Hi again,
Well, after on very late night in Rek, we thought we had better get out while we can. (nobody goes out until midnight and the place is happening at 2 am). And so...
Aug 6th - Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (5 hrs. 50min)
Iceland was a fantastic place but we had to move on. We donned our rubber suits and off we went over several bays in Iceland and into the Denmark Strait. Not much to see, just alot of very cold water which I did not want to think about. We had planned to land in Kulsuk on the east coast of Greenland but the weather looked good so we continued over the ice cap which comprises 85% of Greenland. Kulusuk looked like a collection of 4 houses so we increased our altitude to 12,000 ft and continued over the ice. Not much to see over that either. After a few hours we started seeing small glacial lakes in the ice which were bright blue in colour. We were now close to the west coast where the majority of Greenlands 60,000 people live.
Upon arriving at the coast we saw a some icebergs that had floated down from the north and many fjords. We then flew up the coast and entered the very long fjord the end of which Kangerlussaq is situated. This town was constructed in the second world war by the Americans and had 8000 people at one point. Now it is bascially a military airport and not much else. The Americans closed their base in 1992. About 5 German F18s fighter jets came in while we were there (how times change...)
The airport officials seemed shocked that we were going to stay a few days there. This place was like visiting a military camp. It was also a pleasant 5 degrees celcius and sort of raining.
Within 2 hours we realised that this was Not the place to stay but we camped overnight near the a�rport and left the next day...
Kangerlussaq to Ilulissat, Greenland (1 hour)
A very pleasant trip straight north up to 68 degrees lattitude along the east coast over fjords and bays in mostly clear conditions. Upon approaching Ilulssat we found out why it is such a tourist destination. Shimmering blue water under a bright sky and a bay filled with icebergs of all shapes and sizes. Hard to explain but you will have to see the photos. A very pretty place. Even Elvis liked it.
Upon arrival we were greeted by all the ground staff and had our photo taked by the airport authority and a tourist as well. (not many small planes into this rather short runway that ends in the bay if you do not stop.) A definite improvement over the last place. While we were out today Jason measured the water temp (6 inches of water) with his dive watch and it was 1 degree.
On Friday we are off to Frobisher Bay (Canada !!) now called Iqaluit.
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