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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
............ 
Sep 19, 2013 04:00 PM College Fjord in the sun!!
Weather is very changeable in Alaska. I was very surprised when in the morning I switched on
the monitor in my inside cabin and I recognized that there is strong sun outside!
And a strong wind - I recognized this soon walking on the deck.
We were sailing Prince William Sound to reach in the afternoon the College Fjord.
It is also accessible only from the sea.
It is not as long as Glacier Bay but even more picturesque. We were sailing in the full sun
and wonderful scenery passing hanging and tidewater glaciers - to the end of the fjord
where imposing Harward Glacier is sliding down to the water. Our captain was brave
enough to sail very close to Harward - it was possible to hear from the deck
the sounds of breaking ice.
Regarding the views this was (so far) the best day of my expedition. I hope to show you great
pictures.
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Sep 18, 2013 04:00 PM Glacier Bay - only from the sea!
It was 6 am when four rangers from the National Park boarded our ship from little boat in
Icy Strait - at the entrance to Glacier Bay.The only access to this National Park is
by boat from the sea and that's why I am on this ship...
Glacier Bay is about 65-miles long fjord with many islands, inlets and glaciers. I expected
not to see here much snow at the end of Alaskan summer, but the huge glaciers are here all year
around. When we passed Reid Gacier big clouds went out and we had a chance to enjoy
Lamplough Glacier in the better light. Then there is a fork - we turned left to Hopkins Inlet
and then right - to the highlite of Glacier Bay - the Margerie Glacier. Can you imagine the
face of this glacier: 1-mile wide and 250 feet high?
Glacier Bay is wide to accommodate more then one ship - we met there "Norwegian Pearl"
Great day!
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Sep 17, 2013 04:00 PM Skagway - beginning of the Gold Rush trail
When they found the gold in Alaska in 1896 thousands of people came here by ships heading to legendary Klondike. Demand for the transport up trough the White Pass was so big, that they built soon White Pass railway.
Skagway was blooming at this time with many shops, bars and broothels.
Now you can see them here - many restored buildings. One of them - Red Onion Saloon is still open and pretty ladies (see the picture) offer you a tour or a beer.
Twice a day White Pass train starts 3-hours journey up to the White Pass. Expect to pay 129 USD for the round trip (3 hours). 21 years ago I and my son Adam we disembarked here and started a journey to Klondike by bus... At this time I did not see here any cruiseships in the little harbour. Today I saw FOUR...
It is still coudy. I pray for the better weather for tomorrow - we are sailing to the fiords to see famous Alaskan Glaciers...
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Sep 16, 2013 04:00 PM Whales in the Snow Passage
Yesterday in the evening we were sailing through the narrow Snow Passage. Whales like these waters and we were lucky to see few of them. Unfortunately - for the short time only. Our naturalist Mark said: If you see the tail of the diving humpback you will see it again not earlier then after 4 to 8 minutes... That's right.
We saw also few dolphins and seals. Scenery was great - Alaska is very pristine...
Today we are docking in Juneau - the capital city of Alaska. It is much bigger then Ketchikan but the old town near the dock is quite compact. The main attraction of Juneau is for me nearby Mendenhall Glacier. Shuttle bus from the dock will take you there for 8 USD each way. Or you can take the city bus for exact 2 USD - have a change! And the you will walk 2kms to the glacier visitors center on the lake - that's for the backpackers... That's what I did!
Rain stoped there and I enjoyed the view of the imposing glacier - see enclosed picture.
Entry to the viewpoints is free but they charge 3 USD fer entrance to the visitors center' exhibitions.
So I visited the glacier an the nearby Nugget Fall for just 4 USD - the tour from the ship cost 80 USD! - that's the art of budget traveling!
Once again I use free internet in the public library which is just at the dock. But you have again only 30 minutes limit.
It is very cloudy and rainy today. No idea to use their tram to the top of Mt Roberts - for the obscured view (it cost 31 USD RT. Lets hope that tomorrow the sky will be blue!
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Sep 15, 2013 04:00 PM Ketchikan - the gateway to Alaska
Great, picturesque bay, forested Islands around, seaplanes and high Deer Mountain over the small settlement. 1500 people only live here. Old, painted timber houses in the Creek Street. During the Gold Rush there were mostly public houses... Now - museums (seniors pay 5 USD for the tour to the Dolly's Public House) and souvenir shops.
Nice, historic place. They offer free shuttle bus to the Totem Heritage Center on the hill (entry 5 $ again).
But the biggest attraction today are thousands of salmons jumping over the cascades in the Ketchikan Creek. Thousands of them mate up in the shallow river!
Public Library offers only 30 minutes of free internet. So I mus to finish. Greetings from Alaska!
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Sep 14, 2013 04:00 PM Foggy Great Inside Passage
Can you imagine? 21 years ago I came to Vancouver with my 11th years ols son Adam. We jumped on the Alaskan ferry "Columbia" in the Port of Bellingham. We were sleeping in our little tent on the aft open deck. And "Columbia" took us with a stopovers through the Great Inside Passage as far as Skagway. We had great time!
Now Adam is 32 and I am sailing this route again - in the opposite direction.
Our ship is big and I stay in the last expensive inside cabin. To go for the breakfast to the self-service restaurant takes me 10 minutes walk to the deck 14.
Unfortunately the weather now is not as nice as 21 years ago.
Foggy! I still try to adjust to the 10-hours time difference - hope that tomorrow will be better day!
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Sep 13, 2013 04:00 PM Meeting in Vancouver marina
Jerzy Kusmider is an outstanding Polish sailor living at the moment in Vancouver. I had a chance to meet hin on his yacht "Varsovia" in the Vancouver Marina. It is hard to imagine, that he managed to sail alone on such a little boat to Hawaii...
Jerzy or Jurek for friends is a nice person my age. He is not only the sailor but also the traveller. He started to travel the world already in the 70-ties, when I also managed to go to the west for the first time...
We had a great time on his boat sailin around Vancouver Peninsula, enjoying the sun, the views and talking about our adventures. Jerzy thinks about an expedition through the NWP. Thanks a lot Jurek for your warm hospitality and good luck!
Today in the afternoon I will board a ship sailing to Alaska and onward - to Asia. From my experience: the internet aboard is extremely expensive so I do not know when I will send you the next message. Just keep your fingers crossed please! Thank you dear Friends!
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Sep 12, 2013 04:00 PM 8 years after Mozambique...
I met Marilyn 8 years ago in the Black Africa - in Mozambique, in the small provincial town of Cuamba. She was traveling alone - very nice and brave lady. I had a feeling that there we were the only two foreigners in Cuamba. We decided to travel onward toogether to Nampula, Ilha de Mozambique and Ibo island. We both enjoyed company.
Now Marilyn lives on Vancouver Island and she came to meet me here - after 8 years. What a day, what a memories! We took a walk to the totems in Stanley Park talking about our experiences and plans. Marilyn soon will depart to Europe and India... Thank you Marilyn and happy traveling!
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Sep 11, 2013 04:00 PM Vancouver on the Pacific...
Room was crampy, but the bed was comfortable!. I stay in the Vancouver Central Hostel, 1025 Grainville St. It i worth to book "two bed dormitory" here - small room with bunk bed. If nobody else will arrive you use it as a single room. That's what happened and I was alone in my dorm.
Basic breakfast is included in the 45 CAD price but you can eat as much as you want - could be enough till the evening.
Free wi-fi internet is free, but weak in the room so I was forced to go to the lobby to check my mail.
Strong sun and blue sky from the morning - the lovely summer is still present here!
It is the long walk through the Stanley Park to the high Lions Gate Bridge. I never was on this bridge so I expected great view. Yes, it was great, but the light in the late afternoon is not so good for the pictures. Morning coul be better...
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Sep 10, 2013 04:00 PM 12 hours on the plane...
It was cloudy morning in Gdansk when I was boarding LOT plane to Frankfurt. LOT in not a low-cost airline but they do not serve any free meal onboard. Shame!
Then I had few hours of waiting in Frankfurt airport. Local Telekom offers you 30-minutes of free wi-fi connection now but you have to provide your e-mail address (could be fake address, otherwise they will send you spam!).
Only a year ago there were stands with complimentary tea/coffee in the wings of FRA. Forget it! It seems thay they also feel the results of crisis (but they still collect high airport tax)
From Frankfurt to Vancouver/Canada I fly Conndor - one of very few airlines who offer reasonably-priced one-way fares to North America. Condor flight was 1 hour delayed and full.
But I had great views of the glaciers of Greenland and North Canada from the window seat. After another 10 hours on the plane we landed in Vancouver - some people say; the nicest city of Canada. Canada Line train took me to the center. It is worth to wait till 6.30 pm when they offer reduced fare (6.75 CAD) - still a lot for the backpacker. 9 hours of the time difference - I dream about the bed!
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