A small dinghy gets close to the face of Margerie Glacier in Tarr Inlet.

We have frequent sightings of bears in addition to a wide variety of wildlife.

The cruise liner Nieuv Amsterdam.

Margerie Glacier.

Tarr Inlet.

Lamplugh Glacier.

The weather gradually improves as we cruise Glacier Bay - eventually providing us with the sunniest period of the trip so far. However, it is cold out on the water, particularly when the Spirit of Adventure makes its maximum speed of 26-knots. In between spotting wildlife, gazing at the amazing glaciers and watching them calve icebergs, and admiring the stunning scenery, we enjoy lunch on board.

 

On returning to shore at Bartlett Cove, we explore a short forest trail (left) in the evening sunshine before dinner, then attend a National Park Service lecture on migration.

After experiencing mostly wet or cloudy weather so far, we have this morning woken up to a most beautiful day of sunshine and blue skies. The view across Bartlett Cove is magnificent and includes a distant skyline of snow-covered mountains. This view is apparently so rare that the lodge's staff appear to gaze at the remarkable sight.

With our flight to Skagway scheduled for late afternoon, we take advantage of the excellent weather to explore the shoreline of Bartlett Cove (left) and also spend time relaxing at the lodge and in the dock area.

 

Our flight to Skagway is with 'Wings of Alaska' - their tiny Piper aircraft taking just us and our luggage across the Takhinsha Mountains.

 

By contrast with our tiny aircraft, Gustavus Airport has one of the longest runways in Alaska - the result of having been built as a refuelling strip in the Second World War.

 

Our pilot has the wonderful name of Quest, and he packs us and our luggage into the Piper before taking-off at 5:48pm.