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Finally, the sun showed up. We did not get to see the sun since the ship left Southampton, UK 10 days ago. I thought the sun would just peek behind the clouds for the whole cruise. But early today, during the ship’s approach to the port of Reykjavik, the sun was hovering above Iceland in full shine throughout the day. Fantastic isn’t it! Was it because I gone bathing at the Blue Lagoon today?...LOL….Or perhaps the sun knew what exactly everybody onboard were hoping – to have full sunshine even just for this last port in the cruise – Reykjavik, Iceland. Whatever that is – I don’t care anymore. The most important thing is that today I have a fantastic day bathing in the relaxing warm geothermal seawater at the Blue Lagoon. A visit to the Blue Lagoon is what makes every one’s visit to Iceland complete.

Icebergs in Narssarsuaq, Greenland. Photo taken on August 13, 2010

Ship is at sea and is still about 500 nautical miles to destination – Isafjorden, Iceland. We escaped Nanortalik, the ship’s third port of call in the itinerary as well as what many thought of as the highlight of the cruise – passage along the Cape Farewell. Of course captain did this for a very important reason – to avoid encountering in the middle of the sea the forecasted gale that was exactly on our intended track on the way to Iceland. Yet we still felt the gale’s intensity but it was a brief one, since we managed to get through the track before the gale cross our path. Content that the gusting 35 knots northeasterly winds mellowed earlier, I find reading the book I am crazy about this moment so relaxing. How nice if this happens all the time – especially when undesirable weather forecast appears on the screen. The relentless motion of the ship earlier caused by more or less 7-meter high swell was really sickening. Though it didn’t anymore affect me much, I was just wondering how the hundreds of passengers onboard who are not yet acquainted to the annoying motion of the ship doing. They might be sitting all day in the sofa inside their cabins, or take the most comforting option – lying in bed all day. Perhaps others prefer to submerse into the constant temperature maintained swimming pool or in the jacuzzis while enjoying a cocktail, or maybe, chatting with fellow passengers in the comfort of the ship’s cozy lounges with coffee or tea.

After navigating for about 1800 nautical miles over the North Atlantic Ocean generally on a northwesterly course from Southampton, UK, the ship has finally arrive to its first port in Greenland – the port of Julianehåb (Qaqortoq). Qaqortoc pronounced as KRA-KROR-TOK means “White Place”. The origin of the place is unknown but perhaps it is possibly because of the seagulls who flew along the river to the settlement and decorated the stones all white!... So don’t look up!...LOL... Qaqortoc is situated at the tip in the south of Greenland. It is a clean pleasant harbour town and is considered to be the hub of the south and is worth visiting at this time of the year when wildflowers makes a wonderful contrast to the icebergs floating around the fjord. Greenland lies mostly north of the Arctic Circle so it’s pretty cold over here despite the fact that northern hemisphere is still on its summer period. The 2 degrees Celsius or 36 degrees Fahrenheit air temperature made me quiver a bit at first but later on my body seems to get used to it. The place is so quiet. Well, what to expect with only 3,306 inhabitants in the area.

A demo life raft was inflated during the training yesterday. It could have been more interesting if the life raft with crew compliment was lowered into the water after inflation. Anyway, the life raft training was still interestingly informative as crew knowledge in handling life raft was refreshed. Much more to that, the level of awareness for all crew during abandon ship is as well intensified.