Alaska

Alaska - the Last Frontier and home to a variety of wildlife, including the five types of salmon, grizzly bears and Alaskan black bears, and some of the most dramatic landscapes such as Denali National Park. I was nine years old when I visited.

On of the Cruise ships of the Holland America
Line - it was on one of these ships I travelled to
Alaska on.

Originally a part of Russia, Alaska became a state of America in 1946 after World War II, but their official statehood was delayed until early January 1959. With the history surrounding the peninsula, mainly of the salmon farming and tourism trade, Alaska has become the tourist destination for its uniqueness and diverse culture. However, it is Alaska's North American roots which stand out.

Flag of Alaska

Alaska is on the north-western side of the Yukon Territory and located on the opposite side of the Bering Straight to its former home. Juneau - the Capital City is located within the Alaskan Panhandle, whilst its largest city, Anchorage, is located on the northern edge of the Kenai Peninsula.

Detailed Map of Alaska State -
Homer and Seward are also
on the Kenai Peninsula.

Like certain countries, Alaska also has a large history with the mythological aspect of history. However, unlike those other countries such as Greece, Italy and Ireland, Alaska's history can be seen predominantly in the large totem poles that are dotted around the state.

One of the totem poles
Alaska is famous for.

When I visited in the summer of 2006, I too went to see the vastness of this state where mountains and the ocean alike plays a key role in its peoples health and well-being, its society and culture. As a nine-year old hemiplegic, I was more fascinated by the huge grizzlies, and the wild Alaskan otters that swam in the shallows of Ketchikan and Juneau - two of the most populous cities in Alaska. In Juneau, there were markets filled with the produce of the Pacific Northwest, which the Alaskan people receive most of their food while in Ketchikan, the otters roamed in the shallows. Here, I also learnt the five types of salmon - Pink, Silver, King, Sockeye and Chum, which I hadn't known existed before visiting this widely surprising landscape. Not only was Alaska a place to visit and relax, seeing as the landscape is so remote, but also educational as you are bound to learn things you will never learn anywhere else.

However, it was Seward on the eastern side of Kodiak that stood out more than the two previous cities. Hell, it stands out in my memory more than Homer, which was an interesting trip on its own. Most of the residents live near the sea or just off the beach and the reason Seward stands out more is due to one creature - King Crabs. Whilst there, I and my parents visited a restaurant and overheard a fellow diner order crabs legs. Now, we were expecting small crabs legs, but what arrived was not it. In their place were KING Crab legs.

The town of Seward from the air!

They were huge! Falling off the plate and table huge!

Now as a 22-year-old, it sounds like something inconsequential - an everyday thing in a town like Seward, but as a 9-year-old who'd never seen crabs legs, let alone a King Crab's legs - it was something to marvel at.

Sea Otter spotted on the
coast of Ketchikan!

Another surprise Alaska throws at you has to be the brown grizzly bears and the black bears living in their natural habitats and thriving on their natural food source, living standards and always remaining protected by the park which made it all possible.

Alaskan Black Bears!

Yet, the seafood is only just a fraction of why YOU must visit this diverse and always astounding place. Alaska will always surprise you.