Live from the Silver Cloud - Reykjavik to Ft Lauderdale September 8 - October 1

[spinnaker2]

We sit and watch...its quite chilly but the sun is out. 

[jpalbny]

Gorgeous scenery Spins! Stay warm.

[spinnaker2]

Thrum glacier

[spinnaker2]

Yesterday was a sea day, partly devoted to some lectures on safety and zodiacs as well as respect for the fragile arctic environment. We also had our gear inspected to be certain that we were not bringing any foreign substances to the shore. 

Many pax were tired because the first night of our cruise leaving Iceland was quite rough, rainy and blustery. 

 

The ship is full. And full as well, of energy and anticipation of exploring this part of our amazing world. And this day has not disappointed. The sky was bright by 5 am or perhaps a bit before. Nor wind or clouds, blue sky and perfectly calm waters as we approached the entrance to the fjord around 7 am.  The expedition leader Gert, pronounced differently, advised that the first group of three zodiacs would leave the ship around 1030 ish and get close to the glacier. The next group would follow around 1230 pm. There will be no landings today.  

 

We are anchored close to the top of the fjord. The water is a blue green and some surrounding cliffs drop  steeply to the water. Some of the mountain sides have greenish brown moss or lichen. Snow caps are high up on the mountain tops. Valleys have been carved by retreating ice, which we have seen as we came to this place. There is a large landslide directly opposite the port side of the ship, and the kayakers cane be see exploring it from the water. 

 

The glacier itself is in front of the ship, and the water is littered with its bits. 

 

In short, magical. 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

2 minutes ago, spinnaker2 said:

The ship is full. And full as well, of energy and anticipation of exploring this part of our amazing world. We are anchored close to the top of the fjord. The water is a blue green and some surrounding cliffs drop  steeply to the water. Some of the mountain sides have greenish brown moss or lichen. Snow caps are high up on the mountain tops. Valleys have been carved by retreating ice, which we have seen as we came to this place. There is a large landslide directly opposite the port side of the ship, and the kayakers cane be see exploring it from the water.  The glacier itself is in front of the ship, and the water is littered with its bits. In short, magical. 

 

YES!!  Wonderful visuals and details.  Great to hear things are going so super well.  

 

Yesterday in Miami, you missed the big, BIG win by the Canes over SEC-power Texas A&M.  The "U" might be back to the glory days??  Hopefully.  Plus, yesterday, Alabama got beat by Texas.  College football is fun.  Coach Prime is doing wonderful things for Colorado, etc.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[Stumblefoot]

Amazing looking sky!  And here I thought it was always grey there based on so many pics posted in CC over the years.  Have fun!

[highplanesdrifters]

Stunning.

[spinnaker2]

Lunch outdoors at La T

 

[spinnaker2]

there are so many enormous icebergs, it boggles the mind.

[lincslady]

What a lovely view for lunch.

[DocMarcus2]

Some Gorg photos after a BIG college football Saturday here in the States. Why no landings?? Keep the images coming. From your biggest fans. 💜

[spinnaker2]

Today there were no wet landings, those will be coming up. There really wasn’t anywhere to “land”, other than the drink. Boarding the zodiacs today was a good practice session. 

 

 

[spinnaker2]

Witnessing this small iceberg undulate in the sea made it seem alive, it was showing off its wares.

 

We are being followed by some seabirds but they are a bit camera shy or I am not quick enough to capture them.

 

 

 

[spinnaker2]

In the company of icebergs, the sea and mountains. Greenland, unspoiled. 

[spinnaker2]

Like snowflakes no two alike, they are inhabitants of the sea, some bobbing up and down, others just gliding soundlessly by. Others stationary, enormous and as we know, menacing. I am told that just under the surface of the water, they are often twice the size of what one observes above.  

[DocMarcus2]

They are magestic and yes, certainly daunting given their “mirrored” wingspan underwater. My favorite metaphor for conscious awareness and “the other.” Enjoy the beauty from afar!! 🤓

[highplanesdrifters]

One of my favorite places on the planet.  Thanks for all the great photos.  Keep em coming.

[spinnaker2]

On our way to Aappilattoq, Greenland via Prince Christian Sound. Aappilattoq is a small village of about 100 inhabitants, named for a sea anemone in Inuit language. At the village we will anchor and zodiac to a dock for a dry landing. Some pax will take a strenuous hike, others a medium hike and there is a opportunity for a meander. We have been warned not to venture too far out on the tundra.

A church choir will give two performances, as the church only holds 100 parishioners at a time. 

 

On side of the passage are towering mountains, and there are frequent icebergs as at least two fjords feed icebergs from a glacier into the sound. One can see snow at certain elevations. There are no trees, just rock and some green mosses and lichen at times.

 

Below is the weather station located at the beginning of the Sound. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 11, 2023 by spinnaker2

[spinnaker2]

Just before we entered the Sound were many icebergs, waiting for their chance to enter the sea. 

[spinnaker2]

Some of the terrain.

I like the mountain with the big circular dent. Doesn't look like a volcanic cone but more that something came out of the mountain, maybe we will find it up ahead. 

We continue forward, quietly.

[TLCOhio]

35 minutes ago, spinnaker2 said:

On our way to Aappilattoq, Greenland via Prince Christian Sound. Aappilattoq is a small village of about 100 inhabitants, named for a sea anemone in Inuit language. At the village we will anchor and zodiac to a dock for a dry landing. Some pax will take a strenuous hike, others a medium hike and there is an opportunity for a meander. We have been warned not to venture too far out on the tundra.  A church choir will give two performances, as the church only holds 100 parishioners at a time. 

 

More wonderful visuals and details from Spins.  Great sharing.  Assume the Captain is being very careful about those icebergs.  Just so they do not adopt the philosophy of the Titanic Captain to try to lessen the potential of damage by "speeding up" to get through the danger zone more quickly.  Good luck navigating!!

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[spinnaker2]

Still in transit to the Inuit Village, and its really cold for us.

 

[spinnaker2]

It really is amazing

[spinnaker2]

[spinnaker2]

And around us it seems there are castles with turrets stretching,  rising to the sky, starkly forbidding and dramatically imposing to all who dare venture here. Protecting inhabitants and warning others. This is a land that will conquer you if you cannot adapt. 

Edited September 11, 2023 by spinnaker2