Juneau, Alaska.

After heading out of Seattle on Saturday May 2, through Puget Sound, on Holland America's MS Westerdam cruise ship, we spent a day and a half "at sea" with the coast of Canada and Alaska in sight. I have never seen anything like it; an endless landscape of snow covered mountains.

On Monday May 4, we docked at our first Alaskan port, Juneau.
Juneau is the capital city of Alaska, with a population of 32000 and approachable only by air & sea. Juneau is a gorgeous town with colourful buildings and very welcoming people. 

I was originally booked on a Whales & Mendenhall Glacier photo safari but, due to very high winds, the Whales section was cancelled. I was rather disappointed as I was really looking forward to photographing whales & Orcas in Alaska.
Instead our tour was changed to a Tongass National Forest & Mendenhall Glacier walk, which required hiking 5 miles (approx 9.6km) through a small section of the forest!! The hike was beautiful; the whole area was previously part of the receding glacier and has an abundance of wildlife, moss, Spruce trees and glacial streams... Spruce trees are abundant in Alaska. It was very different to the rainforests in the hinterlands of my home state.

The Mendenhall Glacier is a glacier about 12 miles (19 km) long located in Mendenhall Valley, about 12 miles (19 km) from downtown Juneau in the southeast area of the U.S. state of Alaska. The glacier has also receded 1.75 miles (2.82 km) since 1958, when Mendenhall Lake was created, and over 2.5 miles (4 km) since 1500.
It was approximately 6.5 km hike, from where the bus dropped us off, to the base of the glacier. The landscape was absolutely stunning! We spent quite some time taking photos and walking around the area before returning to our bus.

  

Nugget Falls, also known as Nugget Creek Falls, is a waterfall downstream of the Nugget Glacier. Formed by the creek from the Nugget Glacier, the waterfall drops 115m in two tiers of 30m and 85m onto a sandbar in Mendenhall Lake, which is the freshwater pool at the face of the Mendenhall Glacier.

After we returned to the township of Juneau, I walked around the area, taking more photos, and then got on board the almost vertical Mount Roberts Tramway (gondola) to the top of the mountain to photograph the spectacular views of Juneau and the Gastineau channel. 

I also walked the circuit at the top of Mount Roberts in the snow. By the time I got back to the ship, I was exhausted!

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Seattle Skies

For my 50th birthday, my parents gifted me with a holiday to the USA, including a 7 day Alaskan Cruise departing from and returning to Seattle. It was the trip of a lifetime with memories that will last forever!

Our cruise ship, Holland America's MS Westerdam, left Seattle on Saturday May 2. I spent the afternoon out on the "Lido Deck" capturing some shots of Seattle city and surrounds as we cruised out through Puget Sound.

I was hoping to capture Mount Rainier more clearly but this was the best the weather would allow.

The landscapes were stunning!

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Exploring Melbourne City

In May 2014, I traveled to Melbourne, Victoria for my Mum's 80th birthday. We stayed in the city for a night and I took the opportunity to do a little exploring. I have previously shared my night photography from this trip here.
Here are some of my images from a photo walk in the city...

Flinders Street Railway Station is the oldest station in Australia (1910), although the first station on this site opened in 1854.
Flinders street is the busiest suburban railway station in the southern hemisphere and its 700 metre main platform is the longest in the country.
Flinders Street Station is 'the' meeting place for 'Melbournians', expressed simply as "meet me under the clocks", a reference to the clocks above the main entrance. (source: Only Melbourne website)

Flinders Street Station

Hosier Lane is Melbourne’s most iconic Street Art lane way and is one of the main tourist attractions in Melbourne.
Melbourne is known as one of the world's great street art capitals for its unique expressions of art on approved outdoor locations. Street art includes stencils, paste-ups and murals and does not include graffiti or tagging which is illegal.
To see some of the city's best street art, head to Hosier and Rutledge Lane, opposite Federation Square.

The Shrine of Remembrance is Melbourne's most iconic landmark, where Victorians have been coming since 1934 to honour the service and sacrifice of Australian men and women in war and peacekeeping.
It is a site of annual observances of ANZAC Day (25 April) and Remembrance Day (11 November) and is one of the largest war memorials in Australia.

Victoria Barracks was the administrative headquarters for the Australian Army but to ensure the close coordination of the three services necessary to the war effort, the Barracks also became the administrative headquarters of the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force.
Located on St Kilda Road in Melbourne, Australia, Victoria Barracks Melbourne is of architectural and historical significance as one of the most impressive 19th century government buildings in Victoria, Australia.

The Arts Centre is the flagship of the performing arts in Victoria, and the focal point of Melbourne's cultural precinct, owned by the people of Victoria.

Although Melbourne is situated on the shores of one of the largest bays on the Australian coast, the city's main water feature is the Yarra River. That's because the city grew from the banks of the Yarra and even today the focus for the city is still very much on a one-kilometre section of the river. Within that one kilometre are some of the great sights and attractions of Melbourne.

The Coop's Shot Tower, built in 1888; 327 steps to the top, 9 stories & 50m high. It was saved from demolition in 1973 and was incorporated into the Melbourne Central complex in 1991 under and 84m high glass roof. When you visit the Melbourne CBD, this is one of the essential spots to visit... And photograph!

Princes Pier is a 580 metre longhistoric pier on Port Phillip, in Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It was known as the New Railway Pier until renamed Prince's Pier after the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) who visited Melbourne in May 1920.

There are a lot more famous sights in Melbourne, which I hope to be able to photograph and share later in the year when I head "home" for Christmas and my parent's 60th wedding Anniversary.

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Seeking Him, Seeking Life

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 
 - Matthew 6:33, NIV

How beautiful are these mountain layers at sunset??!!
Looking towards The Blackall Ranges from Kondalilla National Park, Sunshine Coast Hinterland, QLD.

Sunset looking across the Blackall Ranges from Kondalilla National Park, QLD

Over the last few weeks I have had a number of new scans with a couple of unpleasant diagnosis. It has served as a reminder that I need to:
- Continue to seek God more,
- Rely on my own strength less,
- Continue to focus on the things I am grateful for and,
- Allow Him to take care of the rest.

Sunset & mountain layers of the Blackall Ranges, QLD

Continuing to count my gratitudes...

301.  The beginnings of restoring relationship with my youngest step-daughter, and her return home.

302.  Summer days at the beach.

303. Summer sunsets on the Coast with family and friends.

304.  The privilege of being selected to attend a photography meet with Gold Coast Tourism.

305.  My youngest son Ben's University Graduation.

306.  A new Pain Specialist to add to my current medical team; new treatments, new pathways, new hope.

307.  An early diagnosis of a chronic heart condition thanks to my Cardiologist.

308.  The unfailing love and support of my husband, Michael.

309.  Celebrating my 50th birthday over the next few days with family.

310.  Embarking on a wonderful trip to Los Angeles, Seattle & an Alaskan Cruise; thanks to my wonderful parents. Leaving Australia on my birthday (Thursday 30th April).

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Skywatch Friday: Currumbin Slow Shutter

Moody skies mean a little bit of "slow shutter" fun on the rocks...

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