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Monday 22nd August – Ketchikan
Weather: Low-lying cloud but turning bright and sunny
Sea Conditions: extremely flat
We were awake at 5.30am again this morning so were lucky enough to watch the sail in to Ketchikan! The sun was only just rising and the cloud hanging low over the hills. The outlook was looking good though. Grand Princess was one of the first ships in Ketchikan this morning – another four were expected during the day – bringing around 10,000 visitors to a town with a population of 13,000!
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Callum was awake shortly afterwards so we got dressed to try and beat the masses before everyone got off the ship to explore. Breakfast was coffee and an egg/bacon/cheese muffin from the International Cafe … Callum had a chocolate donut for “pudding”.
We were off the ship by around 8.30am and headed straight towards Creek Street as this would get crowded later on. the tide was out so it probably didn’t look a quaint as it could do. Salmon were spawning so heading up stream … and there were plenty of dead fish in the creek too!
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We wandered up (or down!) Creek Street and then headed up Married Mans Trail to pick up the Creek further uphill and upstream. We went a little off track (climbed the steeper path) and ended up at the hotel with a set of totem poles out the front. We then dropped back down to the creek and wandered onto the banks to see if we could see the salmon leap. Lots of dead fish around but still some making it upstream. A couple of small leaps (not a steep part of the creek). Not sure which type of salmon they were but they were black with white spots. Callum’s learnt a way to remember the different types of salmon using his hand (Chum, Sockeye, King, Silver and Pink).
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We realised when we reached the Totem Pole Heritage Center that we missed the Salmon Ladder (we couldn’t find the hatchery – there was a part by City Park cordoned off so may have been in there). But wandered around the Heritage Center to learn a little more about Totem Poles.
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Afterwards, we dropped down into the town … and went up Creek Street again to try and find the Salmon Ladder. So many more people about now (and the sun was out and it was getting really warm!). We took the other trail and ended up at the top of the salmon ladder. Still fish making it up this way and a little more activity on the leaping front.
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We walked back into town and further down the coast – away from Ketchikan itself and the touristy style shops quickly disappeared. Back into town for a quick local beer in the Arctic Bar. Whilst sat in the bar, we noticed a load of people taking photos of something up high. Once we finished our drink we wandered over to where they had been standing, and spotted a Bald Eagle on a roof top. We were back on board for 2pm … ready for the ship to sail just after 3pm.
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There was a Seafood Buffet in the Conservatory area for lunch today so we gave that a whirl. Halibut and/or salmon sandwiches, seafood skewers, BBQ Salmon (yum!) and seafood paella. As the buffet was just along from the conservatory swimming pool area, we dived in for puddings. Lots of fresh pineapple and melon, and a good selection of cakes and cookies.
Callum was then on a mission to find the mini-golf course on the ship. It was hidden away somewhere on one of the upper decks. We found it by checking out all the stairs heading up!
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It was a bit of a procession heading out of Ketchikan this afternoon – Coral Princess was anchored off-shore so led the way, followed by Norwegian Jewel, then us. I think the other two ships were remaining in port for a little longer.
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All too soon we were getting ready for tonight’s meals. Back to the main dining room and a table just for the three of us once more. Crab cakes for Jon, Quiche for me and xxxx for Callum. Then Jon and I had Tandoori Prawns and Callum the Roast Beef. I had the chocolate pudding and Jon the cheese & biscuits, but Callum didn’t want anything. He was feeling tired and it was only 7.30pm!! We went back to the cabin in the hope of spotting whales from our balcony but Callum got ready for bed and fell straight asleep! Jon and I stayed out on the balcony until the sun set. We were lucky enough to spot a couple of whales (humpback we think!) but no chance of doing so in the dark.
We had another early start in the morning so we had an early-ish night too.
