Juneau
Port 5 on our journey is Juneau. Juneau has been the capital of Alaska since 1906.
The area was a favourite fishing ground for the local natives and they had a village and burying ground here. The first European to see the Juneau area is recorded as Joseph Whidbey, master of the Discovery during George Vancouver’s 1791–95 expedition. He and his party explored the region in July–August 1794. In the 21st century it is known as Indian Point. They annually harvest herring during the spawning season, and celebrate this bounty. On October 18, 1880, Joe Juneau and Richard Harris marked a 160-acre town site where soon a mining camp sprang up. Within a year, so many miners had arrived that the camp became a village, albeit made up mostly of tents and shacks rather than substantial buildings. It was the first European American settlement founded in this territory after the United States purchased Alaska.
The village was first known as Rockwell, then Harrisburg (after the early prospector) and finally, on 14 Dec. 1881, a miners' meeting of 72 persons decided to name the settlement Juneau, after prospector Joe Juneau, the other early prospector, from Quebec. It is said that this name was chosen as there already was a state capital in Pennsylvania called Harrisburg.
The primary economy is derived from Governmental agencies (state and local, including educational and medical institutions) as well as the University of Alaska; tourism; and fishing.
The impact of tourism has not been always been enthusiastically embraced. With over 1,300,000 cruise passenger visits annually, the impact is not always seen as a good one. One long time Alaskan and 20 year plus legislative Representative once described Juneau's focus on drawing tourist as "They've prostituted themselves to tourism".
Fun Fact: there are no roads connecting the city to the rest of Alaska or to the rest of North America (although ferry service is available for cars).
Well, today is the busiest port day yet. We are one of 4 cruise ships in port. Our fellow cruisers have arrived on the Westerdam, 1964 passengers; Noordam, 1972 passengers, and Star Princess, 2600 passengers. Along with our 2850 passengers , that makes about 9,000 cruise passengers descending on Juneau today. But, I am very thankful that we were not here yesterday when over 20,000 cruise passengers arrived in port. There were two ships with about 2000 passenger each, 2 with about 2500, two with 3500 and 3800 respectively and one with 4000 plus. For a city with a population of about 32,000 that must be overwhelming for the about 8 hours the ships are in port.
Today's weather continues to be favourable - still in the low 60s. We left the ship later in the morning because we are docked for about 12 hours today. We had free shuttle service in to town as we were about a mile away. Two Holland America ships had beat us into town and got the prime downtown berths.
First impressions of the area that we visited downtown were that it almost had a Disney Esque look to it - everything was too perfect and designed to entice the tourist to spend there money. In every spot we have stopped so far, there are multiple shops selling diamonds and the exceedingly rare (1000 times more rare than diamonds) Tanzanite jewelry. Also multiple shops selling the usual made in China tourist tat, it is very difficult to find made in Alaska or even USA items, although you can find lots that was "designed" in Alaska.
Prices were outrageous as far as food went. Alaskan crab is a big seller for tourists here as is salmon. King crab dinner and a beer were costing people about $90 US. Baked salmon was almost as expensive, and we are not talking meals served at high end fancy places. Neither of us being willing to spend that much and not being very keen shoppers, we soon headed back to the ship.
On to our next destination Endicott Arm and the Dawes glacier.
Today's weather continues to be favourable - still in the low 60s. We left the ship later in the morning because we are docked for about 12 hours today. We had free shuttle service in to town as we were about a mile away. Two Holland America ships had beat us into town and got the prime downtown berths.
First impressions of the area that we visited downtown were that it almost had a Disney Esque look to it - everything was too perfect and designed to entice the tourist to spend there money. In every spot we have stopped so far, there are multiple shops selling diamonds and the exceedingly rare (1000 times more rare than diamonds) Tanzanite jewelry. Also multiple shops selling the usual made in China tourist tat, it is very difficult to find made in Alaska or even USA items, although you can find lots that was "designed" in Alaska.
Prices were outrageous as far as food went. Alaskan crab is a big seller for tourists here as is salmon. King crab dinner and a beer were costing people about $90 US. Baked salmon was almost as expensive, and we are not talking meals served at high end fancy places. Neither of us being willing to spend that much and not being very keen shoppers, we soon headed back to the ship.
Memorial to all the hard rock miners who were an integral part of Alaskan history
Mount Roberts tram way that takes you from the port up to the top of Mount Roberts, wheere you can sightsee, eat and hike.
Our ship on the right, the Sun Princess on the left and the two Holland America ships
docked down town
The Holland American ships docked back to back, and this time they didn't crash into each other
North side of Juneau
this litlle band of birds spent all day just off the ship - at times they were bunched up like this and then other times they formed a long line across the harbour
Looking down the Gastineau channel leading to Juneau
We were docked next to a container port - they were using old mine cars as a perimeter border
the sun setting on Juneau about 9:30 PM
One Holland America ship has made her way out of port, then we are next, soon to be followed by these two ships
On to our next destination Endicott Arm and the Dawes glacier.
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