“Ri-i-i-i-i-i-ing-g-g-g” Finally, it was the last day of school before summer vacation and the final bell had just rung. I rushed home to pack before our annual family reunion cruises to Alaska. I was especially excited because my best friend Chelsea and her parents and little sister were joining us this year.
I pulled out my iPhone and faced timed Chelsea; her brown hair was curled to perfection, like always. She was just as excited as I was. I packed all my favorite clothes, including my lucky wild child t-shirt from Aritzia. I collapsed on the couch when I was finished packing, I was so excited that I could barely focus on my favorite television show, the Simpsons.
My Dad came home from work at 4:30; his blonde hair and German style moustache were messed up after a chaotic day at work. My Mum arrived shortly after, and alike my Dad her ginger hair also showed signs of a stressful day. We were all equally excited for our vacation the following day. We all ate burnt frozen pizza thanks to my Mum’s lack of cooking skills.
For the rest of the evening my head was filled was ideas of the fun we would have on our cruise. I got into bed at 9:30, but I had a lot of trouble sleeping so I had a Pretty Little Liars marathon until 12:00. I slept in until 10:00 and rushed to get ready quickly as we had to leave the house at 11.
Our three-week journey was about to begin. We picked up my aunt Brenda and Uncle Rick, as they only live a block away from us. My Aunt Brenda has short blonde hair and is quite petite. My Uncle Rick has grey short hair and is tall with an average build. We piled into our Honda SUV and started driving to the Vancouver dock. There we met my Uncle Fredrick, he is almost bald with a smaller build. We also met my Auntie Annie and my Uncle Harry; they live on a farm in Hornby Island. My Auntie Annie has long dark hair and a kind soul. My Uncle Harry has hair that’s always braided and is as long as his back, he also only wears Grateful Dead t-shirts and jean jackets.
Shortly after Chelsea, her little sister Emily and her parents Terri and Graham met up with us. Chelsea is my best friend; she is very short and skinny with perfect brown hair. Both Chelsea and I are 13 years old. Her little sister Emily is also very short and small with a brown bob. Chelsea’s Mom, Terri has longer brown her and is average height. Her Dad, Graham is average height also with short brown hair.
At 11:30 we boarded the ship. The first thing we did was check out our rooms. Our cabin had two bedrooms. My parent’s master suite had a queen-sized bed with a small flat screen television, and a large abstract painting on one wall. They also had a large closet and small half bathroom with a small shower/bathtub combination and a sink and toilet. In their room, the walls were painted a beige-yellow color. In the main area there was a small kitchenette with a mini fridge, microwave and coffee maker. That flows into a small living space with a red sectional sofa with two brown pillows and a large flat screen television. My bedroom had a double bed with a smaller closet. The walls were painted white with a smaller painting of a wave hanging in the corner. There was no television, but I had a smaller ensuite with a walk in shower.
My relative’s rooms were similar but a little smaller and Chelsea’s family had the same sized room as us except their second bedroom had two twin beds. After we unpacked and got settled, Chelsea, Emily and I decided to go swimming while the grown-ups chatted.
We went on the biggest water slide and had a total blast, but after an hour my Mum texted me asking us to come back. It was almost five o'clock and she wanted us to freshen up before dinner. I took a shower and blow dried my hair and before I knew it my Aunt Brenda was calling me from across the hall the come for a family photo.
The first day on the boat. We all walked to a fancy restraunt on the other side of the ship, thank goodness I have decided to wear a nicer outfit. Chelsea and I sat next to each other and basically just giggled throughout the entire dinner.
I ordered a bacon cheese burger with curly fries, a chocolate milkshake and gravy instead of ketchup - my favourite.
Once we had wrapped up dinner it was about seven, so we invited everyone in the family to come watch our favourite movie - Stand by Me. We had a blast and my Uncle Harry made everyone popcorn.
Once the movie was over, I begged my Mum to let Chelsea stay in out cabin for the night, eventually she said yes. I made her a comfortble bed on the floor beside my mattress, we stayed up talking and laughing until 1:00. I fell asleep thinking of all the fun we would be having over the next two weeks.
