Tag: Alaska

Where in the World Are We?

In Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

DUTCH HARBOR, ALASKA, USA
MANY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES LIKE HIKING, SPORTFISHING, KAYAKING, AND BIRDING
With Bald Eagles soaring overhead, emerald-green volcanic peaks chafing the clouds, and raw ocean scenery as far as
The eye can see that this far-flung destination is the definition of remote and wild.

Part of the outlying Aleutian Islands archipelago, which spirals out across the Bering Sea into the wilds of the Pacific,
Dutch Harbor offers a dramatic backdrop and rich military history – as one of the few pieces of US soil to be directly
attacked by the Japanese during World War II. The town settles into the embrace of a vast deepwater harbor, which
helps to protect it from the unpredictable churn of the Bering Sea.

Enjoy hikes along coastal trails to birdwatch among more than 100 species – and look on as vast clouds
of cawing seabirds float on gusts of wind, filling the air with their raucous calls. Dutch Harbor is famous for its crab
fishing industry – a dangerous, challenging pursuit – and the town is well known to many Americans as the setting of
the television show Deadliest Catch.

The Aleutian WWII Visitor Center and the Museum of the Aleutians provide extensive information on WWII in the
Aleutians, prehistory, the Russian period, Unangan (Aleut) culture, and recent history. A visible reminder of the Russian
past is the Holy Ascension Cathedral, the oldest cruciform-style Russian Orthodox church in North America and a
National Historic Landmark.

THE MUSEUM OF THE ALEUTIANS (MOTA)
A must-see when you are in the area is the Museum of the Aleutians (MOTA), which is filled with the tangible history of the region from records of early inhabitants dating back nearly 10,000 years ago up to the forced evacuation of the Indigenous Unangax people during World War II. The MOTA gift shop is a fantastic spot to pick up your Unalaska souvenirs!

SIGHTS

• Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of Christ
• Fort Schwatka on Mt Ballyhoo
• Bunker Hill
• Aleutian World War II National Historic Area

Today’s Excursion – Hop On – Hop Off Bus

Silversea Cruises is pleased to offer our guests the ‘Unalaska Loop,’ our hop-on, hop-off complimentary shuttle transfer between the ship’s berth and some of the city’s sights. Depart the pier on the van shuttle as it makes the approximately 30-minute loop around Dutch Harbor, stopping at three different locations:

Aleutian World War II Visitor Center
Interpretive exhibits recount the Aleutian campaign and Unangan evacuation. It is located
approximately 1 mile from the dock.

Grand Aleutian Hotel
Located approximately 1.1 miles from the Aleutian World War II Visitor Center, the hotel has a coffee shop/information desk. You can buy some Unalaska souvenirs across the street at the Alaska Ship Supply store. The Dutch Harbor Post Office is a short walk from this stop.

Museum of the Aleutians
Approximately 0.3 miles from the Grand Aleutian Hotel, the Museum of the Aleutians is a state-of-the-art collections repository, gallery, and retail facility in Unalaska, AK, Aleutian Islands. MOTA’s diverse collections include a considerable collection of archaeological material that documents 9000 years of human presence in the region, artifacts from the Russian colonial period, photos and materials from the early American era, and military items and photographs from WWII in
the Aleutians. Many of these items are displayed in MOTA’s recently remodeled permanent Gallery and Special Collections Room, while the changing gallery hosts a range of temporary exhibits. Museum staff and volunteers are on hand to answer visitor questions or help you find the perfect gift in MOTA’s well-stocked gift store.

• Enrichment Lecture with Scott Bornstein: Mastering Languages at Any Age
  • Japanese, Russian, Spanish… discover what you can do!
• Enrichment Lecture with Sir Alistair MacDuff: Trials From History
  • Trials of Oscar Wilde and Alan Turing. A look at the trials of two great men and the stains on British justice.

• Enrichment Lecture with Douglas Keeney: Shifting Sands – Fortunes, Empires and the Suez Canal
  • A seminal talk on the Suez Canal. Beginning with Ferdinand De Lesseps, Keeney traces the history of the Suez Canal, including the controversies, the wars fought over it, the nationalization, and the modernization

• Hubert Fashion Show – Join Penny from Hubert and your fellow guests, who will model a stunning collection of Hubert Jewellery!

Tonight’s dinner was in The Restaurant.

Check out today’s Chronicle.