Sitka and the Hubbard Glacier – days 3 and 4 of our Alaska Cruise

Day 3 of our Alaska cruise saw us arrive into Sitka which is located on the outer coast of the Inside Passage. The ship docked at 10.30am and this was one port we hadn’t any excursions planned, so we took the free shuttle bus (took approx 15 mins transfer time) into the town of Sitka. Apparently, we were blessed with the weather as all the locals were telling us how it rains about 300 days of the year but on our day in Sitka was glorious sunshine.

If you hadn’t booked an excursion through the ship there was plenty of tour companies at the coach drop off point who were selling tours to see go to the Raptor Centre – an avian hospital for the rescue of bald headed eagles. We decided just to get the local town map and have a walk around the town and have looked in the shops etc this day.  Sitka was part of Russia until 1867 and the Russian heritage can be found throughout Sitka such as at the Totem Pole in Totem Square, Saint Michael’s Cathedral, and the Russian Bishop’s House and Museum.

The following day was a real highlight as we were going to see the Hubbard Glacier. the naturalist onboard was running commentary and at first we went onto the helipad which the Captain had opened up to view the sail up to the Glacier, then we moved down to deck 4 which was much quieter and could get some great photos, they were bringing around Chicken soup as we sailed through the icy water. Again we were blessed with the weather so the sail in was clear (the week before had been misty) and the captain was able to get as close as the ships are allowed to the glacier which is half a mile away – and this was the first time the season they ship had got so close.  The captain then turned the ship around slowly a couple of times so we then moved to our balcony to watch. We did see an ice-carving but wasn’t quick enough to film it – you hear a rumble first that sounds like thunder and then you see the ice fall into the water.  It was breathtaking to see the Glacier and a memory that will last forever

Have a good couple of weeks

Kerry

xx