Alaska Travel Cruise 21 st June to 29th June

Subject: Seven Day trip on board the Holland America Cruise to Alaska  

 Enjoy taking this virtual tour, as much as I enjoyed visually and writing it whole heartedly! 
It's a bit long, but, do take time off  to read it when ever you get time.

Seven Day trip on board the Holland America Cruise AlaskaCruise 22nd to 29th June.

A novel,way to relax, and rest , enjoy a holiday !

Boarded the cruise ship at Vancouver and travelled for 6 days with stopover at three of the most interesting places of Alaska--- Juneau, the Capital city , Skagway - the Gold Rush city and third Ketchikan, an old Native Village , and famous Totem pole carvings and one of the most attentive glaciers known as Mendhan Hall  Glacier and National park . 

There were some days that  were spent on board , and we were taken close to the Glacier bay.

Located on the temperate latitude , and passing from the Pacific Ocean, the ship made its way through the inner passage way, encompassing islands , and peninsulas , over the forested mountains stretching along the landscape.

Long Daylight hours ,enabled the visitors to enjoy the uninterrupted sea and the mountain landscape at yonder. 

Holland America, the cruise liner is  well maintained by a strong , dedicated crew, were very courteous , and friendly , welcoming the global travellers from across the different countries of the world." 

Holland America ",  and several others  cruise ships are built at Norway Docks and their fleet has names ending with Dam .  Ours was named VOLENDAM!  Looking grand and Majestic, she was  berthed at the Vancouver Port Terminal, British Columbia, Canada , was all set to be at sea by 5.00. Pm .

 were we  excited , like school children going on a picnic, we went through immigration formalities, (entered Canadian Territory by Air  from Chicago, USA ). giving a brief about the lay out of the ship, way to our cabins marked, keys to our cabin with our names were all handed over to us . and our luggage  having reached earlier than us , and kept in our cabins., we were tired by then and straight went to the Food court Deck The Lido deck! 

There were people from New Zealand, Australia, African countries Ghana  and Nigeria, 

Japan, Philippines, Singapore, India -  a large contingent  from Pune, Ahmadabad, Solapur, Mumbai , Gujarat, Delhi,Haryana, U P and Punjab .

This was our third cruise, the earlier ones on the Caribbean, and Mexico , on board the Carnival Cruise . However "Holland America "  was a class of its own,maintained good standards in terms of  cleanliness, food  cuisines, special Vegetarian menus, besides a variety of pastries and bread  with health and nutrition as its focus. 

Special dishes , when requested were made and offered to the guests.

Two special evenings with dress code were arranged with seats marked and guests were escorted to their tables.All passengers  turned out, dressed in their best outfits, and happy to greet one another.

we were tired by then and straight went to the Food court Deck " The Lido deck"! 

By now it was time to get to know the safety features , and all were asked to assemble at the outer deck, over looking the terminal and the sea .to watch a safety drill demonstration by the crew . 

And sharp at 5.00 pm , we moved out gently from the Pier -I  to the Pacific Ocean, with sky line moving from the Vancouver city to fade gradually into the cool waters of the ocean.

The next day was at sea with varying activities planned , and  brochures of the places ( excursions organized pre- boarding ) tickets kept  in our cabins before hand. 

Taking a glimpse of the day's schedule, it was interesting to note that every one had some thing to keep them engaged, in groups, or family or as individuals.

We played scrabble, cards,  Chess , watched the Casino players and their changing faces as the game went on, and  on! and read few magazines at the library, as were watching the scenery outside. 

An interesting part was a class "Microsoft Digital  workshop on Photography". Any body could sign in and learn the basics of photography-- editing, resizing, all features of a camera, cell phone or any simple hand held camera. Quiz programs were organized , to create an interest among the visitors.

Entertainment included movies on the Glaciers, Alaska and its transition from Russia , films on "Gold Rush" and the Glaciers and its movement were screened at regular intervals, for the benefit of those who are absolutely new to the subject.

Live musical shows by the crew and staff of the VOLENDAM  were good to watch. Color T V monitors   were placed on almost all decks , to know the progress of the journey from the port  to the next destination.

By now it was Day three , and first stop on Land.

* At Juneau, Capital city of Alaska, to see the Glacier at close quarters. Lakes  formed due to Glacier melt, waterfalls and the flora and fauna that has grown were lovely to watch. 

The water was very cold and fingers became stiff, still collected few rock samples for my Rock collection from the Glacial deposits. before the mercury dips down, we were back in our ship.

 we could move from any part of the deck and the long corridors end up at the open deck.we can walk round and see the early morning sun dazzling on the waters

*The inner passage way! the Glacier BAY- Another exciting day on board  the  ship! 

Watching the shows on Glacier Bay and informative talk by Scout Ranger, who explained the formation of several Glaciers, the ship was  now stationed for about 30  minutes  on this magnificent site.(Inner Passage way)! 

Moving from deck to deck the passengers watched the Azure blue  Fjords ( huge protruding cliffs  along the  mountains , falling into the ocean) the crystal clear waters , and the meltdown rocks float on the ocean water!  weather was just right for the whales to swim around  and all eyes were ,looking eagerly to sight a whale!(we were chanting VEL,VEL VEL MurugaVEL!!!)

All were clothed in warm outer layers, Mercury dipping pretty fast at midday, , did not deter our enthusiasm to stay on the Decks  and observe the floating shields! Finally, observing the huge mountains, our ship moved out of the inner passage way, to stop at the next port.

*Skagway  --Train Journey, Bus ride, and walking tour! 

From here our ship  was moving towards the second  stop over on land , now the train ride , bus ride and spending time leisurely to watch the Gold panning and try our hand to get a  few grams! Tried our  luck, at the Klondike  village and Dredger field.

The Skagway river runs from the melted water glaciers from the Yukon territory region and by now gathered enough boulders and rocks carrying this precious metal in ore form.

Skagway, Alaska most famous” Gold rush city”. From here several Stampeders  began their arduous  trek to the Klondike .
They overcame hard ship and made the Street Car ,to enjoy the beautiful weather  and travel to and from there other trails, along the valley. 

Alighting by 10.00 am from the docks, a cute train was standing besides the port terminal, ready to take the visitors on a mountain trail, popularly  known as WHITE PASS AND Yukon Territory Rail Tours.

The bogies were named after the lakes formed out of the Glacier Melt Water, and the hikers who made it to those areas  in their maiden exploration! 

.Enjoying the bounties of nature, up to the top by the train Fraser Station, our bus was waiting for us, near the river front. 

Chill winds  and cloudy skies , threatened our  stop over for photos, yet our coach driver and conductor gave a running commentary as we were coming down , stopping at vantage points to take pictures of the mighty gorge, the cantilever bridge to connect the valleys  that were a marvel to pause and appreciate ! , thanks to the weather,  now clearing, our coach driver helped with our request to stop at photo points.

*Stop over at Klondike Village 

Walking down the village, noticing the dredger machines, and the sieve trays, we were taken to see the artifacts and how they worked ! 

An old man dressed as an early explorer in his late 70s, explained how the shining metal settles down as a result of this  as sieving process .

All of us were eager to do the gold panning : a sieve was handed over to each one of us and  fresh water from the nearby river was kept in a big bin; a shed that could have nearly 40 -50 people had a table and towel hanging, our leader demonstrated how to sieve the mud, dipping in to the bowl of water , so that the yellow metel , heavier by 8 times  the water moves to one side and gradually settling down.

Later by sieving , the gold is separated from fine sands , picked up by the middle finger carefully and placed in small containers given to each one of us.

Many who tried, returned empty, while a few lucky ones( me one of them) managed to get a few grains, collected them in small boxes, then taken to the  stores to weigh them and given back as souvenirs;  The cobbled pathway was paved with yellow paint ,resembling that of “Gokulashtami Steps of Lord Krishna”walked on golden pebbles !! I collected 1.5 ounce, equivalent to  $ 11.6. 

*Ketchikan • Saxman tribal village, Culture, and way of life, now to the penultimate stop over land was Ketchikan, the home of the native saxman tribal village, and the Totem Pole carving centre.

Very much akin to our coastal villages of kerala, Goa and Tutucorin, the exception is they do wood carving on huge tree trunks, and depict the way of ancestral life and their culture .

Their household are small square unites with conical roofs to drain off the snow, built with hard rocks and woodscrap mulch to protect from severe heat and cold;

Their traditional costumes resembles that of our Mizo hills tribes dresses with long flowing skirts for the women and thick robes for men,  with contrast colours; we(Padma and myself) volunteered  to join in the group dancing, we were given the outfits , we looked gorgeous ! and learnt their steps and danced along with them,enjoyed by the spectators and well appreciated;

The swaying movements and steps in circular motion  aresimilar to any hill tribes movements. Finally bidding farewell to the villagers, we moved to the Totem ole Park site; poles reaching sky high, with varied inscriptions, denoting the tribe’s affiliation by means of birds depicted so boldly and colorfully was a treat to the visitors.

“Importance of special species of birds  and selection such as Bald Eagle, Raven, squirrel etc have a special place for the ancestors of the clan; A small documentary explained at the beginning helped us to understand the meaning of the Totem Poles  Carving better.

Intermarriage between two families of the same bird is mandatory;and the mothers lineage is considered for the selection of the bride or groom”:

By now we moved to wards the Pier and made our way back to the ship; next day at sea was just relaxing and recollecting the past six days tour, and putting back our suitcase in order to get them back to the collecting isle;

A precise, round the clock vigil and completing the formalities was at its best, and when the ship docked at Vancouver, we said good bye to one another and our fellow passengers;

Some became very close and promised to share the photos taken at various venues.

Thus the much awaited dream destination to Alaska , by cruise was fulfilled!

Thanks to the Almighty , we all  maintained good health, our children esp our daughter Sujatha and Bala , who monitored from beginning to end tirelessly and made it happen. 

From the Writers' Desk!