Never got permission from Russia. Before we can visit any new landing sites in the USA we have to through Imigration & Customs and be cleared to enter the USA again. So we are now sailing towards POINT HOPE, ALASKA population 695 and Silversea is trying to pay for a plane to fly up some immigration staff to clear the ship. This is not a usual clearance port but it has been done before so they are hoping this will pulled off. In this area of Port Hope there are some interesting remote villages so at the same time they are trying to arrange things for us once we are cleared. If all this works at Port Hope we may really enjoy our time there.

So Helen and Steve play hearts - they brought cards with them and asked us if we played hearts. So that is what we are doing to fill in the sea time as it takes 27 hours to sail to Point Hope from Provideniya, Russia. They also have lectures of course. One of the expedition staff named Chris has the best dry humor and delivers it with no expression. Yesterday at the recap he showed his bird photos, REALLY BAD PHOTOS. Explaining why it is better to have pictures out of focus etc etc. We were all in hysterics. There was one average photo, then he said "well I guess I should admit I got this one off the internet".

He is talking this afternoon on Whales, I do not care WHAT he is talking about I willl not miss him!

So we will let you know the next episode of "The battle of the government immigration services". If this does not work we have to go to Nome to clear and there perhaps visit some locations around Nome.