Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
GoneExploring
This morning we arrive in the small city of Haines which is located in the northernmost position of the Alaska Panhandle. Although Haines lies on the Chilkat Peninsula and is near Glacier Bay, it has an uncommonly warm climate for Alaska which is categorised as 'humid continental'.
Today is Steve's birthday and after breakfast in our cabin, we set off for the ferry from Haines to Skagway. During the 40 minute transfer, we spot the now familiar blow and wait for the whales to make an appearance. Skagway is an amazing place with the old wooden walkways and some of the original buildings from the Klondike Gold Rush. We have time to wander the many souvenir shops before our ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route. As usual, the scenery was dramatic, climbing the granite mountain from sea level to almost 3000 feet. It is a narrow gauge railway due to the tight curves and steep grades. It travels through two tunnels and over numerous bridges. We stand out on the platform which in itself is quite scary as the ground falls away from you into deep valleys. Our destination is Fraser, British Columbia so we are required to pass through Canadian customs and back through USA customs.
Steve is getting to be such a good wildlife spotter and sees something up ahead but we can't make out what it is. Cameras at the ready, we wait in anticipation to draw level with a brown bear. Steve was the only one to capture a photo as he saw it well in advance. Made our day!
We came back down the mountain by coach which allowed us to view the valley from the opposite side.
The timing was perfect to get us back to town to catch the ferry and more whales on the way back to Haines.
All is not well in the restaurant this evening. Half of the serving area is closed and there are long queues. The tables are not being cleared and the food is not up to much either. Its supposed to be a Klondike themed evening but the chilli is just soup and the huge lump of beef they are carving is practically still running around the plate. It's the first night we've not been happy.
However, things take a turn for the better when we decide to give 'Jamm the piano man' a wide berth and discover the Crow's Nest. Here Reggie, the DJ is just playing requests, not loud, no banter in between songs. You just add your request to the list and if he's got it, he will play it. We kept him very busy! But the highlight was the bar itself. Situated at the sharp end and glass all round, we were able to enjoy a beer and the stunning scenery as the ship left the dock, heading for Juneau. Best of all, it didn't get dark!
Ship's Log
05.56 Zaandam safely docked
21.00 Vessel undocked and underway to Juneau, AK
Weather Partly cloudy, north easterly, light breeze 19c
Today is Steve's birthday and after breakfast in our cabin, we set off for the ferry from Haines to Skagway. During the 40 minute transfer, we spot the now familiar blow and wait for the whales to make an appearance. Skagway is an amazing place with the old wooden walkways and some of the original buildings from the Klondike Gold Rush. We have time to wander the many souvenir shops before our ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route. As usual, the scenery was dramatic, climbing the granite mountain from sea level to almost 3000 feet. It is a narrow gauge railway due to the tight curves and steep grades. It travels through two tunnels and over numerous bridges. We stand out on the platform which in itself is quite scary as the ground falls away from you into deep valleys. Our destination is Fraser, British Columbia so we are required to pass through Canadian customs and back through USA customs.
Steve is getting to be such a good wildlife spotter and sees something up ahead but we can't make out what it is. Cameras at the ready, we wait in anticipation to draw level with a brown bear. Steve was the only one to capture a photo as he saw it well in advance. Made our day!
We came back down the mountain by coach which allowed us to view the valley from the opposite side.
The timing was perfect to get us back to town to catch the ferry and more whales on the way back to Haines.
All is not well in the restaurant this evening. Half of the serving area is closed and there are long queues. The tables are not being cleared and the food is not up to much either. Its supposed to be a Klondike themed evening but the chilli is just soup and the huge lump of beef they are carving is practically still running around the plate. It's the first night we've not been happy.
However, things take a turn for the better when we decide to give 'Jamm the piano man' a wide berth and discover the Crow's Nest. Here Reggie, the DJ is just playing requests, not loud, no banter in between songs. You just add your request to the list and if he's got it, he will play it. We kept him very busy! But the highlight was the bar itself. Situated at the sharp end and glass all round, we were able to enjoy a beer and the stunning scenery as the ship left the dock, heading for Juneau. Best of all, it didn't get dark!
Ship's Log
05.56 Zaandam safely docked
21.00 Vessel undocked and underway to Juneau, AK
Weather Partly cloudy, north easterly, light breeze 19c
- comments
Chris Hickey Is this so you remember what day it is? Must be useful. R
Chris Hickey Are you sure young Al isn't the same age as the rest of you? R
Chris Hickey Rush hour?
Chris Hickey fantastic. R
Chris Hickey you wonder how on earth they built it. R
Chris Hickey It still looks cold even in summer. R