Canada Place
All cruises to Alaska, starting from Vancouver, will depart from Canada Place. During peak season, there could be up to 4 cruise ships of about 2000 passengers, docking here at a time.
Despite being early (taking the 1st courtesy Princess Cruise bus from airport), we took at least 2 hours to get through and board the ship - after a long queue at the entrance which leads to security clearance, we were then directed to rows of seats to wait again, before moving to the end of the queue for the immigration clearance. Perhaps it's because we were international travelers, not US passport holders?
Lions Gate Bridge
Because of the delay at the immigration, the cruise ship only left the port at around 7 pm. By then, the Lions Gate Bridge becomes a silhouette with the late evening sun rays shine beyond it. Lions Gate bridge is officially known as the First Narrows Bridge, and looked rather similar to Golden Gate bridge - both are suspension bridges.
Norwegian Star
On the 2nd day of the cruise, it was a sea day as we were still heading north toward Ketchikan. While standing at the balcony, looking out to the sea, we saw the Norwegian Star was cruise right along side Diamond Princess. They started the cruise from Seattle, and would be a slightly different route from us as their cruise is a round trip which will head back to Seattle, while we would head up to Whittier for our next leg of the journey.
Shoreline Along Johnstone Strait
At some point along this strait, we were supposed to be able to spot whales, but because of the late departure from Canada Place, we would only passed this place early in the morning - at around 4 am. Too early for anyone to be out at the balcony searching for whales' spouts.
Dawn Over Misty Fjord
Woke up at 4 am again, and found this view from my balcony. Camera came out immediately and it was photo session time. Then it was back to bed, trying to sleep a little more but with little success.
Dawn Over Misty Fjord
At least we were not the early birds, awake at this time of the morning - a fishing boat was either heading out to some fishing location or heading back to the port.
Thundering Wings
Thundering Wings at Eagle Park, carved by Nathan Jackson of Ketchikan, was meant to represent Ketchikan as Ketchikan is believe to be from the native Tlingit word "Kitschk-Hin" - "thundering wings of an Eagle".
Anyone coming to Ketchikan by the ships will be able to see this totem pole as it is location is near the cruise ship berths.
Ketchikan Banner
The famous Ketchikan banner proclaim itself as the salmon capital of the world. But with the amount of salmon you can find during the salmon run period, you might agree with them.
Creek Street
Besides the quant buildings and shops, during the salmon run, creek street is a great place to be at to view hordes of salmon swimming up the Ketchikan creek to reach its spawning locations. Creek street also has an unusual past - it was a red-light district in 1920s with over 20 houses found along the street. There is even a muddy path used by married men to visit the house discreetly instead of being caught walking in the front doors now been marked as "Married Man's Trail.
Raven Stealing the Sun Totem Pole
This totem pole is found outside the Ketchikan Public Library. There seems to be an interesting legend behind this totem pole that you can find in the internet.
Ketchikan Shoreline (Cruise ships)
This is only the start of the Alaska Cruise season and there is already 5 cruise ships docking at Ketchikan for the morning. Wonder what happens at peak?
At the start of the Misty Fjord Sightseeing flight (from Ketchikan), we had to fly past the shoreline heading somewhat southeast-wards to the monument.
Aerial View of Misty Fjords (Collage)
During the Misty Fjord Sightseeing flight (from Ketchikan), we get to see such view...
View of Misty Fjord From Plane
During the Misty Fjord Sightseeing flight (from Ketchikan), we get to see such view...
View of Misty Fjord From Plane
During the Misty Fjord Sightseeing flight (from Ketchikan), we get to see such view...
Nooya Lake (Panorama)
As part of the Misty Fjord Flightseeing, we had a stop over at the Nooya Lake. Nooya Lake is one of the few lakes within the Misty Fiords National Monument. It's usually only accessible by floatplane or boat. There is a trail from the Nooya creek to this lake.
Sunset along Chatham Strait
As we head to Juneau, it was another beautiful sunset, this time over Chatham Straits. Time to head to bed!
Sunrise Over Misty Fjord
At dawn, the sun managed to break through the clouds to shine its ray of light shining across the sea.
Sunrise
Another dawn (pre-dawn more likely) shot, this time, before reaching Juneau.
Dawn Flight
Flight over the sun reflected light on the ocean by a seagull, while the ship was nearing Juneau for our next port call.
Auke Bay (Panoramic)
A panoramic view of a shoreline around Auke Bay taken during the whale watching tour in Juneau.
Whale Watching Tour - First Sight of Humpback Whale
After some time moving around in the Auke Bay, we finally had the first sight of a humpback whale.
Whale Watching - First Sight of Orcas
During the whale watching tour, we also managed to see Orcas - Killer Whales.
Whale Watching - Humpback Fluking
Collage of photos to show the sequence of humpback whale fluking... Or as the captain of the boat says - "Tail!"
Whale Watching - California Sea Lion Spotted
This California sea lion was spotted swimming toward a buoy while we were out looking for whales.
Whale Watching - California Sea Lions vs Steller Sea Lions at Buoy
This buoy seems to be popular as there were already two Steller Sea Lions and this newcomer wants to be on the buoy too!
Red Dog Saloon
Red Dog Saloon, founded during Juneau's mining era, is one of the oldest man-made tourist attraction in Juneau. Fans of Wyatt Earp would be interested to know that there is a signboard in the saloon - showing a gun claiming that he checked in the said gun but failed to claim it while on his way to Nome.
Wall Mural - Alaskan Version of Genesis
A Mural on the Juneau's city hall (I think) wall depicting the Alaskan native's version of Genesis.
Norwegian Pearl and Floatplane
On the way back to the cruise ship, a float plane was about to land, with the Norwegian Pearl in the side.
Skagway - View from Ship's Balcony
The first view of Skagway from the ship's balcony was this wall with the White Pass train in the foreground. According to some, every time a cruise ship sets sail for the first time (to Skagway), or when a captain retires/dies, a commemorative painting is done here for the event.
Captain William Moore Bridge
First stop on the bus ride from Skagway to Carcross was the Captain William Moore Bridge with Mount Carmack in the background.
Skagway - White Pass & Yukon Tour Scenery
Windy Arms, west arm of Tagish Lake was one of the stops we had during the bus ride from Skagway to Carcross.
Tagish Lake & Bove Island (Panoramic)
Panoramic view of the Tagish Lake with Bove Island in the middle of the lake.
Skagway - White Pass & Yukon Tour Scenery
View from the bus ride from Skagway to Carcross.
Emerald Lake (Panoramic)
Emerald Lake, viewable from Klondike Highway, named due to the green colour light reflection from the special mix of clay found in the area.
Husky at Caribou Crossing
Lunch was at Caribou Crossing, where this husky was so curious with the camera that it came close to it.
Skagway - White Pass & Yukon Tour Scenery
View from the train ride from Fraser, B.C, to Skagway.
Skagway - White Pass & Yukon Tour Scenery
View from the train ride from Fraser, B.C, to Skagway.
Skagway - Transportation
Traditional transport (horse carriages) are still alive in this town.
Waterfall along Lynn Canal
One of the waterfalls we would see on the slopes along Lynn Canal as the ship sailed from Skagway towards the next location.
Shoreline along Lynn Canal (Panoramic)
Panoramic view of the Lynn Canal shorelines at dusk.
Sunrise along Icy Strait
Another golden sunrise in Alaska, along the Icy Strait.
Sunrise along Icy Strait
Another early morning sunrise, this time sailing along the Icy Straits Point toward Glacier Bay National Park.
View of Glacier Bay National Park
Only two cruise ships are allowed daily into Glacier Bay National Park, and only those cruise companies with allocated use days are allowed to sail their ships into the area.
Reid Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park
View of Reid Glacier, the first glacier during this cruise in Glacier Bay National Park. It was named after Henry Fielding Reid by members of the Harriman Alaska Expedition.
Lamplugh Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park (Panoramic)
Panoramic view of Lamplugh Glacier, named after an English geologist George William Lamplugh who visited Glacier Bay in 1884.
Lamplugh Glacier (Close Up)
A close up view of the ice on the Lamplugh Glacier.
Harbour Seals
A pair of Harbour Seals spotted on a chunk of ice.
John Hopkins Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park (Panoramic)
Panoramic view of John Hopkins Glacier, named after John Hopkins University in Baltimore, and its surroundings.
John Hopkins Glacier
As there are a lot of seals taking refuge on the glacier ice floating in this area, the cruise ships are not allowed to go nearer to the glacier. The is the closest view of John Hopkins glacier I could get (from a 2x teleconverter on a 200mm lens).
Margerie Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park (Panoramic)
Panoramic view of Margerie Glacier, one of the most active glacier for 'calving' (a word meaning breaking and dropping of ice walls into the sea). It was named after a French geographer and geologist Emmanuel de Margerie who visited Glacier Bay in 1913.
Margerie Glacier
To give a better sense of how high the glacier wall - compare its height to that of the boat.
Ice Calving at Margerie Glacier
A collage of photos to show the ice calving sequence we had witnessed at Margerie Glacier. The calving happens in 3 parts, with the last part being captured on video.
Prince William Sound (Panoramic)
Panoramic view of the area in Prince William Sound as the ship sailed toward College Fjords.
Prince William Sound - Commercial Fishing
Commercial fishing is found in Prince William Sound, and we could view the activities of these boats as the ship sailed towards College Fjords.
College Fjord Glacier Ice
A collage of chunks of ice seen while sailing along College Fjord.
College Fjord Scenery
View from the ship as it sails toward Harvard Arm section of College Fjord.
College Fjord Glaciers
This was the closest the ship could get to the glaciers. There were too many large chunks of ice lying around which prevents the ship from getting closer.
College Fjord Glaciers (Panoramic)
At the Harvard Arm of College Fjord lies the 4 glaciers all named after the famous East Coast colleges by members of the Harriman expedition - Vassar, Bryn Mawr, Smith and Harvard Glacier.