Our first port of call was Juneau, Alaska’s capital city. The day started off overcast and chilly, but we were looking forward to our Whales & Rainforest Trails excursion with Gastineau Guiding. We knew we were in for an adventure when the eagle we heard about in an onboard lecture was there to greet us at the port.
I appreciated that the guide began the tour acknowledging that the native Alaskans were present time immemorial (time before memory), and their undeniable impact on the state. They were the only company to do so. Throughout the tour, she would reference native Alaskan traditions, teach us native Alaskan phrases, and talk about initiatives in place to rejuvenate the language, including having street signs replaced to include both English and native names.
Our guided hike warmed us up quickly. The highlight was the view of Mendenhall Glacier seen above. Next, we boarded a vessel and were off to search for whales. And boy, did we find them! We learnt that whales are identified by the distinctive markings on their flukes. We came across a humpback pod, and the Captain pointed out Mama Flame, and her calf Sizzle.
I cannot even begin to tell you what an incredible experience this was! The four of us kept switching between our phones, binoculars, and camera to ensure we didn’t miss a thing.
Heading back into the harbor, we even spotted a pair of Orcas who swam and surfaced right it front of us. We were told this is extremely rare. How serendipitous!
The day was close to perfect. The only thing missing was a bear sighting. Perhaps that will come another day.
Our Alaska Adventure: Norwegian Encore
Our Alaska Adventure: Glacier Bay
Our Alaska Adventure: Ketchikan (Ward Cove)
Our Alaska Adventure: Victoria + Alaska Cruise Tips
Shop my winter staples from Amazon that I’ve used and loved for years:
Down Coat With Fur Hood (silver not available at this time) / Satin Lined Beanie with Faux Fur Pom / Waterproof Winter Gloves with Touch Screen / Ankle Boot
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