Ilulissat, Greenland, 7/14/2022, National Geographic Resolution
Aboard the
National Geographic Resolution
Greenland
National Geographic Resolution wove its way through the gargantuan icebergs spit forth from the forty-mile-long fjord to arrive at Ilulissat – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Setting out on a fleet of local boats, our guests enjoyed spectacular views of the many forms that ice can take. Guests also enjoyed time in town and more vistas on land along the boardwalk that leads to the ice edge, where ancient nomadic hunters camped in peat bog huts of their own creation.
Paul North is the founder of the educational nonprofit Meet the Ocean and host of its online podcast. As a polar diver with Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic, he tours the remote underwater landscapes of Antarctica and other sub-zero destinati...
This morning, National Geographic Resolution positioned in the calm waters of Ataneq Fjord. Passing by the small community of Ikerasarssuk (population of 2, according to the last census), one could not help but wonder what it would be like to live in such a remote region on the world’s largest island. About 60% of the population (56,000) live in the five largest towns: Nuuk, Sisimiut, Ilulissat, Aasiaat, and Qaqortoq. All the towns and settlements in Greenland are located along the coastline, and no roads exist between the communities. Needless to say, it helps to have a boat if you are living on a coastline that has no roads and stretches for more than 24,000 miles! After breakfast we enjoyed time closer to the waterline exploring the glacially rounded coastline either in a kayak or Zodiac. A variety of birds fluttered about as we explored serene, pure waters and soaked up our last outing in Greenland. Leaving the fjord, we threaded the needle of crab pots. From the bridge, we watched fishermen throw back undersized snow crabs. Fishing is Greenland's single most important trade with halibut, cod, and shrimp making up most of the catch. It has been an incredible few days exploring the west coast of Greenland, and this trip has certainly whet our appetites for more explorations in this part of the world.
Welcome to Ataneq Fjord, a place that National Geographic Resolution has never been before. Today was the beginning of a new expedition day for us here at Lindblad Expeditions, a time to reflect on the natural beauty Greenland has to offer. We slipped into Ataneq Fjord at 8:00 a.m., and we were greeted by an overcast, mystical morning with not a ripple on the water and not a breath of wind, but we did feel the crisp, cold air on our cheeks at a cool 1˚C or 33.8˚F. The expedition plan in Ataneq Fjord was to allow our guests to immerse themselves in this wildness, giving them an opportunity to kayak over timid but fresh waters or enjoy a Zodiac cruise along the shores and through the central expanse of the fjord. As kayaks were launched into the clear waters, Zodiacs were loaded with guests who wanted to explore this special place. The waters continued to be smooth, creating excellent conditions to enjoy both activities. In between the keen kayakers and observant Zodiac cruisers, humpback whales showed themselves in their majestic way, displaying their flukes and constantly showing their blows. Male and female eider ducks showed themselves, along with black and grey backed gulls and the odd raven scanning her skies. It has to be said that a great time was had by all; no one wanted to go back to the ship at the required time. Everyone asked for time to be extended so they could take in more of these new findings. The afternoon gave us time to catch up on information for disembarkation. We enjoyed a presentation by National Geographic photography expert David Wright, who shared an introduction to his next film project. We also had a presentation from our dive team, who showed guests the wonders of the undersea world. An amazing day was enjoyed by all with beautiful weather and a glimpse of what this mystical land of Greenland has to offer. Cheers!
