Visit Upernavik (population 1100), the northernmost ferry stop, and you'll never
complain about the cold again.
May 16, 2006 (Press Release) --
Upernavik
Visit Upernavik (population 1100), the northernmost ferry stop, and you'll never
complain about the cold again. You haven't even begun to know cold until you've
been to this town 800km (496mi) north of the Arctic Circle. The name translates in
a rather droll manner as 'the spring place': the average summer temperature hovers
around a rather chilly 5°C (45°F). Makes you wonder what a winter place might
look like. Although some locals are involved in the fishing industry, seal and
polar bear hunting are still the mainstay for many people here.
Bundle yourself up and get out to see the Old Town Museum, which is Greenland's
oldest. The last visitor's book, lasting over 60 years, has been inscribed by many
of the famous and infamous Arctic explorers. Exhibits include a qajaq ensemble
complete with harpoon, throwing stick, bird skewer, knife and leather thong line.
Plans are underway to incorporate the entire historical district into the museum.
The three-hour hike from Upernavik's highest peak, Inuusuussuaq, to the northern
tip, Naajarsuit, will take you through a magical landscape. The rocks are streaked
with brilliantly coloured mineral deposits, including veins of natural graphite
and streaks of red, yellow, violet, orange and green. Just to add to the hyperreal
effect, the acoustics in the valleys give a whisper enough oomph to travel miles;
the whole experience is like being in a brilliantly baubled echo chamber.
There are three helicopters per week that fly between Ilulissat and Uummannaq.
Ferries from Ilulissat and Uummannaq stay in port for just an hour, but on several
runs in August, the schedule allows you to disembark in Upernavik and catch
another ferry south 24 hours later
Kulusuk
In many ways Kulusuk is an unlikely focal point for travellers; it's a small
island, a mere dot, off the east coast of Greenland. In other ways it's the
perfect place for a rendezvous with Greenland. Its international airport makes it
easily accessible by air and frequent flights from Reykjavík make it ideal for day
trips. Kulusuk is the perfect introduction to Greenland; the tiny village clings
to the rocky island above a glittering sea of icebergs with dramatic mountain
peaks as a backdrop. Many of the residents still survive by hunting. Curiously
enough, Kulusuk remains relatively immune to Western influence despite the regular
influx of tourists, partly because the villagers follow a more traditional way of
life and partly because visitors tend to only stay short-term.
Source: http://www.yahoo.com
Visit Upernavik (population 1100), the northernmost ferry stop, and you'll never
complain about the cold again. You haven't even begun to know cold until you've
been to this town 800km (496mi) north of the Arctic Circle. The name translates in
a rather droll manner as 'the spring place': the average summer temperature hovers
around a rather chilly 5°C (45°F). Makes you wonder what a winter place might
look like. Although some locals are involved in the fishing industry, seal and
polar bear hunting are still the mainstay for many people here.
Bundle yourself up and get out to see the Old Town Museum, which is Greenland's
oldest. The last visitor's book, lasting over 60 years, has been inscribed by many
of the famous and infamous Arctic explorers. Exhibits include a qajaq ensemble
complete with harpoon, throwing stick, bird skewer, knife and leather thong line.
Plans are underway to incorporate the entire historical district into the museum.
The three-hour hike from Upernavik's highest peak, Inuusuussuaq, to the northern
tip, Naajarsuit, will take you through a magical landscape. The rocks are streaked
with brilliantly coloured mineral deposits, including veins of natural graphite
and streaks of red, yellow, violet, orange and green. Just to add to the hyperreal
effect, the acoustics in the valleys give a whisper enough oomph to travel miles;
the whole experience is like being in a brilliantly baubled echo chamber.
There are three helicopters per week that fly between Ilulissat and Uummannaq.
Ferries from Ilulissat and Uummannaq stay in port for just an hour, but on several
runs in August, the schedule allows you to disembark in Upernavik and catch
another ferry south 24 hours later
Kulusuk
In many ways Kulusuk is an unlikely focal point for travellers; it's a small
island, a mere dot, off the east coast of Greenland. In other ways it's the
perfect place for a rendezvous with Greenland. Its international airport makes it
easily accessible by air and frequent flights from Reykjavík make it ideal for day
trips. Kulusuk is the perfect introduction to Greenland; the tiny village clings
to the rocky island above a glittering sea of icebergs with dramatic mountain
peaks as a backdrop. Many of the residents still survive by hunting. Curiously
enough, Kulusuk remains relatively immune to Western influence despite the regular
influx of tourists, partly because the villagers follow a more traditional way of
life and partly because visitors tend to only stay short-term.
Source: http://www.yahoo.com
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