Glacier Bay & Sitka

I posted some photos of Glacier Bay previously. They can't do justice to the majesty of the glaciers. (what do you call more than one glacier? A gaggle, a glorious??) Whatever, it is wonderful. We spent the day just meandering through the fiord, Park Guides where on had to tell us what and where. You know, not all glaciers look the same, even if you do get a bit blaze after the first 7 or 8. A fabulous day.

Next day we arrived (early) in Sitka. Sitka is a frontier-type port. After visiting Abby's Reflections - a quilt & gift store - I just wondered around town. Even went to the supermarket. Something a bit quirky about seeing Kiwifruit in a supermarket on an island in Alaska.

Litter and waste is obviously a problem in Alaska. You often see bits of little lying around and many yards seem to be dumping grounds for 'stuff'. Still, it's a lovely stop and as always, it's interesting to see another place to live.

Sitka was the only port that we were tendered off the ship, that is we went by a smaller boat to the terminal. The harbour is quite shallow and there a lots of homes on tiny islands. So, instead of having a fence you have a coastline. These islands are very close together. The only way to leave Sitka is by air or water. Many island homes had float planes moored out front.

We departed Sitka at 1pm and set a course for Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC. Formal dinner that night and a fabulous show - Broadway Hits. We had a photo taken before we went through for dinner. Gosh we looked great.

I had set the group a challenge. ( I hear those of you who have travelled with me before groaning). This year EVERYONE participated - even Me. When our travel documents arrived for the cruise they were in a special Holland America document wallet, so the challenge was to make the document wallet into an evening purse. Wow!!!! There was only 24hours notice given.
One inventive traveller twisted a silk scarf with her pearls and knotted them onto the front of the folder. Others embellished with sparkly things. They were all wonderful.

We had a Mystery Judge (a couple walking by. They were a mystery to me too). Beverley got the prize for glitz, Thea got the prize for glamour and April got the prize for quantity.