Thursday, October 4, 2018

North to Alaska 2018 (11, 12, 13, & 14)

Click here for my Introductory Post

Sitka - Last Port Stop in Alaska

It's Friday, September 7th, and the 11th day of our 14 day cruise.
Only a few days left and it seems to have gone by quickly!

Looks like I'm up (as usual) before most other cruisers.
This is actually a good time for walking the decks as you
will usually have it all to yourself.

On the way up for breakfast I stopped to snap this photo
of the main lobby and the Guest Services desk.
This is where you can get help from the cruise staff.

It is raining this morning but we expected it based on the forecast.
We signed up for a tour to a walk through the Tongass Forest
This walk is similar to the one we did in Kodiak.
There were about 12 cruisers on this tour.

Lots of steps on the walk.

Despite the rain there was just so much beauty to see!

Along the trail.

A church that seems to be a favorite subject
of Sitka photos. Sitka is one of my favorite ports in
Alaska.

In the afternoon the rain stopped about the time we returned
to the ship. Its just difficult to appreciate the size of these
ships until you are outside and right next to one.

Aft Promenade Deck.


Day at Sea

No stops today as we are heading to Victoria, British Columbia for our final port stop before returning to Seattle.

One last look at the Naturalist's white board.
"Wildlife Sightings this Cruise"
Wow, more than I expected!

At sea ... no land in sight.

These coulds were pretty fascinating.

Victoria, British Columbia


We are docked in Victoria, BC and the workers are
putting the gangway in place.

We have signed up for a tour to the
The Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden

A short 20 minute bus ride gets us to the Garden.
It turns out to be quite a nice spot!


Later, returning to the ship, we pass the famous
Empress Hotel.


Home

Our 14th day of a 14 day cruise and it is Monday again.
Although this is the 14th day, we must be off the ship this morning
so all the passengers for the next cruise can board this afternoon.

Back home. We had pretty skies after sunset.
The Zaandam was on its way again to Alaska!


20 comments:

  1. You were blessed with great weather for the majority of our trip, John. Very wonderful tour! I'm so glad you gave us a day-by-day report. I learned so much! :-)

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    1. Thanks, DJan, for such a kind comment. Great to have you going along!

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  2. Hello, wonderful collection of cruise photos. I remember walking thru a park in Sitka with Totem poles. That is a long list of wildlife sightings. Thanks for sharing your trip! Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

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    Replies
    1. Hello Eileen, Thank you, as always, for your kind comments. I do look forward to them! Yes on the Totem Poles in Sitka. We were told it was a great tour but will have to save that one for next time since we already had the forest walk scheduled. Thanks again and have a happy weekend!

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  3. Sounds like a great trip for you.
    I'd like the walking part of your trip. : )

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    1. Thank you, Happyone, as always, for your kind comments. Yes, I did think about you and the walks. I know you usually walk about 6 miles each day. On our ship, one would have to go around the ship, on the promenade deck, 3.5 times for each mile. And yes, I did see walkers going around several miles. Thanks again and have a happy weekend!

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  4. You cover a part of a cruise that is mostly ignored. You covered the scenery and walked it.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Red, Thanks for your comment. If you ever decide to do a cruise out of Seattle I will be happy to help you get around the city here. Example: getting from your hotel down to the Cruise Terminal. At least that would save you paying for a taxi.

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  5. Thanks again for sharing this journey.These sights are things I dream about, so love seeing them through your eyes.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for all your kind comments, Ruth. As I mentioned to Red, in a reply above, If you ever decide to do a cruise out of Seattle I will be happy to help you get around the city here. Example: getting from your hotel down to the Cruise Terminal. At least that would save you paying for a taxi. Thanks again and have a happy weekend!

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  6. Welcome home John! I'm sure that even as nice as the cruise was, it feels good to be sleeping in your own bed. Traveling is fun, but it makes us appreciate the comforts of home :) I have been enjoying tagging along on your adventure, thanks for taking the time to take photographs and to write your posts.
    Have a lovely week.
    Connie :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Connie, You are so right. It's always good to get back home! Thank you so much for your kind comments and following along on the cruise with me. God bless you and have a great week ahead! John :)

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  7. Hi John- you're a great photographer- certainly admire your photos on this and previous posts...you've a great interest there in shipping, travel and landscapes- well done. Best Wishes. KEV.

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    Replies
    1. Hi KEV, Thank you for the kind comment. One of the things I love about blogging is finding a new interesting blog thanks to a comment someone leaves on mine. That is the case here. We have similar interests. Thanks again and take good care! John

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    2. Hi John- Certainly admire your photos- sunsets, landscapes, seascapes and shipping- a great varied interest you have there- and an ideal spot for you hobby in Seattle. Cheers. KEV.

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  8. Very nice post of the cruise, John, the skies, the green, the church.
    Many greetings from Turin!

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