Ketchikan

Woke up about 5.30, went up on deck to watch the sun rise, light cloud which soon gave way to a clear, sunny, hot day.  Docked at Ketchikan at 8 and got straight off to have a little tour of the town, as usual, an interesting history with the native stories dominating with a visit to the totem pole park.

Back to the jetty for our much anticipated snorkelling trip.  Pam was a little apprehensive and was even more so when she saw all the gear we had to put on and all the safety rules.  Wet suit first, then the boots, then the head gear, then the mask and snorkel, then the weight belt, then the flippers.  We were more than worn out before we got back on the bus for the trip to the snorkelling site.  Lots of laughter as we tried to stand/balance in the 11 degree water.  All was good and we ventured out into the open waters of the Alaskan inside passage.  Within about 5 minutes Pam saw something, we knew that because of the screams muffled by her talking through a snorkel and sea water.  She had a wolf eel swim straight under her nose.  We worked out by her trashing around that all was OK, it was just a wildlife call.  Our instructors were very impressed; it was only their second wolf eel this year.    Settled into a steady routine, lots of underwater critters, because of the sunny weather they had all come out to play so we were treated to an oceans worth of animals.  The plant life underwater was also very impressive with kelp, water grass and lichens growing in all different colours.  The star fish came in all shapes, sizes and colours, the biggest about 18 inches across, the smallest about an inch across, most passed around from hand to hand for us to handle.

We were about an hour and fifteen minutes in the water, a sensational experience and enjoyed by us all.  There will be photos, most very unflattering wetsuit type photos.

Went for a walk along Creek Street, a salmon creek and spawning site.  The salmon are running at the moment and millions of fish are making their way up the rapids to spawn.  Local legend has it – at this time of year you can walk across the creek without getting your feet wet because of the number of fish in the creek.   They provided a real sideshow with their determination to get up the rapids at any cost.  The creek is full of dead salmon, some have spawned and died, other are killed against rocks and rapids.  The smell is a bit overpowering.  We were at the entrance to the creek, watching the salmon resting when they all started darting all over the place, being novices we didn’t realise why until a huge seal surfaced just in front of us looking for lunch, the salmon got away this time, there are so many, I’m sure he ate well.

Got back on board just after 5 for our trip back to Vancouver.  What an amazing trip to Alaska, Go there and do it now!!!

 

Pam watching the sun rise...again!

Good start to the day.

Sailing towards the sun.

Waiting for the trolley to leave.

He came from the sea.............

Ready for action

All ready for action, Cath on the left.

Take another photo and I'll kill you!!!!

All suited up

With a little help from our friends

Experiencing the wildlife

and we're away

That's the way to do it

Finished, wet and cold.

Looking for a hot shower

Just one last photo......

Creek Street - following tons of salmon.

Leaving Ketchikan - the mountain behind the town is reported to be the best barometer in the world.  The locals say - if you can't see the mountain - it is raining.  If you can see the mountain - it's about to rain.  They get 13 feet of rain a year - none today though!!!

Downtown Ketchikan

Ketchikan harbour being left behind.

Waiting for the drink of the day while watching the sunset.

This area is near to where we went snorkeling.