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Alaska Cruise Review: Sea Lion

Monday, September 08, 2003

Fulford Harbour, B.C. Canada and Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands, USA

Early morning sunshine bathed us in perfect light as Sea Lion had its last visit in Canada and its re-entry into the U.S. Our morning visit to Fulford Harbour in the Gulf Islands inspired us to new artistic heights after a visit to the home and studio of renowned wildlife artist Robert Bateman. Many of our guests know Robert Bateman from his wonderful books and prints, but today we had the opportunity to “meet the man.” We toured his home and studio and were privileged to see his newest large-format painting of two California condors. 

Calm breezes prevailed throughout the autumn day as more and more sailboats took to the straits and sounds of the San Juan Islands. The Sea Lion moved on to Friday Harbor to clear immigrations and customs back into the U.S. and it was here that we also took the opportunity to walk around this quaint seaside port. We finished off the day (and a wonderful voyage) with a farewell song from the expedition staff as well as a warm goodbye from Captain Kalbach. 

From Juneau to Seattle we have sailed and stopped and sailed and stopped. We have encountered everything from humpback whales and coastal brown bears to bald eagles and towering tidewater glaciers. Towns along the way we have visited and photographed and friendships we formed in late night conversations and song. I wonder if those bald eagles perched along the way know how much fun we have had and how much we have learned as they watched the Sea Lion make her way south. We leave the eagles and the Sea Lion behind tomorrow with fond memories and we wish all who sail on her fair seas.