Author: happyhoursahoy_1

We lucked out and reserved a hotel that’s within walking distance from the Port and they let us check in at 9 am in the morning 👍

Granville Island is a very very small island and full of charm….

Nothing much to report today…. Regular final day before cruise end events….looking forward to Vancouver tomorrow and the next phase of our extended trip… 3 days in Vancouver and then bus/train ride home to Los Angeles

We have been blessed with great weather so far until today..but all is good

This port is also a revisit, so we are going to take it very easy today….. Nothing planned except a crab feast at the famous George Inlet Lodge

First we visit the Historic creek street to see the picturesque wooden buildings that stand on stilts above Ketchikan Creek.

So on the way to George Inlet Lodge which is 16 miles away, we were surprised with a orca sighting by the bay as well as couple of gorgeous waterfalls

To think that  we are in the salmon capital of the world and did not eat salmon… No regrets though… We will come back for the crabs…..

Juneau is the the capital of alaska… We have been here once more than a decade ago and it did not changed much, the old town, the Mendenhall Glacier and the crazy tourism

We went for a whale watch excursion this time and it’s very cool…. To experience the environment that whales lives and fed

The Port of Skagway has train tracks right along with it

Skagway was a key important town during the Klondike gold rush(1896-1899)… We are going to retrace the steps via the white pass Yukon gold rush train which climbs from sea level to 3000 feet in just 20 miles

Afterwards, the train unload us right in the middle of the small town of Skagway and thats when we felt the bitter coldness and windyness of the town…. The coldest we have experienced since we arrived in Alaska 14 days ago

They brought in some 5 week old Iditarod puppies to the ship and it almost cost a stampede at the piazza

So today we are going to visit our 4th Alaska national park and this time we do not even need to leave the ship… The ship bring us to the park, even the rangers comes to our ship “the pirate way” (through small boat and via ladders)

They gave talks and commentaries and also  let us stamp our national park passport

So happy to be back on the ship again since  last October… 7 months break from the endless horizon view

Today is technically a sea day but it’s a scenic cruise sea day…. We are checking out and getting close to Hubbard Glacier and can hear the ice caving…

Today is the last day of our land tour… Feeling bitter sweet about it..  Don’t want to say goodbye to all these spectacular inland Alaska landscapes but looking forward to not packing and unpacking for 7 days straight

The drive from copper river to Valdez leads us through the beautiful Thompson pass where we can’t tell the difference between Glacier and snow…. its epic gorgeousness… One minute you are in the mountains amongst the Glacier at 3000 feet above sea level…. the next you are at sea level with huge water falls

The sea side town of Valdez, though plaqued with various unfortunate incidences in history looks peaceful and untouched..

So we were here in Valdez to board a catamaran and sail to Whittier through the beautiful prince William sound… The journey goes on….. All these never ending beauty of alaska just keeps on unfolding in front of us

Pop quiz, what is the largest national park in US？ it is this little known one that we are checking out today…. Wrengell St. Elias National Park and reserve is 13.2 million acres and it’s bigger than Yellowstone, Yosemite and Switzerland combined…

In the afternoon we joined a tour via  a scenic van ride and interpretive discussion with a professional naturalist guide. This tour is operated by local nonprofit Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment (WISE) and left us with a sense of peace and awe.. WISE’s educational programs, which cultivate observational skills, understanding of nature and stewardship ethics.

Stopped by the town of Palmer where they held the annual alaska state fair and have lunch… Checked out the local stores and they are delightful

The drive in the afternoon is also spectacularly beautiful with views of the  matanuska Glacier