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Greenland
Photo 1 - Picturesque Narsaq - Photos 2 &3 - Cruise
destination Qaqortog All photos copyright Lars Reimers &
Greenland.com
Greenland is as growing as a cruise destination and an
undiscovered treasure. The Island which is the 2nd largest non-continent island
had approximately 55,000 visitors last year. The summer months are the peak
tourism season.. Because of it's harsh climate, Greenland has some of the most
dramatic landscapes including vast plains, large, jagged mountain peaks, ice
capped mountains, glaciers, icebergs all spotted with quaint colorful
houses. The dog sled is one of the main modes of transportation
Increasing interest for Greenland
More and more tourists are choosing to sail along the coasts of Greenland. The
most important reason for this is that cruise ship guests are seeking out
different and exotic destinations. And Greenland fulfils all their notions and
dreams with its breathtaking nature, unique local population and colorful
culture.
The length of a cruise in Greenland, the route itself and the number of ports
of call vary according to the type of ship and the company you choose to travel
with. Coastal cruises typically last one week, whilst expedition cruises can
last up to two weeks. Cruises visiting Greenland from New York are usually 17+
days, since most are repositioning cruises to/from Europe to New York. Greenland
adds a great change of pace and discovery to a transatlantic voyage.
Encountering icebergs and whales
Those traveling by sea enjoy sailing along Greenland’s coasts to see
icebergs of different shapes and sizes; from small transparent ice floes to
colossal 330-foot high icebergs. Do not forget that you only see about one tenth
of the iceberg above the surface of the water – the rest has to be left to your
imagination. You do not have to imagine the whales, however, because a sailing
trip in Greenland is almost always guaranteed to include an encounter with
species such as the humpback whale, fin whale and minke whale. Be sure to bring
your camera to capture the amazing scenery.
Each point of disembarkation provides new possibilities
When disembarking in South Greenland’s green fjords, there are good
opportunities to visit the popular Viking ruins at Hvalsey and Qassiarsuk – the
home of Erik the Red and Leif Ericsson from the Viking period. In the larger
towns you can visit local urban museums and several towns can also present an
extensive cultural program with mask and drum dancing, kayak displays and choral
singing. In the small settlement of Itilleq, close to Kangerlussuaq and
Sisimiut, the local inhabitants are renowned for challenging cruise ship guests
to a game of football at the settlement’s somewhat primitive, but certainly
usable clay pitch.
From culture to nature
In the capital, Nuuk, and at the UNESCO-protected ice fjord at
Ilulissat, short boat trips and helicopter flights are popular excursions. In
Nuuk visitors also have the chance to write a card to Santa Claus and be
photographed in front of Santa’s huge mailbox. With its unique flora and fauna,
the National Park in Northeast Greenland is another popular, though completely
different, place to visit.
Tradition and renewal
Nuuk is Greenland’s capital, where the new and the old meet in their unique
Greenlandic fashion. A short walk from the colonial harbor with its beautiful
old buildings brings you to “the board”, where the day’s catch of seal, birds
and fish is sold. Other attractions in the town include the award-winning
cultural venue Katuaq, Greenland’s University, the cathedral from 1849 and the
National Museum, where you can spend hours learning about Greenland’s ancient
history.
Activities and attractions around Nuuk
Outside Nuuk is a major fjord system, which is particularly well-suited
to ocean-going attractions. Whale safaris are organized that enable you to get
close to the many humpback and minke whales, which from early summer to the
onset of autumn frequent the waters just outside the town. In addition,
helicopter trips to the ice sheet and Norse ruins are popular combination
excursions, as are visits to settlements by boat. Also recommended is a visit to
the art museum and the city council chamber, which is decorated by large
tapestries with motifs from Greenlandic culture and nature.
Nuuk’s history
Nuuk means “the headland” and is situated at the tip of a large peninsula at the
mouth of the gigantic fjord complex. Nuuk is also the oldest town in Greenland.
It was founded by the missionary Hans Egede in 1728 after he had left his first
settlement at the Isle of Hope all the way out in Davis Strait. Today Nuuk is a
hectic city in Greenlandic terms, but that is rarely the impression that
visitors get of the world’s smallest capital city with just 15,000 inhabitants
Unique souvenirs & Dining
Delicious food and bargain hunting are essential elements of any vacation. On
cruises in Greenland many companies make a point of serving locally inspired
food of high quality and many ships purchase meat and fish locally while they
are in Greenland.
Popular souvenirs for yourself or your loved ones include handcrafted
products made from bone and reindeer antlers, as well as soapstone figures. The
same applies to Greenlandic minerals such as the pink ‘tuttupit’, which changes
color according to the light.
Unique goods and small shops
A cruise in Greenland provides the traveler opportunities to bring the memories
of your Greenland experience home with you. Not just on film, but also in the
form of souvenirs and unique goods the like of which are not found anywhere else
in the world.
In Greenland there are small, enterprising businesses and workshops making
handicraft products in most towns. You can often see stalls being set up along
the quay when ships call at port and there is always a good chance of striking a
bargain for unique articles and products that are the very essence of
Greenlandic culture and nature.
Greenlandic souvenirs
Greenlandic souvenirs are not mass-produced, but are handmade works of
art the like of which are not made anywhere else in the world. Each product is
created and designed by a Greenlandic artist who manages to combine tradition
and custom with his own ideas and talents when producing his own unique works.
Sealskin clothes from Great Greenland and from other local producers are in
particular demand by cruise ship guests from countries that allow the import of
such articles. Jewelry made of stones, minerals and bone are very popular - as
are the Greenlandic tupilak and soapstone lamp.
Remember a CITES certificate
Remember to obtain a CITES Certificate when buying souvenirs that are made from
parts of wild animals in Greenland. CITES stands for “Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna”. This set of
rules and the CITES certificate make it possible to keep tabs on the scope of
the trade of certain endangered or partly-threatened species.
Closing Remarks
Already in late August and September you will get the opportunity to view
Aurora Borealis or northern lights. According to traditional mythology, northern
lights are "the souls of the departed playing ball with skulls of walruses in
the sky". The positioning of the sun allows for dramatic photography. Greenland
is a nature lovers paradise. It is a great destination for those with an
appreciation for natural beauty and seeking a deep cultural and educational
experience.
GREENLAND BASICS
Area: 836,330 square miles (Washington state is 71,303
square miles).
Area under ice: More than 80 percent.
Population: 56,344 people; 80 percent Inuit.
Sled dogs: 29,000.
Language: Greenlandic. English and Danish are widely spoken.
Government: Part of Denmark, but with "home rule." Receives
annual subsidy from Denmark of more than U.S. $500 million.
Chief industry: Fishing.
Source: www.Greenland.com
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