Ketchikan, Alaska – 5/21/2016

May 21, 2016 (Saturday)

Ketchikan

Another beautiful day. Perfect weather. We had been afraid there would be tons of rain and really cold. Glad we were wrong as it’s been almost ideal weather for the most part.

We docked early so Michael and I got up and had breakfast at the 7 Seas Restaurant. After that we walked off the ship and over to town, which was very close. It’s a really quaint town with colored homes, quite lovely.

Another small town, very quaint though.
Pretty woman wanting to get into town and away from the stores we saw in every port, here and in the Caribbean.
Where cruise ships park, corporate sales begin. Many of the smaller shops had signs informing that they were small, local, had no other shops and did not sell gems or jewelry mass produced in China.

We saw a tour operator to Saxman Center (totem poles) and also to a place where bears like to hang out ($40.00 per person – was $45.00 per person but I saw another operator with the lower prices and complained so they refunded us the difference). The tour guy, Hal, was born and raised in Ketchikan. Also, he is native American and said he helped build the tribal center (Saxman Center). Pretty cool. He even pointed out the area he worked on as a youth.

Dedicated totem poles the an effigy of what it is dedicated to on top.

We didn’t get to see any bears, just fresh bear poop. Does that count? I guess that will have to do. We did get to see lots of eagles though, and some sea otters. The eagles are so majestic!

Usually a good spotting spot for bears, not today though.
The only bear Edie got to see.
Bear poop or scat as some call it.
A main transport up here.
Eagle in a tree.
I thought it had a snake for a minute.
Eagle with nesting material.
The rich settlement history of Alaska.
One of the largest buildings in Alaska.

Back on the ship, we went to dinner at 7 Seas and met a nice couple – Luna and John, from Florida. We enjoyed visiting with them. After dinner we went to the finale at the Stardust Lounge, called “Rock You Tonight.” Such energy. I bet all the singers and dancers are completely exhausted after their shows.

We really enjoy Norwegian cruises because (so far) the entertainment and the food have been outstanding.