Greenland, Day Two...

Another gorgeous day ashore after a short overnight sail to the southern tip of Greenland. So far the weather arrangements have worked to our advantage. We seem to have fog and dreary days at sea, but when we step ashore it is like a balmy spring day. This happened in Halifax, Newfoundland and the two ports in Greenland. Hopefully our luck holds because we slightly under packed for those chilly days near the sea when the chill can get right to your bones.

We awoke around 6.30 to look out and see giant icebergs surrounding the ship. The captain had gingerly manoeuvred the ship through these sleeping giants that sort of just sat there and defied anybody to do anything about it. We were soon anchored and after breakfast we made our way to the town of Nanortalik, population 1500.






Nanortalik is a native town with a very small population of Danes. The main industry was/is fishing. It has been the mainstay of the town since about 1770. Whaling at one time was also a major industry, the occasional whale may be taken but for food, not export. Sealing has always been a basic way of life here, as in many northern communities. It is a bit of a quandary on how celebrities and others can condemn sealing if they came to a place like this and see that it is the mainstay of their family life, and has been for generations.






This town was somewhat depressed compared to Qaqortoq the day before. The evidence of beer bottles and the odd intoxicated native on the main street gave us early evidence of that chronic northern town curse.

We went to the church where a small choir sang in Inuit,




and to a large section of town that has been preserved as a living museum to see boating including kayak-rolling and other activities. The kind of day we all four enjoy.

Regardless of the somewhat poorish appearance, the people were friendly and happy, especially the children again. It is a bit sad to know that life in a town like this is basically a dead end for them. However, possibly with the help of satellite TV, they may decide for themselves that life in the 'big cities' also has a downside, just watch the news for a while, who knows.






At sailaway in the late afternoon, again, a seemingly impenetrable obstacle course strewn with big bergs created a challenge to get to the open sea. Obviously we got out.






The captain announced that it could get a bit rough and now was the time to take pills, put on your patch or wristbands. Instead we met in our cabin and had a slide show of the over 700 photos I have kept so far over a glass of wine.

Again, pictures tell the story. Enjoy our day in Nanortalik...