Seven Seas Explorer
Post-breakfast this morning we head into the Constellation theatre to have most of our pre-conceptions about Alaska disabused. – or at least so the speaker claims, based on being resident there and experiencing some of the low winter temperatures.
It remains a large state with the long stretch of Aleutian Isles meaning that it stretches to touch the four boundaries of the main 48 states of the USA if overlaid on it. Most of the limited population resides around Anchorage with huge unoccupied areas which was largely in accordance with our preconceptions!
Much else is not true. No igloos, nose rubbing is not kissing and no one quite knows how many words might mean a form of snow as different wordsmiths have separate totals! And most residents no longer and never did have dog sleds; the Iditarod being created to keep the tradition alive and has ensured the survival of the Alaskan husky which has thinner fur than the Siberian. We will come back to huskies later on our journey.
We are unlikely to see the Northern Lights as the immediate forecast band is much further north. Yes you read that right, they publish forecasts for the location of the Northern Lights and if we had come when originally planned the odds would be far better!
The ship is making steady progress across the north Pacific. Today is a little less stable with some definite rock and roll overnight leading to us waking several times. Walking is a little more complex as the floor does not seem to be where it should be when you put a foot down. Outside it is pretty misty and visibility is very limited.
Another day passes.