Shadowmeboy's Suntastic 10-Night Alaskan Anniversary Cruise Adventure

[shadowmeboy]

 

Oh look! A new photo subject!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I admire pilots. They do an awesome job in all weather conditions. Definitely not easy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ocean Cape

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

When there is not much else to shoot, you shoot what you have!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

Pilot transfer complete and off they go!

 

 

 

Now what am I going to shoot?

 

 

Ice!

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Massive piece of ice - lets steer clear of that one

[shadowmeboy]

 

Size comparison

 

 

 

That was the boat by the ice a minute ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not glacial viewing weather

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

Our "Glacier" photo

 

 

 

You can just barely see Hubbard Glacier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was showing people my 2016 Hubbard Glacier photo so they could see what it should look like.

 

 

versus this

 

 

Mark and Julie

 

 

We then started pulling away from Hubbard Glacier. As we were leaving, the Norwegian Jewel was arriving into Hubbard Glacier. I saw it, but didn't have my phone or camera for a picture.

Edited October 21, 2023 by shadowmeboy

[shadowmeboy]

After the Hubbard Glacier, we needed to get something to eat ahead of the lightning auction that was going to be going on. Off to the buffet we went again.

 

 

 

 

We attended the lightening auction and purchased one of the artists that was on my list to own. 

 

 

We bought this interactive piece by Tim Yanke. Click the video below to see a clip I shot using Park West Gallery Moving Canvas App.

 

 

 

Along with this Jon Rattenbury, which goes nicely with the Rattenbury we bought on the Encore.

 

 

Here they are side by side on the wall.

[shadowmeboy]

 

Our laundry came back!

 

 

Time to get ready for dinner and pictures!

 

 

Playing with the reflection on the Balcony

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time for Pictures!

 

 

 

Love the props!

 

 

 

 

Time for dinner at Los Lobos!

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our server tonight was Lady Diane. She served us multiple times in different venues on this cruise. She was awesome!

 

 

 

@happycrafter123 I got your hubby in that shot!

 

 

Tropical Paloma

 

 

Classic Margarita on the rocks

 

 

Chips and Salsa to start

 

 

 

 

@happycrafter123 I got both of you in this shot! Sorry that the server you had was not as good as Lady Diane.

 

 

Making the Tableside Guacamole! Filming it of course (Video coming soon!)

 

 

 

Yummy!

[shadowmeboy]

 

Aguachile de Camarones - Shrimp Ceviche

 

 

 

Shrimp Quesadilla

 

 

Los Tacos de Pescado - Fish Tacos with plantain

 

 

Burrito Rojo with Rice

 

 

 

Tres Leches Cake

 

 

Buneulos de la abuela 

 

 

 

We were stuffed like a burrito after that meal.

 

 

We headed back to the stateroom and relaxed for the rest of the evening, while rubbing our food babies.

[FlGoodShips]

Love, love love your reviews.

Your reviews have helped and answered so many questions on so many topics for me.

Thank you🤗

[shadowmeboy]

Day 6 - July 5th, 2023

Sitka, AK

 

 

Daily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

Sailing into Sitka!

 

 

This will be our second visit to Sitka, the first was in 2016. We were glad to come back!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dock!

 

 

 

 

Looks like Holland America will be joining us today in Sitka.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its about 6:45 at this moment. We are scheduled to arrive at the dock at 7am. Let's just say a few dock workers were complaining that they had to start working a few minutes early. I could hear them from deck 10 from down on the dock.

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

Off to breakfast we went

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here come Holland

 

 

 

Suck ups

 

 

We love Alaska too, but we don't have to put a stupid banner on the front of our ship.

[shadowmeboy]

Guess what I had?

 

That's right!

 

 

A half grapefruit and cottage cheese

 

 

Yogurt parfait - Is that getting smaller?

 

 

Bacon and Ham

 

 

Oatmeal

 

 

Eggs to Order 

 

 

Oatmeal all decorated

 

 

 

 

 

Port photo

 

 

passing through the casino to head off the ship

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sitka here we come!

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

I see jellies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So in 2022, we had arranged a private tour through Sitka Tours. When the Sun hit the Iceberg and we had to jump to the Spirit, we lost Sitka. They were easy to cancel in 2022. So when we booked this cruise, they were the first email I sent. I felt bad cancelling less than a week before in 2022, so I really wanted to give them our business. Best tour guide we could have gotten!

 

--

I will start the tour tomorrow

[shadowmeboy]

26 minutes ago, FlGoodShips said:

Love, love love your reviews.

Your reviews have helped and answered so many questions on so many topics for me.

Thank you🤗

 

Thank you! I love hearing that. I like when people can get something out of it that is useful!

[drumming cruisers]

1 hour ago, shadowmeboy said:

After the Hubbard Glacier, we needed to get something to eat ahead of the lightning auction that was going to be going on. Off to the buffet we went again.

 

 

 

 

We attended the lightening auction and purchased one of the artists that was on my list to own. 

 

 

We bought this interactive piece by Tim Yanke. Click the video below to see a clip I shot using Park West Gallery Moving Canvas App.

 

 

 

Along with this Jon Rattenbury, which goes nicely with the Rattenbury we bought on the Encore.

 

 

Here they are side by side on the wall.

Love these paintings. The flag is wild!!! 

[shadowmeboy]

So we got on the tour. We were put on a bus with others from another ship who booked their tours through their cruise line (and paid more than us). 

 

 

On our way into Sitka

 

 

1st stop on the tour was the Alaska Raptor Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the training and rehabilitation area of the Raptor Center. The windows are obstructed so the eagles don't see the visitors. 

 

 

These eagles are being rehabilitated to be released back into the wild.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After we looked at the birds in the flight center, we headed into the auditorium.

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

They brought one of the birds that can never be released into the wild again out. This bird is named Sitka.

 

 

 

I put the zoom lens on.

 

 

 

 

 

I find the facial expressions of the employee to be fascinating, especially in relation to the bird.

[shadowmeboy]

 

The bird also knows she has treats.

 

 

That's the I want a treat look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the water droplet on the end of the beak?

 

 

Look into my eyes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of my favorite pictures! Hello! I need a treat

 

 

Finally

 

 

 

 

 

I love how the bird looks the same direction as she is talking.

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the presentation, we hit the gift shop to support the Raptor Center. Then we headed outside to see the resident non releasable eagles.

[shadowmeboy]

 

FYI Susan, that one is stuffed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

They have other Raptors other than Eagles as well

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He didn't give a hoot about me taking his photo!