Upon leaving Russia, we spent three days crossing the Bering Sea, which was uncharacteristically smooth, and on Sunday arrived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska (the USA!). This homecoming wasn’t as significant to most on board, as about only 10% of the 380 onboard (100 passengers and 280 crew) are American. But after nearly ten weeks abroad, it was meaningful to us (although we are still not anxious for the trip to end!). Fortunately, we still have about two weeks to go...
Dutch Harbor is one of the Aleutian Islands, a chain of more than 300 small volcanic islands extending in an arc from the Kamchatka Peninsula towards Alaska. These islands were the stepping stones that attracted Russian explorers to Alaska in the 18th century. The U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, and bitter campaigns were fought here between American and Japanese forces during World War II.
We made a brief stop in the city of Unalaska, Dutch Harbor, located at Unalaska Island at the end of the Aleutian chain. Unalaska is a community of about 4,000 residents, and as one of America’s busiest commercial fishing ports, almost 90% of its workforce is economically dependent on the fishing industry. “Town” consisted of a Safeway store, gas station, museum, and a hotel with a restaurant and gift shop.
The locals were very friendly, and we enjoyed a delicious fresh king crab lunch at the hotel, afterwards stocking up on some essentials at the Safeway (it was great to see brands we recognized!). We have eight more destinations and many more exciting adventures in Alaska to come.
Upon leaving Russia, we spent three days crossing the Bering Sea, which was uncharacteristically smooth, and on Sunday arrived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska (the USA!). This homecoming wasn’t as significant to most on board, as about only 10% of the 380 onboard (100 passengers and 280 crew) are American. But after nearly ten weeks abroad, it was meaningful to us (although we are still not anxious for the trip to end!). Fortunately, we still have about two weeks to go...
Dutch Harbor is one of the Aleutian Islands, a chain of more than 300 small volcanic islands extending in an arc from the Kamchatka Peninsula towards Alaska. These islands were the stepping stones that attracted Russian explorers to Alaska in the 18th century. The U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, and bitter campaigns were fought here between American and Japanese forces during World War II.
We made a brief stop in the city of Unalaska, Dutch Harbor, located at Unalaska Island at the end of the Aleutian chain. Unalaska is a community of about 4,000 residents, and as one of America’s busiest commercial fishing ports, almost 90% of its workforce is economically dependent on the fishing industry. “Town” consisted of a Safeway store, gas station, museum, and a hotel with a restaurant and gift shop. The locals were very friendly, and we enjoyed a delicious fresh king crab lunch at the hotel, afterwards stocking up on some essentials at the Safeway (it was great to see brands we recognized!). We have eight more destinations and many more exciting adventures in Alaska to come.
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