Deaf Alaska Cruise June 3-10, 2011
Midnight Buffet on the Millennium Picture: William & Teresa Eckstein
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We embarked Celebrity's Millennium in Vancouver, Canada. After cruising along the
Inside Passage, we arrived in Ketchikan. After a narrated drive through Ketchikan, we boarded a vessel for
a voyage of discovery along the waterfront of the Totem Bight State Park to the historic Guard Island Lighthouse. We learned
about the area's maritime history, Native culture, timber and fishing industries. We saw Alaska's oldest
working cannery, an authentic floating lumberjack camp, the totem poles and clan house at Totem Bight
State Park.
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During our stop in Icy Strait Point, we visited Hoonah. Hoonah is a fishing community
and the world's largest Tlingit village. The guide explained the history of the local fishermen and their
daily life. When we returned to Icy Strait Point, we went to the Heritage Center Native Theater for
the Tribal Dance and Cultural Legends performance. |
Performance at the Heritage Center Native Theater Picture: William & Teresa Eckstein
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Gold Panning
Picture: William & Teresa Eckstein |
Juneau is Alaska's capital. On our tour we panned for gold and experienced
what Alaska was like during the Gold Rush days. For this historical tour, our guide showed up in an authentic 19th-century
outfit. We took the road to Gold Creek and "Last Chance Basin" where gold was found in 1880. Near a waterfall alongside
Gold Creek we were shown how gold panning is done.
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One of the highlights of our tour was the White Pass Scenic Railway ride from Skagway. It is an
unforgettable journey traveling 20 miles from downtown climbing 2,865 feet to the summit of the White Pass.
Sitting in a comfortable vintage rail car we traveled over trestles, through tunnels and beautiful valleys.
We learned about the tale of the Klondike Gold Rush and the challenges of building the railway. Today, the narrow
gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Back in town, some of us boarded a yellow,
1927 sightseeing motorcar. A costumed conductor showed us around the waterfront, the Historic District in the
downtown area and the residential neighborhoods of Skagway, the "Garden City of Alaska,". |
Aboard the White Pass Scenic Railway Picture: William & Teresa Eckstein
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Picture: William & Teresa Eckstein
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After our arrival in Seward, we took the train to Anchorage and enjoyed a beautiful ride through
Alaska's nature. We were lucky enough to see bears. |
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Group Picture Picture: William & Teresa Eckstein |
Contact Kerstin's Travel to book your next cruise by sending an e-mail to kerstin@kerstinstravel.com
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