ALASKA/CANADA
Saturday 5th May 2007
As we leave Australia bound for Vancouver, I am very excited about doing this cruise again, but instead of doing the Inside Passage, we are doing a Cruise and Land tour with Princess Cruises, taking us to Anchorage and beyond.
After arriving in Vancouver we pick up a hire car and drive up to Whistler about a 2 hrs away and call Club Intrawest our home for the next 4 days.. a self contained 1 bedroom unit.,very close to all the action and in walking distance to the town centre.
Great restaurants and bars.
The longhorn Saloon ,located in the mountain square, at the base of the Whistler and Blackcombe Mountain Gondolas. Hamburgers, steaks etc.
The Old Spaggetti Factory , located in the Crystal Lodge, great food and value for money.
Whistler Brewhouse, located in the centre of the village , great hamburgers, etc. Fabulous open fire place on those cool nights.
We took a gondola ride up Blackcome mountain and end getting a Ski Limo back, $20.00 and the best fun.
You sit in sled and are driven by a nice ski guide. Would do this again.
After leaving Whistler we travel down to Vancouver where we book into the Rosedale on Robson for the next 2 nights. Great location, again everything in walking distance, Gastown, Yaletown and the city centre.
Hotel has its own restaurant. Not expensive and food was great. as this was not our first trip to Vancouver we did a bit of shopping....
If you are visiting Vancouver for the first time, take a half day tour incorporating Grouse Mountain, Capilano Bridge, Salmon Hatchery and Nth Vancouver. Well worth the money. Operated by land Sea.
Alaska-
After boarding the Sapphire Princess, we locate our beautiful balcony cabin, the only way to really experience the beautiful scenery without going on deck. We have chosen anytime dining on this cruise which gave us the flexibility to eat when we had the hunger pains. A large choice of restaurants to from. The weather was supurb the whole journey. Our first port of call was Ketchikan, where we chose as a optional tour to travel by small boat up the George Inlet to see the Duncheness crabs in their natural habitat, they also monitor the crabs,taking measurements etc. Then we head back to George Inlet Lodge for an all you can eat Crab lunch. They were delicious. Next day off to Juneau, The Capital of Alaska, We have chosen the Salmon Bake, all you can eat tour, which starts with a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier, and 1 small bear eating the leaves of a tree, just where our bus pulled in..Then its onto the Salmon hatchery, and then to the Salmon bake restaurant, an open air restaurant, the salmon is cooked on a barbie, and the most amazing sauce. Also the baked beans were the best my husband has ever tasted.
Next port of call was Skagway, where we boarded the White Pass & Yukon train, taking us up to the White pass and return. Very scenic, and informative.
After leaving Skagway we head up to Glacier Bay where we spend most of the day just cruising this beautiful area. Next day we wake up to the magnificent College Fjiord. which has 26 glaciers flowing into the fjiord all named after colleges in the USA.
Our cruise comes to an end when we disembark at Whittier. After a brief visit to Anchorge, we fly up to Fairbanks, staying at the Fairbanks Princess Lodge situated on the Chena river, for the next 2 nights. day 1 we spend touring the Alaskan Pipe line, panning for gold. then a riverboat cruise on the river.
on the last night we decide to take a flight up to Wiseman, situated up past the Arctic Circle.what an adventure. We had a fantastic time wandering around this little town of 13 people, who survive in these vast extreme of temperature. and the enormous mozzies.
Next day we board a coach for our trip to Denali Bational park, staying at Princess Lodge. we took a wilderness tour of the park. then it was off to Mt McKinley by train. Fabulous carriages with great viewing from the dome windows. Meals were fine dining.
Mt Mckinley is the highest Mt in Nth America. Once again staying at Princess Lodge.Time to relax and enjoy the scenery. Then we board the train for our return to Anchorage. and head back to Vancouver and home.