Captain's log:
1:00am Transiting the Lynn Canal
6:30am Picked up Park Rangers at Bartlett Cove
10:00am 0.2nm off the face of John Hopkins Glacier
Overcast skies, slight rain; 8°C
5:00pm Commenced voyage to Ketchikan
We woke up to grey skies. The first sighting of ice floating along the ship was the moment we knew we had reached Glacier bay. We had pored through the day's programme the night before but could not imagine what the day would bring. At 9am, we heard the first announcement introducing the park ranger, who proceeded to inform all guests of the coming highlights. Everyone was urged to bundled up and head outside to view the spectacular views. We were among the few who decided to brave the wind and cold, unable to resist the beauty that was before us. After several trips to and fro our rooms to add on more layers or to grab another SD card/film/batteries/ gloves (we were too excited to think properly and were ill-prepared for this experience), we finally calmed down a little to appreciate God's splendour.
At 9.30am, several brave souls signed up for the polar bear swim at the outdoor pool. Ice cubes were added to the already cold pool and the weather played its part by blessing us with rain. The atmosphere was carnival-like and cameras that were busy snapping at the waterfalls and glaciers turned towards the pool to record down the fateful moment when the swimmers jump into the cold pool in freezing temperature. Hot Dutch pea soup was soon served to all guests, greatly appreciated by those who were braving the cold weather to view the many glaciers looming high above us. Enterprising employees were also doubling as vendors pushing carts selling hot chocolate laced with liqueur.
Viewing the towering glaciers and trickling waterfalls, one question that popped into many minds and one of the most frequently asked question by guests during this time was; "at what altitude are we at?" Truly, the fjords and glaciers gave the illusion that we were high up in the mountains (the answer to the question above........"why, we are at sea level of course!"). The sun peeked out around 12noon, that saw more guests braving the cold weather outside to take pictures of the John Hopkins glacier, a major tide water glacier that is advancing into the water. The cruise had thoughtfully providing all guests with an individual map and guide to glacier bay, still, the park ranger who narrated us through the cruise into Glacier bay provided further insight and understanding to the formation and erosion of glaciers. Every time we witnessed a carving, our hearts missed a beat. At Juneau, we were informed that Mendenhall Glacier will no longer exist in 30 years time, we wondered whether Glacier Bay will survive.
At around 4.15pm, we departed from Glacier Bay reluctantly and turned our attention to the 2nd and last formal dinner and evening's programme. We had decided to have our dinner early as we were tired out from the day's activities (mainly climbing 9 decks several times as we attempted to capture the glaciers from different angles). After dinner, I had decided to check out the movie "Maid of Honour screened at the small Wajang theatrette. The crew had thoughtfully laid out boxes of free buttered popcorn for all movie goers. Alas, it was not the most satisfying movie experience as the screen was too low and the sound system poor. I returned to find an turtle placed on my bed and my friend still awake. The financial world has just turned upside down.
My log:
No of wildlife spotted: 2 (seagulls and some seals sunbathing on iceberg)
No of meals consumed: 5