Debbie being a tourist
This eagle was just sitting in the river waitng for the salmon. His breakfast remains were on the next rock.

Kiwi totem poles join forces with the locals
Creek Street Ketchikan
Santa & Pam

Santa Jim - Ketchican

Ketichan photos

Pam & friend
Santa Jim

Opps! Missed Ketchican

Where do the days go?? When you're cruising it's easy to miss out whole days. The carpets in the elevators are changed everyday and have the day of the week on them - just as a reminder.

Ketchican. Fabulous, wonderful, great. Visited the Silver Thimble Quilt Shop, Miss Dolly's House (ex brothel), walked Creek Street Boardwalk, rode the Funicular to Fox Lodge, walked the boardwalks down along the creek - including viewing an eagle, saw salmon preparing to climb to their death up the salmon ladder, shopped then off we went again.

I really like Ketchican.

Now to post some photos.

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.

Since last time

Gosh, it's ages since I posted, but the cost of Internet connection at sea was ridiculous and patchy and when we were in port life was busy.

Here we are in Seattle Wa. making the most of the sunshine and enjoying the last full day before we head home - or away. Various parts of the group are heading for Britian, Scotland, Wales and France. The rest of us will head home to Auckland, Ngaruawahia, Hamilton, Hawkes Bay, Masterton & the Wellington region. Must admit most of us are about ready to sleep in our own beds, but I don't know about the weather and earthquakes.

This morning in Seattle is delightful. The sun is shining and people are walking past the restaurant window in summery clothes - now that's a good sign.

Lets recap on the last few days........................

Glacier Bay pics

This is the seagull that I thought I say at Waihi Beach four weekends ago
Grand Pacific Glacier - the topmost in Glacier Bay
Dorothy, Liz & Thea enjoy Glacier Bay

I think today is Monday

Haven't had time and coverage to post recently, so here goes.

Sunday we were in Juneau. Great fun, known for it's rain and it did, but not very much. The local Quilt Guild put on food and wine at the quilt store for us. What nice people they were. They have an annual exhibition every March and it sounds like that do very nicely for inspiration.

We met a famous quiltmaker & designer, Judy Hopkins. Her stars are wonderful stars. It's always good to meet the authors of books that we sell at the store.

Earlier in the day we took off in several different directions as people went to see huskies, a glacier, gardens, Juneau town, eagles and other exciting stuff. I got VERY brave and went up the Mount Roberts Tramway. You travel up the side of a mountain in a bubble on a string. While I was there I met Lady Baltimore - an American Bald Eagle. also walked up to 1900ft above sea level to a lookout and saw a bear. Wow!

We were entertained last night by the Filipino crew with a very good review-type show.

Woke early today (Sunday) in Glacier Bay. It's very impressive. Lots of piccies. Saw a seal lazying on an iceberg, plus a few seagulls (I'm sure we saw the same one at Waihi Beach a few weekends ago).

Tonight at dinner the was a wonderful opportunity to view a whale out the windows of the dining room. Very impressive. There was an otter around at some stage too. Another great day.

Tomorrow Sitka.

Till then,

Lesley and the 'photographers'