May 25, 2013 Saturday

Hello all

Today we leave Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge to start our 7 day cruise in Whittier.

Up at 7:30, suitcases outside by 8:30, and breakfast at 9:30.

Bus at 11:30, and to our surprise we had granny Jo again.  Granny said she was out with a 20 year old fella last night and she's still sleepy!  We love her personality and sense of humor.     

Moose just waiting to have his picture taken. 

Time for some pictures at this beautiful spot. 

New jackets we bought the first day in Alaska.  

That's quite the smile Marcel has there.  

What a gorgeous drive. 

2.5 mile one way single traffic tunnel to Whittier. Whittier has one aircraft runway with a gravel surface measuring 1,480 by 58 feet (451 x 18 m).There are no other facilities and the runway is not maintained in winter.  It's the only way to get there, other than helicopter or small plane.  Population 223.  The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is a tunnel through Maynard Mountain. It links the Seward Highway south of Anchorage with Whittier and is the only land access to the town, and at 13,300 feet (4,050 m), is the second longest highway tunnel, and longest combined rail and highway tunnel, in North America.There is a harbor and a deep water port used by cruise ships.

The light at the end of the tunnel. We arrived safely and we all got a big hug from granny.

The exit of the tunnel at the end of the white line on the road.  

No shortage of pools or hot tubs. 

Whittier from the ship.

Weather forecast for Whittier today is high 6c, overcast and rain. 
Not sure which part of this 51.02 km² small town has rain or is overcast!  

After we boarded the ship, we chucked our bags inside our gorgeous room, took some pictures before we messed it up, got off the ship and explored the cute little town.  

The room is much larger than I expected, and the balcony...well...it's the best.  We spent many hours out there.  We did not want to miss any of the grand scenery, or the wildlife.
 We saw many porpoises or dolphins.  Not sure what the difference is...yet.
Very difficult to get a good picture.  They are so fast.   

Only one complaint on this whole trip.  I miss good coffee. Big time. None to be found anywhere in the Princess hotels or cruise ship. Even tried the latte and cappuccino coffees. 

Sapphire Princess

Dinner seating was at 5:30.   Marcel had the prime rib and I had the salmon.  Plus 2 desserts.
Desserts are the best.  Baked Alaska, Creme Brulee and New York Cheese Cake.  

Leaving Whittier.

The smile is for the bottle...not for the camera. 

We bought a juice/ice cream card for $49 soon after we boarded the ship.  This way we could fill up the free drinking cup they gave us and take it back to our room.  Being dutch, we did try our best to get our money's worth, but alas, we failed.