Day 10 July 2, 2015
Woke at 0345 to clear skies and calm seas, current location is 71’ 04.012 North and 15.16.735 West, on a heading of 264’ at 12 knots.
Ice Smoke was observed, a ice crystal fog is the best description.
We sailed in and out of various flows of ice.
Morning lecture is on Indigenous Arctic People
Then Lecture on Plate tectonics.
Calm seas and sporadic Ice as we head towards shore.
Afternoon was filled with calm zodiac rides in a very calm Greenland Sea. The Ice was very impressive and the whole condition was sublime.
Tea was steak sandwiches and red wine on the sundeck, the conditions were calm and warm.
Krista gave a talk about travel photography.
At the recap we learned we would not make it to Greenland due to ice conditions. Some folks seem disappointed, yet this is the nature of an expedition cruise. We have been sailing along the Ice pack trying to find a way in to land. We are content as we will get extra days in Iceland.
Cleaned up and got ready for dinner. After another great diner we headed back to the room and while getting ready for bed the call came out “Whales Spotted!!”. We quickly got dressed and out. Lynn spotted their spouts in the distance.
Calm Seas as we head to Iceland.
Day 11 July 3, 2015
Woke at 0345 to clear skies and calm seas, current location is 71’ 04.012 North and 15.16.735 West, on a heading of 264’ at 12 knots.
Interesting to see more color in the morning and evening sun, yet no sunset yet.
Will be good to see more of Iceland than planned.
A day at sea, with more informative lectures.
Wildlife photography and info about the Race to the Pole.
My morning pattern is to dress and head to the chart room where I prepare for the day and download pictures to the hard drives. I have enjoyed chatting with the morning deck crew. Today one of them brought me fresh coffee. It was rather special to me.
To the servers I am known to be the first up and at um every day. I have nothing but high regard for this total crew.
A vast majority of the crew is hired by recommendation from a current crew member. The crew is very particular as to who they recommend as their reputation is also on the line. Most work a 6-7 month contract.
After I got things together in the Chart Room I headed to the bridge. Just an officer and lookout were there, very quiet and peaceful.
We are out of the ICE. I spent some time this morning on the bridge chatting with the first officer about Iceland and other topics. I learned to work on the National Geographic Explorer a Bridge Officer must have at a minimum two years of Ice experience. Weather should continue to be good.
A day at sea, with more informative lectures, is/was on the agenda.
The days at sea have been good to help my leg recover a bit more each day.
Wildlife photography and info about the Race to the Pole.
So much fantastic information, my head is full. When we get home will have to re read many things and digest this knowledge further.
We are sailing towards Grimsey Island. We will still be above the Arctic Circle.
Seeing an occasional Fin Whale.
We then encountered White Sided Dolphins and then Humpback Whales, and then a glimpse of a Sperm Whale. These sightings interrupted an afternoon presentation.
Todays tea featured Swedish Pancakes, with cloudberry jam offered as one of the toppings.
After dinner this evening Tom Ritchey talked about his 37 years with Lindblad Expeditions. He was one of the first naturalists hired and his stories were great.
We have arrived at Grimsey Island and set the anchor, still above the Arctic Circle. We will explore Grimsey tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment