Chibithulu Photo Log Alaskan Inside Passage 2006

Location Key and Footnotes

 With eternal thanks to Da'alrakken, The Deep Lord Chibithulu traveled aboard the Sun Princess on the Plaza deck. Minion #1 was allowed to go as a photographer and general steed. She had never gone on a cruise before.

The cruise left the dock in Seattle at 4pm on June 25th. For the duration of the 26th the ship was at sea. Early on the 27th it tied up in Ketchikan and then, after departing Ketchikan, it sailed through Humpback Whale territory at Snow Pass. On the morning of the 28th the ship entered Tracy Arm and made it far enough in to see both the Sawyer and the South Sawyer glaciers, a journey only successfully made a few times in the 2006 sailing season. Later on the 28th the ship tied up in Juneau, where the weather proved to be rather miserable, though not unusual for Southeast Alaska. On the 29th the ship arrived in Skagway. On the 30th the ship was entirely at sea. Late on the 1st the ship sailed into Victoria Harbor, arriving at 5pm on Canada Day. At midnight the ship sailed out, and then early in the morning of the 2nd the ship arrived back in Seattle.

Alaska is a beautiful state. Scenery and wildlife vie for the attention of cruise ship passengers, though it is far easier to find a fortune in jewelry for sale in each port than it is to find the wildlife in many cases. Minion #2 will be sailing for Alaska near the end of September, without the Deep Lord, and Minion #1 hopes to return next year.

The following adds details that the Deep Lord might not have noticed.

1. When Da'alrakken and I returned to the ships terminal after having spent some time with Breimh and Digi at Uwajimaya, we found out with a great deal of dismay that the company Da'al works for (he's only contracted to Princess Cruises), failed to send the paperwork for my cruise to Princess Cruises. This security guard pictured did her best to help, keeping an eye on us while we waited for the ship people to find out what my status was.

2. After stowing my gear on board, I took one picture and abandoned the camera (and the Deep Lord) to explore a little bit. I ended up at the Topsider's Bar, where I purchased a refillable soda cup (ordinarily soda's cost $1.50 each, so the cup was supposed to save me money), and then I headed to the bow of the ship. As we pulled away, Da'al spoke about Seattle and the Cascade mountains and the Olympics, as well as the sealife in Puget Sound. The ship had to back out, so most of the crowds were at the stern. I did also add information for the people standing near me, details about Seattle history and encouraged them to visit some of the tourist stops in downtown. That evening I ate at the Marquis dining room, a dress casual sit-down dining room where the food was at least four stars. I had prime rib and a very tasty sugar-free dessert.

3. We arrived very early in Ketchikan, and Da'al insisted (I didn't struggle) that we go in town to eat  breakfast at one of his favorite places. He had to go find a bank machine to get cash, so I was left in Whale Park for a while. I took a number of pictures, including this one of the Deep Lord, which was challenging, to say the least. My hand is not very steady.

4. Of course, I had to make sure the legend for the totem pole was photographed. I've left this image at full size so it can be read.

5. The Pioneer Cafe had a more of a Route 66 diner theme than anything Alaskan. It was not a place where you'd expect to see tourists either. The waitress was cheerful and helpful, and I really don't remember her name. Amber, I think, but I could be wrong. I decided to test their food with my favorite Chicken Fried Steak Breakfast, which turned out to be huge! I also sampled Reindeer, or Caribou sausage. It was mild and rather tasty.

6. Creek Street. One of the most famous locations in Alaska, and tops in Ketchikan. It really was a line of bordellos on either side of a tidal creek. Now they are shops catering to the cruise ship tourists.

7. Dolly's House, one of the most famous of bordellos on Creek Street, is now a museum to that part of Ketchikan's colorful past. Actresses in appropriate dress greet visitors and invite them to visit. I didn't actually go in, but this lady was kind enough to pose. 

8. Carved from local trees, I just felt these grotesques needed to be in the Chibithulu gallery.

9. At the same shop was this enormous shell. I couldn't help it. Chibithulu on a half shell...

10. The little carved eagle was just the perfect size.

11. This seller had a gallery of t-shirts arranged on the wall. I took two pictures, this one and one that has a dozen or so of the shirts in the shot. It seems just perfect that the Deep Lord pointed right at "Bite Me".

12. Up at the Cape Fox Lodge was a group of totem poles called the "Gathering of Clans". This first is an eagle, I believe.

13. This figure is wolf and cub.

14. This guy is a chief. I don't know if he represents anyone specific. Unfortunately, the beak on his raven staff was broken off. One thing I noted, and you can see in picture #16 is the Orca (or Killer Whale) has two dorsal fins. I'm not sure why they are shown like that sometimes. Maybe based off of sightings of a pair swimming together.

15. This is one of two images of Raven. Raven in Native folklore is the Trickster, and for mankind, this was a good thing. Raven brought man to earth in a seashell. Raven stole the Sun and the Moon and gave them to man. This figure shows Raven with the moon. One of the other figures, one which didn't have anyplace I could put the Deep Lord, had a mirrored disk which depicted the sun.

16. This picture was taken of me by Da'alrakken while I was setting up for the shot in #13. God, as much as I like to wear shorts, I don't look impressive in them. I'm wearing my tourist stuff... a baseball cap to keep the sun out of my eyes and off my head, a black denim vest that I'm putting collected patches on, and my camera case... though it's not visible in the shot.

17. In reality, the piece in the case is an octopus. However, my first reaction since it had EYES was "Cthulhu!" The clerk in the store, in #18, was the first shopkeeper I'd asked to pose with the Deep Lord, and she was very kind about it. Her shop was my first souvenir purchase; a small bottle filled with water and gold leaf, with a tiny wolf figure on the top of the lid, which was "Genuine Gold", "Alaska". Note, not "Genuine Alaskan Gold".

18. Again, really nice people in Ketchikan.

19 - 23. Da'al was eager for me to see this, to get a Deep Lord photo. Ketchikan is filled with eagles. You can't go a day without seeing dozens! They feed off of what the fishermen bring in, when they aren't going after the salmon runs. It was just natural that they have a carved eagle in tribute. Photos #22 & 23 were taken by Da'alrakken while I tossed the Deep Lord up. I can't throw... I throw like a girl.

24. Da'al felt the whole "Thundering Wings" would be funny with the Deep Lord there. 

25 - 27. Inside one of the souvenir malls they had this figure. Da'al thinks the whiskers are authentic. My camera isn't very good for close-ups, and trying to gauge when or when not to use the flash is a pain in the patoot.

28 - 29. Juneau. When we reached the city it was heavily overcast and there was a misty drizzle. On the promise of getting free internet access, I hauled both camera and laptop alongside Da'alrakken to the Juneau Public Library. There I spent the better part of a half hour figuring out how to log in to the wireless internet, and ended up having to use an ancient and outdated version of Netscape to get the authorization. Thereafter I was able to use my usual browser. I had over 60 e-mails, which is a lot for me! We were there for a few hours before we decided it was time to look around a bit.

30. I spotted this old car from up in the library. I was disappointed to find it in poor condition, but had to take the shot anyhow.

31. In Juneau, in the midst of the waterway, is the remains of an old mine tunnel. It was dug from the shore at Juneau out under the water and then to the surface. It eventually caved in, but fortunately no one was killed. Mining was once one of Alaska's top money makers. This statue recognizes the contributions miners made to the establishment of Juneau and Alaska.

32. Patsy Ann. The story of this dog is rather touching. She was brought to Alaska as a puppy, but abandoned when they discovered she was deaf and mute. She was taken in by another family, but in the end was turned out to the street again. However, she was such a charming dog that people would feed her. Then she revealed a remarkable talent. Somehow she could sense the steamboats coming up the waterways to town, and she would rush out to meet the boats. This further endeared her to the citizens. Then, when the dog catcher took her in for not having a license, a number of citizens chipped in together to buy her the license and a red collar to keep it on. After she passed away, the town collected the money together to have the statue made. Originally it was set in a small garden area with a "Welcome to Juneau" sign behind it, but the city has since remodeled the area and this was the best they could do. At least it's alongside a dock that a cruise ship ties up to. It was the "Veendam" when I was there.

Another note about Juneau. I looked around the shops and such but, hauling my laptop around as well as my camera, I didn't really feel up to snapping many pictures. I regret, however, not taking photos of the Red Dog Saloon, a famous drinking hole that displays a gun inside reputed to have belonged to Wyatt Earp.

33 - 36. In Skagway was one park where they had a statue and a roadsign. There were so many people around the statue reading it's legend that I never got a chance to see it. It was a challenge just to get the Deep Lord shot! I also took the time there to make a call home and to work. I'd been able to get cell service in every stop thus far.

37. The White Pass railway is one of the oldest rail lines in Alaska and is a favored tourist trip. I couldn't swing the trip, but I did get to look at the engine with the snow plow on it, which is used to clear the lines of snow. I think it'd make a great cuisinart, don't you?

38 - 40. This pair of totem poles were just the right height. And no, I wasn't getting in trouble with the law. As a matter of fact, the police in Skagway were quite friendly. 

41 - 42. We had to step into the post office to send off my handful of daily post cards. Just outside, one of the Skagway Police officers and the Skagway Fire Chief were talking. I couldn't resist. I asked their permission to photograph them, and then asked them to hold the Deep Lord. Man, I swear they were tickled pink and they immediately started having fun with how they would hold the Deep Lord. They started by throttling him, then made as if they were doing CPR. Picture #41 was taken without them knowing as they debated. Finally, they decided to hold him by his wings. Da'alrakken thinks it's the shot of the trip. I'm pretty close to agreeing with him.

43 - 44. The cabin we had on the Plaza deck looked out the Starboard side of the ship. A pair of bunk beds could be lowered down from the ceiling, so the cabin was meant to accommodate up to four people. The two beds could be moved together to become a queen bed. All the drawers in the room needed a slight lift to open, so they wouldn't pop open during active seas. Each morning the bed would be made up by the Steward, Ford, and then in the evening it would be turned down and chocolates placed on the pillows. The room also had a desk with a large mirror over it and a hair dryer hung beside that. A narrow hall led to the door and one side of that was closet space, while on the other was a small vanity shelf with another mirror, and the door to the tiny bathroom. In picture #44 you can see my deck shoes, brand new and bright green shoes I bought to wear while on the ship.

45 - 47. The ship had several channels that were closed circuit, where they would run programming specific to activities. There were also recorded movies on some channels. There were travel channels, a couple of news channels and Cartoon Network on one channel and its commercial free bastard child, Boomerang. I watched quite a bit of Tom and Jerry, and I think Da'al got tired of it. One channel had the bridge cam on it 24 hours a day, and announcements from the bridge could be heard there, so they didn't have to be broadcast into cabins and disturb people.

48. Hotels are evil this way too. We didn't touch the drinks. However, underneath, is a neat little refrigerator. I used it to keep an unopened insulin pen in during most of the trip.

49 - 50. The shower stall wasn't any smaller than the shower we have, but taking a shower in rolling seas is precarious, and I'm not kidding about having to step outside to change your mind... 

51. Just what it says. Elevators from hell. They'd get damned crowded too.

52 - 54. Just shots from around the ship. Fun stuff.

55. This was the only time I really drank in a lounge, not counting the lounge in the rear of the ship where I watched a comedian juggler on the first full sea day. And that's a Diet Coke.

56 - 57. I don't gamble. I didn't play the slots, nor did I play the roulette wheel. I watched the game where you put a coin in and hope it falls so the little shovels push goodies into the hopper, but I didn't play it. I bought a buck worth of ship gaming tokens as souvenirs though.

58 - 59. On the first full sea day they had a fruit and vegetable carving display. These whimsical figures are the results.

60. This smiling fellow is Arnaulfo, who acted as our waiter the first two evenings when we dined in the Marquis dining room. He was very good about remembering us and very attentive. A very nice guy.

61. Da'alrakken dressed up to give one of his four talks. As the ship's Naturalist, he spoke about Alaska, the wildlife and the geography. He had an overview talk on the first full sea day, a talk about the wildlife of Alaska another day, a talk dedicated to whales and dolphins, and then a closing talk on the final sea day. I didn't miss a one. His presentations were fabulous, and he produced them himself with his own photographs. People were so impressed they wanted his material on DVD!

62 - 63. Eleven forward is Deck 11, the furthest to the bow you can go. It's also just below the bridge, and where I stood while viewing Tracy Arm. I stood on 10 Forward when we were whale watching in Snow Pass.

64 - 67. These were all taken on the Lido deck, where the pool and the buffet were. I never did manage to go swimming, mostly because it was too cold or I was too busy otherwise.

68 - 70. I only accidentally happened upon the golfing area on my last sea day, and took these pictures with my friend, Karkovice, in mind.

71. I really did think the worse of those little brown things in the water, until I realized what they were. Heck, if someone could spill lettuce in the fountain...

72. The table the Deep Lord is sitting on is used as a "clearance" table for jewelry during business hours.

73. Can't remember the crewman's name. The crew is multinational, and some of the names were hard enough to pronounce, much less remember. They were all very helpful and kind.

74. The Shooting Star lounge was empty when I went in, between events. I don't remember if it was actually Bridge or something else they were playing. The only other time I entered the lounge was on the day I boarded, because that's where my emergency mustering point was.

75 - 76. Da'alrakken posed for these, after one of his talks.

77. As a guest of the ship's Naturalist, I was given a private viewing of the Bridge on the day we sailed in to Victoria Harbor. I got to watch the Canadian pilot come on board. Pilots are needed when ships are near shore, to navigate hazards. I really only sneaked these pictures, so as not to disturb the crew.

78 - 79. Serious Coffee in Victoria offers free wireless internet to it's customers. Da'al and I, crowded by the Canada Day throngs, spent a lot of our time there. It was a rather hot day as well, so, rather than buy a coffee that Da'al had been singing the praises of, I had italian sodas. The staff were nice people, and the girl here seemed to be amused by the photo shot.

80. On the day of departure I finally caught up with the every busy Ford, our cabin Steward! He was such a sweetheart.

81. Okay, I forgot to put this in with the Ketchikan shots. My friend Miladyblue asked me to find a "Rainbird" in Ketchikan, a humorous character she remembered from childhood trips to Alaska. Alas, this was the only form of the Rainbird I could find, and I know she didn't mean for me to spend $150 to get it for her! So, I did the next best thing... I took a picture of it with the Deep Lord. I think an enterprising woodcrafter might be able to do something like this for her...

And thus endeth the Chibithulu photo journey to Alaska's Inside Passage.

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