This was another delightful excursion. After security checks we disembarked at 9.30am and made our way to our waiting coach. Not a far walk this time. Our guide, Tonia was a Tlingit native and she was so funny and informative, giving details of the history of Sitka, before and after the Russian influence to the present.

Sitka was part of Russia from 1799-1867 and still has strong influence and heritage. The local indigenous are Tlingit people.

The Russian Orthodox Cathedral sits in the Centre of the town and is opened to the public.
A beautiful church, ornate icons as you would expect adorn the walls and gold is everywhere. We spoke to a wonderful indigenous volunteer for whom the Cathedral was her Parish church.
She was so welcoming and so chuffed to know Phillip was recently retired from an Anglican Cathedral.

The most disappointing feature was that there were no signs for ‘Silence Please’, it was like being in the midst of a marketplace. I’m amazed how so many do not know how to behave in such a sacred space, to be in the Presence in quietness was impossible. We did however light a candle for our friends in worship at St.Saviour’s.

We made a stop at the local Heritage Information Office within a National Park, surrounded by natural forest.
There was an opportunity to take a bush-walk with our guide, and/or visit the Information Centre where displays of the past were visible, a wonderful documentary ran on a continuing loop. It was a great place to absorb the history of Sitka. A very proud people, and lovely town.

Opposite the Russian Cathedral is the Lutheran Church, more simple in it’s decor and since very few people were there, in fact only one other couple, much more relaxing and we were able to sit in quiet and in the presence of God. The guide on duty was not a parishioner, a volunteer with a wealth of knowledge. We enjoyed both places of worship, both different but special.

Before our free time in town we all visited a Native Dancing Group staged in a Cultural Centre in the heart of the town. Their ages ranged from young babies nestled in cuddle harness attached to mum, young children, mature adults to revered older members (stayed seated). They performed traditional dances and songs, dressed in traditional costumes. We were seated around the outer wall inside their meeting place with a fire pit in centre and traditional smoke ceremony performed for our benefit. It was just lovely.

We were then free to stroll through the township. We passed by many shops and places of interest before stopping for lunch at a local pub in the heart of the town. We had a wonderful clam chowder and shared fish ’n’ chips. Phil had a local beer, as is his custom as we travel. We drink wines too of course but Phil enjoys a beer and it’s always good to sample what the locals like
The coach returned us to our dock and ship at 4pm. The ship’s dock was in the heart of Sitka so an easy walk through security and onto the ship.

The day had been drizzly rain all day day but didn’t dampen our time in Sitka nor did it dampen our spirits or delight in visiting this Alaskan town.

As we set sail, our Alaskan ports were now behind us, tomorrow would be a sea-day before arriving in Victoria, Canada.