Landing in an Alaskan blizzard

[offshore171]

Most skiers don't read

I thought it was the snowboarders that can't read

 

[Ric]

Great report!! Thanks for the memories of Anchorage! Great city!!

 

[Quickstatus]

don't read

can't read

Well there is a slight difference between don't read and can't read

In the former - it' more that they have no time to read pesky signs

 

[offshore171]

In the evening it's back to the Captain Cook hotel.

There's a constant foot traffic of airforce pilots in the lobby throughout our stay, in their jumpsuits looking like they just got off the plane. Probably something to do with nearby Elmendorf Base which is just outside town. I assume the hotel has some sort of contract to provide accomodation to aircrew bumping in and out of Alaska.


Dinner is at one of the in-house restaurants, Fletchers. Named after Bounty mutineer, Fletcher Christian.

Lots of interesting artworks in the Hotel foyer. The hotel has a lot of heritage around the early maritime explorers, including Captain Cook, who made it as far as Alaska back in the day

 

[offshore171]

Then it's back to the room at dusk, and the light and colours of the sunset over Cook Inlet are a sight to behold. Beautiful soft Arctic light at 9pm.

 

[offshore171]

Wrapping up the Alaska leg, we head back to the airport



The Alaskan lounge was quite decent by US Domestic standards, with snacks and drinks available and excellent views of the airfield and mountains beyond.

 

[offshore171]

And we're away

 

[offshore171]

So before moving on to the Hawaii leg, a summary of Alaska:

• The landscapes are absolutely stunning
• The light is amazing
• Didn't have a bad meal the whole time in Alaska. They really make an effort to use local produce.
• The local beers are fantastic (this is NOT a given in the USA!)
• Beards are popular, at least in winter.
• Locals are as friendly as you'll find.
• Even in Alaska, electric cars are popping up. Saw plenty of Teslas.
• Although known for heli, Alaska has world class piste skiing, that slips under the radar of many.
• Would love to go back in summer to see Denali, Sitka and Valdez.
• It's one of the last great wildernesses. Twice the size of france, with under a million people.

 

[offshore171]

There's pretty much nothing between ANC and HNL, but the AirTags are showing the bags onboard which is always reassuring these days.



We arrive in the evening, and grab a taxi to Waikiki. Driver is quite chatty and says things have picked up a lot since COVID, but remarked that the Japanese haven't come back.

Previously one of the most important groups of inbound travellers to Hawaii, but now only a trickle. Apparently more Korean visitors now.

In contrast to Alaska, the roads between the airport and Waikiki, (and indeed in Waikiki itself) are choked with traffic and given the sheer numbers of people in this area, a light rail system would make a lot of sense.

We eventually arrive at the Sheraton Waikiki.

 

[OZDUCK]

"In contrast to Alaska, the roads between the airport and Waikiki, (and indeed in Waikiki itself) are choked with traffic and given the sheer numbers of people in this area, a light rail system would make a lot of sense."

I hope that I am not stealing your thunder for the next portion of your TR but a Light Rail System connection to the airport is currently due to open in 2025.

Skyline (Honolulu) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Binnie]

There's pretty much nothing between ANC and HNL, but the AirTags are showing the bags onboard which is always reassuring these days.

View attachment 327081

We arrive in the evening, and grab a taxi to Waikiki. Driver is quite chatty and says things have picked up a lot since COVID, but remarked that the Japanese haven't come back.

Previously one of the most important groups of inbound travellers to Hawaii, but now only a trickle. Apparently more Korean visitors now.

In contrast to Alaska, the roads between the airport and Waikiki, (and indeed in Waikiki itself) are choked with traffic and given the sheer numbers of people in this area, a light rail system would make a lot of sense.

We eventually arrive at the Sheraton Waikiki.
View attachment 327082

Thank you offshore171. You have given me so much pleasure reading about your trip. Thank you again.

 

[ellen10]

Loved reading your trip report and seeing all the beautiful photos.

 

[offshore171]

We only had a few days in Waikiki. A stopover really, rather than a "get out and explore the other islands" adventure.

While the weather was great, Waikiki I found a bit to "Vegassy", with heavy traffic and not a great vibe.

Food options were mixed - lots of fast food joints, but also some reasonable restaurants.

We hit up a Teppanyaki joint which was rather good, from both a food and entertainment perspective.

 

[offshore171]

A walk along the beachfront is worthwhile, and we see the famous Duke statue