Toronto

On our second day in Toronto we felt a little weary so decided to do a hop on hop off bus tour  which also included a boat trip on Lake Ontorio. The bus did go a little fast so did not get many photos. We then headed back to our hotel to prepare for our flight to Minneapolis early in the morning. 

Toronto, Niagara Falls

We arrived back into Vancouver around 6 am then the process of disembarking over 5000 people as 3 cruiseships all arrived together. Eventually we boarded a bus bound for the airport where we flew to Toronto. After the plane, a train, and a taxi it was about Midnight when we finally booked  into our Hotel.  Early next morning we were picked up from our hotel for the long drive to Niagara Falls stopping at 4 other hotels along the way eventually filling the bus.  Once in Niagara Falls we were dropped off to walk along the falls making our way back to the Sheraton hotel for lunch. We then walked across the road to the Hornblower for our cruise up to the falls. What an amazing experience. We ended up a bit wet, dispite wearing the ponchos. It was 7 pm before we returned to our hotel. What a fantastic day!

In the distance  is a barge that has been sitting there for one hundred years.

Ketchikan

Today we called into our last port Ketchikan. We walked around the Creek St houses which were built over the Creek,  then made our way to the Salmon hatchery where they hatch and raised the Salmon to be released into the Creek when big enough. We then headed to the Totem museum where lots of totems from the Tlingit people were rescued from an island and stored. After more walking  around the shops we headed back to the ship ready for a full days sailing back to Vancouver.

Glacier Bay

Next we headed for Glacier Bay. The temperature dropped considerably, rugged up we braved the the outside deck to get a closer look at the glaciers. Between the misty rain and fog we excitedly witnessed the thunder then crash of ice falling off the glacier into the water. I was disappointed I missed 2 photo opportunities as it happened so quickly. Each night we would get back to our cabin to be greeted by a towel animal creation. So cute!

Scagway

Our next port was Scagway. Another interesting town with stories to tell of the harshness people endured to travel to the yukon to make their fortune in gold. There we took part in a walking tour hearing about the history of the town and the involvement of the African American Buffalo Soldiers.

Cruising

As we left the beautiful city of Victoria and headed back to Vancouver to join the M.S. Volendam for our cruise up the inside passage in Alaska.  We sadly said goodbye to our caring, funny and knowledgeable Tour Director and capable and entertaining coach driver. What a team those two were! Eventually we made our  way onto the ship in a smooth orderly transition through customs. Our cuise ship had only 1400 passengers which was fantastic, not too big and not to hard to find our way around. Everyone was so friendly and patient and not very crowded. After a full day sailing  we were excited to see orcas, seals, whales, dolphins, otters and bald eagles. Our first stop was Juneau, the capital of Alaska. We had no planned extras so we took the cable car up the mountain where we had a close up look at a bald eagle and chicks in a nest high up in a pine tree. There was also an injured bald eagle in  a cage at the top.  We then wandered around the city and ventured into the popular Red Dog Saloon with it's sawdust floors and all the stuff adorning the walls.

On the ferry back to Vancouver