Our hotel in Anchorage
As we neared Anchorage our driver could be heard checking that the hotel was ready to receive us. From the Glenn Highway we came to 5th Avenue and then into downtown Anchorage. This was the street that the Hotel Captain Cook was on.
After the coach pulled up outside the hotel we retrieved our carry-on bags and then we had to identify our suitcase. This was the first time that the suitcase had made a journey with us since leaving the ship.
We were directed to a hotel ballroom where we could check our carry-on bags. Our suitcase will be delivered to our room along with the one that we had sent all from Whittier once our room was ready. I had locked my big lenses in the carry-on bag so my camera bag was now not too heavy. We looked around the hotel and decided to follow the crowd outside and to go back up 5th to see if we can find somewhere to eat.
Lunch at the Brewhouse
We passed a small doorway with menus displayed outside . Once through the door way and then down the passage we came to steps on our left. This was the entrance to the Brewhouse. The restaurant was large and quite the opposite for me its appearance from the street. We were given a buzzer and went and sat in the small waiting area.
After only a short wait we were seated at the table for two and had the chance to take in just how big this restaurant was. I ordered an Alaskan IPA and a pizza, both were delicious and by the time we had finished the restaurant was emptying as the lunch-time crowd cleared.
Exploring Anchorage
After lunch we turned left up 5th to look for the street out that we’d seen murals as the coach approached the hotel.
On 4th I briefly called at Hard Rock Cafe and had a look at their city T-shirts. Again just like in Oslo earlier in the year, I was less than impressed by both the quality and the exorbitant cost.
We crossed 4th and went down the steps past murals that celebrated the Iditarod 1000 mile mushing races.
In front of us was a full car park and beyond that over 3rd was an open-air market. We stopped and listened to a lone guitarist playing on a stage.
There were rows of stalls stretching out in front of us and we walked up and down them having a look at what was on offer. After a circuit of the stalls we decided to return back to our hotel as it was now nearly 4 pm which was when our room was promised to be ready.
On our way back we passed this special shop (selling cannabis!).
Even the rubbish bins are decorated.
