7.45am Alarm call, breakfast and we put suitcases out before going for breakfast.
Although departure was timed for 10.00, as everyone else took their cases out at 9.30 they got on the bus. So whilst we were still early for departure, getting on the bus as we did at 9.45, everyone looked at us in a "we're waiting for you" manner making us feel very guilty when we shouldn't do. As a result the 10.00 departure was 9.50.
Straight to Fairbanks airport and we left more or less on time - the only delay in take off in Alaska is waiting for the vans to come round to spray de-icer over all the wings, flaps and ailerons to prevent freezing.
On the flight down we sat next to some chap who helped David Attenborough do filming in Alaska for the Life on Earth series.
We also saw Mt McKinley sticking out the top of the clouds.
Arrived Anchorage in good time and soon found ourselves being transferred to Anchorage Hotel for the rest of the day before our final departure at 11.55pm tonight.
Before we finally leave Alaska we had a last stroll around town including a look at some seriously melted ice sculptures before returing for a little sleep at about 7.30pm. We need to get some rest because we're about to travel through the night to the second part of our holiday in Hawaii.
Goto Day 9: Getting to the Big Island of Hawaii
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