For the longest time, I’ve needed to journey to Greenland. It’s been up there, and I’ve visited different far-flung locations like Antarctica and Nepal. Lastly, after a few years of planning, we made this a actuality; we booked a tour that may have us visiting Greenland on an expedition.
Okay, rewind. We had this journey deliberate for a few years; it’s been on the cardboard for some time, and my pleasure grew much more because the departure date edged nearer. Lastly, after years of ready, it was time to set sail, and we have been so excited.
Now, there are just a few selections for expedition firms that go to distant locations like Greenland, so it was mind-boggling to decide on the appropriate one. We’d already undertaken an Antarctic expedition with Albatros Expeditions on their ship, Ocean Victory.
So, after we heard that they had a brand-spanking new ship, Ocean Albatros, we knew we needed to e book it. We completely beloved our Antarctic Cruise with Albatros Expeditions and simply knew this expedition could be the identical.
After a lot too-ing and frow-ing concerning the Expedition we needed, we lastly selected ‘In The Wake Of Erik’. The expedition was to take round 10-11 days, departing from Reykjavik in Iceland and ending in Kangerlussuaq (one of many largest, however nonetheless tiny, airports in Greenland). It’s an ex-US-airforce base, and its location is right because it’s shielded from the tough winds and excessive climate methods that may have an effect on Greenland. I’d delve deeper, however that’s a complete new weblog publish.
Because the embarkation date approached, we booked our flight from London to Reykjavik and stayed in a single day earlier than boarding Ocean Albatros, our ship, from Reykjavik harbour. This was the primary time it actually sunk in that we have been about to comment on visiting Greenland on an expedition.
Naturally, we used this chance to eat our means round Reykjavik. The town has many tasty eating places, and we darted straight to our favorite, Messinn.
After filling up on Plokkfiskur, a tasty stew-like dish of greens and freshly baked fish, we had a very good night time’s sleep on the Exeter Resort. It overlooks Reykjavik Harbour, which was nice as we’d have the ability to spot the ship as soon as it arrived in port.
Actually, my pleasure was via the roof, particularly after waking up and seeing Ocean Albatros within the harbour.
Quick-forward just a few hours, we headed for one remaining lunch earlier than boarding Ocean Albatros at The Laundromat Cafe. It’s an amazing little spot for lunch, and some minutes stroll from Reykjavik Harbour.
This made it the right option to replenish, with simply sufficient time to seize our luggage that we left for the resort and make our solution to the ship.
After filling up, we boarded Ocean Albatros to start out our journey, visiting Greenland on an expedition. I used to be so excited!
We checked into the room, which was a ‘class B’ room on the 4th ground—particularly, room 429, should you’re questioning. We ‘ve the balcony rooms onboard Ocean Albatros – however they do produce other room classes to select from.
The room was spacious, with a pleasant massive rest room and direct door entry to the surface deck, which is nice whenever you’re watching whales from inside.
Anyway, it was to take round 1.5-2 days (relying) to achieve Greenland by way of the Denmark Strait, which is likely one of the choppiest oceans to sail via after Drake’s Passage in Antarctica.
And, you already know what, it lived as much as its popularity. This was going to be a uneven begin for us visiting Greenland on an expedition.
The swells have been large, and the waves have been fairly intense. So, after our first attractive sundown departing Reykavik, we stored ourselves inside and loved the consolation of the restaurant, cocktail bar, and the onboard lectures that occurred day-after-day.
That’s the factor I really like about Albatros Expeditions; every ship has a number of consultants from geologists, biologists and conservationists who run lectures day-after-day.
Better of all, you possibly can really inform that the workforce are passionate concerning the area. No questions are too robust they usually all have time for you; which I really like.
After just a few dinners, a therapeutic massage on the spa, a cease on the onboard fitness center and some lectures, we have been itching to achieve Greenland.
As luck would have it, our captain came to visit the tannoy after two days of crusing to announce that Greenland was in sight. The joy onboard Ocean Albatros was palpable.
You possibly can sense the excitement and thrill that each visitor was feeling. That feeling was magical and one thing I actually gained’t overlook.
After slightly briefing within the lecture corridor, we headed straight to the ship’s high deck. We have been to sail by way of Prince Christian Sound within the area round Ikerasassuaq.
We have been to sail previous the southernmost level of the Greenland icecap and sail west in the direction of Aappilattoq and previous Pamialluk Island.
After a couple of minutes on the highest deck, simply on the horizon, we noticed Greenland. It was round 20 nautical miles away, nevertheless it was there.
It was simply the beginning of our Albatros Expedition, nevertheless it felt like we’d already completed a lot.
Inside round 1.5 hours, we’d reached the coast of Greenland. It was unimaginable to see and it felt like a type of moments that get seared into your core reminiscence. It was lovely, tranquil and proper in entrance of us!
As we sailed via Prince Christian Sound, we noticed the Greenland Icecap and simply watched silently as we sailed via this ethereal panorama. It was (and is) lovely.
Like, phrases don’t describe it sufficient, it was simply so surreal to see. Like, there are only a few occasions whenever you come throughout complete areas left utterly untouched by human exercise. This felt like one in every of them. Actually wild and completely lovely.
We sat on the highest deck for longer than I can keep in mind, with a scorching chocolate (with a splash of Baileys) and tea to remain heat. It was unimaginable.
We handed huge glacial valleys and a few of the oldest stones on the planet.
The stone (that makes up the mountains) is billions of years outdated and has stood proudly, solely altering form from tectonic and glacial influences. The panorama is so distinctive.
After just a few hours, we determined to go onto the bridge to see the captain.
Not like bigger cruise ships, Albatros has an ‘open-door’ coverage the place expedition company can freely head to the bridge and see the ship being steered.
It was so attention-grabbing to see, particularly the intricacies concerned in getting our Ocean Albatros via Prince Christian Sound.
As we sailed additional east, we lastly reached Nunarssuaq Island and the southern tip of Greenland. We have been again out onto the open ocean to observe the coast north for the following seven days.
It was robust to make a name and go to mattress and miss the views. This was very true because it was nonetheless gentle till round 1 am.
Although we had a lot extra to see, we hurried to mattress, prepared for tomorrow’s go to to one in every of Greenland’s many islands, particularly Uunartoq Island and its geothermal Scorching Springs. Our journey to Greenland on an expedition had simply begun.
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