As National Geographic Explorer sailed south into its last day of the Arctic Quest we enjoyed the beautiful morning light on the impressive mountains along the West Greenland coast and by breakfast time we were docked in the harbor, ready to explore the colorful town of Sisimiut.
With 6,000 inhabitants it is the second largest town in Greenland and people have been living here for the last 4,500 years. Only in the 1750s did the Danes establish a colony here and called its Holsteinsborg. Some of the very first colonial houses are still standing and now part of the museum in the center of town.
Some hiked out to see some well-preserved ruins of old winter houses from the Thule culture next to the bay that was the natural harbor in the old days. Others took the city tour that ended at the sledge dog kennel. Sisimiut is the southernmost town where Greenland huskies are used, and sledging in winter is still a very important way of getting around in the wilderness, whether for fishing, hunting or just recreation. About 27,000 huskies have their home in Greenland.
Sisimiut is a sprawling town where all houses are painted in bright colors and where the Nordic building style is a prominent element. Most of the town is built directly on bedrock and many houses are perched on big outcrops which adds a special Arctic flavor to the Sisimiut skyline.
Shopping opportunities were exploited as we visited (work)shops with beautiful products of soapstone, caribou antlers, and muskox wool (”qiviut”). Souvenirs that will go back with us and help us preserve the memory of a pristine and wonderful part of the Arctic.
In the early afternoon our ship headed south again for a rendezvous with the longest fjord in Greenland: Kangerlussuaq. Fulmars, jaegers and kittiwakes were loyal followers all the way. We turned towards northeast into the fjord and began our last leg of the voyage. The fjord is 100 miles long and narrow and as Explorer navigated through the strong tidal currents we prepared for the Captain’s dinner and farewell party. Another good day has passed, a voyage is about to end but there is still so much more to explore in the Arctic.
