I’ve been playing ‘catch-up’ with you; managing some time ashore is wonderful, there is a ‘however’ though; that being a few hours ashore has the disadvantage of having to apply oneself to the business of the ship and all that has arrived on my desk (and computer) during the intervening hours. It makes me long for the days when email was non-existent and one relied on ‘snail’ mail, handling a couple of letters a week was quite manageable 😉
As I mentioned at the end of my last post, a glorious day in Sitka beckoned us. I use the Inner anchorage in fine weather, this has the advantage of a short ride by ship’s tender to the floating dock. The alternative anchorages, 2 and 3 are (literally) a mile away; we would shorten our guest’s enjoyment of Sitka because of the time it would take to get them ashore from 2 or 3. As it is, at the Inner, we started tender service at 8 a.m. and we had most ashore by 9:30 a.m.
At the Inner anchorage, fresh snow on the surrounding peaks too.
One could almost drive ashore??
A group of us were partaking of a fly-fishing tour. The company caters for clients who are staying, or coming to Sitka and they were hoping to ‘kick it up a notch’ by taking Cruise-ship guests. Normally they prefer a party of 3 or 4, mainly due to the constraint of too many fishing at the same time. We were, to some extent the guinea-pigs and did we have fun!
Waders on and preparing the rods and flies
The trail to the river, the photo doesn’t do it justice. Huckleberry bushes by the trail, we picked them as we strolled, delicious too!
As we walked through the bushes, the river greeted us.
Our party, Moi, Karen, Dylan, Lexi, John and his son Alex
The salmon were in their hundreds, swimming up-river to spawn, the river also held some ‘Dollies’, lovely trout.
I ought to have mentioned that we had to stop at the local supermarket, not for groceries, but our fishing licences, $20 for a day. We ‘caught and released’, total tally was, if I remember correctly, 48!!
Now a photo montage, as words cannot do it justice.
(Click on a photo for a hi-res version)
Salmon everywhere
Karen looking fetching in her gear.
As we walked through the bushes, the river greeted us.
Karen and our fishing guide, Jeff
John hooks a big one
I write this from Ketchikan. Last night, we were fortunate to witness the ‘Northern Lights’, albeit not as glorious as more northerly latitudes, nevertheless it was a sight to see.
Up at the uncivilised hour of 4:45 a.m., it has its advantages, sunrise above the mountains as we approach the Tongass Narrows.
We leave in an hour, southbound for Victoria B.C. We have had a wondrous week. I and my team try to make every cruise ‘special’, creating Magic Moments if we can, I believe we have certainly managed that 🙂
Yes, Karen wears wadders well! Stunning photos of the Northern Lights.
When would you say is the best time to sail to Alaska and see the Northern Lights. I would love to see them in person and we are thinking of a cruise to Alaska in 2017.
Hello, in the Alaskan latitudes, the opportunities are few. This is the first time I’ve seen them again, the last time was around 6 years ago. Conditions have to be just right. The higher latitude one is, the better chance of seeing them.
Karen looks lovely in her fishing gear. ?
Oh, I remember those magnifent Northern lights from previous trips to Alaska.
I meant to ask you if the Russian dancers came on board in Sitka to perform ? I remember they performed on the Rotterdam on one of my cruises and then on another cruise (not Alaska) they were on board with us as guests of HAL for a week and performed again.
Diane