Messing around in boats!

After dinner on Monday evening we went walkabout around Seward's picturesque marina, prompted by having earlier watched a playful sea-lion (weighing around a ton!) swim playfully between the moorings. Several Bald Eagles perched close-by, as a sea otter entered the show, languishing in the clear glacial water, eating crab as it swam back-stroke! As we wandered past the pristine white boats we fell upon a local guy 'Sean' and his son 'Chase' who were fixing-up Sean's boat 'Freedom'.

Well, we got chatting and when Chase left, we were invited to come a'board for a glass of wine. Some time later and having put the world to rights, we de-boarded and sauntered back to our hotel. This morning we took advantage of the glorious sunshine and drove out to the Exit Glacier. Arriving at the Visitor Centre we parked-up and had the place to ourselves....it was strange walking to the edge of this impressive glacier through wooded, icy, trails with nothing but bird-song for company and a morning temperature of sixty degrees!

Totally impressed, we made our way back to Seward (via its Bakery!) to check-in for our afternoon cruise around the Kenai Peninsula. The trip was truly dazzling! As we sailed through crystal clear waters we saw some of the most amazing scenery imaginable, including the incredible Bear Glacier.

We learned how 'old' Seward' had been obliterated by the earthquake of 1964 (marginally more powerful than the recant event in Japan!) and saw wildlife, including dolphins, sea otters, and Harbour and Steller seals.....five hours flew by! Safely ashore again, we went to Chinook's for dinner and watched as a sea otter swam about the Marina, eating crab to the frustration of a pair of local seagulls. Alaska is amazing, but there is only one piece of music that befits the day.....