Tag: Big Trips

Halibut on Creek Street

Scenic Sunday

What caught my eye when we got to town from Saxman Village was a lovely row of wooden buildings resting on pilings above Ketchikan creek.   Guess where we headed after the lumberjack show?

Once an infamous “red light district”, the heart of downtown Ketchikan has today turned into galleries and restaurants, mostly original buildings with lots of stories to tell.

One such is Dolly’s House catering once to “gentlemen seeking the company of women”.   😉

Known to sport anglers as a busy place year round for fishing for wild trout, Pacific salmon, and halibut (my favorite).

So, when we spotted Halibut Hole while browsing through shops along the boardwalk, we did not hesitate and went right in for a taste of their famous fish and chips before heading back to our ship.

The halibut, which of course came most highly recommended, was what we had.  We were not disappointed.

Fish so juicy and tender deep-fried in delicious crispy batter.  That + a bowl of clam chowder, and we were a happy pair walking back to the pier.

They also serve salmon, clams and shrimp in the same crispy batter

It was a good “first day” off shore and I can tell you that it just gets better.  So stay tuned!

To see more beautiful scenes from around the world, go to Scenic Sunday.

Halibut Hole
7 Creek St.
(907)225-6152
Posted on by Jenn 1

The Great Alaskan Lumberjacks

Credits:  Frame from House of 3 digital kit by The Design District (Ornate Frame 3); Kraft Paper by JSprague

Lumberjacks are usually referred to loggers from a bygone era before the advent of modern logging equipments.  The inception of the modern lumberjacks started as a competition in old lumber camps to see who the best lumberjacks were.  Today these competitions continue, keeping traditions alive.

Southeast Alaska’s rich logging history comes to life in a thrilling display of nimbleness, energy and power.  A must see when in Ketchikan, we walked a short distance from the pier to a covered grandstand where rugged professional timber athletes competed head to head in events such as speed climbing, ax throwing, chopping and sawing.  Hosted by a very engaging host who referees this riotous competition.  She splits the group in half and assigns each group a team to root for, adding excitement and entertainment to the show.

Watching th0se cute hunks alone make the show worth its US$36.   😛  tee hee!

Head over to The Little Red House for more photo mosaics from all over.

Posted on by Jenn 5

Saxman Village

Scenic Sunday

Credits:  Sunshine Artz template 04, Grand Intention Kit: JSprague Type Red and Yellow Solid papers

The Southernmost sizable city in the state of Alaska is Ketchikan, also known as the salmon capital of the world.  Its economy thrives on tourism and fishing and in the native village of Saxman, tourists flock to view a strand of totem poles some 30-40 feet tall.   Its totem pole park boasts of the single largest collection of totems.

Totem Poles are like billboards, signposts or tombstones, telling stories and honoring heritage.  They used to be mistakenly thought as religious symbols of worships and many were burned as a result.

Good thing original carvers of totem poles still live in the area now known as Alaska’s “Inside Passage” and are members of the Tlingit , Haida and other clans.

In a shed near the village is Tlingit’s famous carver Nathan Jackson.  We got to see his workstation sans the carver.  He is normally there carving but unfortunate for us, he was unavailable at the time of visit.

Posted on by Jenn 7

A Taste of Filipino Hospitality on the High Seas

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“Ay Pilipino pala kayo!” (Oh you’re Filipinos!).  A reaction we’d get all the time when A and I would start conversing in Filipino.  You see, A can pass for a Latino and I any Asian origin (Koreans, Japanese or Chinese), thus the reaction.  Always excited to meet “kababayans” (fellow Filipinos or countrymen), I gather owing to homesickness as they have been away from their country for 6 months at the least to up to 2 years, depending on their contract.  They are called Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), our country’s new heroes.

Waiters-in-BanffA photo with our servers in Banff

OFWs are Filipinos who are employed in foreign countries to seek better opportunities out of a desire to earn better wages.  The National Statistic Office estimates that the number of Filipinos working abroad has increased by 15% from same period last year.  About 3/4 of OFWs are land based laborers and unskilled workers, which includes domestic helpers, cleaners and manufacturing laborers.  Seafarers (or sea based workers) on the other hand, make up 24% of total OFW deployment and they account for some 20-25% of the world’s seafarers.

“Filipinos are in demand to man ships from luxury cruise ships to giant tankers and container ships.  They are known to exhibit a great ability to learn, to be hardworking and loyal”, according to Pier Luigi Foschi, President and Chief Executive of Costa Crociere Cruises.  “They set a good example for other employees and crew.  They sign up for months at a time and have very little free time”.

GrillingFilipino cooks grilling salmon at the poolside

One feels at home right away at the Ryndam.  From the boiler to the front desk, the poolside to the pantry and the bar to fine dining are Filipinos always ready to serve with a smile.

Roger-at-the-barThat’s Roger, one of the bartenders with his shaker

Hanging out at Crow’s Nest almost every single day of our 7 day stay was made unforgettable due to the many stories told and friendships developed.

bartendersAlways the happy bunch at the Crow’s Nest Bar

The Filipinos comprise perhaps about 30% of the crew at The Ryndam.  Being so much an entertainer at heart, they were given the privilege to entertain the passengers by way of a Filipino Night.

chef-singingHead Chef of the Lido Restaurat by day, singer by night

No longer the cooks, waiters and boiler men, here on stage, they transform into entertainers, well known for their singing prowess and their knack for humor.

tiniklingOur National Dance (I think), the Tinikling

planting-riceDoing the “planting rice” dance

goofingYes… look again… they’re all guys!

Filipino snacks were served right after the show, because I think all the cooks are Filipinos. Tee hee!   🙂  In my opinion, Filipino Night is the Cruise line’s way of honoring the well-loved Filipinos as employee, crew and servers.  And they make me proud to be one of perhaps 6 Filipino passengers aboard The Ryndam at the time.  Mabuhay!

ice-carvingAnd the finale… a demonstration of ice carving… again a Pinoy!

To join in the fun and get to know more worlds, click here.

Posted on by Jenn 6

M/S Ryndam

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Our means of transport around the inner passages of Alaska and where we were billeted for 7 nights.  It was smooth sailing all the way from Vancouver to Seward.

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A moderately sized ship that feels cozy and homey.  Far from the humongous cruise ships that looked more like a structure than a ship.

celebretuty-cruise

I however will not comment until I have been in one lest I eat my words.  I never thought I’d be raving, never thought they were my thing but it seemed like the most economical way to get around Alaska.   So I decided to keep an open mind and I’m happy I did.  A wonderful surprise, I’ll say.

deck-6

The Ryndam appealed to me because this 720feet vessel is designed to carry fewer guests and being so provided more space yet cozy enough to get to know some fellow traveller either at the bar or on shore excursions.

foie-grasYes… that’s sinful!

An experience I wouldn’t mind repeating.  I vividly remember an overflow of food at any given time, impressive amenities, enjoyed especially the wet floor where they had a heated lounge chair which never fails to drift me off to dreamland.

mojitoMy Mojoto!

Crow’s Nest bar was where we spent a lot of our time on board not only because of the booze and great bunch of people but also

view

because it is indoors and had an almost panoramic view… well, of mostly the ocean but when we approached each town,

mountain-view

we’d get great views of mountains,

waterfalls

waterfalls,

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islands

whale

and sometimes we’d catch a few dolphins and whales riding with the ship.  I’d say it is the best place to hang out and get the best of both worlds.

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Oh, the sunsets were spectacular too and the service – impeccable.

Allow me to show you around.

bowThe bow

crow's-nest-barCrow’s Nest Bar

deck-at-sunsetWalking around the deck at sunset

float-planesFloat planes at the Vancouver Pier

lifeboatOur Lifeboat Station (very important information)

Ocean View StateroomOur Ocean View Stateroom

RotterdamRotterdam Dining Room features impeccable service.  Five course menus includes continental cuisine, vegetarian and low carb option.

starter at rotterdamMy starter of seafood cocktail at The Rotterdam

And more of the view!

islands

mountain-view-2

mountains-and-islands

And some fabulous sunsets!

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sunset-4

sunset-5

M/S Ryndam is part of Holland America Lines.

Posted on by Jenn 0

Granville Island

Scenic Sunday

granville-public-market

The first time I was in Vancouver I had already wanted to check out this cool place with a huge impressive public market but due to time and transportation constraints at the time, I gave up the idea and vowed to make it there next time.  Next time has come and what was at the top of my agenda?

celines-fish-and-chips

fish-&-chips

Fish and chips (and the yummiest and biggest fried oysters I’ve ever encountered) at the Granville Public Market!

Although also pressed for time this time around as we were really just passing through Vancouver on our way to Alaska (and that’s for more exciting posts to watch out for in the next few weeks).  I made sure we make it there by hook or by crook!  It was worth the (long) wait.  Those who know me know that I love going to the market even though I am by no means considered a good cook.

food

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fruits

bell-peppers

produce

I get a thrill each time I survey what’s in a market whether I am in my own neighborhood or out travelling.

dock

This island is in the middle of the city and is physically connected to downtown Vancouver by the Granville Street Bridge.  One can’t tell from there the gem that awaits them.  Embodying the surrounding metro, Granville Island is matchless.  Its humble origins are far from what it has become, a popular area boasting of impressive art galleries, shops, dining places and a fabulous public market that offer a wide array of fresh and cooked food (as seen above).

Let’s walk around, shall we?

dog-walkerI’d walk the dogs here too!

duck-pondDucks

ducks-2Ducks

ducks-3And more ducks!

feeding-the-pigeons-2Feeding them

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Pigeons

houses-2Sea Village houses

houses

shopsShops

neighborhoodThe neighborhood

little-girlAnd isn’t she a cutie?   🙂

More scenic posts here.

Posted on by Jenn 7

Vancouver VIA Rail

Vancouver-Via-RailCredits-  Template by Shabby Miss Jen’s Designs;  Paper by Jessica Sprague Blue Solid paper from Cr8 Mini Kit;  Elements:  Stapler Pair and Heart Sticker both by KPertiet;  Alpha by Jessica Sprague from Grand Intention Kit

Trains fascinate me because it evokes a feel of the olden days.  It is the only means of public transportation to Vancouver from Jasper unless one drives to Edmonton and fly out from there.  An opportunity I cannot pass up and so I booked us on the VIA Rail Canada and got ourselves to Vancouver via rail!

Not without some 7-hour delay.  While VIA Rail owns 223 kilometers of tracks, most of the infrastructure used by the passenger service is owned and managed by the freight railways operators.  In short, the train will be late and it is not their fault.  So looking at the glass half full, we took the opportunity to see more of Jasper.  How can one get tired of this quaint town anyway?  So off we went to Maligne Canyon… and got back way before the train arrived.   No complaints from us!

The 20-hour (thereabout) train ride offered beautiful sceneries.  The high-level coaches and lounge cars have big windows for better viewing pleasure.

Money well-spent…

VIA Rail Canada
Jasper Station
601Connaught Dr.,
Jasper, AB
Posted on by Jenn 0

More Glorious Lakes

Scenic Sunday

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This marks the end of my series of lakes and other bodies of waters around Jasper.  The many glorious lakes is clearly a major reason why Jasper has become a favorite.

Patricia Lake

patricia

Pyramid Lake

pyramid kayaks

pyramid

Cavell Lake

cavell lake

Unsure which lake this was but scuba diving in glacial fed waters?  Are. You. Kidding!?  Kudos to them!!!   🙂

scuba

For more scenic scenes, click here.

Posted on by Jenn 6

Maligne Valley

Scenic Sunday

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Pronounced “mah-leen”, is riddled by an extensive karsts system – a geological formation of caves above and below ground level.  In the case of Maligne Valley, no one knows where the water for Maligne Lake goes.  Located at the south end of Maligne Road, this gorgeous wildlife-filled, glacier fed lake is one of the largest in the Rockies.  Watch for elk, sheep, moose along the road, we were told and bears are usually spotted around the lake.

bridge-at-dusk

island

reflection

Completing the Maligne Valley highlight is Maligne Canyon where the river has eaten away at the limestone of the valley eroding the softer rocks.  The result is a smooth, steep walled canyon bringing forth one of the most spectacular gorge in the Canadian Rockies.  Waterfalls, fossils, potholes are just some of the wonders of the canyon.

canyon-waterfalls

stones

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Posted on by Jenn 4

Medicine Lake: The Lake that isn’t

lake-sepia

There are lots of glorious lakes within Jasper National Park but there is one lake that lured us no end.  Medicine Lake, just approximately 20km southeast of the townsite.  A geological rarity.  Why? you ask.  We all assume that Medicine Lake is a normal mountain lake but it isn’t.  It is perhaps best described as a sinking lake that has holes in the bottom like a bathtub without a plug.  During intensified runoff of summer, too much water flows into the lake filling the drain.  Before long, the lakebed begins to fill and by late spring, early summer (which was about the time we were there), Medicine Lake is in its full glory.

 lake

Medicine Lake is located along the road to Maligne Lake, a lake almost synonymous with Jasper. On our way to Malign Lake one evening, the still water perfectly reflecting the mountains and the sky caught our attention.  And so we stopped and admired its glory. 

pines

A great road route to spot wildlife, we were told, was also probably the main reason why we ply that route more often than once during our stay in Jasper.  It is Caribou land and we got word from a tourist we met earlier that there were caribous and bears (ok maybe he was exaggerating and there was only one) lurking around.  More than enough reason to go back again and again even if we were out of luck as far as caribous and bears were concerned.  It is, after all, a glorious lake, er, body of water(?) during the summer months.
stairs

Posted on by Jenn 1