** ALASKA - 2002**
** Skagway and Klondike Gold Trail **
This page prepared on 24 July 04
18 May 02 (Friday)
I slept right through - and the second toilet visit saw me getting up and getting prepared to visit
the KLONDIKE!!
It was my earliest breakfast since my arrival here (almost) at 6.30hrs - after which meal, I returned to my cabin
and continued with today's preparations. I spent a bit of time 'waiting around' for announcements about the
'boarding time', but NONE ever came! ALL staff were on the DOCK or near the RAMPS.
Eventually, some of us went down to the dock to meet the ship's and the coach's representatives to find out
where to go (and when!) All we wanted to do was to get to the KLONDIKE by mini-bus!! Having got 'on the way',
we found several en-route photo-opportunities, and I took them ALL!!
I entered CANADA and, shortly afterwards, re-entered ALASKA during this trip.
[I even talked with the 'tour sales' guy about THRUST SSC]. Our minibus trip today took us only
about 24 miles - albeit dramatic scenery!! Later during the day ' I walked about and explored
SKAGWAY after seeing to my supplies and ice-cream!
Then I returned to the ship, and, after a brief 'getting-ready' period, I went for my lunch at the
HARBOUR GRILL on our 'promenade deck'.
I had a very good and considerable meal with a beautiful 'sweet' course.
Then it was down to my cabin for relaxation, drinks & TV! The TV's lack of sensible programmes may
me feel of "not much GO", so I went for a walk and relaxation in the fresh air. On the way, I stopped to talk to an
American German guy (he was part of our table's group!) just by a desk to the aft of the Harbour Grill - and,
apparently, he "feels this LACK OF GO" too!
The increasing power of the sun made me decide to get my 'Peruvian Sun Hat' from the cabin, to protect myself
when the afternoon's snack starts (soon). I did so - and enjoyed the snack from 16.10hrs on the table in the SUN.
I returned afterwards to my cabin, relaxed and FED, - and this seems to have cured the previous feelings!
Stories and SONGS ('Country' and 'Folk') by STEVE HITES were telling the history of ALASKA. What a brilliant
entertainer he was! Before our dinner at 8pm, I watched some TV in the cabin featuring "GLACIER BAY" and
"BEARS". After dinner, I returned to the cabin for a quiet evening on my own
(...... To be continued in the next chapter (GLACIER BAY)...)
EMail to:
Roy's Location.
Return to 2002's Index-page
return to Malvern-Vancouver leg of journey
or return to Ketchikan
return to ALASKA Index Page
or return to Roy's home page for full
list of books/travelogues either finished or under preparation.