Lots of pictures today, so I’ll keep the words to a minimum. Our ship, the smallest, was one of four ships in Ketchikan for the day. But we arrived first and had the prime docking spot right at the center of town. The weather was basically cloudy all day with a dash of sunshine and splashes of rain.
Here are today’s ship pictures. They are in and just outside the Explorer Lounge on deck seven. I took them in the morning, so the bar is not set up as a bar. The bar opens at noon. It’s a beautiful venue for reading, relaxing, and watching the ocean as it’s right at the front of the ship. I found another Viking sheep picture. And there are Viking type artifacts mixed in among the books. There is no library per se on Viking ships, but there are bookshelves everywhere. There is also a small food counter here that specializes in Norwegian waffles. We haven’t tried it (or them) yet, but we will. You can go outside at the front of the lounge – great spot for pictures. The “fireplace” inside is virtual.
After breakfast and docking, we got off and walked about Ketchikan downtown. It is basically gift shops, bars, restaurants, and jewelry stores. We visited the museum and walked about Creek Street, a street of wooden walkways along a creek that is a salmon run. Lots of fish and seals in the creek which is more like a river. Lots of dead fish too. Not sure what’s up with that. The church that looks Russian Orthodox (maybe?) is actually Episcopalian, Guess what the Star House was? Like the fur jockstraps? And the trash can is probably the only trash can picture I will take in Alaska.
Approaching Ketchikan and Downtown Walkabout
The Tongass Historical Museum
The highlight is the skull and frame of Old Groaner that is described in one of the pictures.
Creek Street
Then we took our excursion for the day – a short bus ride to Saxman Native Village (Totem Park) which houses the largest collection of totem poles in the world. We saw a native dance exhibition and lots of totem poles. The guides were wonderful. Two women from the tour accepted the invitation to join in the dance. We demurred. The last two pictures are of a totem pole that was raised just last week. Elaine posed with two of performers. The downed totem pole in the picture before that new one is the oldest – over 130 years old (I think but maybe it’s even older.)
Then it was back to the ship for a late (2:45 pm) lunch at the pool bar – hamburgers, fries, and beers. Then reading and naps.
Cocktails at five in the Living Room where a pianist was playing. Dinner was in the World Cafe where we sat with a nice couple from Atlanta. After dinner it was off to Explorer Lounge where Elaine joined two other women and one of their husbands in a Name That Tune competition. I chatted up the other husband. The theme was classic rock and, alas, our team didn’t win. I recognized one of the fifteen tunes (Hotel California). Then tired and tipsy, we headed for bed.
Hey, Cindy. I was wondering where you were. Hope all is well with you and Bill.
I, too, would love to spend time in the Explorer Lounge right at the front of the ship with those great views. Indeed, Elaine looks very comfy nestled on the couch with her phone.
Your walkabout in Ketchikan looks very interesting. My guess is that the Star House is where you would remove those fur jockstraps!!
On to Sitka.
Nice photos! We stopped in Ketchikan with the Liees and the Murphys on our AK trip. Our ship docked right in downtown. Yours probably did also. Beautiful little town and a short public bus ride to that wonderful totem pole park. Unfortunately for Ketchikan they experienced a violent landslide at the end of August. It killed a couple of people, injured others, and took out quite a few houses on the steep hill, where the funicular is. That area is right above the river so maybe that’s why there were dead fish Hey, maybe it took the funicular out also. Sending you a link to the news article.
The funicular lives. And it turns out that the dead fish is a natural thing that happens every year.
Hi Sue, our visit in NM was wonderful being with family again. We miss them and are thankful it’s not far. Bill and I are good as I hope you and Jeff are too.
Joe thanks for pics of ship inside, looks great and your views outside are amazing. Love the totem poles. They always fascinate me. Take care!
Sorry we missed NM. See you in November.
When we were there in early august, about mid-month, they had a landslide, just 3 blocks north of where we docked. We had the northern-most dock, right by the Arctic Bar. Devastating to the town. Not sure you’ll see any of it as you travel north.
Sitka was the BEST fish and chips stop. We had them in every town when we did the 14-day HAL trip, and Sitka was the best. ENJOY! A very small town, but great beer stops.
We didn’t see the landslide site. And my Sitka fish and chips were average at best. Best ever include ones at Port Stewart, Northern Ireland; Manly Bay near Sydney, Australia; Whitby, England; Lerwick, Shetland Islands; and Oceanside, California.