Times visited: 1
Cities visited: Bethel and Anchorage
Towns and villages visited: Quinhagak and Seward

Alaska had always been a dream destination of mine, so when the chance came to volunteer on an archaeological excavation in the tiny village of Quinhagak in southwest Alaska during the summer of 2023, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I spent a month in this remote village and absolutely loved every moment. The excavation exceeded all my expectations – the work was fascinating, the team was incredible, and I felt incredibly lucky to explore a part of Alaska so far off the road network it takes two flights to reach.

After my time in Quinhagak, I travelled to Anchorage, the state’s largest city, where I spent five days soaking up the urban side of Alaska. From there, I continued on to Seward, a charming town nestled in the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park. That’s where all my Alaska nature dreams came true: hiking in rugged mountains, spotting wildlife, cruising past glaciers, and getting wonderfully lost in the vast, untamed wilderness.

Before leaving, I marked the experience in a personal way – with a tattoo of Alaska’s topographical map and a line from Taylor Swift’s album Midnights: “a deep portal, time travel, all the love we unravel.” It’s a permanent reminder of an unforgettable summer and a truly special chapter of my life.