Part 4 Russia is a cold place, and into the Bering Straits
We woke up to a foggy morning, reminiscent of cruising the coast of Maine. As we eat breakfast we’re sailing the Sea of Okhotsk getting ready to go through a strait where Russia is 12 miles on each side of the ship. It just so happens that 12 miles is as close to Russia as you can get without permission from the Russian Coast Guard.
There is never a shortage of things to do onboard, today the ship is buzzing with activities, currently there is a painting class, a talk in the theater about Alaskan history, games including ping pong, bean bag toss, darts, and more with the ships officers (not sure who’s in the bridge as the atrium is full of officers having fun with the guests), free 5 minute massages, bingo, mahjong, yoga, spinning and more!
About 10 am the fog started to lift, and all of a sudden we realized how close we were to Russia! Snow capped peaks started to appear on our starboard, which is where our cabin was, and the view was spectacular. We were looking at the Russian Island of Shiashkotan, as we passed below the tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula.
A little later we started to see what we thought were clouds on the port side. As it turned out, it was the tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia, and they were pure white. About as beautiful a sight as I can recall at sea.
The seas were fairly calm, and sea birds came out to check us out and to ride the “air Wave” the ship put out. They drifted above the boat for hours, as we passed thru the straights.
The meals on board were unbelievable, and we hit the gym every other day or so, and the steam room and saunas each day, followed by a trip to the hot tub. It was funny, as people thought we were crazy, as the air was about 42 degrees, and there was always a wind. Walking from the sauna to the hot tub was a bit if a challenge, specially if the winds were blowing.
Our route was to take us up, over the Aleutian Islands and up to Kodiak Island. As we entered the Bering Sea the waters were as calm as could be. No swell, and very little wind. It was a little hazy in the mornings, but cleared the first couple of days.
By now we’d settled into a kind of routine. Get up and head to the nearest eatery (usually the Grand Dinning Room). Then a little cabin time so I could keep up with this silly story. Maybe a little reading, and/or wandering about the boat.
Then it was time to eat (again?). Every other day Jeff & I would hit the gym, and every day we would visit the Sauna and then the Steam room, ending in the hot tup on deck. The air temp was usually between 40 & 50 degrees, so walking out from a hot steam room into that cold air was , we’ll, let’s say it was “invigorating”.
Then we’d jump into the hot tub as fast as we could, and wait for Jody & Debbie to join us. People looked at us like we were nuts, as with the wind chill I was probably in the low 30’s. Once in the hot tub it was fine, but then. We had to get out and dry off in freezing weather.
Then it would be time to head up to The Horizons Bar, and our favorite bartender. A little tequila and it was time to eat AGAIN!
Each night we’d hit a different dinning area, and the buffett was a great place to get varied meals. Some days they’d have local cuisine, then sushi and another night Indian food, or Roast beef, and always hundreds of great side dishes.
My pants were starting to tighten up!
As one day turned into 2, and then 4, we watched the position on the charts as we slowly crossed the Bering Sea. It’s been a few years since we fell asleep at sea, woke up at sea, and had entire days of endless ocean views and the gentle rocking that a crossing brings.
Land Ho! We’re waking up, after a week at sea, to land on each side of the boat. We’re now about 800 miles from Kodiak in the Aleutian Archipelago, sailing between islands at Dutch Harbor, going from the Bearing Sea into the Gulf of Alaska. Dutch Harbor was the site of the WWII Battle of Dutch Harbor June 3rd and 4th 1942. The battle was the first Japanese attack on the continental US and cost 43 lives, 50 wounded, 14 aircraft and 1 ship destroyed. Sailing from Japan you can see how easy it was for the Japanese carrier strike force to get to the US west coast. Continuing on our trip we have 2 more days before arriving at Kodiak Island.
The Captain announced that a pilot boat would be pulling along side our ship to enable the pilot to board and take us in to the port of Kodiak. Our ship has 18’ stabilizer wings that are deployed to smooth out the ride and only pulled in when coming into a harbor to anchor or dock. I don’t think any of us noticed the stabilizers were in or out as the entire trip was very smooth. There were indeed large swells and wind but the ship sliced through like butter.
