Alaska Travel Stories (Part 2)

Continued from the previous post. Juneau has an international airport—likely due to its remote location, serving as an emergency landing spot. Here, you’ll find the world’s smallest Costco, where the hot food section sells only hot dogs (no pizza in sight! 🍽️ The city is also home to a university, attracting students from nearby towns. Tourist season runs from April to October. 🐋 Whale Watching Wonders During our whale-watching tour, we passed an island with the highest bear density in the world—one bear per 1.6 square miles! 🐻 Pro tip: If you snap a clear photo of a whale’s tail with unique white stripes, upload it to their official website. They’re still missing high-quality images of some whales, and you might win the chance to name one! ✨ In Alaska, whale sightings are almost guaranteed (100% chance!). Each whale is known by name, identified by their distinct tail patterns. Fun fact: Whales don’t have teeth—they filter food using baleen plates (you can touch a sample on the tour!). Their lifespan? Up to 90 years, just like humans! Our boat crew knew exactly where to find whales. They surface to breathe every 3–5 minutes, and their flips send fish flying, attracting flocks of birds. Watch the birds—when they suddenly dive, a whale is about to breach! 🌊 We also spotted their "blow" (a misty exhale) before they emerged, rolling gracefully like underwater acrobats. Lucky us! Three whales surfaced right beside our window, gliding so close we could admire their sleek, glossy bodies. For an hour, we chased their movements, mesmerized. Next stop: sea lions! 🦭 A few lounged on buoys, while others in the water jostled for space. When one finally claimed a spot, the boat erupted in applause—until it shoved another off, making us all laugh. The drama of wildlife! 😆 🌍 Why I Love Guided Tours Listening to stories—past, present, and future—is my favorite part of travel. Even with my limited English, these moments remind me how the same sky connects vastly different lives. A fleeting encounter, a shared laugh—it’s enough to break the routine and feel alive in the ordinary. #AlaskaTravelGuide #AlaskaCruiseTips #JuneauWhaleWatching #WildlifeAdventures 🐋🌿