Got up at 6:30, packed and went down to a buffet breakfast. Shuttle back to the airport and off we went. Three hours to Anchorage Alaska for refueling before heading out across the Bering Sea for another 3 hour flight to Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka. On the way, we crossed the international date line and so suddenly it is Sunday.    Scenery as we were landing in Kamchatka was incredible. Rugged snow-capped mountains poking out of the clouds. Very long wait to get through Russian customs. The inefficiency of the Soviet era is alive and well. Shuttle bus to hotel, about a half-hour drive into Petropalovsk. On the way we get acquainted with our guide, Igor aka Ziggy, an extremely nice young man  He studied English here and in Alaska  Our hotel, the Avacha, looks rather shabby from outside ... read more

Drove to TO in our rented minivan in driving rain. Arrived about 8 pm. While checking in to our hotel (Sheraton Four Points) we met our pilot Al, flight engineer Matt, and cabin crew Susan and Leah. They had arrived just before us on board our plane, which had flown in from Kelowna. Nice friendly bunch. After checking in, Robert and I returned the van to the airport and took a shuttle back  Hotel was decent and we had a good night's sleep. ... read more