Northwest Coast of Greenland
Today is our first full day aboard the National Geographic Explorer and we’ve already been inundated with new experiences. The ship is large and comfortable and we’re finding our way about. A good night’s sleep helped to clear away the fog of travel and now we’re feeling the excitement that comes at the start of a new voyage, a new destination.
Much of the morning was spent in learning the subtleties of the new ship. The bridge is a fine place to begin any day. Charts are spread out for examination and it provides a commanding view of the surroundings. The wildlife spotters picked out several species of sea birds and seals were easy to find in the calm water of the fiord. We gathered in the lounge where we were introduced to the Natural History Staff.
Following lunch we went ashore in the town of Sisimiut, the second largest port on Greenland. There are a little more than five thousand human inhabitants in Sisimiut and there are more dogs than people! Guides were stationed about the village and the museum to answer questions and point out things of interest. The weather was exceptionally warm for being above the Arctic Circle and light shirts were more appropriate than parkas or sweaters. Most of us joined interpretive hikes that led out of town and others opted for a real leg stretching walk that covered several miles.
Once back aboard, we all busied ourselves getting ready for Captain Dieckmann’s Welcome Cocktail Party. During dinner the National Geographic Explorer steamed north with the evening sun highlighting the mountains and snow fields to the east.
Today is our first full day aboard the National Geographic Explorer and we’ve already been inundated with new experiences. The ship is large and comfortable and we’re finding our way about. A good night’s sleep helped to clear away the fog of travel and now we’re feeling the excitement that comes at the start of a new voyage, a new destination.
Much of the morning was spent in learning the subtleties of the new ship. The bridge is a fine place to begin any day. Charts are spread out for examination and it provides a commanding view of the surroundings. The wildlife spotters picked out several species of sea birds and seals were easy to find in the calm water of the fiord. We gathered in the lounge where we were introduced to the Natural History Staff.
Following lunch we went ashore in the town of Sisimiut, the second largest port on Greenland. There are a little more than five thousand human inhabitants in Sisimiut and there are more dogs than people! Guides were stationed about the village and the museum to answer questions and point out things of interest. The weather was exceptionally warm for being above the Arctic Circle and light shirts were more appropriate than parkas or sweaters. Most of us joined interpretive hikes that led out of town and others opted for a real leg stretching walk that covered several miles.
Once back aboard, we all busied ourselves getting ready for Captain Dieckmann’s Welcome Cocktail Party. During dinner the National Geographic Explorer steamed north with the evening sun highlighting the mountains and snow fields to the east.
