Monday 19th August 2024
Qaqortoq in Greenlandic means “White Palace”, this small town of about 3400 people is the cultural and commercial centre for the south of Greenland, the Inuit and then Europeans were drawn to the site for the wealth of marine mammals which thrive offshore in the summer.
Still foggy this morning, slow progress toward Qaqortoq, calm sea and sun above the fog trying to break through.
An early announcement by the Captain that due to fog and ice the ship’s progress overnight had been slow. A late arrival expected at about noon, departure to be delayed to compensate.
The morning’s weather improved with the sunny and foggy conditions finally settling on sunny in time for our expected arrival.
During the morning came an announcement by Captain Ozren Marelic from the bridge of an nearby iceberg on the port side. This of course prompted a mad rush by everyone, without a port side balcony, to the promenade deck. This still being closed due to the weather caused an urgent change of location to the top deck. This rather distant view of an iceberg being the first indication of our approach to the Arctic.
Anchored as expected about on time near the town. Good weather and a short tender ride into town from our anchorage seemed to make a visit well worth it. Just a small town, not a great deal to see, so a stroll around seemed sufficient. Rocky landscape relieved by a display of attractive flowers.
Just a few local souvenirs on offer in town, couldn’t find anything we needed so back on the tender to return to the ship.
What a treat, lots of passengers still ashore so we found a really nice seat to enjoy a coffee and a sandwich in the atrium.
One more try at the trivia, still no luck.
Pleasant out on deck, lots of photo opportunities to take snaps of the icebergs drifting by.
Pizza for dinner.
Delayed sailaway more or less on time as expected, lots more chances for iceberg photos, some drifting, some grounded. Very chilly now, everyone in warm weather gear plus many wrapped up with the addition of ships blankets.
Another production show tonight, “Broadway”, sadly not the greatest show, not the most well known songs, but great dancing.
And so to bed.
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