Alaskan adventure!
Michael Portillo tours the magnificent glaciers, snowy peaks and vast forests of America’s largest state…
Hard as it may be to imagine now, but Alaska used to be a Russian colony until it was bought in 1867 by the United States government for just $7.2m. In his latest series of railroad journeys, Michael Portillo travels Alaska by train, and his first stop is the Alaska Native village of Ninilchik, famous for the golden onion domes of its
Russian Orthodox church.
‘It’s such an unexpected sight in the US countryside,’ says Michael. ‘Just imagine how dramatically different the Cold War would have been had Alaska still been in Russian hands!’
The Russians first arrived in Alaska in the 18th century. They hunted Alaskan sea otters, famous for their luxurious pelts, almost driving them to extinction.
The sea otter population is now recovering and at the Alaska SeaLife Center Michael helps feed a rescued cub that – although tiny – has the bite pressure of a black bear!
‘This cute creature is quite dangerous because of its bite,’ says
Michael. ‘Even though it’s sweet and small, you have to treat it with real respect.’
During his 20-episode tour Michael also heads into Canada, but this week he’s dodging icebergs by raft to visit the Spencer Glacier and takes the Hurricane Turn train from the gold-rush town of Talkeetna to Denali National Park – home to the highest peak in North America.
‘This is what you mean by wilderness,’ says Michael. ‘I’m in the most sparsely populated state in the United States. It’s a very special moment.’