Today, we arrived at Sitka after a smooth, slow and short overnight journey from Glacier Bay:

An included excursion today - Scenic Sitka & Theatrical Performance:

A Panoramic Tour of Sitka’s Sights and Energetic Show – Board your motor coach and join a local guide, who will regale you with the legends and lore of this small city first settled by Russians in 1799. See historic Castle Hill, where the territory of Alaska was officially transferred from Russia to the US in 1867, and the cratered peak of looming Mt. Edgecumbe, a nearby dormant volcano. Your panoramic tour will also take you past Sitka Sound, where you can gaze out at the many small, forested islands dotting the water. At Centennial Hall, witness a theatrical performance by the Alaska Story Teller Dancers. Marvel at the energy, grace and talent of these dancers who strive to keep Alaska’s rich Russian and indigenous histories alive. Afterward, you may choose to enjoy free time, returning to your ship via shuttle.

Sitka is not a large island, but the cruise port is 5 miles away from the city centre. Another beautifully sunny day so the coach ride into and around the centre of Sitka was welcome:

The theatrical performance was wonderful. The history was explained well and interspersed by dances that accompanied the stories being told. It was a stark reminder of the impact that was felt by the indigenous people when the Russians arrived and started over-farming the sea otters for their pelts, and that things did not immediately improve when Russia sold the land to the USA.

After the performance, we trekked over to the Post Office to (finally) buy stamps for the postcards that had been bought several days ago! Still, the cards said Alaska and we were still in Alaska …!

For dinner, we were back at Manfredi’s. My wife had lasagne again, with a side salad, and Tiramisu Classico for dessert. I had the pasta of the day, and Moscato Zabaglione for dessert.

After dinner, we went to the Star Theatre for Liar’s Club 2! It was better than ever, perhaps because we knew the staff members better by now and were more up for heckling them!

At bedtime, a beautiful sunset visible from our stateroom!