(Post 2 of 2) Ice Pilot Germain Tremblay stands on the bridge of the National Geographic Explorer at 2 a.m. We are southbound, approaching Hell Gate, and looking for a safe passage out to southern Ellesmere Island. “It’s going well,” he says. “Look to the horizon and you see how it is black? Black is…
Our Journey
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80 degrees north, Ellesmere Island, Nunavut
Welcome to the west side of Ellesmere Island. I didn’t think I would ever set eyes on this place, let alone on a day like this. We made it to 80 degrees north last night, and this was part of the reward. Eureka Sound, thank you! Photo by Brent Stephenson
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Lindblad Epic, Canada and Greenland
I’m traveling aboard the National Geographic Explorer on an epic voyage. Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic are the generous sponsors of Meet the North, and their ship is taking me up the west coast of Ellesmere Island as I type. In an hour, we will enter Eureka Sound and begin to explore the world between two mythic…
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Qulliq, National Geographic Explorer, Nunavut
Eva Aariak: “I would like to light this lamp in blessing of our journey together.” This is a qulliq, the traditional Inuit oil lamp. This one is made from an aluminum frying pan and belongs to Eva’s daughter. These are Eva’s hands as she prepares to light the lamp on board the National Geographic Explorer….
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On the ice, Scott Inlet, Nunavut, Canada
When we first spot these bears from our ship, the male is separate from the mother and cub. After a few minutes, the male gives chase, but only briefly. When the mother changes direction and comes toward us, she doesn’t appear to see that the male is curving closer, behind a burm of ice. I…
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Around the world to Pond Inlet, Nunavut
(Post 1 of 2) I met this boat, the Necton, in Pond Inlet, Nunavut. The captain has been sailing around the world for two and a half years. “This is my once in a lifetime trip.” He’s currently with his son and two other seamen, all from the Netherlands. Soon, they will be in Greenland….
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(Post 2 of 2) This disco ball has been passed between boats coming and going from Disko Bay, Greenland. The captain, Aldert Hesseling, his son Jurjen and crewmembers Jim and Huibrecht are crossing Baffin Bay right now. When will Aldert arrive home to the Netherlands after his round the world voyage? “October 31st at 3…
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Avataq, Pond Inlet, Nunavut
Supplies come to Pond Inlet, Nunavut, Canada aboard the cargo ship Avataq. They delivered 15 vehicles and 39 containers yesterday. I was invited aboard to see the cargo deck and meet the crew. Thank you to the captain for the wonderful visit. Thank you to the cook for the banana bread. More to come soon….
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Canada bound, Baffin Bay
This moody iceberg marked the route between Greenland and Baffin Island. I am now back in Nunavut, Canada. I’ll be heading further and further north for the next two weeks. Photo by David Cothran.
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Networking, Sisimiut, Greenland
Helping each other, techno-style. Eva Aariak from Iqaluit, Nunavut asks Tukumminnguaq Olsen in Sisimiut, Greenland for help to find an old friend. It worked! It was fun to hear them sharing – one in Greenlandic, the other in Inuktitut.
