Alaska / Skagway / 2004

A worthwhile trip that was better than expected. You have likely already formed an opinion on 'cruise ship' experience. We had too, however, the actual experience surprised us pleasantly. This is an environment where you are 'forced' to relax and enjoy yourself. No option here. Good for workaholics like me who are lost and panicked the moment our cellphone/pager loses coverage. This cruise trip was a round trip from Seattle, WA. Ports of calling were Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and others (will remember and list).

Alaska is pristine. This is an experience if you want to get unadultrated pristine beauty.

This picture is in Skagway. Took a helicopter (excursion) to the top of the glacier. Yep, landed right on it. Still feel bad about it as we should not be doing so. This is destroying the place however careful we are. Glacier is the white stuff.

We were not lucky enough to see any calving. I was surprised to see icebergs. Never quite expected the vibrance and the deep blue. See pic - no filters or tricks here. This is the real stuff. The explanation is that the ice is so heavily compressed that it forces out all micro-air-bubbles etc. and causes the ice to start reflecting the blue spectrum.

Plenty to talk about on this one. Will post more information on Alaska.