Fourteen is an innocuous number - paling after the year that inaugurates teenagehood and lacking in importance compared to sixteen or twenty-one in the milestones to adulthood. Nor is it a number as momentous as one or twenty-five in the clocking of matrimonial mileage. However, it will now be fondly remembered by us as our One Nighter. The anniversary year M jumped in with both feet to make it a memorable number.M got wind that the Holland America Line was offering an affordable one-night relocation cruise from Vancouver to Seattle. As the cruise coincided with our anniversary date, he set us up for a night of fun on the sea. For twelve years we have enjoyed watching the cruise ships sail out of Vancouver's Burrard Inlet for Alaska. We've often wondered what it would be like to see it all from the other side, but knew that it wasn't something that was likely to happen in a hurry. Besides which, our lives aren't half shabby as they are.
September 23rd was a morning of heightened anticipation as we ate our celebratory breakfast of a soft-boiled egg, buttered toast with blue-gum honey, Dutch biscuit and cheese, and, of course, a glass of champagne and orange juice. We clinked our glasses and looked eagerly across the water to Vancouver where the ship was berthed. We had seen it sail in at 6:30 that morning.
We could board as early as 11:30 and M and I were sure to be one of the first on board. We walked down to the quay, took the seabus over and walked the block or so to Canada Place where the cruise ships dock. It was fun taking each other's picture with the ship in the background. It was even more fun boarding the ship and being whisked up to the 8th deck to enjoy lunch.
With wild-eyed excitement I took in the views of the North Shore Mountains, the sea planes in the inlet and Stanley Park with its turning leaves. I had seen it all before but not from this vantage point. After a lunch of too many choices, we headed for the outside deck to listen to a band and to enjoy the sun and the stunning views. Ours is a beautiful city.
We spent the afternoon exploring the ms Volendam and choosing the best vantage point for our 5pm sail. We chose to stand on a small deck just below the ship's bridge. It was less busy, and gave us a 180 degree view from the city across to the North Shore as we sailed out into the inlet, past Stanley Park and under Lion's Gate Bridge. We waved to the spectators on Lion's Gate Bridge, just as we had once waved farewell from the bridge to others leaving on their cruise.
When the wind eventually drove us indoors, we sat on the sheltered pool deck with tea and dessert. As we watched the sun set over Vancouver Island, I thanked M for our romantic one nighter. I thanked him again when we enjoyed our 4-course dinner and after we watched the evening comedy show. I thanked him for dancing with me at the night club until after midnight.
My husband, M - the unrivaled romantic.
