Today we have anchored in Port Houghton for a day of activity. After breakfast, mum and I were scheduled to head out for a Meander at 8.45am. On the skiff ride over to the island, we came across a humpback which we watched for a while as he (or she) did their shallow breathing. This is when they come up for air, and stay pretty much close to the surface before coming up for another breath. Then they do a bit of a deeper dive and then their deep dive in when their fluke (tail) comes up out of the water and straight down. We also saw seals, sea lions and bald headed eagles on the trip over to Walpole Island. Once on shore, we checked out different types of seaweed, barnacles, clams, mussels, flowers while also enjoying the show on the water as sea lions kept checking us out and then a whale came quite close to shore. Just the sound of them exhaling in exciting.

We poked a bit into the forest and saw the biggest slug ever and also an eagles nest. It is a $1000 fine if you are caught with any part of an eagle eg feather, claw, beak. The boats then came back to pick us up and off we headed to the boat and you could see the rain heading for us. That is why you wear wet weather gear here. Leave when it is sunny (and we even had sunglasses on today) and come back when it is raining. But worth it.

Bit of a relax in the lounge before lunch and during lunch it was almost like it was raining on one side of the boat and sunny on the other. Joys of the climate here. Mum went down and did a tour of the Galley. She said it was very compact but very efficient. They really have food service down pat here on the boat.

At 2.30pm we went out on a Skiff trip, hopefully to see some more wildlife. There was a Humpback around but it kept teasing us, coming up in different places and by the time we motored towards it, it had put it's fluke up and headed down and then for another direction. More Sea Lions & Seals and while sitting out in the bay, our guide asked us to take a couple of minutes to enjoy the sounds of Alaska and of course, right in the middle of it, one of the most popular sounds of a Humpback were heard.

We have been so lucky with the weather this trip. We had such a glorious day when in Glacier Bay, when we have been out doing activities, the weather has been amazing and when we have been on the boat, it has either been glorious or been crappy, but crappy is good when you don't need to be outside.

So, today was also known as Polar Plunge Day, scheduled for 5pm. Into the swimming costume and to the back of the boat (otherwise known as Aft 300 - back of 300 level). About 14 of us were brave enough to do it. To begin with, 4 staff members showed us how it was done and then groups of 3 and 4 went down to take the plunge. They leave the fantail down and able to walk up to the end of it and then jump in. We did it in groups of 3 or 4 and I was in the last group to do it (the oldies as we said as we were the oldest to do it). We held hands and on the count of 3 from the crowd watching in we jumped. Yes, it was cold but not as cold as I thought it was. We all had life jackets on and they had a "rescue skiff" just out from the ship (their job was also to take photos). The biggest shock was how strong the current was. It took some effort to swim back to the fantail and get back on board. I must admit I did feel like a beached whale but it was worth it. When are you going to get the chance to jump into Alaskan waters again. It was straight up the stairs and into the hot tub though which at 104F felt a little hot at the beginning but oh so good.

Mum then came up to show the video she had shot, so excited only to be very disappointed when the video stopped at the point as they started the countdown for us to jump in. She accidently pressed the stop button. Oh well, the memory was still there (Luckily enough, we found out later someone else took a video which I was able to get a copy of).

After a hot shower and a cocktail (asked Jimmy the bartender if he could make Sangria - of course he could) we were advised that we would be pulling up anchor soon and then cruising to look for more Humpbacks before dropping anchor later tonight just outside of where we are headed tomorrow. They don't anchor inside the Tracy Arm because of floating ice. During dinner we could actually see a bit piece of ice off in the distance. Just as we were about to get up at the end of dinner, we were notified humpbacks had been spotted and we spent the next hour up on the bow watching 2 whales put on a great show for us, having us run from one side to the other, oohing and aahing as they came up for air and then showed off their flukes. The weather was just perfect once again. I just had thongs on and my feet weren't even cold. What a top evening. Tomorrow is meant to be pretty amazing, seeing another glacier so here is hoping.