April 28th - Kodiak, Alaska

After six days sailing across the Bering Sea and Pacific Ocean the ship has
arrived in Kodiak, Alaska, home of "The Deadliest Catch". The fishing town
of about 8,000 residents almost doubles in size during the summer months.

The landscape was very dark and moody looking upon arrival, but in the
afternoon the rain let up and we got a little taste of sunshine.

Six of us took a boat ride with Captain Jack and the days adventure began.
He was very entertaining, and very proud of his boat. At one point he
decided to show off his two new 300HP engines and put the pedal to the medal
to show us what she could do.

As we headed out of the bay, we made a stop at the "sea lion hotel". To keep
the sea lions away from the more convenient docks, the people built them
their own community dock. When the orcas get tired of eating fish, they are
known to come up to the dock and sweep the sea lions off the dock with their
fins for an easy meal. The townsfolk built the sea lions a cage at one end
of the dock, and the smarter and/or faster ones can go into it to be safe.
There are still some sea lions who prefer their own private
"accommodations". Upon approach to the dock, the noise is loud and the smell
is overpowering, and there is no mistaking who the bulls are. The bulls have
a harem of about twenty females, and when they move, the crowds part and
make way.

Loved it when we would come upon a young otter who was a curious about us as
we were them, they are a little cuter than the sea lions.

The search for whales was not successful, but the ride over the waves and
swells was quite thrilling.

Upon our return to the bay area the captain took us over to a boat that was
cleaning their nets. As the eagles kept watch, the sea lions and birds were
enjoying the free and easy meals being provided. There was so much fish
being distributed that there was no arguing or fighting among the sea lions
- however, it was a "bull only" party - no females or young ones invited. We
got so close to the sea lions that we had to be careful they did not spray
us!

Headed back to the pier and ship to warm up and head back out to sea.

April 22 - Kushiro, Japan

Sailed into a chilly and gray Kushiro, but like the peoples’ welcoming smiles, the sun also smiled and shined brightly for us.

 

Went into the surrounding countryside to the Kushiro Marsh Conservatory, seeing many dairy farms along the way.

 

After a nice hike in the Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, headed over to the Japanese Crane Reserve, getting to see Japan’s national bird up close. Due to the recovery efforts of this reserve and others, the species will survive.

 

Went back to town and took a look at the local fish market, referred to as the kitchen of Kushiro. I saw some of the strangest (and ugliest) fish. They better taste good, because they will not make it to the table based on their good looks. At this market they offer the katte don (as you like it bowl) – one buys a bowl of rice, then proceeds to the various fish mongers and adds whatever appeals to them before sitting down to enjoy at one of the picnic tables.

 

Last stop of the day was to the Kushiro City Museum. In addition to the  historical and geological exhibitions, they had life-sized stuffed critters, my favorite being the massive walrus, battle scars and all.

 

As the ship was preparing to set sail, a saxophone player performed for us, with a group “waving” goodbye. Since we were docked right in a city park area, many of the locals came out to send us on our way as we leave Japan and begin our 3,700+ mile journey across the seas to Alaska.