Nuuk Greenland 31 August

Just as I was finishing off my blog for yesterday we were told that we could see polar lights. I was lucky as I still had all my warm clothes on and was close to the outside decks, so I was out in a flash! Just as well, as the very faint lights didn't last long. It was still great to see them though. As I left the freezing deck, people were pouring out. Most had got out of bed and dressed for the cold and wouldn't have seen them. Pity. It was very windy last night so boat swaying a lot. I am pleased at how well I am coping.

Anyway, today we woke up in Nuuk. We had to be up early for the fiord safari, whalewatching. Sorry to be boring, but another day of sun and blue skies. Apparently it was too windy yesterday to go out, but we were lucky enough to have completely calm waters, and better still, a whale or whales. We saw a whale, humpback, 6 or 7 times, but we don't know if it was the same one because they can travel very fast.

The first sighting was incredible. The whale was about 30 metres away and headed directly towards us like a black torpedo. It was amazing and also incredibly noisy. Just a s he was a few metres from the boat he turned away and dived. Sadly, I recorded part on video but the best I could do as a photo is this one, but the whale is perhaps 25 metres away. 

 

I was so excited to see these giants of the sea so close up and to watch the fantastic dive so many times. After each dive, we waited about 10 minutes, bobbing up and down on the boat, until we spotted the next whale. They are so elegant when they dive. Super experience.

We only had a half day in Greenland's capital and I have to say that apart from the safari and a walk around the old town, This was enough. 

The town is a mix of styles. The old part with its pretty, colourful wooden houses

 And the new part with its hideous concrete high-rise buildings.

 

I found a lovely spot for a peaceful lunch, looking out on where we had been early this morning.

 

The colour of the water was fabulous and you would have thought from the colour of water and sky that I was in the Caribbean! I am sitting writing this on top deck 9. So many sleeping on the sun loungers, really burnt faces. I realise what sun worshippers most Germans are.