Travel Journal

Exploring the Wonders of Alaska

At the start of this week, I discovered that Alaska was sold by Russia to the USA for a mere $7.2 million. When you break it down, that’s just about $80 for every square kilometre! Now that I’ve spent a week exploring just Southeast Alaska, I’d say it was an absolute steal!

My home for the week was the Chichagof Dream, a small ship with just 74 passengers. It had just been refurbished, and this was its first season sailing. Named after one of the islands in Alaska’s stunning Inside Passage, I can’t imagine a better way to experience this incredible destination. If you want a relaxed and genuine experience, especially with a focus on the local Tlingit culture, this is it. We saw some of the big cruise ships docked in Juneau and Glacier Bay, and while they’re impressive, nothing compares to the personal touch we got on our smaller vessel.

Unforgettable Wilderness Adventures

Throughout the week, we had some amazing adventures in the wilderness. We went kayaking in remote bays and took inflatable boats to get up close to the glaciers in Glacier Bay and the breathtaking Tracy Arm fjord. Hiking in Petersburg was another highlight, though I kept a close eye out for bears—there are plenty of them in this part of Alaska!

The ship itself was fantastic. My cabin was surprisingly spacious, and the local crew was incredibly friendly and helpful. The food was a real treat, featuring plenty of local dishes like salmon, halibut, and crab. No one went hungry, especially with freshly baked cookies in the afternoons!

Our expedition leaders, Tim and Lee, were engaging and had a great sense of humour. Their local insights added so much to our experience. With no wifi and spotty cell coverage, we quickly formed a warm and friendly atmosphere on board. After dinner, we gathered in the lounge for talks that deepened our understanding of Tlingit culture.

Whale Watching and Nature’s Majesty

One of the best moments was when we cruised through Frederick Sound, surrounded by about 40 feeding humpback whales. We also watched porpoises frolicking in front of a glacier that was calving. It was like nature put on a show just for us!

Alaska is massive—by far the largest state in the US—and I’m already dreaming of returning to explore Denali National Park or even go salmon fishing in the Kenai Peninsula. On my flight home from Sitka, I noticed heaps of fish boxes being loaded, so the fishing must be excellent up here! The crew jokingly warned us to stash our hand luggage under the seat so we wouldn’t have to leave any fish behind. Everyone laughed and quickly complied!

I didn’t get a chance to meet Sarah Palin or find out if you can really see Russia from her house, but I can understand why Alaska draws in such unconventional people. There’s something intoxicating about the frontier vibe here.

As I relaxed on the sun deck of the Chichagof Dream, soaking up the sunshine, watching humpbacks dive in the calm waters, and taking in the sight of towering mountains and glaciers, I couldn’t help but think that $80 per square kilometre really does seem like a bargain! Alaska is a place filled with wonder, adventure, and a unique spirit that I can’t wait to experience again.