Day 06 - 07/03/22 - Anchorage to Whittier & Sail away

 Since we had a late departure from our  hotel The Captain Cook at noon, we took a 9am one hour trolley tour that was very interesting.  Highlights were a a stop at earthquake park and the Lake Spenard seaplane area.

 

Even though we were scheduled to be picked up at 12 noon, the bus didn't arrive until 12:45pm which was supposed to be our train departure time.  So we departed at 1pm for the 2.5 hour trip.  

 

It was super scenic with some sightings of Dall sheep and lots of waterfalls.  Lunch was available and our refillable souvenir soda bottles from yesterday could be used.  Additionally, HAL staff checked us in (under two minutes for us as I had preloaded all the required info into their app). 

 

The final part of the trip was passing through a mile long tunnel which opened up into the port of Whittier.  This port was created in WWII as a secret port and the tunnel provided additional security.

 

The Noordam looked very nice and we were quickly scanned onboard.  We dropped our luggage off and did the muster or safety drill, and checked out the buffet for an early dinner.  Katie pronounced it very satisfactory as she got to have salad, fruit, cookies and ice cream.  After dinner we toured the ship ti familiarize her with it.  Unpacking was the next order of business.

 

The girls went swimming and I position d myself on deck 3 for the sail away which was scheduled for 8pm.  Without a toot of the horn, the lines were let go, and the Noordam's thrusters propelled the ship away from the dock and the azipods were rotated to propel the ship forward.

 

This sail away was among the prettiest we have ever seen.  It's simply breathtaking and drop dead gorgeous.

 

While this was going on, Angela and Katie checked out Club Hal and when Katie learned she could play video games for the evening, she was hooked! Angela and I found each other and watched the rest of the sail away until 9:30pm when it was time to retrieve Katie.

 

We retrieved her and returned to our stateroom where Abdul had set up Katie's bed (a couch rollout).  We all prepared for bed and watched a bit of Jungle Cruise.

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