Date: Jun 12 2012
Sunrise: 3:55am
Sunset: 9:52pm
Today's Forecast: Showers, 51F/11C
Arrival: 7:00am
All Aboard: 1:00pm
Arriving at Juneau
Norwegian Jewel sails slowly toward Juneau early in the morning. We sat outside on our balcony to take in all the view with music provided by the waves.
Plan
Our plan for Juneau was to visit the following places:
This was the main goal for us because we have a point of visiting all the state capitols in the US.
Mendenhall Glacier Park
Getting There
Norwegian Jewel docked at a remote site, so we had to take a free shuttle bus to the city center.
Jewel docked in a remote dock.
The booth we got our bus ticket from
This is where the shuttle bus drop us off.
The booths that sell different bus tickets and tours.
Once we got off the bus, we saw a row of booths selling both bus tickets and tours. We were planning to take the "Blue Bus" to Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. We bought tickets from the first booth (we did not know that there is more one "Bus" company) that said "Narrated Shuttle to Mendenhall". As it turned out, we actually bought the "White Bus" ticket.
Tip: The cost of the shuttle is $8. We were able to get a $1 discount for each person as we have 9 people (6 adults + 3 kids) in our group. In addition, there is no charge for 2 of our younger kids. This is the advantage of travelling with your cruise mates.
Tip: The first shuttle bus leaves at 8am. Therefore, there is really no rush to get off the cruise ship at 7am since it take only approximately 20 mins from the remote dock to the city center.
Blue Bus: "To all bears, please do not feed (on) the tourists"
As it turned out, we got a "White Bus" instead of the blue bus.
The bus driver passed around a gold ore for us to feel.
Our experience on the "White bus" was good. The driver cracked lots of jokes.
The View
The view at the entry of the Mendenhall Glacier Park is breathtaking. This is the first time I saw a glacier from such close proximity. The glacier blue is just astonishing.
Most of our group!
Parts of the glacier float on the water
The Visitor Center
There are 2 ways to get up to the visitor center - (a) stairs (b) elevator. I recommend taking the stairs up as there are a number of excellent photo spots.
The entry cost is $3* per person unless you have the National Park Pass.
* This fee provides for maintenance of the trails, programs during summer, and updating the exhibits in the center.
The 377 feet Nugget Fall is roaring when we got there. I cannot help,but feel tiny when standing side to side beside this giant waterfall.
Medenhall Glacier with Nugget Fall make a perfect picture
360 view of the Nugget Fall
Water came roaring down
This shows a fraction of the waterfall's height.
Alaska State Capitol Building
We have a family goal of visiting all the 50 states' state capital. With this trip, we have paid a visit to one more. We still have a long way to go. The Alaska State Capitol building was not as grand as other state capital buildings, but as long as it serves its purpose, who really cares.
Downtown
We walked downtown to the bus shuttle pickup point. On the way, we passed by a number of one-of-a-kind shops. We had to walk fast as we were running short of time.
The sign
"Lost wives found here" sign
A garage with nice design
The library
Bear proof trash can
Getting back to ship
There was a long queue waiting for the shuttle bus when we reached the pickup point. We were not sure why. After 20 mins or so, a few shuttle buses appeared and we hoped on.
Norwegian Jewel at the remote dock
Norwegian Jewel with a cascade backdrop
The boarding queue was pretty long since we all arrived at the same time
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