ALASKA CRUISE - MAY 2018 - MOTHER’S DAY IN SITKA SUNDAY, MAY 13TH, 2018

I add this at the beginning just in case there is someone who pops in and doesn't know that we are back home, having returned on May 31st, 2018.  These daily journals are written in the hopes that you will find them entertaining, and maybe useful in case you are planning a trip to Alaska.  Throughout my blog if you see any words that are in red, they are usually links to other websites with useful or interesting information.  If you would like to check out all my posts, you can click on the label 'Alaska Trip - May 2018' at the bottom of this post.

SUNDAY, MAY 13TH, 2018 - MOTHER’S DAY - SITKA

It is 5.07 a.m.  I have been awake for about an hour and oh joy, I have a sore throat. I talked to Gregg very briefly and he is now snoozing.  I am going to try and get back to sleep. The ship is rolling a bit, I definitely feel the motion and it is like being rocked gently while lying in bed. I have grown to like it, though I have found that when I go ashore I feel that too. Niece and I remarked that in town it was like having to get rid of our sea legs, a slight adjustment to walking on land again.

10.25 p.m.  When we left the ship there was a ten minute walk to get up to the road where a bus was waiting to take us into Sitka.  The ride took about 15 minutes.  

Sitka is another town that can only be reached by boat or small plane.  There are no roads from outside because the surrounding terrain is very rugged. 

There is an Orthodox church with two spires and they are accepting donations to restore it. 

It is called St. Michael's Cathedral, and was built in the 19th Century when it was under Russia's rule. 

 The above photo of Sitka, taken from Crescent Bay, is quite old but its date is unknown.  Sitka has an interesting past which is a unique blend of native Tlingit culture and Russian history.  In 1867, when the United States purchased Alaska from the Russians, the transfer ceremony was held in Sitka, and Sitka became Alaska's first capital city. 

Gregg bought me a mother’s day gift from the Hanlon-Osbakken House, a bear paw print from a house which contains works of art for sale from over 100 Alaskan artists.  This shop deserves a post of its own, which you will see after my daily journals are finished.  In the meantime you can see my Mother's Day Gift above.  Sorry for the reflections.  I took it very quickly and will try to get a better shot later on.

We met up with Gregg's sister and her husband as we were walking along, and rode the bus back together. 

We met one sweet little puppy today.  

Her human told us that she was a corgi puppy called Nugget. Nugget was mostly dark brown. 

When we reached the ship, a welcome sight by the time we have spent several hours ashore, we stopped at the kiosk selling all kinds of cooked crab.  Niece heard something and looked over the make-shift fence. This sweet little pup stared up at her.  There was no one to ask what his name was.

Friendly little chap, small light brown pup with a little tail that wagged furiously when we stopped to say hello.  Our second doggy-fix of the day.

Our time back on board was spent eating!  And that I will tell you all about next time.