For the longest time, I’ve wished to travel 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 will 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 had been so excited.
Now, there are a number of selections for expedition corporations that go to distant locations like Greenland, so it was mind-boggling to decide on the precise 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 ebook it. We completely cherished our Antarctic Cruise with Albatros Expeditions and simply knew this expedition can be the identical.
After a lot too-ing and frow-ing concerning the Expedition we wished, 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 good because it’s protected against the cruel winds and excessive climate methods that may have an effect on Greenland. I’d delve deeper, however that’s an entire 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 had been about to comment on visiting Greenland on an expedition.
Naturally, we used this chance to eat our manner round Reykjavik. Town has many tasty restaurants, 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 superb evening’s sleep on the Exeter Hotel. It overlooks Reykjavik Harbour, which was nice as we’d have the ability to spot the ship as soon as it arrived in port.
Truthfully, my pleasure was by the roof, particularly after waking up and seeing Ocean Albatros within the harbour.
Quick-forward a number of hours, we headed for one closing lunch earlier than boarding Ocean Albatros at The Laundromat Cafe. It’s an awesome little spot for lunch, and some minutes stroll from Reykjavik Harbour.
This made it the right option to refill, with simply sufficient time to seize our baggage that we left for the resort and make our option to the ship.
After filling up, we boarded Ocean Albatros to begin 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, if you happen to’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 toilet 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 through the Denmark Strait, which is without doubt one of the choppiest oceans to sail by after Drake’s Passage in Antarctica.
And, you understand what, it lived as much as its status. This was going to be a uneven begin for us visiting Greenland on an expedition.
The swells had been large, and the waves had been fairly intense. So, after our first beautiful sundown departing Reykavik, we stored ourselves inside and loved the consolation of the restaurant, cocktail bar, and the onboard lectures that occurred daily.
That’s the factor I really like about Albatros Expeditions; every ship has a bunch of consultants from geologists, biologists and conservationists who run lectures daily.
Better of all, you’ll be able to truly inform that the staff are passionate concerning the area. No questions are too powerful they usually all have time for you; which I really like.
After a number of dinners, a therapeutic massage on the spa, a cease on the onboard health club and some lectures, we had been itching to achieve Greenland.
As luck would have it, our captain came visiting the tannoy after two days of crusing to announce that Greenland was in sight. The joy onboard Ocean Albatros was palpable.
You may sense the excitement and thrill that each visitor was feeling. That feeling was magical and one thing I actually gained’t overlook.
After a bit briefing within the lecture corridor, we headed straight to the ship’s high deck. We had been to sail through Prince Christian Sound within the area round Ikerasassuaq.
We had been to sail previous the southernmost level of the Greenland icecap and sail west in 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, but it surely was there.
It was simply the beginning of our Albatros Expedition, but it surely 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 by Prince Christian Sound, we noticed the Greenland Icecap and simply watched silently as we sailed by 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 entire areas left fully untouched by human exercise. This felt like one in every of them. Really wild and completely lovely.
We sat on the highest deck for longer than I can keep in mind, with a sizzling chocolate (with a touch of Baileys) and tea to remain heat. It was unimaginable.
We handed huge glacial valleys and among the oldest stones on the earth.
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 a number of 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 fascinating to see, particularly the intricacies concerned in getting our Ocean Albatros by Prince Christian Sound.
As we sailed additional east, we lastly reached Nunarssuaq Island and the southern tip of Greenland. We had been again out onto the open ocean to observe the coast north for the following seven days.
It was powerful 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 Hot Springs. Our journey to Greenland on an expedition had simply begun.
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