The Alaska cruise season runs for about four months, but the true Alaska summer is quite short, with about four-to-six weeks of hot weather. Today wasn't one of those summer days! In fact, on arrival into the small port of Skagway, the wind was blowing quite ferociously, and it was cold. There were also three other ships in port - the Golden and Diamond Princesses, and Holland America's Zuiderdam - so we were expecting the old gold rush town to be pretty busy.

Skagway has a long history of prospecting gold, and was the gateway to the Yukon so options for visitors here are many and most involve getting into the great outdoors. As the weather wasn't great, we opted to explore the town's streets, old buildings and laneways on foot, and ventured to the outskirts of town to the Gold Rush cemetery. Many of the original tomb stones have been lost to the elements, but their wooden replacements told a story of a people who didn't live to a ripe old age….there were even infant grave sites, where a baby had passed on at just weeks old.

Back in the town, some of the buildings are original and restored, while newer ones have been built in the traditional style - wood with porches and brightly coloured. Even on a glum and cold day Skagway is pleasing on the eye, even if most of the buildings are home to shopping opportunities. Tonight we set sail a little earlier, 8pm, and will begin meandering our way back towards Seattle. There's an evening stop at Victoria on Vancouver Island on Thursday thanks to the old Jones shipping law, and during the day I'll trying out the Aqua Spa and the Persian Garden…..

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