Crucero a Alaska 🚢 Visitando Glaciar Mendenhall, Capital Juneau y Pueblo Histórico Sitka 🧊📷🌧️🌲🐟⛪

In today's video, we'll take you on a tour of the last two destinations of our Alaska cruise. First, we'll visit the city of Juneau, which is now the capital of Alaska. Juneau's main attraction is the Mendenhall Glacier, located about 19 kilometers from the city center. We decided to take the public bus (number 8), which got us pretty close, and from there we walked a mile and a half to the glacier, located within the Tongass National Forest. This glacier is in the process of retreating. 🚢🧊 Alaska Cruise: Mendenhall Glacier, Capital Juneau, and Sitka Historic Village | Complete Adventure The next day, we visited the city of Sitka, which was the first capital of Alaska. Sitka, originally called Novo-Arkhangelsk, was a Russian-founded city that served as the capital of Russian America between 1799 and 1867. Our stop in this port city was short and the weather wasn't cooperative, but we did manage to visit the marina, the totem poles in the forest, and the Orthodox cathedral. We hope you enjoyed these destinations with us. In the next video, we'll sit down and talk about our experience on our first cruise and what we thought! ALASKA CRUISE: Visit to the MENDENHALL GLACIER, Capital JUNEAU, and Historic SITKA | FULL TRIP 🌫️ Good Morning from Juneau, Alaska's Capital The day begins early in Juneau, Alaska's capital, shrouded in mist and a tranquil atmosphere. Despite the gray and humid weather, we feel a special calm as we walk through its streets. We observe a notable low tide in the harbor, highlighting the incredible difference between tides. 🚌 How to get to Mendenhall Glacier We took public bus number 8 to Mendenhall Glacier. Interestingly, the buses only accept exact change, but thanks to a very friendly driver, we were able to travel anyway and pay on the way back. A testament to local hospitality. 🧊 Visit to the mighty Mendenhall Glacier Upon arrival, we immediately noticed how the glacier has retreated drastically due to global warming, a striking contrast to the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina, which is still advancing. We hiked the Photo Point Trail, enjoying unforgettable panoramic views, albeit accompanied by large crowds. 📷 Historic Juneau and Tourist Area Back downtown, we explored the historic center. We reflected on the congested atmosphere at popular tourist sites, a stark contrast to the tranquility of nature. Juneau, although small and touristy, showcases its beauty with houses perched on steep hills, offering a picturesque view. ⛴️ Farewell to Juneau and Heading to Sitka As we departed, we noticed plaques in the port for well-known destinations like Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, and Punta Arenas, awakening our desire for future trips to South America. We reflected on how the city is fully adapted to cruise tourism, with a well-prepared infrastructure. 🌧️ Arrival in Sitka: Historic Town in the Rain Our last port of call is Sitka, a town of just 8,000 inhabitants. The typical Alaskan climate accompanies us: persistent rain and fog. We toured the port, observing curious modern metal boats, reminiscent of the Tesla Cybertruck, as well as the enormous tidal fluctuations. 🐟 Fishing and Local Wildlife in Sitka We discussed the important local fishing activity, highlighting species like salmon and especially halibut (Hollywood), whose sport fishing is popular, regulated, and produces enormous specimens. 🌲 Rainy Hiking in Sitka Despite the weather, we briefly explored the surroundings, appreciating a lush, dense, rainforest. Due to the heavy rain, we visited the small but interesting museum at the Visitor Center, learning about Indigenous history, Russian colonization, and how Sitka was the first capital of Alaska. ⛪ Historical Exploration of Downtown Sitka Samuel toured Sitka's historic downtown in the rain, visiting the Orthodox church and historic buildings, appreciating its Russian and American cultural heritage. 🚢 Final Thoughts and Return to Canada Back on the ship, we reflected on how the weather affects our plans, highlighting the isolated life in these communities, where products and services must arrive by boat, significantly increasing the cost of living. We closed the day with a special dinner accompanied by an Argentine Malbec, toasting our successful first cruise.