Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq

Feuer, Frost und Wasser, die durch die Farben rot, weiß und blau auf der isländischen Flagge symbolisiert werden, werden in Form von Eis und Schnee der Gletscher, den heißen Schlammbecken, den Geysiren und den glühenden Lavaströmen in der vulkanischen Region des Landes manifestiert. Die Besiedlung Islands lässt sich bis ins Jahr 874 zurückverfolgen, als ein Norweger namens Ingolf Arnarson dort, wo heute Reykjavik ist, ankam. Im Jahre 930 formten die Siedler eine Legislative, die Alting, die der Anfang des Staatenbundes von Island war. Vom 10. bis zum 14. Jahrhundert konnte Island eine eigene literarische Form entwickeln, die isländische Saga, die sich durch die nordische Kultur zieht und bis in die englische und deutsche Sprache vordringen konnte. Diese wurde benutzt, um Geschichten von Göttern zu spinnen, historische Ereignisse festzuhalten und Helden zu glorifizieren. Als die Hauptstadt Islands und als das wichtigste Zentrum der Bevölkerung des Landes, ist die Stadt Reykjavik eine faszinierende Mischung von Traditionen und Moderne. Genauso wie Island ein einzigartiges Land ist – zerklüftet und abgelegen und doch technologisch fortschrittlich und nordischen Überfluss genießend – ist Reykjavik eine höchst ungewöhnliche Hauptstadt. Sie dominiert das Leben Islands in fast jedem Aspekt. Fast die Hälfte der Bevölkerung des Landes (in etwa 270,000) lebt in und um der Hauptstadt und die Wirtschaft der gesamten Nation hängt von Reykjavik ab. Fast 60 Prozent der Importe Islands werden hier aufgenommen und verschickt und 40 Prozent der Exporte des Landes werden hier zur Verschiffung durch den Hafen von Reykjavik beladen. Außerdem ist sie das Hauptquartier der vielleicht fortschrittlichsten Fischindustrie, die auch die wichtigsten Exportartikel Islands hervorbringt.

LAND DER POLARBÄREN – GRÖNLAND & LABRADOR Mächtige Eisberge die von den gewaltigen Gletschern Grönlands kalben und Richtung Süden driften. Einsame Inuit-Siedlungen, mit Orten deren Namen kaum auszusprechen sind und Bewohner die der rauhen Natur trotzen und Ihnen ihre Lebenskultur nahebringen erwarten Sie. Ein reiches maritimes Tierleben mit imposanten Walen, agilen Robben und behäbigen Seelöwen und nicht zuletzt imposante Eisbären begleiten Ihre Grönland- Reisen und die Passage nach Labrador. Dieses rauhe Land ist von Menschen nahezu unbewohnt, während einzelne Inseln Millionen von Seevögeln im Sommer als Brutstätte dienen. Die erste Siedlung der Wikinger auf dem amerikanischen Kontinent in „L’Anse Aux Meadows” wartet mit historischen Funden auf der Weiterreise auf dem St. Lorenz Strom bis nach Halifax in Kanada.

The transit through the Sound is one of this voyage’s highlights. Connecting the Labrador Sea with the Irminger Seat, Prince Christian Sound or “Prins Christian Sund” in Danish is named after Prince (later King) Christian VII (1749-1808). 100 km (60 miles ), long and at times just 500 m (1500 ft) wide, this majestic and spectacular fiord throws you back into a Viking era – flanked by soaring snow-topped mountains, rock-strewn cliffs and rolling hills, it is as if time has stood still and one easily forgets that this is the 21st century. As you marvel at the sheer size of the mountains that surround you, with the Arctic waters lapping deceptively at the hull, revel in the silence enveloping you. Icebergs float serenely by, carrying with them the ages of time. Be sure to wear warm clothing as this is one spectacle that you do not want to miss.

If you’re looking for remote and remarkable then you have found it. Cruise through Prince Christian Sound to the western end and you’ll find Aapilattoq, a (very) small Greenlandic village of just 100 inhabitants. The name of the village means “sea anemone” in the local Greenlandic language, and the fact that the village has retained its Inuit name is a good indication of what you can expect; traditional village life much as it has been for the past 100 years. Hunting and fishing are the main occupations here, and it is not unusual when taking a stroll through Aappilattoq, past the small school (where 22 pupils from ages 3-16 are enrolled) and church, to come across a polar bear skin drying in the wind behind a local dwelling. The village is hidden behind a prominent red rock and towering mountains, which make the village virtually inaccessible by land. Naturally, the Aapilattoq and its surrounding area are phenomenally rich in Arctic wildlife: Arctic fox and Arctic hare live in the countryside around the village while marine mammals include ringed seal, harbour seal, hooded seal, bearded seal, harp seal, humpback whale (typically in summer), minke whale, fin whale, narwhal, and beluga.

There is a wonderful legend that the Vikings named Greenland Green and Iceland Ice in order to confuse potential attackers. Because it is quite the opposite; if Iceland is full of emerald forest, then expect ice in Greenland. Lots and lots of ice. Thus one shouldn’t be too surprised to learn that the name Nanortalik means “place of polar bears”. Although, as Nanortalik is Greenland’s most southerly town, don’t be too disappointed if you don’t see any. In truth, Greenland’s polar bears typically live much further north. View less What you will see however is Mother Nature at her finest. Vertical cliff walls, sheets of floating sea ice and a plethora of Arctic wildlife that amount to an adventurer’s wonderland. As Nanortalik itself is located on a small island in the southern tip of Greenland, nature is never far away, wherever you find yourself. The optimistically named city centre is surrounded by the pristine waters of Tasermiut Fjord and dotted with the colourful houses you would expect this far north. Traditionally, artisans’ houses were painted different colours to showcase what they did, i.e. commercial houses were red; hospitals were yellow; police stations were black; the telephone company was green and fish factories were blue. Today it is more a case of anything goes! Nanortalik locals are warm and welcoming, and are known to extent the art of Kaffe-Mik to its visitors. This old tradition is where a family invites guests into their home to drink coffee and taste their famous Greenlandic cake.

In the local Kalaallisut language, Uunartoq means ‚hot‘, and there is no mystery why. Several warm springs exist in Greenland, but Uunartoq Island is the only site where the waters form a pool warm enough to bathe in. Although not as well known as the famous springs of Iceland, nowhere can challenge Uunartoq for scenery. The picturesque series of steaming pools are backed by some of the best scenery Greenland has to offer.

LAND DER POLARBÄREN – GRÖNLAND & LABRADOR Mächtige Eisberge die von den gewaltigen Gletschern Grönlands kalben und Richtung Süden driften. Einsame Inuit-Siedlungen, mit Orten deren Namen kaum auszusprechen sind und Bewohner die der rauhen Natur trotzen und Ihnen ihre Lebenskultur nahebringen erwarten Sie. Ein reiches maritimes Tierleben mit imposanten Walen, agilen Robben und behäbigen Seelöwen und nicht zuletzt imposante Eisbären begleiten Ihre Grönland- Reisen und die Passage nach Labrador. Dieses rauhe Land ist von Menschen nahezu unbewohnt, während einzelne Inseln Millionen von Seevögeln im Sommer als Brutstätte dienen. Die erste Siedlung der Wikinger auf dem amerikanischen Kontinent in „L’Anse Aux Meadows” wartet mit historischen Funden auf der Weiterreise auf dem St. Lorenz Strom bis nach Halifax in Kanada.

18 kilometers northeast of Qaqortoq, Hvalsey is part of Qaqortukulooq, one of the five sites of the UNESCO World Heritage Arctic farming complex Kujataa. Between Eriksfjord to the north and Einarsfjord to the south, the Hvalseyfjord branches off from Einarsfjord. Although Hvalsey is better known for the well-preserved ruins of one of the sixteen churches in the Norse’s Eastern Settlement, the church was in a farmstead known as Thjodhild’s Stead. View less This farmstead at the northeastern end of the fjord included a large building with living quarters, a hall and livestock pens, as well as other livestock pens, a storage building and a warehouse –the ruins of which can still be seen. The Norse farming laid the foundation for the Inuit farming in later centuries, leading to the UNESCO World Heritage status in 2017. In the 14th century account “Descriptions of Greenland” the abundant fish, a reindeer farm on Reindeer Island and Hvalsey’s name “Whale Island” clearly indicate that the Norse had ample food sources at that time. The church was built in the Anglo-Norwegian style of the 13th century, but is known to have been built over an older graveyard. The farmstead is mentioned in the Icelandic “Book of Settlements” as property of the Kings of Norway, and the last documented event of the Norse in Greenland is a wedding which took place in the church in September 1408. After almost 600 years of abandonment, conservation work had to be done to prevent the seaward wall from collapsing.

LAND DER POLARBÄREN – GRÖNLAND & LABRADOR Mächtige Eisberge die von den gewaltigen Gletschern Grönlands kalben und Richtung Süden driften. Einsame Inuit-Siedlungen, mit Orten deren Namen kaum auszusprechen sind und Bewohner die der rauhen Natur trotzen und Ihnen ihre Lebenskultur nahebringen erwarten Sie. Ein reiches maritimes Tierleben mit imposanten Walen, agilen Robben und behäbigen Seelöwen und nicht zuletzt imposante Eisbären begleiten Ihre Grönland- Reisen und die Passage nach Labrador. Dieses rauhe Land ist von Menschen nahezu unbewohnt, während einzelne Inseln Millionen von Seevögeln im Sommer als Brutstätte dienen. Die erste Siedlung der Wikinger auf dem amerikanischen Kontinent in „L’Anse Aux Meadows” wartet mit historischen Funden auf der Weiterreise auf dem St. Lorenz Strom bis nach Halifax in Kanada.

Evighedsfjord (Eternity Fjord) is a large fjord northeast of Kangaamiut in southwest Greenland. The fjord has a length of 75 kilometers and several branches with numerous glaciers coming down from the Maniitsoq Ice Cap to the north can be seen. The Evighedsfjord has several bends and whenever the ship reaches the supposed end the fjord continues in another direction and seems to go on forever. Qingua Kujatdleq Glacier is at its southeastern end. At the northwestern end a U-shaped valley has seven glaciers coming down from the mountains but not reaching the water. The glaciers had their maximum extent around the year 1870 and have gone through several cycles of advance and retreat. The mountains on either side of the fjord can reach in excess of 2,000 meters and the fjord has a depth of up to 700 meters. Evighedsfjord’s snowline is at 1,100 meters and the Evighedsfjord region is famous as one of Greenland’s best heli-skiing areas.

Kangaamiut (the People of the Fjords) is a settlement which clings to the shoreline of Greenland’s Arctic Circle region, backed by some of the country’s most spectacular fjordlands. The nearby pinnacle-shaped mountains gave the Danish-Norwegian colonial settlement its original name of Sukkertoppen (Sugarloaf) and the town recently celebrated its 250th anniversary. Here, one can experience small-town Greenlandic culture at its most authentic. The town is scattered across a small hill, displaying all the colourful buildings of the town at once; it is impossible to take a bad photo here. View less A system of staircases and boardwalks leads to the top of the hill, an area used to helicopter transport which offers jaw-dropping vistas of the wilderness around the settlement. The locals are proud of their Inuit history and culture, and the people of Kangaamiut are friendly and welcoming to vistors. Depending on the day, one could see local men selling fresh fish or reindeer meat from the surrounding fjords or flensing their catch on the rocks of the harbour, local women selling intricate homemade beaded necklaces and carvings, or even be invited into a local home to share a pot of coffee with some of the friendly residents, who are always happy to have visitors. Although the scenery is world-class, as in many towns in Greenland, wonderful memories of the welcoming residents are the most treasured.

Sisimiut (‚The People of the Fox Holes‘) is Greenland’s second city, the largest Arctic City in North America, and a hub between the warmer South and the frozen North of the country. With a young, dynamic population, including students from all over the country, Sisimiut is one of the fastest growing cities in Greenland. View less Inhabited for more than four and a half thousand years, the Danish Colonial Era saw the rapid development of the city into a trade centre, and the old buildings and artefacts can be seen at Sisimiut Museum, a collection of beautifully restored buildings displaying everything from ancient turf houses to modern Inuit art. The local artisans are considered some of the best in Greenland, and often sell their wares direct from their communal workshop in the harbour, where they barter with hunters for raw materials. Today, modern industry focussed on processing sea food and shipping; KNI, the state-run chain of general stores operating in even the most remote settlements is based in Sisimiut. Most residents still live in the colourful wooden houses Greenland is so well known for. Sisimiut’s vast back country offers excellent opportunities for hiking and fishing, and the locals often use sled dogs or snowmobiles to get around their vast mountainous playground during the long winters. In the summer, one can walk as far as Kangerlussuaq International Airport, a trail also used for the gruelling Polar Circle Marathon, one of the toughest endurance events in the world.

LAND DER POLARBÄREN – GRÖNLAND & LABRADOR Mächtige Eisberge die von den gewaltigen Gletschern Grönlands kalben und Richtung Süden driften. Einsame Inuit-Siedlungen, mit Orten deren Namen kaum auszusprechen sind und Bewohner die der rauhen Natur trotzen und Ihnen ihre Lebenskultur nahebringen erwarten Sie. Ein reiches maritimes Tierleben mit imposanten Walen, agilen Robben und behäbigen Seelöwen und nicht zuletzt imposante Eisbären begleiten Ihre Grönland- Reisen und die Passage nach Labrador. Dieses rauhe Land ist von Menschen nahezu unbewohnt, während einzelne Inseln Millionen von Seevögeln im Sommer als Brutstätte dienen. Die erste Siedlung der Wikinger auf dem amerikanischen Kontinent in „L’Anse Aux Meadows” wartet mit historischen Funden auf der Weiterreise auf dem St. Lorenz Strom bis nach Halifax in Kanada.