Trip Index
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Day 2 Freestyle Daily and inserts:
Tuesday morning, Lynda and I started the day with a
TRX workout in the Fitness Center. I was sweating and aching after that! The TRX straps look so unassuming too. There was a bit of a payment hiccup at the end of the class as we were originally told the fee was $12, yet we were charged $20. The spa manager cleared everything up and all participants were happy.
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| it said $12 |
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| goofing off on the TRX |
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We then headed to O'Sheehan's (complimentary) for some breakfast. Norwegian Pearl was pulling into Astoria while we were dining. Our window table offered a view of the Astoria-Megler Bridge, the longest continuous truss bridge in North America.
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| O'Sheehan's breakfast menu |
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| country platter |
After breakfast, the ship was already docked so we headed back to the cabin to change clothes and head out on our own.
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| the beautiful Norwegian Pearl |
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| lots of logs |
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| a very pleasant 1.5 mile walk to downtown |
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| or pay $2 for all-day rides on the trolley |
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We opted to walk to downtown Astoria. The weather was perfect and the path was paved and flat with occasional train tracks crossing back and forth.
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| lookout near the bridge |
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| Riverwalk |
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| sign cautioning bikers on train tracks |
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When we reached downtown, part of it still retained some mid-20th century charm. We bumped into volunteers beckoning us to take a tour of the
Liberty Theater. This "Grand Old Lady" has been in restoration since 1998 and I must say, she's looking good for being over 90 years old.
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| one of several stores that time forgot |
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| inside the Liberty Theater |
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| looking up from the stage |
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| McTavish Room |
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We walked outside downtown into residential areas to get a feel of living in Astoria. The homes were quaint, the neighborhood inviting, though I noticed there were large fat spiders everywhere. Webs were all over the place, along stair rails, between fence posts, porches, anywhere that would entice an arachnid to weave a home. Astoria seems like a nice place to live, but I am not a fan of spiders!
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| friendly neighborhood mini-library |
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| orange spider hanging across the porch...the owners don't use their front door much |
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We walked back into downtown to shop for gifts and souvenirs. Then we saw a guy on the street walking a huge wolf! As the two of them turned the corner, tourists getting off a tour bus froze at the sight of the over-sized canine, their eyes wide open. You don't see that every day. (unless you live in Astoria, I suppose)
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| a wolf as a pet! |
Lunchtime came around and we headed back on the Riverwalk to
Buoy Beer for some oyster heaven. Along the way, we were serenaded by sea lions along the pier. (20 second clip, click
here if you cannot see the preview below)
I really enjoyed the raw oysters (with
Soul hot sauce) and oyster basket. The house specialty Buoy Oysters were overdressed with all the goat cheese and jalapeno jam.
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| Buoy food menu |
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| stout |
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| nice view from the bar |
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| raw oysters |
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| Buoy Oysters |
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| oyster basket |
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After lunch, we had some time to spare, so we visited the
Columbia River Maritime Museum. It was fascinating to learn about the U.S. Coast Guard and about the treacherous crossings that Columbia River Bar Pilots can experience.
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| museum front |
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| an actual Coast Guard boat |
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| other maritime exhibits |
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| a "stowaway" was listed on this manifest |
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On the way back to the ship, we found a seafood market called
Northwest Wild Products...next time, I'll try out their food.
There were a few craft vendors set up just outside the pier. I purchased bars of soap made by a man who combined his love for chemistry and the culinary arts to create his products...what an interesting background!
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| colorful, aromatic soaps |
Fortunately we returned to the ship just as the cold and foggy weather started rolling in.
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| lumberyard now dreary |
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| the blue sky is gone! |
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Another edible surprise was delivered to the cabin...NCL is spoiling us!
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| handmade candies |
Tonight's dinner was at the specialty restaurant
Cagney's Steakhouse. When Lynda and I both ordered the smallest piece of meat on the menu (5 oz filet), the waiter was surprised. He tried to get us to order more. I suppose indulgence would be the norm here.
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| Cagney's |
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| iPad wine list |
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| dinner menu |
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| jumbo shrimp cocktail |
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| tasty rolls |
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| crab salad |
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| 5 oz filet mignon with au poivre butter |
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| sides: fries, mushrooms, green beans |
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| dessert menu |
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| raspberry creme brulee |
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| hot tea to finish |
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After dinner and roaming around the ship, when we returned to the cabin, another towel animal awaited us. I received a notice from the spa, saying that I "won" the opportunity to purchase discounted treatments...wow!
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| elephant |
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| look what I "won"! |
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Tomorrow is our last full day of the cruise...at sea! Stay tuned for more....
***
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Day 1 of a 3-night Norwegian Pearl repositioning cruise embarking from Vancouver, B.C.
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