North Pacific Passage to Japan

Ocean Cruise from Vancouver to Tokyo via Alaska

Ketchikian

On Tuesday the 16th, Ketchikian was our first port of call. It is known as Alaska’s “first city” because of its location at the south-eastern tip of the state — it’s the first city you reach cruising north from the Inside Passage. Ketchikian is said to have more native American totem poles than anywhere else, so upon arrival in the morning we went by bus to Potlatch Park. This privately-owned park features an authentic tribal house, many cedar totem poles, and a carving center. There is also a car museum.

Following the totem pole tour, we went on a hovercraft ride in the bays around Ketchikian for wildlife viewing. After that, to complete the day we walked around the downtown area to Creek Street and grabbed a beer at the dock.

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 Near Ketchikian at sunrise (1457)

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 Near Ketchikian at sunrise (1453)

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 Docked in Ketchikian (1480)

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Potlatch Park (1484)

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Potlatch Park (1485)

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Potlatch Park (1489)

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Potlatch Park (1490)

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Potlatch Park (1492)

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Potlatch Park (1496)

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Potlatch Park (1497)

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Potlatch Park (8319)

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Potlatch Park (8324)

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Potlatch Park (8323)

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Potlatch Park (1498)

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Potlatch Park (1499)

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Potlatch Park (1501)

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Potlatch Park (1510)

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Potlatch Park (1506)

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Potlatch Park (1508)

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Potlatch Park (8308)

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Potlatch Park (1488)

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Potlatch Park (8311)

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Potlatch Park (83113

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Potlatch Park (8315)

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Potlatch Park (8316)

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Hovercraft Tour (1548)

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Hovercraft Tour (1552)

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Hovercraft Tour (1553)

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Hovercraft Tour (8331)

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Harbor seals on Hovercraft Tour (1535)

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Downtown (1524)

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Creek Street (1515)

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Creek Street (1516)

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Creek Street (1517)

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Creek Street (1522)

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Creek Street (1524)

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Creek Street (8328)

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Creek Street (8328)

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Bay near Ketchikian (1554)

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Leaving Ketchikian (1564)

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Leaving Ketchikian (1559)

© Tom Lebsack