Sailing from Pond Inlet it was truly idyllic. Mountains with snow, two big tabular icebergs and the water was so calm it was like glass. Then at dinner the announcement “Narwhals are around the ship”. However the sighting was not good and they said if it got better they would let us know. Narwhal are very shy and they are also hunted so good sightings are rare. However, from the window seat in the dining room Mo and I both saw a roll of back. No tooth but still I can say I have seen a Narwhal. Still hopeful that another sighting will take place.
DEVON ISLAND – August 18, 2014 – Polar Bear territory. Again another absolutely perfect day. Zero wind 37 degrees, sunshine and calm seas. The staff had to clear the landing site to ensure there were no polar bears around. Once the polar bear worry was averted we were able to land. Since it was 37 degrees and there was ice around I decided to wear my red parka. A mistake, it is amazing at home 37 degrees is cold. But walking around with the sun shining it is SO warm. I ended up with my jacket off and just a short sleeve top. You need the parka for the zodiac ride but after that it is way too warm.
This was an old Royal Canadian Mounted Police station. Some old abandoned buildings still with cans, books, furniture inside. Of course there was also the necessary arctic outhouse. We learned in a Liars Club session that a BOG CHISEL is actually an instrument to remove ice from the seat of the outhouse – learn something new every day. It was interesting to visit the old buildings but walking on the boggy ground was also pretty interesting. Glad I had my boots! It was good to get off and walk around. Definitely worked off my breakfast now I can enjoy lunch. RADISSON SAVES THE DAY!
We were informed an Ice Breaker would welcome us this morning. The name of this ice breaker is the Raddison! There it was on our arrival complete with helicopter. The helicopter is used to judge the ice in our path and whether they feel like we can get through. The Silver Explorer will follow the Radisson through the ice. The interesting event is that we asked for the icebreaker first. The National Geographic Explorer ship was coming into the area and were behind the Explorer. Not sure how far behind us that ship is actually situated. The National Geographic ship is trying to do a change of guests in Resolute but that area is blocked and they cannot get through without an ice breaker. So that ship will probably have to wait until we are through and the ice breaker comes back.
Tim picked up a local newspaper in Port Inlet where the lack of Coast Guard Ice Breakers was big news. They are all old and they do not have enough. Sweden and Norway have more icebreakers than Canada and they have no ice conditions like Canada. China was contemplating bringing in icebreakers as it could be very profitable. However the Canadians have announced 3.1 billion dollars budgeted for new icebreakers.
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