Qaqortoq Greenland

After so much sleep yesterday I wake at 6 am and read for a bit before quietly getting dressed and heading up for a coffee and breakfast at 7 am.

We are at anchor in a beautiful bay. It is overcast with a light drizzle.  Crew are setting up all the lounge chairs on the open deck.  Always amazes me how they set them all up every morning and take them down every evening. 

 

The World Fresh Marketplace (which is way too long a name to type out) is actually rather busy for 7 am.  I am sure a lot of people have early tours.

At 730 am we have received clearance and tenders, ummm sorry water shuttles. are ready.  Elites are directed to Explorers Lounge for priority tickets.  Everyone else goes to island dining room to get tender tickets.  I am use to them handing out numbered tickets but here they give you a ticket with a nautical name.  Coral, dolphin, mermaid, seahorse.  So when they call out what tenders are ready they say "all those holding starfish tickets proceed to the tender".  Cute but personally I think numbers are better, then I know where I stand in the queue. 

For those wanting to stay on board the day is packed with activities, plus the ship will be quiet.

People on line, have been asking me how is the wifi.  Well we are in a zone where the medallion is not getting a good signal from the satellites.  This pretty much started the first sea day after Sydney and continues.  It got a bit better once we arrived in Greenland but not great.  If you plan to sail just take note that you will be without wifi for a week or so.  

Even once we were in Greenland getting a cell signal was not easy either and really not worth it.  

I also was not able to find free wifi ashore yesterday, we will see today.  Note - I can report that once again I couldn't find any wifi.  Maybe a restaurant or bar would have it but we didn't go to either.

We board the tender around 930.  It is definitely quieter today, at least now.  I think not as many are going ashore.  It is cool, but not raining, and overcast.  

Tender ride was not long maybe 15 minutes but boarding and waiting to unload is where it takes time.  I say give yourself an hour if you are to meet a tour ashore,

It is definitely bigger here than yesterday.  More people and more homes.  But it is not flat it is on the side of a mountain so walking away from the pier be prepared to climb.

Tourist Office

Locals selling handicrafts

The tourist office is right at the pier.  A few more items inside but don't expect much.  In fact magnets are a hot commodity and there were 3 left with Greenland on them, and a bunch that didn't say Greenland.  They were $11 US each.  

Not many souvenir shops and the stores that are open don't really carry souvenirs but you can find some lovely local crafts.  Also many set up tables selling bead work, pictures, knitted items.  

We climb the mountainside walking around the homes.  Cool looking colourful homes.  Beautiful views.  Note there are no sidewalks so be careful.   There is also a bus and numerous bus stops but no idea where it goes.

first grocery store

We came across two grocery stores, a police station, a quaint church and a few museums.

the church

the second grocery store

After a few hours we join the queue to return to the ship which is not as long, but it is still early.

Our evening was the usual.  Pre dinner cocktails, dinner in Palm dining room.  We never make reservations as there just are none for 2 so we just show up around 730 and we are easily accommodated.  Most quests on board eat early so after 730 no issue, or at least not an issue in Palm dining room.

After dinner we attend a top five trivia where again we have fun but don't come close to winning.

I have had lovely comments from so many guests who recognize me from my lectures.  I have been so pleased and my heart is full of so much love.  

It has been a great cruise.  

What Should of Been Nuuk

Ahhh  nothing better than sleeping in.  I shower and dress for my lecture.  A quick bite to eat at the IC and I meet up with Bernie in Explorers Lounge.  We read and chat with some of the guests.  

My lecture is at 2 pm but I need to set up early.  I always try to get there a half hour early to make sure everything works.  And trust me, there have been numerous occasions where I have needed that extra half hour.  If I have no issues then that is great and I mix with the passengers and chat with them.  

People are disappointed that we missed Nuuk, but these seasoned cruisers seem to understand. However, a woman did complain to me "the Captain should of sailed in, the storm was not bad according to my weather app".  I so wanted to say, but did not, maybe the bridge needs to consult "your" weather app.

I should also add that internet signal is very sporadic. So do not rely on it if you are doing this itinerary, especially in the north. 

I have been added to the schedule for today, because of the sudden sea day.  Today I am doing my 9/11 lecture, the Day The World Came to Gander Newfoundland at 2 pm. Unfortunately it is in Explorers Lounge and it just can not hold that many people (maybe a few hundred).  We are sitting in the lounge and at 1245 it is getting really crowded. I second guess myself thinking hmmm is my lecture at 1?  Because there is barely a seat available, but nope it is at 2pm these people are smart, they found a seat.

It soon becomes apparent that there are a lot of guests who want to see it, but can't.   After the presentation I head to the cabin and call the entertainment director Madison and she says she already has had four calls from guests upset that they could not see the show.  I tell her that I am more than happy to redo the presentation on the original date in the princess theater.  Easy enough for me to do and really, if it makes the guests happy, I am happy.

Tonight we enjoyed a great meal in the Palm dining room and the went early to the theater, in order to get seats, to see Bravo.  It has been ages since we have seen this show and this cast truly did an outstanding job.  So happy we got to see it again.

Sea Day First of Three

Seas were calm last night.  We slept soundly and when we woke we felt rested and ready for a sea day after two port days.

I do have a lecture today at 1 pm so I do run thru it and get it ready.  

The lecture was very well attended, I would say 75% full and many standing.  It was well received and I had lots of great comments afterwards.   Today's lecture was called "Expulsion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia".  So many were not aware of this history and how closely it tied in with the US.

After the lecture we head up to the buffet for some lunch.  It is definitely cooler as we sail up the western side of Newfoundland.  

I throw on a sweatshirt and sit on the promenade and read for two hours.  

The evening starts with some cocktails and then we aren't really hungry so we walk to Princess theater to attend the early production show "Born to Be Wild" which we haven't seen in ages!  But we went way to late and the theatre is packed!  Even the second show is totally full.  I recommend you arrive at least a half hour prior to the show to get a seat.

Sydney for the Day Sabatinis at Night

We miss the sail in.  We check the bridge cam and sure enough we are docked and the sun is shining, but there is a risk of showers.

Nothing planned until noon, but I want to go ashore and explore our old town.  

check these booths for tours first thing

tourist information booth

The pier is a great spot to explore.  Lots of shopping, and all made by those selling it.  If you are interested in an independent tour there are two booths right at the gangway that can sell you tours, but get off early to secure a spot.

There are not a lot of taxis here but the ones that are here are keen to do tours.  I did hear some people state later that they took a taxi and the driver did try to say the meter was the price per person.  Note this is NOT the case, it is per ride.

But the terminal has free WiFi, tourist information, an atm, washrooms, lots of great shops and a wonderful restaurant called flavour.  

Walking to town is easy, but a bit uphill, and around 10 min walk.  Now Sydney's town center doesn't have a whole lot to do for tourist.  There is a museum, and a few shops, and restaurants and quite a few pubs.  Really the main sites to see here are further afield.

Head out to Louisburg, Baddeck, Cabot Trail, Glace Bay Miner's Museum - but do a tour here.

Today four of Bernie's 7 siblings are coming in to meet us for lunch, along with a niece and nephew and great niece.   We had a wonderful visit with all of them.  Many who we have not seen since we moved a year and a half ago.  

Also Dominique showed up after she finished her shift and crew drills.  It was lovely for her to meet the family and they all hugged her and said she is now their family too.  How sweet.

We left with Dominique and went and grabbed a drink with her before returning to the ship.

Bernie has a nap and I get a cocktail and head up to the top deck to enjoy the sailaway.  It is very picturesque!  

Tonight is dinner in Sabatinis but not until 830.  So we have a nap and head down for dinner.  Note when trying to make reservations no time slots were available.  Just show up and talk to them as they seem to have open slots that don't show up on app.  

Dinner was amazing.  We love the new menu and really missed it on the Majestic.  Service was outstanding.  Some of the best we have ever had.

Of course after a big meal we can't go to sleep, plus we had a nap.  So off we go to Skywalkers where we dance the night away.  And there were quite a few people there.