Page 10 - Explore Magazine Summer 2018

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ALASKA UP CLOSE

AND PERSONAL

Merilynn Crean, mother of Tracey Bluck at helloworld Mount Maunganui, enjoyed encounters with raptors,
whales, seals and incredible scenery on a seven-night Alaskan Dream small-ship cruise.

When the Alaskan Dream cruise company accommodated only 52 passengers and 20 watching whales everywhere, and closer to
promises “up close and personal” travel crew we knew immediately that it was going shore were countless sea otters. We spent
experiences, it means it. And when you book to be special. The cabins are on the small the afternoon ashore at Kake, an Alaskan
a cruise you don’t expect to go on a tour of side as you expect on a small ship but they (Tlingit) native village that is home to 600
the departure town on the first day, but it have comfortable beds, ample hot water in year-round residents who work in the
proves that an Alaskan Dream experience is the private ensuite and an outside window. logging and fishing industries. The Tlingit
going to be different. We arrived in the town There is a large lounge and bar area to hang have inhabited this region for thousands of
of Sitka in the Alaska Panhandle the night out in and a separate dining room where all years and the village boasts a totem pole
before the cruise and the following morning meals are taken. And what meals! They start that is 40m tall. It is a story totem and each
we were free to wander around. with a continental breakfast at 6am, a full figure carved on it represents a story passed
breakfast at 7am, a three-course lunch at down for centuries. We met a totem carver
We found the Indian River Trail which is
the only place in Alaska where you find 12 midday and a five-course dinner with a who regaled us with stories of the totems
traditional totem poles – a really interesting complimentary glass of wine at 6.30pm. he has carved, the spruce wood that is the
walk. That was followed by a tour of the main On the first night the ship cruised through a main wood for totems and what tools they
sights in Sitka with Alaskan Dream guides: network of islands to Saginaw Bay. With the use. A local dance group then performed
a series of dances which of course ended
don’t miss the Alaska Raptor Center, a bird sun rising around 3.30am it made it difficult with the cruise guests joining in for the
hospital and education facility where you to sleep and when I got up at 6am and finale. Alaskan Dream Cruises prides itself
get to see eagles, falcons, hawks and owls looked out the window I was rewarded with on supporting local villages and the cultural
up close and personal. At 3pm we embarked the sight of a humpback whale breaching experiences are an integral part of their
on our seven-day cruise and as our ship out of the water. The morning was spent
tours and what makes them unique.

HELLOWORLD : EXPLORE : SUMMER EDITION