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 had been so excited.
Now, there are a number of selections for expedition firms that go to distant locations like Greenland, so it was mind-boggling to decide on the best one. We’d already undertaken an Antarctic expedition with Albatros Expeditions on their ship, Ocean Victory.
So, after we heard they’d a brand-spanking new ship, Ocean Albatros, we knew we needed to e book it. We completely liked 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 good because it’s shielded from 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 embark on visiting Greenland on an expedition.
Naturally, we used this chance to eat our approach 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 evening’s sleep on the Exeter Resort. It overlooks Reykjavik Harbour, which was nice as we might spot the ship as soon as it arrived in port within the morning.
Actually, my pleasure was by means of 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 a terrific little spot for lunch, and some minutes stroll from Reykjavik Harbour.
This made it the proper option to refill, with simply sufficient time to seize our luggage that we left for the lodge and make our approach 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, in case 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 huge toilet and direct door entry to the surface deck, which is nice if you’re watching whales from inside.
Anyway, it was to take round 1.5-2 days (relying) to succeed in Greenland by way of the Denmark Strait, which is without doubt one of the choppiest oceans to sail by means of 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 attractive sundown departing Reykavik, we stored ourselves inside and loved the consolation of the restaurant, cocktail bar, and the onboard lectures that occurred on daily basis.
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 on daily basis.
Better of all, you’ll be able to truly inform that the staff are passionate concerning the area. No questions are too powerful and so they 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 succeed in 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 could possibly sense the excitement and thrill that each visitor was feeling. That feeling was magical and one thing I actually received’t neglect.
After a little bit briefing within the lecture corridor, we headed straight to the ship’s high deck. We had been to sail by way of 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 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, however it was there.
It was simply the beginning of our Albatros Expedition, however 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 kind of moments that get seared into your core reminiscence. It was stunning, tranquil and proper in entrance of us!
As we sailed by means of Prince Christian Sound, we noticed the Greenland Icecap and simply watched silently as we sailed by means of this ethereal panorama. It was (and is) stunning.
Like, phrases don’t describe it sufficient, it was simply so surreal to see. Like, there are only a few occasions if you come throughout complete areas left fully untouched by human exercise. This felt like certainly one of them. Actually wild and completely stunning.
We sat on the highest deck for longer than I can keep in mind, with a sizzling chocolate (with a splash of Baileys) and tea to remain heat. It was unimaginable.
We handed huge glacial valleys and a number of the oldest stones on the earth.
The stone (that makes up the mountains) is billions of years previous 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 means of 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 subsequent 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 mild till round 1 am.
Although we had a lot extra to see, we hurried to mattress, prepared for tomorrow’s go to to certainly one of Greenland’s many islands, particularly Uunartoq Island and its geothermal Sizzling Springs. Our journey to Greenland on an expedition had simply begun.
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