From Pelican we gradually made our way southwards down the passages on the western side of the islands, stopping at Lost Cove, Klag Bay, Khaz Island and Gilmer Cove. It took us a week to get to Sitka on the western side of Baranof Island. In the early Russian days it had been the capital of Alaska. It is now one of the stopovers for the cruise ships that now are such an important part of the economy of SE Alaska (the “Panhandle”) and there is also a sizable fishing fleet based here. This is the site where the local Tlingit Indians fought with Russian in the mid 19th century. They initially repelled the Russians but a couple of years later the Russians returned with more troops and guns and overwhelmed the Tlingits. As with all indigenous people their culture is fascinating and they are fighting to preserve and hand down it down to the younger generation. These wonderfully carved totem poles can be seen at the south end of the city.