord cruise finished at 3.15 and was docked a few paces away from our boat. There were 2 queues.. a longer one which me and Sue joined and my mum went for the shorter one... seeing Domnick was on the other side of the shorter queue we went over to join my mum.. Nick was handing out leaflets.. then I realised it was for the galley tour and we had to walk past all the chocolate and do the walk through before we could get to the chocolate. But I got to see Domnick and his smile so it was all good. I totally stuffed myself when I got the choc though.. there was a 7 tier chocolate fountain.. we were only served a pool of it on our plates though. I got some things to dip into that then had a doughnut and a chocolate moose in a wine glass, a chocolate muffin, some random little chocolate deserts, some chocolate fudge and finished it all off with some chocolate wine... by the time tea came around I was feeling very stuffed and very ill.. then after Nick watched me struggle to finish my desert he came out with a plate of chocolate truffles he'd saved for me from the banquet... they're still in my bag now! (writing this the day after lol)
Another formal night, another dress lol. Domnick pulled me to the side as I was leaving to ask how many I've brought with me.. only 6!! I said I'd be changing out of it for meeting up with him later and he wanted me to wear my red one instead cause it was better for dancing in. I told him there would be no dancing.. there was dancing. It felt a bit like the last night we'd be able to spend together even though there's still another night. He had a half day off the following morning so I've been with him pretty much the whole time. The rent's think I'm bunking in with Robyn cause she has a bigger cabin.. I think I've only seen her and James about 4 times the entire cruise.. I feel kinda bad about that but they're cool about it. Stephan a little less so... so I dragged him up for a dance (and I will deny that if you remind me of it in future) it was weird seeing Nick watching me the way he was.. I never really had that kind of open honesty with H. I feel more alive than I have in nearly 2 years and as happy as I am in work I have been using it as a substitute. I just wish it wasnt Domnick who had made me realise that cause I really dont want to let go of him. Then again maybe it is only working out so well because I know it does have to end.
Day 14 - @ Sea
Well, as I said in yesterday's write up I spent the morning with Domnick too. Was a little awkward when his cabinmate came back not realising I hadn't left yet hehe. Nick brought me breakfast in bed only toast and some juice but it was perfect and lazy. Getting back up to the passenger decks was a little more tricky since it was daylight and most people were floating around. He did joke about putting me in the laundry hamper... at least I think it was a joke. All worked out well with the help of a couple of the others though and now I'm back up in my cabin which brings me pretty much up to date. I have some time remaining on the internet so I'm gonna see if it's available and try and get this uploaded at last. Or I could just wait til I'm home tomorrow and have a decent connection lol. It might actually come to that!
See you all soon I guess. Any one know the laws on marrying for green cards? Domnick could totally fit in my suitcase.