Ah the Q's. So many Q's in Greenland. Qaqortoq.
Qassiarsuk. Qooroq. Qeqertarsuaq. Illoqqortoormiut. Well, we don’t actually go
to Illoqqortoormiut which is a relief because I can hardly spell it, never mind
pronounce it. Today though, we had a really lovely time in Qaqortoq and
Qassiarsuk and many of us we went to Qooroq as part of an excursion. At 08:00 the sun was shining
and and it was already 10º C when we pulled alongside the small pier right in
central Qaqortoq.
As soon as the ship was cleared quite a
few groups of people quietly began to queue on the quay for their various
excursions. Some people set off to the
Upernaviarsuk Agricultural station, while others gathered for hikes, or to join
a Keffemik, or to visit the Great Greenland Tannery.
For most people it was their first
opportunity to actually set foot in Greenland. Sure we had been cruising in
Greenland waters for more than a day but that’s not the same thing as stepping
on terra firma. I’m sure it was a moment that they won’t soon forget.
Many people in Qaqortoq were wearing
their national costumes as there was a conformation in the morning and it was
also a religious holiday.
By the early afternoon the temperature
was hovering around 17ºC. Many people were
strolling about in short sleeved shirts.
At 12:30 everyone was back on the ship
and we waved goodbye to our friends in Qaqortoq. The sun continued to shine as we cruised down
a long narrow fjord. We had planned on
delivering a couple of lectures during the afternnon but it was such a nice day
we thought it a better idea to get everyone outdoors. Lectures cancelled! Everyone get outside and enjoy the sunshine
and scenery with the Expedition Team! And they did! Who wouldn’t?
The decks were crowded with people sunning themselves and enjoying the
great scenery. It was a quintessential day for cruising!
Shortly before 17:00 we quickly dropped
anchor in front of Qassiarsuk.
The landscape seemed practically luminous
as the setting sun cast a warm glow to the lush green country side. This part of Greenland is very much farming
country. Sheep were grazing in pastures
and farmers in tractors were busy in their fields.
Here too there were various excursions to
choose from. there was the Erik the Red settlment walk. There was a hike between two fjords and there
was a really nice boat trip to the Qooroq Icefjord.
 |
| Statue of Lief Erikson |
There was nothing but happy smiling faces
as everyone had ample opportunity to explore to their hear’s delight on this,
their first full day of landings in Greenland!