Today was all about seeing one of the most significant of the natural wonders of Alaska. But first we attended a lecture on plate tectonics, volcanoes, and glaciers. This was followed by one of the BBC game shows and a chat session with the cast.
After a nice LIDO lunch we donned our warm clothes and headed for the outside forward deck as we proceeded into Yakutat Bay and up to the face of the Hubbard Glacier. The Hubbard Glacier is one of the few glaciers that's increasing in size. It's face is about 7 miles wide and about 15 stories high. The Oosterdam sailed to about 2 miles from the glacier, but it seemed like we were right up against it. Our position on Deck 5 was terrific and we also went out on the bow on Deck 4.
While we were there, the glacier was continually calving. Calving is where chunks of the glacier break off and crash into the sea. Many times that action is accompanied by a loud report like a loud explosion or gunshot. Once you've heard it, you'll never forget it! The larger pieces that break off also create significant waves. After hoovering there facing the glacier for an hour, the ship was rotated 180° to the right where it held its position before rotating 180° to the left where it did the same. Then we sailed out of the bay and began our southward journey to Sitka where we are scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning.
Before dinner we watched the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, 'Dead Men Tell No Tales'. For me, the film made no sense and I'm glad I didn't spend good money at a land theatre to see it.
We also discovered that the Club Hal attendants were the same as on our earlier Volendam cruise. That brings the total crew we've previously sailed with to 4.
We enjoyed a light pasta dinner in the Lido before watching the evening program which was a film 'Alaska in Concert' accompanied by a live orchestra. I found it to be really good but spoiler alert: there are no polar bears in it.
Stay tuned for more.
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