I can see Russia from my window.

[drron]

Well tgh mine is a medial hkr-yes i know it wont last as long as a full knee but at 64 I dont want to face a revision of a tkr when hopefully I am still active.mine also is secondary to trauma and my other joints are fine.
So back to the TR.When we get back to the ship a young eagle is very close-

The security guy warns me mum will be close and bald eagle mums will dive at you if they think bub is threatened.Apparently a couple of heads are stitched every year at this time when the young venture out.Actually the small dot on the container crane is mum-

The nest is actually in the crane so it is no longer used.Soaring above us are some more eagles-

We leave Dutch harbour-looking back to our berth-

And a great sunset-

A tanker sails past and into the sunset-

The next day is a sea day.beautiful weather.Some see whales but we miss them.I do however see puffins,albatross and fulmars plus some other unidentified birds.That night is another formal night and we have been invited to the Captain's table.It is also his birthday.Was a great night.The captain is a nice guy with many interesting stories.
A nice dinner but seeing I was sitting opposite the Captain I didn't feel it appropriate to take out the camera.We had a King Crab timbale,escalope of Foie Gras with candied apple and fig chutney.I the had Beef wellington and mrs.dr.ron the veal medallions.a nice Italian pinot grigio to wash it down.
next-picking up crabs in Kodiak.

 

[Sprucegoose]

gives me an appreciation of how tough life can be for some, as if i didnt already!

Great TR DrRon, thankyou.

 

[drron]

Kodiak and a good case of the Crabs.
We awoke as we were steaming into Kodiak.The sun had just come up-

And we spotted civilisation.The airport is in the middle of this shot-the second shortest runway in alaska-

And then the town itself-

We had to anchor out in the bay as the State ferry was due in that day.So the tender set off to set everything up.The town was really buzzing as it was the Annual King crab Festival.What a great day to visit.

We went on a Russian Heritage tour.First a stop at an Art Gallery and bought a Crab festival poster to catch some of the dust at home.next a visit to the new Boat Harbour.Most of the boats on The Deadliest Catch are from here.The sun had come out-

And a view to their alternative energy plan-

Then yet again it was off to a Russian Orthodox church-that next.

 

[drron]

First was the seminary-

The alaskan saints-

Then down the road to the church-

 

[drron]

the church was interesting and the priest obviously knew his local history.Unfortunately we were hurried out.the reason I like being an independent traveller usually.

And the coffin of Kodiak's first priest and saint-

More icons-

and the characteristic RO cross-

next-the balalaika band!

 

[drron]

After our dose of religion we were taken to a church hall for a Russian morning tea including Piroshkis and borscht.Pretty ordinary though.Then there was the Balalaika band!

You can tell mit was a swinging time!Actually they weren't bad.The lady on the left was areal character-

Giving us some help with the chorus.
Then the fellow at the left of this picture,well in his 80s-

He was a retired Kodiak medico.At times he looked like he had departed this earth.but then he got up and did a solo-The Volga Boatmen's song.He came to life and was really impressive.
Then it was a short tour.First to the Fair Grounds to see an eagles nest-

This one was 8 years old.They come back to the same nest and keep adding.
Then a view point looking back towards town-the State Ferry is in-

and overlooking the overlook were reminders of the War years-

More of Kodiak next.

 

[drron]

The sun was shining and the temperature was heading into the 20s.Much warmer than the last few days.looking back at the shadow-

and some nice scenery-

Back to town and the crab festival.Some nice fresh King crab legs for $15-

And the excitement of survival suit races-

Interupted by an eagle-

And this was taken with the old Sony cybershot with no zoom-he was close.
next-leaving Kodiak.

 

[drron]

finished off our free time in Kodiak with a visit to the Kenai National Parks office.

A pity we were just too early for the bears.So just some sightseeing,the original bridge to nowhere-

Then back to catch the tender back to the Shadow.there was a constant shuttle service.

So we say farewell to Kodiak-home to large families-either way you want to take it.
That night was a buffet galley dinner.the food was set up in the galley giving us an opportunity to see both the galley and staff.

more food to come-there always was!

 

[drron]

The selection was great.Unfortunately my favourite waitress Wei was there constantly filling my plate-well thats my story and I'm sticking to it!

And the star of the show-

Then back to the cabin where a good lie down was in order.Had to prepare ourselves for our last full day-in Homer.
We awoke as we steamed into Homer-hundreds of small boats going out-turned out it was because there was a Halibut fishing competition on.Anchored at the end of the spit-

And once again the State ferry was in-

Next mrs.dr.ron goes cooking and thinks I have lost my marbles.

 

[drron]

In Homer mrs.dr.ronhad booked a trip to a cooking school.I was going on a cruise to Seldovia-that however was cancelled.
The port is at the end of a sand spit jutting out into the bay-

Seagulls were everywhere-

there was a shuttle into town which I was going to take.however Joe,the retired surgeon,had booked an ATV tour indepentedly.Initially they had friends coming but they had pulled out of the cruise.So i was asked if i wanted to go.without thinking I said yes.Now I am one who has never been able to ride a bicycle because of my poor balance.
Anywat we are picked up by Dan a local.When he knows that there are 2 doctors he starts describing his symptoms.Dr.Joe retorts-Well first I would have to take off your clothes and examine you.Dan reaches inside his jacket,pulls out his pistol-No I am not going to be the one to lose his clothes.Cue Deliverance music!
We are taken to his property-pigs,horses,chickens,6 toed cats and the tamest Rottweiler in history.The property looks nice-

The 6 toed cat-

Then the ATVs are loaded up for the trip to the bush-

We have about an hours drive to the trail.We see eagles and sand hill cranes.Dan when he is not chewing baccy is downing high caffeine drinks.He spots a moose hiding by the side of the road-

He calls it over-

Next-what did I think I was doing?

 

[drron]

Just before we got to the start of the trail we passed through the Russian village of Nikolaevsk-it apparently is a special region and controlled by its Russian citizens.It was a Sunday and the priest was leading his flock to church-

And here is where we transfer to our ATVs-

And the kids come out to help unload the ATVs.1100 and still in their PJs-

We finally mount our beasts.At this point Dr.Joe's wife remarks-are you sure we aren't in Arkansas?

In a few weeks the salmon will be swimming up here to spawn,bears will be beside the stream-

Now on the trip out along the trail I must admit to missing most of the scenery.I was very glad to be wearing brown pants.It was early season,the snow had only just melted and there was heavy rain for the last 3 days.To say I could see my life slip sliding away was an understatement.Add to that a tendency with my big foot to hit the accelerator as I was attempting to balance myself I was starting to ask myself why did I say yes?However I managed to smile for the camera-

At this point we had a stop allowing me to stop hyperventilating and to take in the views.Although the immediate country had really not woken from winter yet the distant views of snow covered mountains were breathtaking.The group was now relaxed-

To be continued.

 

[drron]

Just after that happy snap we came across 2 trees down across the track.As well as his rifle and pistol Dan also had his chainsaw-I mean what else would you take into the wilderness?There is just nothing like being in the wilderness where all you can hear is a chainsaw.but it gave me a chance to see the first flowers oif spring-

Of course then we came to the swamp,what fun-

Like pigs in mud!We did unearth a grisly find-

But no it was not to solve a local mystery,it appeared to be from a moose.These fresh tracks weren't though-

Thats a quarter in the front track to give an idea on size.I am not sure if I was sad or glad we didn't catch up with the bear.However by now we were all a lot more confident on our ATvs and had time to stop and enjoy the scenery-

Although by the time we got to the top of the hill on the other side we realised Dr. joe was not with us-he had stalled in the creek.He was always bringing up the rear so I christened his ATV Miss Daisy.By the time we got back to the start of the trail I was really enjoying myself.
A little sad to see our mean machines back on the trailer-

Though by now our 4 hour tour had taken 7 hours and we had an hour and a half to get back to the ship.That didn't stop us from admiring the views on the way back-

More of this next.

 

[drron]

Now to show you why you should spend some time in Alaska and not just cruise the Inside passage-

No not because you may run into drron but the fishing.Catching a large halibut is awesome.
Now for a few of mrs.dr.ron's much better pics-

Next some more of mrs.dr.ron's reasons for you to visit Alaska.

 

[drron]

Next-leaving Homer.

 

[drron]

It is always good to look back-

And as we steamed up Cook Inlet towards anchorage we had a great sunset-

Next-arrival in Anchorage and the cruise comes to an end.

 

[TonyHancock]

Absolutely spectacular!

What was the temperature as you were leaving Homer?

 

[drron]

Absolutely spectacular!

What was the temperature as you were leaving Homer?

From memory it was about 5-6C as we left but the maximum was ~ 20.In Anchorage the next day it got to 23C.Both much warmer than average.Boy now have I put my foot in it.:shock:

 

[drron]

Arrived dockside in Anchorage~0630.We were the first cruise ship of the season and saw ourselves on the local news that evening.Out of our cabin at 0730.had our last breakfast and then read the Australian to catch up on home.Now disembarkation is one area Silverseas lets you down.No problems if you are on one of their overpriced transfers.We had asked the night before and again that morning if a taxi could be booked for us and were told it couldn't be done.when we disembarked the local Visitors Bureau had a woman there.She was able to ring and book taxis for us and another couple.A couple of minutes later 8 taxis arrived that had been booked for the crew.The 2 couples decided together to take a crew taxi and let them wait for the 2 replacements.We also found there was a complimentary shuttle into the city centre which passengers staying for the next cruise were told about.So our first view of Anchorage-

And our last view of the Shadow-

To end the cruise a few quotations from Le Champagne restaurant for all the champagne lovers here.
"Why do I drink champagne for breakfast?Doesn't everyone" Noel Coward.
"The only drink that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking it."Madame de Pompadour.
"My dear Comte,champagne is a wonderful wine: one sometimes drinks too much,but never enough."Archbishop of Reims.
"In victory you deserve it,in defeat you need it." Napoleon Bonaparte.
And 2 quotes from Winston churchill mto finish off-
"Remember gentlemen,it's not just France we are fighting for,it's champagne!"
"Champagne in moderation nimbles the wit and sharpens the mind."

So next I will give my views on cruising.

 

[drron]

Until now we have only cruised on very small boats-8 and 16 pax,or on Expedition ships which are totally different to your run of the mill cruise ship.We have been in several ports where cruise ships come in and have reeled in horror vowing never to set foot on a ship with a 1000+ pax.So this was a test.The Silver shadow can hold 392 pax.As big as we thought safe.As it was with only 94 pax it really wasn't a test.

We did enjoy this cruise.Very relaxed,good company and attentive staff.The clincher though was the itinerary.On a regular cruise ship you do have a set course.No time to divert for a pod of Orcas,or to announce the presence of other animals.As we presumed you can miss so much on a cruise ship compared to a small boat cruise or an expedition ship.Therefore the ports you visit are extremely important.So we are happy to have booked another cruise on Silverseas-this time on the Cloud.The reason-it spends a week on the Amazon river.Have to wait until November 2012 for that though.Seriously considering going back on their expedition ship though for a cruise through the Panama canals with stops at National Parks in Costa rica,Panama and Venezuela.

Now to one aspect I thought would be a chore-Silverseas formal nights I thought I would abhor.On the contrary i found it a pleasure to dress up so even took to wearing a bow tie on informal nights-thanks bowtieguy.

So not for everyone but there are some very good cruise deals out there at the moment.Just pick your itinerary carefully.

So as not to make this TR to long our trip is now continuing here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....photos/yupps-nyc-new-england-japan-31425.html

 

[serfty]

...
Now to one aspect I thought would be a chore-Silverseas formal nights I thought I would abhor.On the contrary i found it a pleasure to dress up so even took to wearing a bow tie on informal nights-thanks bowtieguy.
...

But no Polka-Dot shorts I guess ...