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Today is our last port of call before we disembark in Vancouver on Sunday. We have a late arrival in Ketchikan - 11.00am.
Ketchikan is proof that you can build a city on fish alone. The city was established in 1887, when a salmon cannery was built at the mouth of Ketchikan Creek.
We had a leisurely morning admiring the scenery as we slowly travelled up the East Tongass Narrow to dock in Ketchikan. We had an early lunch as our trip started at 12.30.
We boarded the catamaran, St John and headed out into the Revillagigedo channel. Ketchikan is the 4th wettest place on earth, raining an average of 154 inches per year, but we're lucky today, it's cloudy but dry. Float planes, or 'air taxis', provide transportation to and from Ketchikan. Alaskans, per capita, have more planes than any other US state as Alaska is so large and so remote, flying is a necessity.
Wet and wild describes the environment of Misty Fjords National Monument perfectly. A fjord is defined as a freshwater glacial area that has been inundated by salt-water. Two million acres of alpine meadows of the high country, the forested mountain slopes, the rocky shores and salt marshes combine to create this distinctive south-east Alaskan ecosystem.
The mountains are shrouded in clouds and they seem to drain the colour from the landscape. Once again we see whales and salmon jumping. We also see an eaglet chick in a treetop nest that must be 6 feet wide. It looks ready to leave the nest just in time to feed on the abundant salmon.
Located near the entrance of Rudyerd Bay, the distinctive shape of New Eddystone Rock is instantly recognisable. Created within the last 5 million years, it consists of basalt that rose from a volcanic vent through fractures in t.he floor of the Behm Canal. Glaciers then advanced, scouring away most of the flow, leaving behind the huge rock and several other islands.
We continue into Rudyerd Bay and sail close to the sheer cliff side of Punchbowl Cove watching the harbour seals resting close to the water. The steep cliff walls are heavily scraped and scarred due to the grinding action of the glaciers that once flowed here. Once again we spot the now familiar 'golf ball' white heads of adult eagles in the trees. It is interesting how the trees seem to have been neatly trimmed around the waterline. This is caused by the salt-water. Logs litter the shoreline having been felled by wind and landslides. They are picked up at high tide and deposited as the water recedes.
On our return, we just have an hour or so for some last minute shopping before 'all aboard' at 6.30.
Once again dinner is a disappointing affair. It would seem we are having an Indian evening with curry and other spicy and unpronounceable foods. There is nothing to choose for those people who don't like Indian food.
After dinner we go to watch the Country Roadhouse show which is good fun but only lasts an hour. We decide to continue the country music theme in the Crow's Nest with a spot of line-dancing - watching of course! We were tempted to join in but I didn't think flip-flops were the best footwear for dancing. Next is the 'Name that tune' country music quiz, where we were appallingly poor. A good night though.
Ship's Log
10.37 Zaandam safely docked
18.37 Vessel undocked and underway to Vancouver, Canada
Weather Cloudy, south easterly, light breeze 17c
Ketchikan is proof that you can build a city on fish alone. The city was established in 1887, when a salmon cannery was built at the mouth of Ketchikan Creek.
We had a leisurely morning admiring the scenery as we slowly travelled up the East Tongass Narrow to dock in Ketchikan. We had an early lunch as our trip started at 12.30.
We boarded the catamaran, St John and headed out into the Revillagigedo channel. Ketchikan is the 4th wettest place on earth, raining an average of 154 inches per year, but we're lucky today, it's cloudy but dry. Float planes, or 'air taxis', provide transportation to and from Ketchikan. Alaskans, per capita, have more planes than any other US state as Alaska is so large and so remote, flying is a necessity.
Wet and wild describes the environment of Misty Fjords National Monument perfectly. A fjord is defined as a freshwater glacial area that has been inundated by salt-water. Two million acres of alpine meadows of the high country, the forested mountain slopes, the rocky shores and salt marshes combine to create this distinctive south-east Alaskan ecosystem.
The mountains are shrouded in clouds and they seem to drain the colour from the landscape. Once again we see whales and salmon jumping. We also see an eaglet chick in a treetop nest that must be 6 feet wide. It looks ready to leave the nest just in time to feed on the abundant salmon.
Located near the entrance of Rudyerd Bay, the distinctive shape of New Eddystone Rock is instantly recognisable. Created within the last 5 million years, it consists of basalt that rose from a volcanic vent through fractures in t.he floor of the Behm Canal. Glaciers then advanced, scouring away most of the flow, leaving behind the huge rock and several other islands.
We continue into Rudyerd Bay and sail close to the sheer cliff side of Punchbowl Cove watching the harbour seals resting close to the water. The steep cliff walls are heavily scraped and scarred due to the grinding action of the glaciers that once flowed here. Once again we spot the now familiar 'golf ball' white heads of adult eagles in the trees. It is interesting how the trees seem to have been neatly trimmed around the waterline. This is caused by the salt-water. Logs litter the shoreline having been felled by wind and landslides. They are picked up at high tide and deposited as the water recedes.
On our return, we just have an hour or so for some last minute shopping before 'all aboard' at 6.30.
Once again dinner is a disappointing affair. It would seem we are having an Indian evening with curry and other spicy and unpronounceable foods. There is nothing to choose for those people who don't like Indian food.
After dinner we go to watch the Country Roadhouse show which is good fun but only lasts an hour. We decide to continue the country music theme in the Crow's Nest with a spot of line-dancing - watching of course! We were tempted to join in but I didn't think flip-flops were the best footwear for dancing. Next is the 'Name that tune' country music quiz, where we were appallingly poor. A good night though.
Ship's Log
10.37 Zaandam safely docked
18.37 Vessel undocked and underway to Vancouver, Canada
Weather Cloudy, south easterly, light breeze 17c
- comments
Chris Hickey That one is particularly clever. R