Alaska Cruise IV

Another incredible day in Alaska.

We were woken by our butler bringing coffee to our stateroom, the first time we had slept late. Luckily for us. We noticed a message on our phone from the night before telling us that our tour had been rescheduled from 10.45 a.m. to 8.45 a.m. We quickly had some coffee and fruit and rushed off the ship to the pier, where we met the small shuttle to the airport. We had arranged a helicopter flight to the Mendenhall Glacier with a two hour glacier trek (walk).

At the premises of the company, Northstar Trekking, we were given a safety talk and then we were given a complete set of equipment for our glacier trek. Fist we put on some waterproof pants, over what we were wearing. Then we removed our shoes and put on their waterproof boots. Over the boots and the pants, we put some covering. I can't remember what it was called. Then we put on a waterproof jacket.

We walked out to the helicopter. There were three passengers and we were also accompanied by two of our glacier guides. The helicopter took us for a thirty minute ride over the glacier, into the adjacent valleys and over the ice fields. This part of the tour was fascintaing. See the glacier from the air was spectacular. This huge river of ice was a sight to see.

We landed on the glacier with a second helicopter. In all, we were about nine tourists with three guides. The ice was very slippery. We were given crampons, a set of large spikes attached to the bottom of our boots. We were also given helmets and ice axes. The guides then taught us the techniques of walking on the ice, climbing hills and descending slopes.

The two hour exploration of the glacier was absolutely fantastic. The glacier appeared to glow from within, a bright blue color. We saw rivers of bright blue clear water flowing through the glacier. We saw beautiful waterfalls. When the sun came out the entire glacier changed to a sparkling field of bright ice.

The guides were extremely knowledgeable. They were happy to answer all our questions. The time finished much too quickly. We could have stayed on the glacier for a few more hours. The helicopter ride back to the airport was short but pretty, giving us a good view of Juneau and its surrounding area. We would strongly recommend that anyone going to Juneau uses Northstar Trekking for this incredible tour. Its well worthwhile.

After returning all our equipment at the company's premises, we were driven back to the ship. The driver offered lots of information about Juneau.

After a light salad for lunch, we decided to walk around Juneau, which is the capitol of Alaska. We wandered along the main streets and walked up the hill to the State Capitol building. We were given a tour of the building lasting around 45 minutes. It was very interesting.

We did a little shopping on the way back to the ship. Juneau is a bustling town with a fun vibe.

It is now 11.40 pm. It is not dark outside, more like a blue dusk. There is snow on the mountain peaks. We are sailing along a very smooth passage. It is like a chocolate box covering.

Oh well. we gotta go to sleep sometime!