20.3.11

Our Newest Ferry, The Chetzemoka

I wasn't expecting riding the new ferry, but spontaneously, per usual, I decided to go to the island before going home rather than going to Paulsbo again.
It's about four months running now, the Chetzemoka. Very nice little boat. I approve this ferry!!! After this ferry, I headed home via Clinton, but Mukilteo was running to Edmonds. That run was about 50 minutes. It was smooth as glass too. sunny. Nice day, but when you're tired, you're tired.

I had to drive another 40 minutes after arriving in Edmonds. If I watched the local news I'd have known and would have just driven around instead of riding the ferry.

I may post some history on the Chetzemoka later, but as Linda said in comments it was the name of a ferry on the Mukilteo run years ago. This new one runs from Keystone on Whidbey to Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula and is one of our more substantial runs.

19.3.11

Coupeville

Very breezy Saturday. But the sun was nice after such a rainy day Friday. Especially because I was out in the weather so much.

The Olympic international Hostel at Fort Worden.

Port Townsend WA

18.3.11

International Hostel at Ft Worden. Port Townsend WA, and comparison with other international hostels

I will volunteer to travel to compare hostels worldwide..

To be honest, at 27.37 per person per night (up from 19.00 on member 5 years ago) for a hostel that you must check out of by 10:30 am and doesn't open again until 5:30 pm I think they could put some comfortable foam rubber on the beds, plus, the hours are not accommodating I feel. I was disappointed. The same manager was there, and he is very nice, but the hostel shouldn't just be a home for whoever runs it.

Olympic Hostel
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostel060110.en.htm

When I was here many times before waffles batter was mixed in the morning. Iron on, at least..Now I guess there is a bread machine that makes bread automatically, and it's put out for the customers. I didn't have any. To be honest, it wasn't comfortable there anymore with the new restrictions. I felt that I wasn't really welcome, that somehow I was just in the way of whoever lived there.
Wasn't a good feeling.

I understand maybe they don't get enough help or funding, but if you can't operate it as a hostel is to be operated where people feel comfortable and have a place during the day to go in and out and prepare food, then what is it for?

I decided to check other hostels for prices to be fair, you can compare:
Portland 2 hostels 20 and 22.00 I have stayed here as well.

8am - 12midnight; 24 hour access for registered guestshttp://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostel060112.en.htm?n=n&hiavail=Y&hinearby=Y

http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-HI---Portland----Northwest-060112.en.htm#

San Diego 2 hostels 32.00 breakfast included and another 23. 00breakfast included.
I am not sure of the breakfast is just bread machine bread or not?
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-HI---San-Diego---Point-Loma-060023.en.htm
I've been invited to SD in May for a lecture and seeing my friends Lisa; Rachel and Ron.

Philadelphia, 2 hostels 31.00 and 20. 00
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-HI---Philadelphia---Apple-Hostel-060104.en.htm

Buffalo, Niagara
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-HI---Buffalo---Niagara-060048.en.htm

Bethel ME
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostel060132.en.htm

I see that most of the links for the hostels on this site aren't listed with them actually, so I looked into other hostels to compare. But I noticed the ones that were more expensive were definitely upgraded from what the photos show. Nice modern kitchens etc. Now I see these links only take you to the hi hostel page, sorry.. Maybe I'll fix it! Later..

I see some prices increase seasonally, prices I am posting are for tonight for example.

Sweden 16.00 to 22.00
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/ghostel.en.htm?lang=E&country=SE&ghouse=SE%7C054006&day_a=29&month_a=02&year_a=2011&dow_a=Tue&day_d=01&month_d=03&year_d=2011&dow_d=Fri&nights=3&people=

Hanoi, 2.00 to 25.00 US
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/ghostel.en.htm?lang=E&country=SE&ghouse=SE%7C054006&day_a=29&month_a=02&year_a=2011&dow_a=Tue&day_d=01&month_d=03&year_d=2011&dow_d=Fri&nights=3&people=

Glasgow 16 GBP
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostel050001.en.htm

Lillehammer Norway
330. NOK= 58.00 american
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostel042113.en.htm
with breakfast buffet

Amsterdam 16.50 EUR
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/list.php?lang=E

Malta Gozo
12.75 Euro with breakfast, very nice accommodations
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/list.php?lang=E

Morocco Fez
165.00 MAD, (20.59 US)
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostel039005.en.htm
Rabat 70 MAD (8.73 US) This is in a Riad
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostel039011.en.htm

Japan 2211 JPY (27.00 US)
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/list.php?lang=E