July 28, 2025

SEWARD, ALASKA, USA

The Ship had to cancel our port stop in SEWARD, ALASKA but nicely provided a shuttle bus to still take us there, on our 2nd day in Anchorage. So I joined the above group of Residents on a 4 hour boat tour in Seward,  which was a 2 hour drive from Anchorage. A long day, we left the Ship at 8 am and returned just after 7pm, but nice to see another part of Alaska. Above group from L to R - Bob & Sarah, Darrell, Jim Maas, Russ & Kelly, Steve and Angela, Anna, Sherrie, Jimbo and Me.

When we arrived in Seward we had some time to walk around the town before the boat tour. I was more content on this excursion to soak up the sun and scenery than focus on getting photos. So most of these shots I honestly borrowed from friends post.

When we got back to the Ship the Chef greeted us with a fish special - they had gotten fresh Halibut and cooked exquisitely! Yum!!

By Patricia Patrick February 15, 2026
We got up at 6:45am to get to National Park Forts Walk trail in the hope of seeing koalas . Prior walkers mark trails with tree branches pointing in the direction of their sighting and we were luck enough to see 3 markers in our first hour of hiking. It is so stinking hot and humid the success we had made it bearable. The koala population on the island started with 20 brought over in 1930, to escape fur hunters. Today, the island boast 800 to 1000, and they are so cute and drowsy. They need 20 hours of sleep a day! The early morning is when they are the most active.
By Patricia Patrick February 14, 2026
Just off the coast of Townsville, Australia is a special little island (that used to be part of mainland, hundreds of thousands years ago). The island was formed by molten granite that was pushed to the earth's surface with volcanic force.Over time the volcanic overlay weathered away leaving an extraordinary landscape of rounded domes and boulders, many as big as a house and spectcularly perched. Over Seventy Percent of the center of the Island is a National Park. There is lots of wildlife here too - koalas, rock wallabies, snakes & birds.
By Patricia Patrick February 14, 2026
This is my third time in CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA and I really enjoy how walkable, clean and charming it is. The waterfront esplanade and lagoon area is a nice walk day or night. We had 2 nights here in the waterfront Shangri La Marina Hotel while waiting for the Ship to arrive and then 2 additional days in Port.