Sunday 15 July 2012

Narsaq & Qassiarsuk

Photo © Anke Timmerberg


We’re in South Greenland now.  You can see many differences between here and the Disko Bay area that we frequented for the past several weeks.  The terrain is more mountainous.  The vegetation a little taller, a little more lush.  This morning we landed in Narsaq.  It is one of the larger communities in Greenland with a population of ~ 1600.  There is agriculture here with sheep farming just outside of town and even locally grown potatoes.  I watched with amazement as a farmer mowed and bailed hay.  Real hay in Greenland.  The wildflowers are different too.  Common Harebells grow in abundance as does Buttercup, Yarrow and Ladie’s Mantle to mention just a few.
Once again there were plenty of icebergs impeding our progress which meant that we arrived about an hour late.
We had many optional excursions available and despite our slight tardiness arriving in Narsaq, all of the excursions departed (and returned  :^)     ).  We had eighteen different boat excursions to Qooroq Glacier (which ran all day long), a kayaking group, three different hiking groups and an excursion to the Viking ruins.  And that was just the first half of our day!
In the afternoon we visited the beautiful town of Qassiarsuk.  The boat excursions continued into the evening to Qooroq.  In addition, several people opted for a tour to the Erik the Red settlement and we also provided a long hike in the back country behind Qassiarsuk.  
With two different landings and with hiking, kayaking and boat excursions running throughout the day it was very important that the weather cooperate.  As you can see in the photos, it could not have been a better day.
Narsaq
Photo  © Andrew Wenzel

Kayaking Narsaq
Photo  © Tessa van Drie
Kayaking Narsaq 
Photo  © Tessa van Drie



Qassiarsuk
Photo  © Andrew Wenzel



Lief Erikson statue, Qassiarsuk
Photo  © Anke Timmerberg