Last Ice Area

Dr. Tim Dowson discusses his reasearch into Greenland’s salt marshes.

Finally the day has come for kicking off the first leg of Sailing to Siku – our voyage to the Last Ice Area.

The biggest challenge for the crew takes place at the supermarket.

The next day we decide to circle Disko Island to the east to see the mythical Ilulissat glacier.

Being a little ahead of schedule, the crew takes the opportunity to make a few useful, but enjoyable, stops.

Arrival on shore transports us from a monotone maritime world to a small community beaming with the colors of summer, bright flowers and even brighter houses, people welcoming us with smiles to match – a wonderful introduction to Greenland, its people and culture, that has only increased our desire to discover more of all.

It’s only been a week at sea, but it feels a lot longer, probably due to the almost constant fog that has engulfed Arctic Tern since our departure from Canada.

We finally near Greenland: more traffic, fishermen, more coast in sight, more cell reception, and an all-around different feeling.

We’ve improvised some new crew members along the way: fulmars, shearwaters, two fin whales and even a Pine Siskin that we’ll call Bob.

We’re overjoyed: the first icebergs!