Completing our Alaska Journey

We arrived in port in Seattle early morning on Monday, September 12 after a lovely evening in Victoria, BC.  We had opted to purchase the Holland America transfer to the airport.  However, the real coup was being able to also purchase the expedited luggage package for $20 each.  Our luggage was picked up outside our cabin and checked through all the way to Asheville!!!  No dragging to the airport and through security, etc.  Also baggage weight limits are waived.  Mine weighed 51-# so might have been charged. Will have to admit, I was slightly nervous in Asheville until the bags came off the belt, but had to trust that Holland and Delta had all the kinks worked out.

One of the things we wanted to see was the Aurora Borealis ( Northern Lights) and we didn't see them.  Others on the cruise said they did.  This photo was snipped from the Internet.

Would have been spectacular.

We did have 8 ports of call or stops for viewing, many excursions and traveled 3,491 nautical miles.  Many of you on this blog have taken an Alaska cruise, but for those of you who haven't , there is nothing else like it in the world. We love Holland America, but there are other companies just as competent and would give you a great cruise.  A splendid " Bucket List" feature.  This was our second Alaska adventure and was no less awesome than the first time 14 years ago.

Thanks for traveling with us on our latest journey.

Victoria: Part II

The Inner Harbor at night is quite a sight with all the boats, the flowers and the lights.

Victoria, BC: Last port of call

After leaving Sitka Friday, we cruised all night, all next day and night and didn't reach Victoria until 3:00 today, Sunday.  Very rough seas with 48 MPH winds and 16 foot waves slowed us down considerably. Things calmed down and we continued out in the Pacific Ocean rather move into the inside passage, which would have slowed us down even more.

We had not planned a tour in Victoria, so we stayed on the ship, packed out suitcases and ate our evening meal on the ship.  Tomorrow is Shirley's birthday and the servers helped us celebrate early.

Our server, Angorro's birthday is also tomorrow.  

After dinner, we took a limousine ride over to the Inner Harbor of Victoria.  The famous Empress Hotel still dominates the head of the harbor.  Built in 1908, this fabulous hotel exudes the elegance of an era most of will never see again. During the summer months, tea, special sandwiches and scones are served to over 800 people daily.  ( at approximate cost of $75 CAD ) No recession here!!!!

Victoria is the seat of government (  parliament ) for British Columbia.  After dark, the parliament building is lighted and quite stunning.

 

Sitka, Alaska

Sitka is a lovely little town with early roots in Russian settlement.  Sitka is the only SE Alaska port city to face the Gulf of Alaska head on. Today, Mother Nature has taken control and it is miserable.  Overnight, we had rough seas and head winds of 58 knots.  Needless to say, we are happy to be docked safely.  

We have decided to cancel our wildlife boat trip out to see whales, otters and sea lions.  We have taken this one before and loved it and were looking forward to it again.  However, visibility is one quarter to half a mile with rain arriving in sheets. Unless the weather clears, we most likely won't even venture into town.

If you are watching the world weather, you might have noticed that hurricane Lester was out some 800 miles from us near Hawaii.  High winds and rain from this storm are now impacting the Pacific Northwest coastline and adjacent seas.  

The mountains in the background photos ( captured from the Internet) are Three Sisters- Faith, Hope and Charity.  From the other photos, you can see what a lovely little seaside town this is in fair weather.

Sitka: Part II

More photos of the lovely seaport town in fair weather.  ( all captured from the Internet )

Hubbard Glacier

We have spent the past 25 hours heading pretty much straight east from Kodiak on our way to Hubbard Glacier.  We arrived about 3:00 this afternoon.  This glacier is 76 miles long and 7 miles wide. The height is more what you can relate to at 250-350 feet high- a football field length just for something to compare.  We are able to get within 1/2 mile as this is an active glacier with regular calving ( icebergs breaking off ) and significant icebergs in the water.  Our guide on the ship said this ice is at least 400 years old--around the time of Shakespeare's death.  

This glacier is an excellent example of a tidal glacier as it empties into salt water.  Mother Nature is always in charge and today is no different. As we inched our way closer to the glacier, we lost our sun and it actually started to rain. Oak and Bob were outside taking pictures while Shirley and I stayed inside where it was warmer.

This is our first view of the glacier. Difficult to determine just how close we are, but easily a mile out.

Closer, but not quite there yet.

This is the closest we could sail at about 1/2 mile.  Bob was using telephoto on this one.

Kodiak Day Trip

Today was a beautiful weather day in Kodiak.  Sun was out bright and just gorgeous.  About 12,000 people in Kodiak.  3,000 are in Coast Guard unit.  Much of the island is not inhabited by people as it is a wildlife refuge with no roads for access.

A kindergarten child was asked to name the Four seasons: His answer--  Herring, halibut, salmon and  crab wasn't exactly what the teacher was expecting.

Liberty ship from WWII came up after 1964 earthquake to process the fish since all the canneries were destroyed, mainly from the tsunami after the quake.  This was a temporary solution that today is still in place...52 years later, still processing fish.  

Island Soil is solid slate.  Shallow tree roots.  All of the island power is generated by 6 wind turbines.

Approximate 3,000 Bears on the island. They are larger than most other Alaska Bears-- 12-14 ft tall when standing.  They have no competition along with a rich diet.  We did not see any of the Bears while on the island.