Prince Christian Sound, Greenland

Hello from Prince Christian Sound, Greenland! 

My first look at Greenland

Well, well, what a surprise today was. The Captain announced last night we'd be taking a detour through Prince Christian Sound on the way to our next port. Prince Christian Sound (Prins Christians Sund in Danish) separates the mainland of Greenland and the Cape Farewell Archipelago. Not a lot of cruise ships visit the Sound. It takes the right size ship, the right ice conditions, and the right weather. We were able to check off all three so this morning we headed in at about 10:00 AM. But the pretty sights began even earlier.

When you are sitting at breakfast and the room suddenly clears out as people rush for the door all you have to do is look out the window to see why.

You're not going to find me rushing for anything so thankfully I had a crew member who was thoughtful enough to send me a picture without me even asking for it.

After breakfast, still before 10:00, we had even more icebergs popping up for us.

And icebergs continued all day. As did fascinating geologic features and glaciers. Sometimes glaciers and icebergs and interesting geologic features showed up all in the same picture at the same time. I don't quite know how to explain just how amazing today was. I guess it was like seeing all the glaciers in Alaska - including calving ones - on the same day you sailed through all the Norwegian fjords which also happened on the same day you went to Yosemite and to Banff, Canada. But you're in Greenland on a sunny day. Probably best not to try and mess up the explanation any more and just let the pictures do the talking.

There's a settlement at the bottom. Can you see it?

Welcome to spectacular Greenland. I'll see you tomorrow in Qaqortoq!

Reykjavik, Iceland

Hello from Reykjavik! 

Port side

Starboard side

We always dock in the industrial area so there isn't much to see unless you leave the ship. Which today I didn't. I don't know if one can have too much of Reykjavik but when you add the week Ed and I spent here with the three visits we've made here this summer I think I have a case of Reykjavik-itis. In looking back at some of my photos I’m confident I can call my Reykjavik time complete. 

I've done enough sightseeing and taken enough pictures around the city.

I don't need any more photos of the Harpa Concert Hall.

I've seen the Hallgrímskirkja Church, and in my more mobile days climbed the steps to the top to snap a view of Reykjavik from above.

I've had the famous Pylsur hot dog at the famous stand.

I bought bling for Scooter and we rolled over all kinds of rough surfaces.

I ate fresh-off-the-boat fish and chips.

I swam in the Blue Lagoon.

I headed away from the city on a Golden Circle tour and saw Crater Kerid,

got sprayed by the Strokkur geyser,

and visited with Icelandic horses. I called this one Tina Turner.

I visited Þingvellir National Park

and saw enough waterfalls to last a lifetime. I even climbed up 100+ icy steps to get a from-the-top view of Gullfoss Waterfall. I've heard the steps have been redone since my visit.

And I’ve seen the Northern Lights from a small boat on the waters outside Reykjavik. (Sorry, picture is on the other computer.) 

So yeah, I think I'm good. Maybe even great.

We have a couple sea days ahead of us and then a big weekend is coming up. That's because on Saturday I will find myself in Qaqortoq, Greenland. Oh, yeah. I'll see ya then if the WiFi holds out!