Greenland For Seniors

All in all we called to three ports in Greenland. Nuuk, Qarqortoq, and the smallest Nanortalik. In Qarqortoq and Nanortalik the ships population doubled the population of the villages.

The only port with a dock was Nuuk. In Qarqortoq, and Nanortalik, we were loaded into the ship tenders for the ride to the town dock

Ride isn’t exactly a accurate description of traveling in a tender, as it is more like being on a carnival ride, crossed with a sardine can. And just like the guys running carnival rides, the guys running the tenders are of dubious character. If they were not under the watchful eyes of the ships bridge, they would probably sail off on their own searching for the nearest carnival so they could shake down school kids for cash.

Ships Tenders

We did not get to see the ice fields that cover 85% of Greenland, we didn’t get to see any tidewater glaciers that calved the ice bergs that “everyone” wanted to see.

The ports we visited are not real tourist destinations and are unspoiled villages. They lack the amenities of tourist towns, like bars, restaurants, restrooms and perhaps worse of all for some, very limited trinket shops.

In geological time the coast of Greenland must be very new, as there are no trees, and in some places no plants at all.

I did discover a plant very similar to the Cows Parsnip that grows in Alaska. And we saw cotton grass growing between the rocks, and even some moss berries.

Bottle Cap and Moss Berries

Unlike Alaska Villages that have a abundant surplus of derelict snow machines, outboard motors, boats, 4 wheelers, oil drums, broken cars, and trucks, sleds, broken electronics, building materials, and just general rubbish lying around just about everywhere,  it was not apparent that Greenlanders are as wasteful as amerikans.

Nanortalik House

 Seal meat and fish are the staples here. We did see seal meat for sale in the store, along with salmon and cod. Massive factory trawlers were parked in Nuuk harbor, and we did see one-man fishing for cod with a single long line.

Dinner

Also unlike Alaska there were no fish drying racks, or sealskin stretched out to dry. Unfortunate the ship offered no port lectures and so  It seems that Greenland is leaving me with more questions about life there than I had going in.

Local Mural