Seattle and Alaska '16

This post marks the highlight of my trip to Alaska. But before that, let me share on a little side trip to Seattle.

Seattle is on the west coast of United States, close to where I will be boarding my Alaska cruise ship in Vancouver. 

After arriving at Seattle airport on Alaska airlines, I have to walk a long distance with my luggage to the airport train station. There are direction signs all the way from the arrival hall, but it is quite some distance away. 

Directions to the Link Light Rail

The airport train station

After alighting from the train, I turned and walked towards the sea

My hotel ! By the sea. I stayed here for one night. I will be catching the 7:45am amtrak train from Seattle to Vancover.

The train at the Westlake station nearest my hotel. There is a shopping mall at this station which is linked to another monorail. That monorail connects to the famous Seattle space needle.

Seattle Chinatown. Near the link light rail station

Seattle King Cross station with its famous tower clock

This is a short walk over a bridge and a traffic light crossing from the Chinatown link light rail station. It is a very convenient walk with luggage.

I arrived at the station and queued up for check-in. Seat assignment is given upon check-in. After that, I sat down on the many benches and wait for the boarding. The station has a long history and the interior is very impressive and well-maintained.

The amtrak train economy class features 2-2 seating. The leather seating and the big leg space makes the seat very comfortable. Almost reminds me of the domestic first class seat.

The amtrak cascade route from Seattle to Vancover hugs the United States coast line. This is the Pacific ocean. A left seat provides very good views. I was given a right seat.

4 hours later, we reached Vancouver. I spotted this Rocky Mountaineer train near the station. This is the luxury train for tourists visiting the Canadian rockies. The ticket prices for this train is very expensive. I will not be taking it.

After alighting from the amtrak train at Vancover Pacific station. There is a short queue at the small immigration and customs building as we are entering Canada. After immigration It is a short walk across a small garden to the skytrain station at main street science world.

Another 10 minutes ride on the skytrain and I reached the waterfront station. A ride up an escalator and I saw the Canada Place building. My cruise ship will be departing from here late afternoon. The amtrak cascade arrival time is timed very well to suit cruise ship passengers.

Upon arriving at the cruise building, I dropped our luggage at the counter. Luggage tags are provided so I need not print beforehand. Perhaps the most boring part of the cruise is the waiting and queuing time. Almost 2 hours! 

The only things needed to board the cruise ship is the printed boarding pass and the passport.

Upon stepping on the cruise ship, I have to assemble for an emergency drill briefing for about 30 minutes. After that, I can  go to our cabin.

Stateroom with window. Bigger than I expected. And Bigger than what I experienced on Star cruise Virgo. The window offers unblocked views on the right side of the ship.

Chanced upon this display at the ship's lido deck

And now... Alaska !

On the way. I'm blessed with clear weather for cruising.

The cruise offers free unlimited movie dvds available to watch in the comfort of my cabin.

Free in-room dining available all day and night.

The highlight is the salmon dish.

Sunset in the horizon

Sunset in Alaska

At sea. This is the typical scenery everyday on the cruise.

Fantastic !

Reaching the first port of call.

Mendalhall glacier in Juneau

Me and glacier !

Juneau Mt Roberts tram to the top

From the top

On a clear day. Beautiful scenery

Juneau, a small Alaska town

Our second port of call, Skagway. First thing I saw is the Yukon railroad train. Very convenient transfer from the ship to the train for an excursion.

My cruise ship. Holland American Line's Volendam

At Skagway, I joined a shore excursion to the Yukon territory in Canada for sightseeing. As I will be crossing the border from U.S. to Canada, passport is necessary. 

It involves a coach ride to Yukon, then a return trip via the Yukon railroad train back to Skagway.

At the Canada custom, an immigration officer will board the coach to visually inspect the passport before we enter Yukon.

Beautiful scenery in the coach

Finally, we reached a little town called Carcross in Yukon.

An impressive train bridge in Yukon

The White Pass train

The train will hug the coastline along the way.

Enroute, the train stops at this small town called Bennett.

On board the train, the train officer will pass out a tourist brochure on Bennett featuring a walking trail from the train station. 

A rail bridge. An Engineering marvel !

After Skagway, the ship passed by Glacier Bay

Panorama of a glacier. It is actually bigger than it seems.

The ship sails close to the glacier and stops for a while before turning around. At the top deck, I waited until small parts of the glacier breaks off into the sea. It was a surreal sight !

The final port of call, Ketchikan

Ketchikan is famous for totem poles.

The famous and quaint Creek Street

Looks like fairytale buildings

In Ketchikan, I did not sign up for any excursion. I just wandered around the little town. 

On its return, the cruise ship went under the lion gate bridge in Vancouver before arriving at the Canada Place.

Yup. That's it. My Alaska journey. Personally, I feel that the landscapes are impressive beyond words, unlike any other country that I have seen. The glaciers, icebergs, snow-capped mountains.

I'm also thankful for the beautiful weather during the cruise and clear skies at the ports of call.

This cruise really reminds me of the joys of travelling.