I am sure that you must have wondered why there have been no posts for some time, eons in fact. Well, although I have been back on the “Amsterdam” on an Alaskan itinerary, try as I might, I have been unable to write a post owing to WiFi ‘challenges’ on the particular internet link I use.
It’s a long story, however the bandwidth on the particular link was been severely limited, so much so that I was unable to post a picture, let alone access my site to do so; after several attempts, over several days, the “wheel of death” on my computer screen became annoying, to say the least. I now write from the comfort of my desk at home, with the satisfaction of being able to download at lightning speed.
Having re-joined at the beginning of August and having set sail from Seattle towards Juneau; I spent the first 2 days in thick fog, not an auspicious start and leaving me wondering what on earth I was doing here 🙄
August remained mainly dull, with overcast skies and yet more fog, however September was another matter, blue skies and glorious sunshine for the month. The seasons seemed out of ‘kilter’, September is usually fraught with strong winds, yet there were none.
Our itinerary took us from Seattle to Juneau, thence to Yakutat Bay and Hubbard glacier, on to Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria BC and back to Seattle; 7 days of early mornings on the Bridge.
In the preceding years, I have been in Alaska for too many times to count, at least 15 ‘seasons’ of them, yet the beauty of the land always leaves in awe, it is, in a word, stunning.
Of course, I have always had my camera nearby; while at sea it sits on the Bridge, ever-ready and during jaunts ashore, it accompanies me. So, this post is a compendium of some of the places we visited.
I was so fortunate to have Sam, Anthony, Ollie and Emily sail with me and Karen 🙂
Juneau………..
Arriving Juneau, the Gastineau channel, shrouded by a fog bank, lies ahead.
Mt. Roberts tramway takes you from downtown Juneau to the top of Mt. Roberts
Fishing boats discharging their salmon catch at Taku fisheries.
Juneau in the early evening
Mendenhall glacier, a few miles north of Juneau.
A glorious sunset
Onwards then to Yakutat Bay, at the north end of which lies Hubbard glacier; the largest Tidewater glacier in North America. The photos, taken over several visits, have varying weather. Despite inclement weather in the lower Bay, Hubbard’s ‘Eco-climate’ always assisted in clearing the weather, when near the ‘face’.
As we turn into Yakutat Bay, 60 miles away lies Mt.St. Elias, 18,000 ft.
Our destination, 25 miles ahead
Brash ice and ‘growlers’ to negotiate to get there.
Almost there….
And this is what we came for………(When playing, click on the bottom right of the screen for ‘full screen mode’)
On Henke Island, a sea-lion rookery
Leaving Hubbard, our last visit of the season.
Onwards then, to Sitka……The “Fortress of the Bears” and some Fly-fishing for Salmon. Karen, (who was with me for 2 weeks); her Brother, Tom and his wife Lara.
No need to anchor anymore, a dock has been built…
“Forest of the Bears” sanctuary, where orphaned bears are cared for.
Everyone was successful, salmon galore, Catch & Release of course
Ketchikan…………
The ‘Lumberjack’ show, (Olly and Emily loved it)
“Time Bandit” of the “Deadliest Catch” series, she was apparently in for engine repair.
Creek Street, once the ‘red light’ district when Ketchikan was the salmon capital of the world
Dolly’s house is now a tourist attraction, with ‘ladies of the night’ still hang around the door
Some Wildlife photos…………..
On our way north, towards Hubbard, in the Gulf of Alaska, a pod of Orca pass
On our way to Juneau, pods of Humpback whales on the feed. Early morning and mist from their blows caught in the sun.
This one had just ‘breached’, however I wasn’t quite quick enough…
So, dear readers, after what seems an interminable length of time, I have achieved what should have been fulfilled much earlier. I some time off now and will be re-joining the “Amsterdam” in January 2019 for another Grand World Voyage. I remain optimistic that those WiFi challenges will have been put to rest and I will be able to take you around the globe (pictorially at least) again.
Dear Captain,
It seems like writing us blog is a required obligation rather than a “friendly story” when time allows you to compose an always interesting story ! I am always glad to read and watch your posts, anyhow.
The fabulous pictures remind me of my own time on board a HAL cruise in Alaska, which was a great experience.
Have a great vacation now, and as you will be aboard ms Amsterdam for the World Voyage, I would be glad to find an occasion to meet you after I board in Auckland in February 2019.
Sincerely thankful, Werner.
Dear Captain,
at first phrases, it reads like your Blog is a kind of obligation, rather than a friendly “keeping us enjoying to share your experiences” when time allows you to write to us.
Anyhow, this time again, it is my real pleasure to watch your pictures, that reminds me of my HAL cruise in Alaska.
I will be joining ms Amsterdam in Auckland, Feb. 26, 2019. It would be a real pleasure to meet you a moment.
In the meantime, i wish you to have a great vacation and look forward to meeting you next year.
Sincerely Yours. Werner
Awesome pics as usual Captain! All the best and enjoy your vac at home and with the family!
Great pictures,glad to see you back,hope to see you in 2000 world cruise . Thank you.
My husband and I were with you in August and it was a pleasure to see your wife, daughter and family with you! Thank You for being a great captain and your pictures are wonderful and bring back memories of our trip. We had that fog!
So pleased to receive your Alaska blog – wonderful pictures, and the video of the glacier calving is fab….
We, too, look forward to receiving your blogs during the 2019 World Cruise – wish we were going with you. Is this really your last World Cruise?
Hugs from Jean & George in BC
Thank you Captain, delighted to hear from you, we wondered where you were.
Lovely to see how the chn are growing. Look forward to seeing your pics on the world cruise blog.
Much appreciated, Wendy & Al
Wonderful ‘snaps’ of both family & scenery Captain.
How great to have them with you for a cruise.
Looking forward to the Jan. 2019 posts. Have a good rest and probably more corporate work in the mean time.
Keep well & safe!
Captain – cannot wait to join you once again in January for another circumnavigation. See you soon.
Welcome back (well for just the moment)! I missed you as I new you were sailing to Alaska – even double checked the blog when I did not see anything via e-mail. Did you call the “help desk” with those pesky online challenges :-)?
Best regards to you and yours, catch you next year!
Rosie
Hello Captain, I was on the World Cruise this year and having you as Captain again recently when my husband and I were on board that first week of glorious September in Alaska, made me so happy! Thank you for going to the trouble of finding out and making sure I knew what time we were passing Amphitrite Point at the north end of Barkley Sound on Vancouver Island. Her name was Wendy in case you go that way again and remember. I’ll be back on board for Christmas and the entire month just before the World 2019 and again for the Tales of the South Pacific in October. Hope to see you again….and Dolly…lol. Keep enjoying being our favorite Captain. Much Aloha, Gayle Hughes from Kauai.
Loved your photos. I sailed with you in August so got the gloom weather although Hubbard Glacier was gorgeous. Thanks for a nice ride and these photos.
I was wondering if you were back in Alaska. After having sailed on the Grand World I feel a special affinity for Amsterdam and for you. I look forward to following you on the Grand World 2019. We are booked for 2020. I have some pics of your last Sitka sail out but I can’t seem to be able to post them in comments.
I to enjoy reading and seeing the pictures. Have 5 cruises there and it is enjoyable to remeinese. Others have been able to post while on their cruise. World travelers Bill and Maryann on Eurodam😢😋 hate to say, have posted.
Enjoy the time off and I will especially like seeing all you write and your pictures on 2019 world if this is your last😪😤😩
Welcome Back