On each cruise, our Exploration Leaders chronicle the journey through photos. At the end of the cruise, we create a photo CD that we sell to our guests, with proceeds going to our Our Bear Cares Program. Even though it's summer now, I find myself dreaming of a warm, tropical vacation. I pulled out the of the photo CDs from this winter's cruise in Mexico's Sea of Cortes, just to take an armchair vacation. Years ago, I spent a winter working down there. I've been back several times since and thankfully, not much has changed. It was so much fun seeing the photos that I thought I'd share them with you. I've uploaded the slide show to our You Tube account, but here it is for your enjoyment as well.
It early in the morning in a beautiful boat harbor north of Juneau. Summer Solstice is approaching and the sun has been up for an hour already. The Cruise West vessel Spirit of Alaskais making a special stop at the Auke Bay harbor to drop guest off in time to catch their early morning flight from Juneau. All is serenely quiet as the vessel makes fast her lines on the outer float of the harbor. Guest are leaning on the rails watching Captain Paul Hawes at the bottom of the ramp making a final check of the lines before disembarking. Suddenly a blow is heard coming from the inner harbor and all eyes focus on the sight of a baby humpback whale rising out of the water for a breath. A whale INSIDE the harbor is unheard of- its only 10 yards from the nearest vessel. Astonishment gives way to awe. The next thing we see is full grown mama humpback rising amongst the moored vessels releasing a tremendous blow. Its as if she is trying to scold her runaway child for swimming "out of bounds". I turn my head to to say something to Captain Paul but he's gone! He's running down the dock looking over the side as the Humpbacks swim underneath. Just as quickly as it happens its over. Its early- pre coffee- it must have been a dream we say. An Alaskan dream!
Boy are WE flattered! One of our guests loved her trip so much that she purchased a little souvenir from our gift shop for her new pet chinchilla. Doreen purchased our little Oliktok bear mascot onboard for her pet, Joey.Yes, Doreen, we agree that Joey would make a great mascot for one of our warmer climates! Thanks for sharing your photos with us.
Joey is our 9 month old chinchilla. We named him after a baby kangaroo.
We bought a stuffed polar bear from Brian ("Sweetpea") on the SOC before we left. Joey loves stuffed animals to sleep with. We did, however, make a wardrobe switch. As you can see, Joey is sporting the Cruisewest sleeveless zip-up fleece vest from the Polar bear! We think he would make a fabulous mascot in the future, for Costa Rica or something. I believe Chinchillas do come from warmer climates.
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It early in the morning in a beautiful boat harbor north of Juneau. Summer Solstice is approaching and the sun has been up for an hour already. The Cruise West vessel 
