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Greenland

Greenland Travel Destinations include cruising Greenland’s Prince Christian Sound as one of the highlights of my life on water. Mother Earth’s largest island, Greenland, is home to the second largest ice sheet (after Antarctica), covering 80 percent of its land mass. As an Acupuncturist-at-Sea, I explored the southernmost part of this ice sheet through Prince Christian Sound. This remote and pristine body of water separates the mainland from Cape Farewell Archipelago. Furthermore, Prince Christian Sound connects the Labrador Sea on the west with the Irminger Sea on the east. Its long, narrow fjord system of 100 km (60 miles), at times as narrow as 500 m (1500 ft) wide, flows through steep canyons of granite over 1200 feet.

Greenland Travel Destinations – Prince Christian Sound

At least 6 fjords meander as offshoots from the sound. Asppilattoq, an Inuit town, is the only settlement along the sound. There are many glaciers’ endcaps going straight up to the water’s edge, calving icebergs. These giant chunks of ice drift randomly throughout the waters. Also, there are strong tidal currents, limiting the formation of ice. The explorer, John Cabot described the sound as ‘a river of melted snow.’

My 8-hour passage journey is breathtaking and hauntingly beautiful, however, it shatters my expectations. Before, my thoughts of Greenland conjured up images of ice sheets, glaciers and uninhabitable, snowy landscapes. This August day is a clear, sunny day, with temperatures almost reaching 60 degrees F. Sadly, it reveals barren, dry canyons, meltwater rivers and shrinking glaciers. However, it’s the southernmost tip of Greenland at the end of summer. So I thoughtfully consider this. However, my experience may reveal the foreboding effects of global warming, as a microcosm for our planet. Even though climate change may be a tragic reality to this remote place, the omnipotence of Mother Nature shined on, anyway, giving us a truly magical day with Greenland travel destinations.

    Nanortalik, Greenland
    DenmarkGreenland

    Charming Nanortalik, Greenland Summer Walking Tour – Wildflowers, Icebergs & Music

    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac
    written by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac

    Nanortalik is a charming village to see and is on the route for cruises crossing the Atlantic.  As an Acupuncturist-at-Sea on a cruise ship I enjoyed my Nanortalik Greenland walking tour very much and love sharing my experience.   Because it is so small, you can easily enjoy the village in a half-day adventure.  So, read on to learn about how to make the most of your time in this unique port-of-call.  I was there the end of July, so enjoyed sunny skies with large swaths of yellow wildflowers. 

    Nanortalik means “Place of Polar Bears,” even though they are rarely seen here.  The small village of about 1200 inhabitants is on an island on the shores of the Labrador Sea.  While the winters are understandably cold the summer is a great time to visit with temperatures that reaches the highs into the 40’s – 50’s F.   Also, it lies at the mouth of the Tasermiut Fjord in a very picturesque setting.   The locals are very friendly and love to sing, so you can expect street performers and even a choir in the church. 

    Check out my YouTube Video!

    Nanortalik Greenland Walking Tour
    What to See & Do in a Half-Day

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    I absolutely loved my 3-hour walking tour here and pretty much experienced it all spontaneously without preparation.  I just walked down the main street toward the old town and became immediately entertained with murals, the landscapes and scenery, along with the friendly locals.  Firstly, I just walked around and took in the views of the granite knolls carpeted with yellow wildflowers, enveloped by mountains and sea.  The morning sun burned off the fog and vibrant, blue sky appeared. 

    I walked by the main wooden church with choir performances every hour.  Then, I went to the Old Town, preserved by about 10 buildings with vintage artifacts and photos.  It cost about $10 and was well worth it.  The setting helps you to imagine what it was like to live in this remote area, especially more than 100 years ago. 

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    The buildings in the Old Town housed various artifacts needed for survival in this part of the world.  For example, I went inside an old blubber house, a fish packing plant and peat house.  There is a Greenland Flagpole that I climbed its ladder to the top for a 360-degree panoramic view of the sea, mountains and even lingering icebergs.  I found a bench seaside with a large iceberg less than 20 feet from me.  It was interesting to sit in the presence of this unique testament to the northern chill. 

    Lastly, I stopped in the church to listen to the choir and then walked on down the street to listen to the street performers. 

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    The locals were very friendly and festive with their music and arts for sale.   Two young girls approached me with puppies.   Also, there were signs for one hour water tours to see the icebergs.  And there was a busy café called Café 44.  Overall, it’s a charming experience with a sense of being off the beaten path. 

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     Also, Read More about Southern Greenland

    Nanortalik is similar, however smaller than the nearby Qaqortoq.  Both are very dramatic with brightly colored buildings and dramatic scenery.  To learn more about these southern Greenland destinations, check out my other blogs. 

    Greenland’s Picturesque Seaport, Qaqortoq: A Scenic Walking Tour
    Paamiut, Greenland Highlights & Walking Tour
    Cruising Southern Greenland’s Majestic Prince Christian Sound

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