 |
| Long Hike to Lyngmarksglacier. Photo © Steffen Biersack |
Today was a day of product development for the ship and especially for the Expedition Team. We launched a fantastic new hike to the Lyngmarksglacier. We tested the waters around Qeqertarsuaq for possible future kayaking tours and explored the idea of whale watching excursions utilizing the Polar Cirkle boats in Disko Bay. By all reports the hike to Lyngmarksglacier was a great success with the participants getting the opportunity to walk on the glacier.
 |
| Long Hike to Lyngmarksglacier. Photo © Steffen Biersack |
 |
| Long Hike to Lyngmarksglacier. Photo © Steffen Biersack |
The team on the pioneering whale watching expedition found Humpback Whales within fifteen minutes. The indications are that the whale watching will only get better once the Capelin come in to spawn which is usually early to mid-July.
More adventure and new opportunities. While our voyages in Greenland are already very successful, they are only going to get better. So stand by everyone!
In addition to the long hike to Lyngmarksglacier we offered a very scenic walk to the Valley of the Winds. This is a walk that just about everyone can do. No big inclines or declines and really impressive scenery the entire route. It is peak wildflower season. There is an astonishing variety of flowers to be admired and photographed on the way to the waterfall. Lots of people could be seen bent over examining these colourful Arctic jewels.
At 15:30 everyone was back on board the ship. We heaved anchor and turned our bows towards Uummannaq.
Just east of Qeqertarsuaq we encountered two Humpback Whales and a solitary Fin Whale. The Captain deviated from our course to intercept the whales. We stopped where we could all get a good look at these leviathans of the deep.
 |
Photo © Andrew Wenzel
|
 |
| Photo © Andrew Wenzel |
We filled the late afternoon with lectures on photography, ice, the Inuit and "hazards when travelling in the Arctic".
At 18:15 we were joined by King Neptune on the bow. For some reason Neptune was a little gnarly today and insisted we all pay a price for crossing the Arctic Circle. The fee? Ice cold water poured down your neck! B-r-r-r-r!
In the evening we were entertained by the Officers and Expedition Team who staged a fashion show in the Observation Lounge.