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| Ice,
nature and wilderness |
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Alaska probably wouldn’t top many people’s
list of where to go on holiday. Images of glaciers and
snow spring to mind.
But this is a fascinating, beautiful US state which has
much to offer the enterprising and adventurous tourist.
More than twice the size of Texas, Alaska is the largest
state in the USA, a land of vast natural splendour, abundant
wildlife and few people. It has 34,000 miles of tidal
shoreline and offers unique experiences such as walking
in unspoilt wilderness, spectacular cruising through the
fjords of the Inside Passage, frontier towns rich in gold
rush history, glaciers and even moose wandering the streets
of downtown Anchorage.
You can see whales gliding through the ocean and feeding
near the shore as bald eagles soar overhead. Look out
for seals relaxing on sparkling glaciers hundreds of years
old.
Alaska’s sense of undiscovered wilderness and promise
of adventure is still as strong today as it was in the
past and, having attracted thousands of pioneers in search
of gold, fur, fishing, logging and oil, this last frontier
today lures travellers in search of an unspoilt beauty
and close encounters with nature.
To enjoy Alaskan cuisine one must love fish. Salmon, halibut
and trout feature heavily on most menus. The delicious
caribou stew is another favourite. Alaskan delicacies
include smoked salmon, wild berry products and reindeer
sausage. The legal drinking age is 21 but Alaska has several
“dry” villages where any possession of alcohol
is illegal
Unique Alaskan products and crafts include gold nugget
jewellery, items carved from ivory and jade, handmade
clothing and toys, items made from skin, fur or bone and
woven baskets of beach grass, bark and baleen.
Native sea-oil candles, beaded mittens, fur mukluks and
miniature hand-carved totem poles are also popular souvenirs.
The Made in Alaska logo indicates that an item has been
genuinely manufactured in Alaska, and a silver hand logo
identifies native Alaskan handicrafts.
Alaska offers some of the most spectacular fishing in
the world. Rivers, lakes and streams throughout the state
provide a chance to hook trout – rainbow, cutthroat
and steelhead – as well as other, more challenging
game fish, including arctic grayling and sheefish.
 Skiing
is another popular option. But the official sport of Alaska
is actually dog mushing. Visitors can take a team of spirited
huskies on a sled-dog tour or watch the experts at work
in one of the many annual sled-dog races.
Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, is both a popular
tourist destination and the centre of commerce for the
region. There’s plenty to do here with something
for all ages.
Local wildlife museums include the Alaska Zoo and Potter’s
Marsh, where up to 130 species of waterfowl can be viewed
from a boardwalk. Geographical reminders of the 1964 Good
Friday earthquake can be seen at Earthquake Park. To appreciate
the wealth of local history, you can visit the Heritage
Library and Museum and the Anchorage Museum of History
and Art.
A short trip north of town leads to the Eagle River Visitor
Center and the alpine beauty of Chugach State Park. At
Eklutna Village Historical Park, highlights include St
Nicholas Russian Church and the brightly painted “spirit
houses”. South of Anchorage, visitors can make like
the Klondike gold-rushers and try their luck by panning
for gold nuggets at Crow Creek Mine.
The most popular excursion is to Columbia Glacier, which
can be reached by day cruises, charter boat, flight-seeing
tours and the state ferry. It’s a must for photographers. |
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