Alaska Cruise: Skayway (Day 4)

The name Skayway comes from the native Tlingit word meaning "a windy place with white caps on the water" and was founded in 1888 by steamboat captain William Moore.  Skayway was the prime start point for all the gold prospectors moving up into the Yukon in the great gold rush of 1898.

Just when i thought we have experienced the best view in Tracy Arm Fjord cruise on day 3, the Skayway shore excursion that we selected offered another set of spectacular views.  This was the port that has the longest time ashore and the port that i have least interest prior cruising.  The limited photos and info found on the Carnival shore excursion page just did not impress me much.  However, now this is my favorite port!
 

View from our balcony when we woke up in Skayway, a beautiful sunny day!


We purchased our shore excursion "Yukon Scenic Drive"  online prior to cruising, a last minutes changed from our original shortlisted 'Skayway Street Car', so as to experience a a little more.

I'm glad we made that right choice - it was indeed a scenic drive and we would have missed too much if we didn't take the Yukon Route.  The scenery was just breathtaking and incomparable to any kind, it would probably be once in a life time experience for me to enjoy such beautiful scenery. 

As compare to the train tours, this was a cheaper option which went through the same route that offered almost the same scenery yet with many interval stops for photo opportunity (not bad an option huh..since we were not fancy to experience the train. ;P)
 

The historic narrow gauge train (a famous icon in Skagway) passed by

We were blessed with a good weather whole day, been told that it was hardly a sunny day during the time we cruise. 

First land we stepped on after 3 days at sea

We were driven up the spectacular Klondike Highway into Canada's Yukon Territory, travelled along the original White Pass Trail viewing waterfalls, glaciers, and peaks, before crossing the Klondike Summit at 3290 feet above sea level.

We then had our first and only meal off the ship at the Spirit Lake Lodge, a restaurant operated by Asian.  A hot bowl of soup warm up the body in a cozy morning. 
 

The journey then continue to the beautiful emerald lake.

Emerald Lake

Carcross (once called Caribou Crossing) picturesque village, was the next stop.

Upon return to the pier, we went through the historic boardwalks of Skayway downtown, a very unique and beautiful small town.  We opted to be dropped at the downtown for some walk and shopping.
 

After we have done with our shopping and downtown exploration, we walked back to the pier which was only about 10mins walk from downtown.

I read some reviews that one may rent a car near the pier/downtown and drive through the Yukon & WhitePass route instead which may be even cheaper (about $100 per day car rental if i remember correctly).  We thought of that but since we need to take care of two girls, it will be easier for us just to sign up for the shore excursion.  After all, it's suppose to be a relaxing family vacation.  :) 

We must be very excited and tired after a whole day exploration ashore that i just realized we didn't took many photo of the food we had during dinner this day.

Our day at Skayway was magical and the experience we had was really nothing like it in the world! 

"Good Night & Good Bye, Skayway!"