LIVE from the Sapphire - 14 day Voyage of the Glaciers, August 31 - September 14, 2024.

[cruiseny4life]

Well, I'm here to see another Princess review. I'm a loyal to NCL'er, so you can thank our favorite librarian, @YVRteacher for bringing me over. You won't catch me in a suit and tie, so I'm skipping the lobster and steak, but gosh your review is making me keep Princess on the consideration list for Alaska! 

 

I'm loving the naturalists you're listening to (and meeting), the meals you're having, and the overall experience. Thanks for sharing! I always enjoy feeling up the animals when they have pelts, and the like, out. It's so interesting to "pet" them. I feel like I'm closer to the animal and can understand a little more how their life is (far from actually knowing, though).

 

Have a great next few days!! 

[Coolmama_1]

59 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Well, I'm here to see another Princess review. I'm a loyal to NCL'er, so you can thank our favorite librarian, @YVRteacher for bringing me over. You won't catch me in a suit and tie, so I'm skipping the lobster and steak, but gosh your review is making me keep Princess on the consideration list for Alaska! 

 

I'm loving the naturalists you're listening to (and meeting), the meals you're having, and the overall experience. Thanks for sharing! I always enjoy feeling up the animals when they have pelts, and the like, out. It's so interesting to "pet" them. I feel like I'm closer to the animal and can understand a little more how their life is (far from actually knowing, though).

 

Have a great next few days!! 

Please don't let the whole suit and tie thing keep you from the steak and lobster night. My husband ditched that years ago. Nice pants and a collared shirt will do. I too am so enjoying these pictures. 

[memoak]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

Well, I'm here to see another Princess review. I'm a loyal to NCL'er, so you can thank our favorite librarian, @YVRteacher for bringing me over. You won't catch me in a suit and tie, so I'm skipping the lobster and steak, but gosh your review is making me keep Princess on the consideration list for Alaska! 

 

I'm loving the naturalists you're listening to (and meeting), the meals you're having, and the overall experience. Thanks for sharing! I always enjoy feeling up the animals when they have pelts, and the like, out. It's so interesting to "pet" them. I feel like I'm closer to the animal and can understand a little more how their life is (far from actually knowing, though).

 

Have a great next few days!! 

No need to avoid formal night. I haven’t owned a suit or even tie for years and dress the same for every 

meal. Crew pants and collared shirt. Sometimes I go to dinner in jeans just depends how I feel

[theliterateleprechaun]

Whittier, Alaska

 

We were so excited to have a rain-free day in Whittier! Last summer we didn't even get off the ship in this port because of the wind and sideways lashing rain. 

 

 

The marine fog was thick, but we knew it would burn off by noon. 

 

 

 

For my NCL followers, I asked about your new pier here and I was told that the port staff had just toured it and that it was beautiful. A few commented that it was further away than they expected and presumed there would be a shuttle for NCL passengers. How exciting for you to visit this port. 

 

We stretched our legs and walked along the boardwalk to the far end of town. More on that next post. 

 

*layers needed here! We had to return to the ship to shed jackets and gloves and trade jeans for shorts by afternoon. 

 

 

Mom and Steve in front of The Lazy Otter. 

 

 

For those of you who read and finish books before arriving in this port - consider bringing it ashore and leaving it in this little free library. There's no bookstore here and the winters are l-o-n-g. I always leave a stack in this LFL between the Lazy Otter Cafe and Whittier Fudge. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 9 by theliterateleprechaun

[WisCruiser2]

14 hours ago, theliterateleprechaun said:

Last week I was telling you about the wonderful towel art masterpieces our cabin steward made for us. It's been a regular occurrence. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we had a towel folding demonstration in the piazza...and our cabin steward is THE towel folding genius on the ship. 

 

The following photos are from the demo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 15 Princess cruises we've NEVER had a towel animal! You lucked out!

[theliterateleprechaun]

1 minute ago, WisCruiser2 said:

In 15 Princess cruises we've NEVER had a towel animal! You lucked out!

I'll keep sharing them! We never had one until last year on this ship. We did Buenos Aires to Vancouver and had a zoo of towel animals. Confession: I look forward to the night's creation on the way back to the cabin from dinner. 

[theliterateleprechaun]

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Well, I'm here to see another Princess review. I'm a loyal to NCL'er, so you can thank our favorite librarian, @YVRteacher for bringing me over. You won't catch me in a suit and tie, so I'm skipping the lobster and steak, but gosh your review is making me keep Princess on the consideration list for Alaska! 

 

I'm loving the naturalists you're listening to (and meeting), the meals you're having, and the overall experience. Thanks for sharing! I always enjoy feeling up the animals when they have pelts, and the like, out. It's so interesting to "pet" them. I feel like I'm closer to the animal and can understand a little more how their life is (far from actually knowing, though).

 

Have a great next few days!! 

Thank you! 👋 

[theliterateleprechaun]

Glacier Bay 

 

We were so excited to see that Princess has added a pop-up ramen bar on the lido deck! You have your choice of beef, seafood, or miso with tofu ramen. They have all the oils, spices, and seaweed as well as chopsticks. The line moved extremely quickly and it was a welcome treat to get warmed up between glacier viewing on the open deck. 

 

 

 

 

WTG, Princess. I love these new additions. ❤️

Edited September 9 by theliterateleprechaun

[theliterateleprechaun]

5 hours ago, andimark said:

Me too! Making me wish our May 2025 Alaska cruise was now!

Add sunglasses to your packing list! Sun glare from the glaciers is strong. Happy countdown.  

[Sugar Magnolia]

1 hour ago, theliterateleprechaun said:

Glacier Bay 

 

We were so excited to see that Princess has added a pop-up ramen bar on the lido deck! You have your choice of beef, seafood, or miso with tofu ramen. They have all the oils, spices, and seaweed as well as chopsticks. The line moved extremely quickly and it was a welcome treat to get warmed up between glacier viewing on the open deck. 

WTG, Princess. I love these new additions. ❤️

 

Pop up ramen bar on the lido deck is next level! 

 

[theliterateleprechaun]

Whittier is the wettest city in the USA. It gets 198 inches of rain per year and 250 inches of snow. To arrive here and get sunshine is ... exciting! 

 

It was originally built in 1943 by the U.S. Army as Camp Sullivan and had a population of approximately 1200 until it was decommissioned in 1960.

 

To house the army, the Buckner Building was built and was quickly dubbed 'The City Under One Roof'.

 

This $6M 6-storey building housed 1000 officers and enlisted personnel as well as a:

✔️hospital

✔️350 seat movie theatre

✔️jail

✔️photo lab

✔️commissary

✔️bakery

✔️huge cafeteria

✔️gun and rifle range

✔️church

✔️barbershop

✔️library

✔️radio and TV station

 

I'd first heard of the Buckner Building when I read City Under One Roof (my next post will feature this book) and knew that I needed to see this abandoned building for myself. 

 

We walked along the boardwalk to the end of town and veered right at The Lazy Otter and Sound Ideas.

 

 

 

In front of these buildings, across the street, you'll see the sign for the pedestrian tunnel. 

 

 

This 512 ft long tunnel will take you under the railway to the residential side of town. 

 

 

 

You'll see these signs when you emerge from the tunnel. If you keep left, you'll come to the only grocery town. It's worth checking out. 

 

 

 

Once you come out of the shop, keep left and cross the street at the Admiralty Inn. Head up a slight hill, and you'll see the Buckner Building ahead of you. 

 

 

 

 

I can see why this building is so alluring. Imagine the stories it could tell...

 

If you go to YouTube, there are 'tours' allowing you to see inside. 

 

Reading the book certainly added to the appeal. 

 

 

[theliterateleprechaun]

 

Did you know that in the heart of Alaska there is a town of approximately 200 residents who are essentially cut off from the rest of the world? 

 

Whittier, Alaska is at the head of the Passage Canal, 58 miles southeast of Anchorage and until the year 2000, the only way into this town was via plane, boat or train. Even with car access through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel now available (2.5 miles long, making it the largest in NA) once an hour, it still remains a remote location 23 years later. Adding to the feeling of ‘cut off’ is the fact that the tunnel is closed at 10pm nightly. 

 

The majority of residents live in a one block apartment building that also houses limited amenities such as a grocery shop, medical center, post office and laundromat. 

 

Debut author, Iris Yamashita has taken this fascinating and unusual city and topography as inspiration for her locked city mystery, City Under One Roof. 

 

Told in three voices, this crime fiction mystery is as unique as it is compelling. Detective Cara Kennedy Is an ‘otter’; an outsider, police investigator who has been called in from Anchorage. Her baggage includes secrets that slowly unfold for the reader - secrets that make her empathetic and bring urgency to the investigation. Amy Lin, 17, is a long-time resident and teenager whose mom runs the local Chinese restaurant, Star Asian Food. Like most teenagers, not only does Amy hide secrets, but she also stumbles on one while at school. The final voice is that of Lonnie Sipely - a mentally disabled, colourful beret wearing, longtime resident who talks in word salads and has a pet moose named Denny. As a result of her disability, nobody pays attention to her. The thing is, Lonnie sees and hears more than she should. Her secrets are valuable. 

 

I loved ‘Moose Lady Lonnie’ ’s character and the fact that there were 3 teenagers spotlighted in this plot. Of all the age groups to live in such a location, I think teenagers would be the most difficult. It was interesting to see things through their eyes. Cara’s contemplation on page 231 also fuelled my thoughts for the past few days. The mystery and misdirection kept me turning pages and the possibility of wandering the sights mentioned in the book kept me interested. 

🫎

In a recent interview, the author likened coming through the tunnel at Whittier to falling down the rabbit hole in Alice In Wonderland. She suggested that she crafted Cara as Alice, Amy as the white rabbit and Lonnie is the Mad Hatter. I think knowing this will shape how you read the book! 

🫎

I loved the unpredictable ending that was as good as the introduction and the assurance of a sequel.

[theliterateleprechaun]

 

“The residents of Port Mettier were no stranger to a past that was best forgotten.”

 

Village in the Dark is the sequel to City Under One Roof and as much as I enjoyed book one, this one was the better of the two. It was fantastic, really. 

 

Why do I enjoy these books?

 

1. Setting

They’re both set in Port Mettier (Whittier, Alaska), a place I’ve visited a few times and love. What makes this a perfect choice is that there’s only one way in (except for a few cruise ships a year) and out of this isolated location - a 2.5-mile-long tunnel. Many people choose this location because it’s secluded, isolated and, like many places in Alaska, it’s inaccessible. Yamashita showcases this harsh and deadly setting. 

 

This time she’s added an off-grid self-sufficient women-run settlement called Unity. 

 

2. Characters

Yamashita has crafted a diverse and eclectic cast each with their distinct voice. 

✔️an Indigenous Japanese young woman who has grown up in an isolated community and knows very little of “Man’s World”

✔️A toll booth operator for the one-way alternating tunnel 

✔️A flamboyant Asian Madonna of types

✔️A ‘Mettier’s momma’ who runs rental suites on the top floor of the building who totes a gun to protect herself from her incarcerated ex. 

 

In book one, Detective Cara Kennedy and Ellie Wright are antagonists and in book two they’re protagonists. In fact, both these women join Mia Upash as narrators of this mystery. 

 

3. Great title

I knew it referred to the fact that all 250 residents of Whittier literally live under one roof as a village in the Begich Tower. When I learned where Mia was raised, it suddenly took on an additional meaning. 

 

4. Intriguing purpose

 

✔️Cara is driven to find out what happened to her family and the shocking opening reveals foul play. 

✔️Ellie is driven to find out what happened to her estranged son and becomes worried that his death is connected to Cara’s family’s deaths. 

✔️Mia is in possession of a secret and is being hunted for it

✔️IVIG and plasma donation link the subplots and had me reaching to Google

 

The jaw-dropping ending of chapter 12 was enough to read under the covers last night until I finished the book. 

I hope you get a chance to read this book, especially if Whittier, Alaska is in your travel plans. 

Edited September 10 by theliterateleprechaun

[Sugar Magnolia]

I simply love when teachers report live on CC.

 

[Coolmama_1]

1 hour ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

I simply love when teachers report live on CC.

 

Me too! Always love a book recommendation.

[YVRteacher]

19 hours ago, theliterateleprechaun said:

 

Did you know that in the heart of Alaska there is a town of approximately 200 residents who are essentially cut off from the rest of the world? 

 

Whittier, Alaska is at the head of the Passage Canal, 58 miles southeast of Anchorage and until the year 2000, the only way into this town was via plane, boat or train. Even with car access through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel now available (2.5 miles long, making it the largest in NA) once an hour, it still remains a remote location 23 years later. Adding to the feeling of ‘cut off’ is the fact that the tunnel is closed at 10pm nightly. 

 

The majority of residents live in a one block apartment building that also houses limited amenities such as a grocery shop, medical center, post office and laundromat. 

 

Debut author, Iris Yamashita has taken this fascinating and unusual city and topography as inspiration for her locked city mystery, City Under One Roof. 

 

Told in three voices, this crime fiction mystery is as unique as it is compelling. Detective Cara Kennedy Is an ‘otter’; an outsider, police investigator who has been called in from Anchorage. Her baggage includes secrets that slowly unfold for the reader - secrets that make her empathetic and bring urgency to the investigation. Amy Lin, 17, is a long-time resident and teenager whose mom runs the local Chinese restaurant, Star Asian Food. Like most teenagers, not only does Amy hide secrets, but she also stumbles on one while at school. The final voice is that of Lonnie Sipely - a mentally disabled, colourful beret wearing, longtime resident who talks in word salads and has a pet moose named Denny. As a result of her disability, nobody pays attention to her. The thing is, Lonnie sees and hears more than she should. Her secrets are valuable. 

 

I loved ‘Moose Lady Lonnie’ ’s character and the fact that there were 3 teenagers spotlighted in this plot. Of all the age groups to live in such a location, I think teenagers would be the most difficult. It was interesting to see things through their eyes. Cara’s contemplation on page 231 also fuelled my thoughts for the past few days. The mystery and misdirection kept me turning pages and the possibility of wandering the sights mentioned in the book kept me interested. 

🫎

In a recent interview, the author likened coming through the tunnel at Whittier to falling down the rabbit hole in Alice In Wonderland. She suggested that she crafted Cara as Alice, Amy as the white rabbit and Lonnie is the Mad Hatter. I think knowing this will shape how you read the book! 

🫎

I loved the unpredictable ending that was as good as the introduction and the assurance of a sequel.

I read this book too! I liked the moose!

[theliterateleprechaun]

Whittier, Alaska

 

When the U.S. Army pulled out in the 1960s, they left behind 2 buildings. One I mentioned in the last post, the Buckner Building, and this one, the Hodge Building. It was the former residence of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was built in 1957. 

 

 

 

This 14-storey building contains 196 apartments, 2 floors of daily rental B&B, a post office, store, laundromat, church, conference room, indoor playground and a school. In 1972 it was renamed the Begich Tower. As of the 2024 census, 257 people live in Whittier....in this building. 

 

 

 

You can't miss it. It's the tallest structure in town. I laughed at a sign on the front door reminding residents to remove their fishing clothes before entering the building. 

 

We got talking to one of the residents who told us that 6 cars had been broken into in front of the building the night before... by a coastal brown bear! It was shot, but managed to get into the woods injured. 

 

I gulped, thinking of our 16,000 step exploration around town with an injured bear close by. 

 

If you explore here, be bear aware. 

 

There are a few good videos on YouTube of a teacher's life in Whittier. We met one who was taking her class down to the waterfront for science class. It was a small, multi-grade class and she told us that most of the children had one parent who worked for the railway.

 

We spoke to one teenager who'd just graduated. She was born in Hawaii on a military base and relocated to Whittier when she was four. She has done all her schooling in the Hodge/Begich Tower. When we asked her what she did to keep entertained, she told us kids her age spend lots of time outside. She hikes everyday and works in one of the local shops. 

 

I hope this town is on your itinerary and that you have a sunny day to explore. 

 

 

 

Edited September 11 by theliterateleprechaun

[theliterateleprechaun]

Whittier, Alaska

 

The following few pictures show why I come to Whittier. 

 

 

 

If you aren't happy with the cloud cover here, just wait awhile. It changes. 

 

 

I was so happy that my parents got to experience Whittier. This is my mom at the top end of town. 

 

 

The only gift shop in town. Check out the reindeer 'accommodations' next door! 

 

 

Don't miss the wooly mammoth bones! Where else can you touch a wooly mammoth hip bone?! 

 

 

 

Steve put his hat in the photo for size comparison. 

 

"It's prettier in Whittier." Get out and explore. 

 

[kluv2cruz]

12 minutes ago, theliterateleprechaun said:

I hope this town is on your itinerary and that you have a sunny day to explore. 

Was here July 2023 and had a glorious very hot day. Did an enjoyable big exploration and hike! I’ve requested the City Under One Roof from my library. Sadly, the 2nd Iris Yamashita book isn’t in my library system but maybe I’ll find it on a cruise ship leave one take one someday! Thanks for your great posts and pics!

[theliterateleprechaun]

46 minutes ago, kluv2cruz said:

Was here July 2023 and had a glorious very hot day. Did an enjoyable big exploration and hike! I’ve requested the City Under One Roof from my library. Sadly, the 2nd Iris Yamashita book isn’t in my library system but maybe I’ll find it on a cruise ship leave one take one someday! Thanks for your great posts and pics!

Beautiful photo! We got sunburned here 2 years ago. Happy reading. 

[theliterateleprechaun]

 

The barista in the International Cafe continues to impress us with his latte art! 

 

 

 

 

He keeps telling me that it's me in the foam....I'm starting to get a complex...do I keep getting more haggard looking?! I don't feel as bad as I look. 

 

I can explain the last one  .. I slept in, the hot water was marginally lukewarm and my turkish towel gave me more of a loofah than I was expecting. 

[YVRteacher]

You got latte art?? All I got in my latte was latte ingredients!

[theliterateleprechaun]

Skagway

 

 

We met our friend Ronnie who works on the Discovery and invited him to come back to the Sapphire with us for the day. He loved being a 'guest' on the ship and getting to go places and eating places he'd not normally be allowed. 

 

 

After two days of scenic cruising, we were eager to get out for a walk and Ronnie wanted to join us. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you haven’t walked out to Yakutania Point yet, you must make it a priority! 

 

 

That's the hardest part of the trail. 

 

It was wonderful to reconnect with a treasured friend.

 

*For those who know him, he plans on one more contract with Princess. His girls are 2 and 8 and he feels he needs to be home more. He's opened a fishing tackle shop and has a dream of operating fishing charters in Goa. 

 

Edited September 12 by theliterateleprechaun

[Coolmama_1]

15 hours ago, theliterateleprechaun said:

Skagway

 

 

We met our friend Ronnie who works on the Discovery and invited him to come back to the Sapphire with us for the day. He loved being a 'guest' on the ship and getting to go places and eating places he'd not normally be allowed. 

 

 

After two days of scenic cruising, we were eager to get out for a walk and Ronnie wanted to join us. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you haven’t walked out to Yakutania Point yet, you must make it a priority! 

 

 

That's the hardest part of the trail. 

 

It was wonderful to reconnect with a treasured friend.

 

*For those who know him, he plans on one more contract with Princess. His girls are 2 and 8 and he feels he needs to be home more. He's opened a fishing tackle shop and has a dream of operating fishing charters in Goa. 

 

Thanks for sharing about Ronnie. We loved him on the Crown to Hawaii in Feb 2023. He had my Malbec ready for me every day! 

[andimark]

Can you walk to Yakutania Point from the ship? Thanks, Andrea.