We were awake early so John fetched two cups of tea from the lounge. After drinking mine I went to the gym and watched as the Captain picked his way through increasing large icebergs which were being shed from the Greenland Ice Sheet and emerging into the sea from the ice fjord by Ilulissat where we were heading. The group that got up to wildlife watch did spot two fin whales just before the ice started - so perhaps I should have detoured just before the gym!
As it was lovely and sunny if a tad cold we braved breakfast outside on deck 5 with a few other hardy souls.
We arrived into Ilulissat earlier than planned - our sister ship hadn't made it a couple of days ago as it iced in but we were luckier - so instead of lectures we enjoyed a trip in amongst the icebergs on the zodiacs. It was magical - and we got to watch a local fisherman with a mechanical line bringing up lots of good sized fish of varying species.
It was in a small open boat we also watched more traditional fishing boats working.
On our return to the ship and a cup of tea we had a lecture in the ice while the other half of the group went out in the zodiacs.
During lunch the Captain moved the ship from its anchorage to alongside the pier so we had a dry landing for our afternoon walk to the ice fjord.
We opted for the difficult blue walk - it was well signed and as we arrived early at 1445 instead of the start time of 1530 we decided to do the DIY version. The decision was assisted by the plethora of mosquitos which seemed less annoying if you were moving!
As we walked along the boardwalk to the fjord the views were breathtaking - the fjord was crammed with ice of different shapes and sizes - it was clear to see why this unique place was a UNESCO World Heritage site.
As we soaked up the views we continued along the fjord following the blue signs. The path was undulating and up and over some interesting rocks which had been smoothed by glacial action. We picked our way along the route - there was an option to take the shorter easier red route but soldiered on the 6.9km blue route which lived up to its hard billing. After a while it turned inland with the final stretch a climb to the top of a canyon, with reassuring views of the sea, harbour and town below, then a tricky downhill section over and round boulders and rocks to the edge of town dog yard - it was one of those views which turned out to be 'so near and yet so far'!!
Finally in the dog yard the blue signs ended and we made our way to the road and back to the boat - arriving about 6pm. We doubted if everybody who had signed up do the walk did it that they would be back in time for the 1930 sailing - we later heard that only 3 continued with the guides with most opting for the shorter route -so we did up anchor and start our journey northwards on time!
On our return our first priority was for a cup of tea then a shower before dinner.
After dinner Miko talked about 'sex on the beach' the story of his research into elephant seals and his finding that the 'sneakers' or males on the edge of the harem fathered 10% of the pups......consequently it showed that being a beach master was a successful, if exhausting, way to spread your DNA!
We returned to our cabin - I was really tired after the walk so quickly went to sleep.
(Today's photo is one of the fishing boats we saw working during our morning zodiac cruise.)