A full day in Greenland

[urbpan]

We got up early and headed down to the harbor, to catch a boat down the fjord a bit.
EDITED TO ADD: helpful map


We landed at another harbor, and hiked 3km along a route since at least Norse times, to the Village of Igaliku. The walk cuts out 50km of navigation by boat for those wishing to reach the village, or for the villagers to reach Narsarsuaq and Qassiarsuk. The fields were enshrouded in mist, and a cold rain fell as we walked along a road of red sandstone gravel.


I had to stop to take some pictures, naturally.


Lots of rock stacks around--this one isn't mine.


But this rock balance is mine. Oh hey, look! It's the village of Igaliku!


Here's a better look.




In Igaliku you can see the "ruins of Garðar, once the religious heart of 12th century Norse Greenland." (thanks, wikipedia)




We toured the village, including the modern church, where there is a makeshift museum with pictures of the village's recent past. I was taken with this portrait of a couple, in 1972.


On the way back, the fog lifted enough for us to see the white wrapped bales of hay in the fields, and the icebergs in the harbor.


The sun came out for the boat ride back, so we could really see the icebergs well.


Next: lots of ice in the water.

Helpful map: