From 405 Magazine: Cruising Alaska among the icebergs, rainbows, the eagles and everything else wild Un-Cruise Style

By Matt Payne

On the first morning of seven days and nights in the southern passages, I woke up to icebergs. Perched above the iceberg was an eagle and above the eagle on an iceberg was a rainbow… All of which was happening in front of a waterfall.

Alaskan Sunset
Alaskan Sunset

An hour later, while watching a brown bear bumble adorably along the shoreline, just off the bow of the boat, a humpback whale leaped out of the water. By day’s end, the sun made a royal departure, turning the night purple and gold for just a moment until everything was silent. Pics are below and link to my two stories are here for 405 Magazine and here for Lost Tribe.

 

286e-2ae8-6c8b-de13
Killer Whale just off the bow of our sister ship.
6617-f41f-1e12-bfbb
Nothing like waking up at 4am with the sun already up surrounded by icebergs. One of the most memorable mornings of my life.
Nothing rivals the EXPLOSION that follows as this glacier shed its primordial ice.
Nothing rivals the EXPLOSION that follows as this glacier shed its primordial ice.
The view above Mendenhall Glacier
The view above Mendenhall Glacier
Salmon is always the best choice in Alaska.
Salmon is always the best choice in Alaska.

 

An eagle perched on an iceberg looking for some lunch.
An eagle perched on an iceberg looking for some lunch.
One of many waterfalls in the eastern passages.
One of many waterfalls in the eastern passages.
Humpback tail
Humpback tail
an old volcanic plug
an old volcanic plug