#13–12 Our trip to Alaska /On board the Millennium 8/16 to 8/22 First Day

We drove to Vancouver, BC and spent the night at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel.  Because we drove to Vancouver, we had to find a place to park our car while we were cruising and touring.  After much research on the internet, I found that the least expensive long term parking was at the airport.  If we parked at the cruise ship parking it would have been over $300.00 for the two weeks we were away.  At the hotel parking would have been over $200.00.  So we prepaid for two weeks at long term parking at the airport.  $124.00 for two weeks and our car will be where we are landing at the finish of our tour.  The hotel provides shuttle service to and from the airport.  Worked out well.
The next day we just hopped in a taxi and took it right to the dock where the ship was waiting.  The taxi driver dropped us off right where we check in, the baggage was handled right there and we didn’t have to carry it with us. Checking in was easy and we were on the ship in no time.

Our view from the balcony of our state room aboard ship.  We have an overcast cloudy day for sailing.  Weather is cool, but not too uncomfortable.
I haven’t ever seen so many sea planes landing and taking off. 

We finally take off out of the harbor about 4 pm and sail all night to Ketchikan, AK.  Our adventure begins.


We wake up to a misty, rainy day.  We head into town and take the free bus up to the Heritage Museum to look at the really old totem poles that have been preserved.

Each of these totem poles tells a story and the docent tells us what each figure on the totem poles represents.
We also saw masks, canoes and the stories about the Indian communities.

The museum in on a hill (all of Ketchican is on a hill) and we walk down a paved path to the center of town.  The path follows the creek and the salmon are running!  What a great sight to see all these fish swimming upstream.  They congregate in groups in the eddies behind rocks and then all move at the same time.  I didn’t know that until I saw them move!

Luckily the rain stopped while we were walking down the path, so we got a good look at the fish and other fun sights.

The waterfall over which we walked, the fish ladder to make it easier for the fish to get over the waterfall and a cool looking flowering bush.
We have early seating for dinner.  Met a nice couple from New York and our other companion is also from New Jersey.  His wife doesn’t fly, so she is at home!

The first night’s entertainment introduces us to the captain and the heads of each department.  Also gives us a sample of the following days entertainment.
Our stateroom on the ship is nice, with all the amenities we need.  We unpack the suitcases and start living aboard the ship.

There is a little balcony where we can sit and watch everything from outside the room.  All the comforts of a home!
From the balcony, the town of Ketchikan.