Greenland 2013 - Sailing Expedition - Over Green Islands

Leg: N 08

Cruise rout: Narsarsuaq - Reykjavik

from 2013.08.26 to 2013.09.09
14 days
1200 (average 86 per day)
Wojciech Marcinowski
3

Iceland - Greenland

Following Erik the Red (appr. 950-1003 AD) sailing back

 

The route of this leg is a reduplication of a fantastic achievement of Erik the Red, the Viking chieftain of the 10th century.
Nickname "the Red" can come from both the red hair, as well as from his hot temper. In 982 AD is sentenced to three years of exile, and together with a group of faithful companions leaves Iceland. Erikstadir is the name of a place where Erik the Red was supposed to live, with the statue of his son Leif (the one from Finland) and the reconstruction of the longhouse (dugout). But before we reach the place where in 892 Eric the Red conquered Greenland, we will see the most charming places in Greenland, full of contrasts and surprising landscapes. It’s worth seeing this far north country with its’ culture and traditions much older than our European. There were Vikings who discovered North America five centuries before Christopher Columbus, reaching Newfoundland, and the first Christian church was built here in the early eleventh century.
A little bit of history. Erik the Red after a 3-year stay on the banishment returns back to Iceland and tells the story of finding “Green Land”. 25 boat trip is organized by the Vikings. After heavy storms only 11 dakkars reach Greenland. The Vikings establish a settlement near the sea, Brattahlid. The colony around settlement is developing, growing to 5000 inhabitants spread over a large area along the fjord Eriksfjord and neighboring fjords. Viking Group fleeing the overcrowded Iceland in a few years built and developed this large resort on the west coast of Greenland. However, a group of newcomers who arrived on the island in 1002 brought with it an epidemic that ravaged the colony, causing the deaths of many of its leading citizens, including Erik the Red. The colony got rebuilt and survived until the 15th century (shortly before Christopher Columbus' first trip to America in 1492).
Pirate plunder, conflicts with Innu people - local residents of Greenland - led to the collapse of the colony.
From Narsarsuaq (inhabited by about 160 inhabitants, who mostly work in the airport) we will set sail along the trails of the greatest Viking sailor and explorer – Erik the Red. Cruise will start in a place where you can spend few extra days. Numerous tourist attractions (fishing for trout and salmon, walking in the valley of flowers, kayaking trips and tours around the surrounding peaks) have attracted many Arctic explorers here. On the way from Narsarsuaq we will visit the above mentioned Brattahlid, then a lovely place called Igaliku (there are remnants of Viking settlements there) and sail to Narsaq (here you can stand a berth). There is a small museum in Narsaq where you can see reconstructed Viking costumes and kayaks.
Being in the south west of Greenland it is necessary to find Uunartoq and take a bath in the hot springs. A place full of contrasts: mountains ice + water + heat around flowering meadow. The only such place in the world.
After the rituals and purification of body and soul, we go to Qaqortoq, Hvalsey.
The place was a settlement founded by Erik the Red. Survived more than 10 centuries and today is a large (as for Greenland) fishing port.
It is worth visiting the ruins of the old Viking settlement.
We highly recommend visiting this place and trying great coffee on the terrace with a panoramic view of the bay. It is also the only town in Greenland with a fountain in the market!
Sailing south, after less than one day of sailing in the open sea we will get to to Nanortalik. Nanortalik is quite a large Inu settlement, with tourism and supply infrastucture. With a little luck we will get to the fish market where you can replenish supplies.
Our goal will be the entrance to the strait Ikerasassuaq (Prins Christian Sund), then a short stop in the village Augpilatoq/Aappilattoq. This strait is a narrow fjord, complex in shape, surrounded by mountains and full of drifting icebergs. Note! GPS sometimes can mislead here up to 300 meters so shipping is possible only in conditions of terrestrial navigation!
After about one day of sailing we will have  time for a short stop in the Augpilatoq/Aappilattoq village. This is the last place to replenish supplies. A trip to the hill above the bay is highly rocommended! After leaving the Prins Christian Sund strait we need to increase our attention due to  huge icebergs drifting from the north venture far to the south.
Shipping to Iceland hare about 4 days. Our goal is to Reykjavik. It is however advisable to reserve at least 3 days to explore the attractions of Iceland and seeing Erikstadir, the place from which Erik the Red began his journey. One of the attractions of Iceland is definitely a waterfall on the tectonic fault  between European and American plate. Two-stage waterfall with lots of water falls into a deep canyon.
The name "geyser" comes from Iceland. Be sure to see the biggest geyser in Iceland, Strokkur. For of warm baths fans we recommend a trip to the Blue Lagoon, the only in the world SPA with algae.

 

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