A Day out in Ketchikan

 

Sunday July 7th

Today was the first stop in port. Alaska does not have an hour on for daylight saving so we had to take an hour off our watches. This meant Mary woke up at 4.30 instead of 5.30 and was awake to see the boat dock at around 6am. This was all good as they had to have an early breakfast to get off the boat in time for their tour of the Misty Fjords and Wilderness.

Before that though they had time to look around the shops in Ketchikan.

The little town of Ketchikan with its wooden buildings looks like it belongs in the Wild West.

 I got to meet Santa and his reindeer in his Christmas shop. Notice he is wearing his summer clothes. Why does he bother to put on his winter suit when he comes to NZ I wonder if he already has such a good summer suit?

Soon we were off on our boat ride to the Misty Fjords. However today was very unusual for this trip; the sun was shining and it was not raining, so there was no mist. Apparently it is one of the most perfect days they have had this summer.

We were certainly flying fast past once we left Ketchikans picturesque harbour. The boat we were on is one of the fatest sightseeing vessels in Alaska. It has tobe fast to get the 60 miles out to see the sights and get the tourists back in time to meet the ship. Some of the cliffs we were passing were 3,000 feet high.

 The New Eddystone Rock is an immense volcanic spire rising up out of the sea. 

The bowl shaped depression caused by glacial forces in Punch Bowl cove.

Bald Eagles Nest

 Bald Eagle.

 Views of the cruise boats lined up at the wharf on our return from the trip.

 Celebrity millenium in Ketchikan.

Once back on board we were all invited up to the helicopter pad to watch the boat leave the port. Very few people took advantage of this but it was a great place to be right on the prow of the ship.

 Leaving Ketchikan.

Tomorrow we go to Icy Straight Point where we will leave the ship by tender as there no wharf. but there is free wifi so Mary spent the rest of the evening preparing this blog for when she can get online.  It is 79 cents a minute on the boat!  Every minute you are connected is charged. Not an option!