Walking the Seawall
August 13, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
The seawall is a shared cycle path and walkway which links the city and all around Stanley Park. At Coal Harbour, we check out all the boats, then the float planes at their designated terminal; thenRead more
Boarding the Viking Orion
August 14, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
We walk the streets of Vancouver for the last time and board our ship at Canada Place. Formalities are really quick and well organised. We board and head for the Explorers Lounge. Amazingly we walkRead more
Onboard the Viking Orion
August 14, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Leaving Vancouver
August 14, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
We set sail at 6pm inching our way away from the terminal away from the city. The boat almost comes to a stop while a barge empties the rubbish from the ship. Then we are underway....past the sulphurRead more
Under the Lion's Gate Bridge
August 14, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
As we sail out of Vancouver Harbour, the lights come on transforming the city backdrop. We have travelled over this bridge several times in our past few days in Vancouver. It’s the main waterRead more
A British Columbian Sunset
August 14, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
It's a beautiful summer night with almost no wind and a full moon. The sun setting over the ocean is a novelty to us.
Inside Passage - Early Morning
August 15, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
As the sun rises we are sailing the Inside Passage, specifically the Seymour Narrows. Its wild and green with forests that are logged by clear felling. The fishermen are out on the water where theRead more
Seymour Narrows
August 15, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
The narrow waterway is a highway for the migrating whales. There are several humpbacks and pods of orcas, along with porpoises and dolphins. We watch one humpback breech off the stern of the boat.
WeRead more
Ketchikan - Early Morning Arrival
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
An early morning arrival sailing through the Tongass Narrows to the Salmon capitol of Alaska. This town is very seasonal with the main industries of fishing and tourism. There are big canneries hereRead more
Ketchikan - town built over the water
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
The shoreline of Ketchikan is a rocky cliff with little land at sea level. It has the second highest tidal change in the world (up to 20 feet). The tide is out when we sail in leaving the pilings thatRead more
Potlach Park, Ketchikan
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
We travel out along the shoreline to the Haida tribal land called Potlach Park. Potlach is the first nations term for party - a place of ceremonies and festivities. Here we see community buildings ofRead more
Potlach Park - Community Houses & Totems
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
The totem poles are carved from a single tree trunk. Pieces that stick out are added to that carved trunk/ They are painted in natural ochres.
Potlach Park - Carving a Totem Pole
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Carved from a single tree trunk, the totem pole tells a story. It is hand carved using a traditional adze.
Vintage Car Museum
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
At Potlach Park, the owners are avid restorers of old cars and they have several on display.
Fish Creek, Ketchikan
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
We follow the path through town, through Whale Park and following the Married Man's Trail along Fish Creek. Just like the name suggests, this is a salmon spawning river with a salmon ladder to assistRead more
Fish Creek, Ketchikan - Salmon Ladder
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
The salmon ladder has been constructed to provide an alternative route upriver for the salmon to spawn. They arrive at this point exhausted and languish in the eddies gaining strength and muscleRead more
Fish Creek, Ketchikan - Catch & Release
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
We watch as families gather on the creek bank above the salmon ladder to catch the fish and release them back. The fish are so thick here, its hardly a sport.
Tongass Historical Museum, Ketchikan
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Tongass Historical Museum, Ketchikan
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Every part of the cedar tree is used. Cedar bark is stripped very finely for weaving.
Creek Street, Ketchikan
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Creek Street, originally the red light district of Ketchikan is now a historical district filled with tourist shops, elevated over Fish Creek.
Cliff Tunnel, Ketchikan
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
The original application to build this tunnel through the cliff failed. During WW2, funding was reapplied for - to build a bomb shelter - and it was granted. The cliff hangs above the water. a tunnelRead more
Alaskan Raptor Centre, Sitka AK
August 17, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
The Alaskan Raptor Centre is a rehabilitation facility for raptors and other birds. The aim is to release the birds back to the wild. Set in a natural forest habitat, we are very impressed with theRead more
Silver Bay, Sitka AK
August 17, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 13 °C
Silver Bay is a fjord. The water is a clear turquoise colour, we see humpback whales lazily moving along in the tranquil water.
Fortress of the Bears, Sitka AK
August 17, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
The fortress of the bears is a facility which cares for orphaned bear cubs who cannot be returned to the wild. The area is a converted industrial site amid the rainforest.
India Creek, Sitka AK
August 17, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
India Creek is a salmon spawning creek. At the moment it is full of salmon returning to spawn and is literally wall-to-wall salmon.