Alaska Cruise 2004
The Land Tour
June 29: Flew to Anchorage, joining John and Marian in flight at
Portland. Holland America had arranged for the 4 of us to
sit in seats B, C, D, and E of the same row. This was great for
talking. Unfortunately it was blocked by the wing for viewing the
cascade mountains, which were lit by bright sunshine on a clear
day. Marian got some view.
Overnight at Hilton Anchorage, Room 703.
We arrived in Anchorage and negotiated the airport fairly simply.
We were glad we did not have to go through the huge line for security
for outbound people!
Holland America seems to have manned desks all over the place. At
the airport we found it and they put us on the next shuttle bus (big
tour bus) to the hotel. We four were the only passengers.
The chatty bus driver took us across town in a few minutes.
The Hilton had another Holland America desk that gave us our land tour
packet and in it were our room keys for a room already checked out to
us. We could skip the front desk unless we wanted room services
for $$ -- so we skipped right up to our rooms.
Did our planning over local brew in the 1st floor bar. Had crab
cakes for appetizer, along with a few other things -- including a
freebie buffet of appetizers like spicy chicken legs.
Visit to Alaska Mint, Scandinavian sweater store. Saw Aurora film
at Alaska Performing Arts Center. Attended “Alaska Experience”
film and simulated earthquake. (Anchorage earthquake in
1964.)
Dinner at Glacier Brewhouse. Crab cakes, Caesar Salad, margarita,
Alaska IPA bear.