Expedition: Alaska

September 25, 2014

 

 

I always thought cruises were for “old people.” (The booze cruise from LA-Mexico an exception.) Not one to turn down a free trip, I gladly accepted an aunt’s invitation to join her on an Alaskan cruise from Vancouver.

 

Cruises, it turns out, are a pleasant little getaway. The food was exceptional, the scenery amazing, and something has to be said for only needing to unpack once. There is plenty of entertainment on board and one certainly has the option to refuse all of it and still find something to suit their fancy.

 

I only wish I spent some time at the pool or jacuzzi, though the casino and trivia/bingo games kept me plenty occupied. Towel animal-folding class, however, tops my list of favorite activities of any trip. Ever. (And I’ve done Oktoberfest in Munich.)

 

There were numerous opportunities to whale-watch (I lugged around my camera kit hoping to capture something National Geographic-worthy), and it wasn’t until the end of the cruise that the occasional bell that rang throughout the week meant that whales were sighted for photo-ops. I kept waiting for an announcement to be made, much like in school. Next time…

 

The cruise made three stops: a non-descript island for ziplining and other outdoorsy activities, Juneau, the state capital, and Ketchikan, the salmon capital of the world. It was in Juneau that I chose to do something worthwhile, signing up for the helicopter tour of Mendenhall Glacier.

 

What an experience!

 

The choppers took us to the glacier which was a mere 12 miles out of Juneau. (I drive 12 miles from home and all I get to is a Wal-Mart. Not that I’m complaining.)

 

Once there, we got to walk around a little bit (we were outfitted with ice-walking-appropriate boots.) There were tiny streams of water running and we were encouraged to try it; I had never tasted water so pure in my life. One drop and I instantly felt connected to Mother Earth. Now I understand why they bottle it (just always thought it was some kind of marketing ploy.)

 

On the way up, we realized that one of the chopper doors never closed and one of the passengers in the back hung onto it to keep from falling out. The pilot landed us earlier than expected to avoid disaster, but on the way back took us higher and farther up the glacier to make up.

 

Back on solid ground, I indulged in a tasty lunch at The Crab Shack.

 

I learned that there was a healthy Filipino community there, the downtown plaza called Manila Square in honor of the many Filipinos who contributed to the mining, whaling and canning industries since the 18th century. Whoddathunk?

 

There’s a funicular that one can take to the top of Mount Roberts which I passed on in favor of a little shopping. (A very Filipino trait. Appropriate, methinks.) Perhaps next time.

 

Later on the cruise, one of the casino dealers told me that hands down, the staff voted the dog-sled excursion to be the best one to do if you had only one choice of activity. Though the glacier trip was worth every pricey penny, I’m signing up for the dog sled next time. Now there will most definitely be a next time.

 

But Sarah Palin lied. You can’t see Russia from there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

# # # # # # # #