Hvalsey and Qaqortoq, 8/7/2022, National Geographic Explorer
Aboard the
National Geographic Explorer
Arctic
This morning, we visited the Norse settlement ruins of Hvalsey, where we explored the area and its surroundings. Later in the day, we went into Qatorqoq, the largest town in South Greenland. We got to see how local communities live in this part of the world.
Today marked the northernmost point we’d travel on our voyage, 70°41’N. We spent the morning visiting Uummanaq, a town on an island with the most beautiful mountain that gives Uummannaq its name. In the afternoon, we visited the archaeological site, Qilakitsoq, where in 1972, eight naturally preserved Thule mummies were found by ptarmigan hunters. The mummies have since been removed, but the site is still accessible.
We arrived at the beautiful town of Ilulissat early in the morning, and from then on it was all about ice. Ilulissat means ‘iceberg,’ which is the only proper name to describe this incredible place. The sculpturesque icebergs that can be seen both from sea and from great viewpoints at the UNESCO site originate from Sermeq Kujalleq, otherwise known as Jakobshavn Glacier, which is almost forty miles away from the town. We started out on a cruise amongst these bergs with a few humpbacks hanging around as well. Slightly overcast skies gave the scene a very dramatic feel. After lunch, we headed toward the Ice Fjord Museum. A boardwalk took us down to the UNESCO site, which offers great views of the bergs from a higher viewpoint. But we were not done with the ice. Captain Aaron took us through the maze as the sun was slowly setting for a last chance to see this amazing place before we moved onward for tomorrow’s adventures.
Early this morning, we awoke north of the Arctic Circle with lovely weather as we entered the harbor at Sisimiut. There were many options for a long morning ashore, from an energetic mountain walk to leisurely strolls through town. We all arrived at the outdoor museum grounds for a tasting of traditional Greenlandic foods and had a chance to visit the historic buildings. The houses in town visually, virtually vibrated with their bright colors in the brilliant sunshine. In the afternoon, a short transit north from town found us alongside a small uninhabited island, perfect for a few hours of sunny exploration. After careful scouting by the expedition team, we were able to free roam along the seashore and over the rocky hills. Some places were covered with a thick, soft carpet of tundra vegetation, and numerous gulls wheeled overhead in the breeze.
