Alaska Cruise: Day 3 (Ketchikan)

[Work in Progress - feedbacks are always welcome]
Date: Jun 11 2012
Sunrise: 4:08am
Sunset: 9:36pm
Today's Forecast: Showers, 56F/13C
Arrival: 7:00am
All Aboard: 2:30pm

Arriving at Ketchikan

Layered landscape

First civilization

This is my dream life-style

First bald eagle sighted in my trip

Ketchikan from our cabin

Ketchikan's backdrop

Breakfast

We met up with our fellow cruise mates at Garden Cafe to explore Ketchikan.  We had a quick buffet breakfast and off we went.

Getting Off the Ship

To get off the ship, we need our card key. There was a security officer who needed to verify each person (including kids) before we are allowed to get off Norwegian Jewel. 


In addition, often, there is a cruise ship photographer and a crew in costume at the exit to take picture with the passengers.

The ramp to get off the ship

Jewel by the dock

Tip: At different ports, we exited the ship from different deck/s.  Thus. it's important to pay attention to the announcement via the PA system.  When in your cabin, you can hear the announcement on Channel 23.

The Plan 

Our plan for Ketchikan was to visit the following places:

1. Totem Bight State Historical Park
2. Totem Hertiage Center
3. Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery & Eagle Center
4. Creek Street

Totem Bight State Historical Park

Getting there

We caught the blue line to Totem Bight State Historical Park.  The cost is $1 and no change is given. Here is the bus schedule.  The bus trip took about 20 minutes.

The blue line bus stop is past the bronze sculpture, past the visitor center.  The best bus stop to get on the blue line bus is beside the Thundering Wings - a wooden eagle sculpture.  This ensures that we have a seat on the bus.  The bus stop was not clearly marked so we spent quite a bit of time looking for it.

The bronze sculpture with Jewel behind.

Walk along this sideway

The Thundering Wings

The trip to the park was an adventure in itself.  Here were some highlights:

1. The bus stopped by a building where a lady switches out the bus money box.
2. The bus made a detour to a Walmart park lot.  That was the first time I seen this.
3. The coastal line was pretty.

 

The Park

When we arrived at the park, the Park Ranger was there to welcome us.  We were kind of lucky because a tour was just getting started.  The Park Ranger said the tour guide would not mind us "joining".  The tour guide was a fantastic guy!  You can see that in the video later.

Clan House

The clan house

 

The Rest of the Park

 

New tree grow on top of dead tree

Exit the Park

When we exit the park, the blue line bus was about to leave but we managed to stop it and hop on.  This saved us 20 minutes of waiting time.

Deer Mountain Tribal hatchery & Eagle Center

Getting there

We took the blue line bus back into town.  Then change over to the City Shuttle outside the tourist information building.  It took about 10 minutes to the Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery & Eagle Center.  The Totem Hertiage Center is in the same location as well.

The Cost

Below is the cost to visit both the Totem Hertiage Center and the Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery & Eagle Center:

1. Hatchery tour & eagles plus totem heritage $15.00
2. Hatchery tour & eagles plus birds of prey $20.00
3. Eagle compound only $6.00
4. Children 12 and under $5.00

* Ask about Military pricing

I recommend buying the tickets with birds of prey.  The 30 minutes talk by the center director is well worth the price.

Also, we (the walk on) had to wait for the tour group to arrive before they woudl start the tour.  We waited about 20 mins.

Eagle Center

The tour included a brief introduction to the eagle conservation effort and the history of the 2 bald eagles.

Tribal Hatchery

Bird of Prey talk

Totem Hertiage Center

The Totem Hertiage Center has a good collection of vintage totem poles - without any paint.  In addition, they also have a good collection of Indian craft as well. 

Creek Street

We took the free city shuttle from Deer Mountain Tribal hatchery & Eagle Center to Creek Street.  It is one stop away.

A nice t-shirt

A picture with Dolly

"Forget me Not" - Alaska State Flower

 When we were there, it was still too early for the salmon run.

Shopping

This is the best port to do shopping.  There are more souvenir shops here than other ports. Remember to collect your free souvenir too!

Getting on the ship

When getting back to the ship, you need your card key.  In addition, you will go through the same airport like security process. 

I believed there were 2 people who missed the ship.  Make sure you give yourself ample time to board the ship if you did not book your tour through the cruise ship.

Bye Ketchikan

The Alaksa Cruise Series

1. Alaska Cruise - Embarkment
2. Alaska Cruise - Day 1
3. Alaska Cruise: Day 2
4. Alaska Cruise: Day 3 (Ketchikan)
5. Alaska Cruise: Day 3 (On board)
6. Alaska Cruise: Day 4 (Juneau)
7. Alaska Cruise: Day 4 (On Board)
8. Alaska Cruise - Day 5 (Skagway)
9. Alaska Cruise - Day 5 (On Board)
10. Alaska Cruise: Day 6
11. Alaska Cruise: Day 7 (On Board)
12. Alaska Cruise: Day 7 (Victoria, BC)
13. Alaska Cruise: Day 7 (Last Evening)
14. Alaska Cruise: Day 8 (Disembarkment)
15. Alaska Cruise: Reflection