We were up at the crack of dawn this morning and it was cold!! We piled on as much winter gear as we could and headed out on deck with many others on our way to the amzing Hubbard Glacier - a frozen ice river that feeds into the sea. At 6 am we were 30 nautical miles from it and it was huge. In the water there were small fragments of ice that had broken off the glacier and we hoped nothing too big - thinking Titantic was up ahead. As we approached the glacier it got more and more spectacular. Finally at about 9am after a slow approach and copius amounts of hot chocolate and coffee which the staff brought to us we were 1/2 nautical mile from it. WOW. It was so impressive up close. The colours in such a huge mass of ice were beautiful. We were fortunate enough to see a huge chck of ice calve off the glacier and it made quite a splash in the water that the wave rocked the boat and tipped half of the pool water out.
We then headed to our final port of call for the trip to Seward. I could eat much for the rest of the day, the open ocean made me feel very ill.
Thursday, 5 July 2012
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
Summer Brak Day 6: Skagway
HAPPY 4th OF JULY!! American Independance day and we had arrived in to the small town of Skagway to see the town decorated in red white and blue. We had organised a tour today to whitehouse and the yukon. On the bus we saw a brown bear by the side of the road eeating summer berries. I would have stayed in hibernation! It was cold! We stopped in at the Yukon Suspension bridge and nearly froze.
We had to show our passports on the bus and an immigration officer came aboard and checked as we had travel from Alaska, US and into BC and the Yukon, Canada. After our bus adventure we boarded a train near Whitehorse and headed back towards Skagway. The railroad was an old one and was a path the gold miners took when they went searching for Klondike Gold. We had a slamon bake for luch and trued to redeem ourselves gold panning - still no retiring and then explored Skagway. The town was gorgeous all decorated and had a real goldrush vibe to it. It was a shame we missed the 4th July parade but the town itself was abuzz.
We had to show our passports on the bus and an immigration officer came aboard and checked as we had travel from Alaska, US and into BC and the Yukon, Canada. After our bus adventure we boarded a train near Whitehorse and headed back towards Skagway. The railroad was an old one and was a path the gold miners took when they went searching for Klondike Gold. We had a slamon bake for luch and trued to redeem ourselves gold panning - still no retiring and then explored Skagway. The town was gorgeous all decorated and had a real goldrush vibe to it. It was a shame we missed the 4th July parade but the town itself was abuzz.
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Summer Break Day 5: Juneau
After our relaxing day at Icy Straight Point we then set sail for Juneau. Greg, the boys and I had to disembark early today for a Gold Panning adventure to try and get lots of Klondike gold. Unfortunately we didn't find the biggest gold nugget but we did get a few flakes - looks like we don't get to retire after all.
Back to the boat for some breakfast with Frank and Helen, but they were nowhere to be seen - obviously off shopping - AGAIN.
When we did meet up with them we took the Mt Roberts Tram which goes from near sea level to the mid-point of Mt. Roberts, an 1,800 foot rise that provides sweeping views of downtown and the Gastineau Channel. It was stunning and made our huge cruise ship look like a little boat in a bathtub. We got to explore the midpoint and saw a bald eagle up close and personal, saw a porcupine in a tree and took stroll around to play in the snow. The track was a bit slipery so that was fun too.
Back down the mountain and a wander through the town - cruise ship supported and back on the boat for a lovely dinner in the "fancy resturant" followed my a musician/comedy act which was brilliant. Frank even brought some amgic cards which he tested out his magical skills on the boys. They thought Pop was awesome. The magician did show Pop's good old faithful thumb trick much to his delight - he couldn't wait to tell the other grandkids.
Back to the boat for some breakfast with Frank and Helen, but they were nowhere to be seen - obviously off shopping - AGAIN.
When we did meet up with them we took the Mt Roberts Tram which goes from near sea level to the mid-point of Mt. Roberts, an 1,800 foot rise that provides sweeping views of downtown and the Gastineau Channel. It was stunning and made our huge cruise ship look like a little boat in a bathtub. We got to explore the midpoint and saw a bald eagle up close and personal, saw a porcupine in a tree and took stroll around to play in the snow. The track was a bit slipery so that was fun too.
Back down the mountain and a wander through the town - cruise ship supported and back on the boat for a lovely dinner in the "fancy resturant" followed my a musician/comedy act which was brilliant. Frank even brought some amgic cards which he tested out his magical skills on the boys. They thought Pop was awesome. The magician did show Pop's good old faithful thumb trick much to his delight - he couldn't wait to tell the other grandkids.
Monday, 2 July 2012
Summer break Day 4: Icy Straight Point
Back on the boat and it was nice to feel warm. Overnight more shows to watch and kids club to play in. So far this has been a rather relaxing holiday - so much to do on a boat. Love that the kids were entertained and Greg, Frank, Helen and myself could kick back at a bar, coffee lounge, casino or duty free shop and relax.
Our next port of call was Icy Straight point. As we arrived there were 2 humpback whales that were bubble feeding close to shore and to the boat. Greg and I had made friends with a naturalist on board the boat and he was able to explain the technique of them feeding to us. So amazing to watch such huge creatures engulf their meals with their mouths wide open. We felt very special to be sharing their space.
There was not a lot to do at Icy Straight point but a few short walking trips. We explored the shoreline and a beautiful forest and then we walked to the small town of Hoonah. It made us realise that in Alaska many of the towns that we stop at are serviced mainly to look after the cruise ships. It was hard to see a town that was on the outskirts of the cruiseship made Icy Straight Point with it's touristy bits to a small community stuggling and needing the dollars. I hope that some of the funds go back into this community. We made a point of buying some lunch there to try to boost the economy a little.
Greg had organised a fishing trip to fish for King Salmon. Only drama was that we were not able to bring any home with us. However, we did get our fill on the boat anyway. He was lucky enough to catch one and also saw an amazing natural wonder of a bald eagle swoop and catch a fish too. To disembark this morning we had to board the safety vessels which lowered down from the ship into the water and to the small dock.
Our next port of call was Icy Straight point. As we arrived there were 2 humpback whales that were bubble feeding close to shore and to the boat. Greg and I had made friends with a naturalist on board the boat and he was able to explain the technique of them feeding to us. So amazing to watch such huge creatures engulf their meals with their mouths wide open. We felt very special to be sharing their space.
There was not a lot to do at Icy Straight point but a few short walking trips. We explored the shoreline and a beautiful forest and then we walked to the small town of Hoonah. It made us realise that in Alaska many of the towns that we stop at are serviced mainly to look after the cruise ships. It was hard to see a town that was on the outskirts of the cruiseship made Icy Straight Point with it's touristy bits to a small community stuggling and needing the dollars. I hope that some of the funds go back into this community. We made a point of buying some lunch there to try to boost the economy a little.
Greg had organised a fishing trip to fish for King Salmon. Only drama was that we were not able to bring any home with us. However, we did get our fill on the boat anyway. He was lucky enough to catch one and also saw an amazing natural wonder of a bald eagle swoop and catch a fish too. To disembark this morning we had to board the safety vessels which lowered down from the ship into the water and to the small dock.
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Summer Break - Day 3: Ketchikan
We were all up early this morning as we sailed into our first port of call Ketchikan, Alaska, USA. Straight off the boat and we were whisked away to board a flight over the Misty Fjords on a float plane. Some amazing sights and we were lucky enough to be able to have the mist clear for 10 minutes so that we could land on a mountain lake.
Lucky for us we had the rest of the day to explore Ketchikan so after our flight we headed to the Potlash Totem Park to view some of the historical totem poles that had been salvaged from Ketchikan. Amazing craft work in the carving of these massive trees. Just next door was a Bald Eagle recovery centre and Salmon Hatchery so we checked out those too.
A rainy day meant that we needed to find some shelter, so what better place than the shops. You can bet that Frank, Greg and the boys were impressed. It was a cold, bitter day even though it was summer but we managed to brave it covered in our thermals, trackies and jackets. We took the "Married Man's Path" - home to past brothels to Creek Street - shops that are basically built on poles above a creek. Lots of little trinket shops to attract the tourists, but interesting all the same.
Santa's place in the North Pole is not too far from Ketchikan and Santa and Mrs Claus like to visit their on their Summer Holidays so we dropped in for a visit with Santa at the Christmas shop. Lucky us.
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Summer break -Day 2: North to Alaska
Having spent one night cruising North to Alaska we spent a full day sailing the Alaska Marine Highway through the Inside Passage. We were so relaxed. The ship was massive and so much to do. The kids had met the Kids Club, checked out the pools and hot tubs, played shuffled board, ran up and down the 11 floors, visited the onborad shops and lazed about on deck. It was a floating village with amazing scenery. We found out that each night we would be given a timetable of the events that would be happening on board each day. Seems we don't ever have to leave the boat. Yipee off to Bingo at 3pm then to Dinner and then to a show - Disco fever.
Friday, 29 June 2012
Summer break - Day 1
The end of term and the school year could not have finished faster. Since the 'warmer' weather hit we had been busy with school field trips, dinners out, catching up with friends and hanging out. We were very excited about seeing our family arrive from Australia. The 29th June we flew from Calgary to Vancouver to board a cruise ship bound for Alaska. Not only were we excited about the cruise but were also very excited that Frank and Helen would be joining us.
Seeing them again for the first time in six months were great. A few tears lots of hugs and beaming smiles from Grandma and Pop and the boys. We decided to head straight to the Celebrity Millenium ship to check in our luggage and to our surprise they had lunch being served on board so we went to check it out. We had to first clear through US customs - which was a bit strange considering we were still in Canada and had to cross a gang plank to the ship which was in theory the US.
Walking on to the boat our jaws dropped. We were all given a glass of champagne (the boys a juice) and it was 5 star decor. We were all so pleasantly surprised at how lavish it all looked and hoped this would be a great 10 days. Sailing out of Vancouver Harbour was lovely. Standing on our balcony with a beer in hand and waving to all who would wave back from the shore.
Seeing them again for the first time in six months were great. A few tears lots of hugs and beaming smiles from Grandma and Pop and the boys. We decided to head straight to the Celebrity Millenium ship to check in our luggage and to our surprise they had lunch being served on board so we went to check it out. We had to first clear through US customs - which was a bit strange considering we were still in Canada and had to cross a gang plank to the ship which was in theory the US.
Walking on to the boat our jaws dropped. We were all given a glass of champagne (the boys a juice) and it was 5 star decor. We were all so pleasantly surprised at how lavish it all looked and hoped this would be a great 10 days. Sailing out of Vancouver Harbour was lovely. Standing on our balcony with a beer in hand and waving to all who would wave back from the shore.
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| Leaving the harbour at Vancouver. |
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| Relaxing with a beer on our balcony. |
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| Vancouver City |
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