I'd just spent 3 months working in Nigeria (that'll be another blog!) so what better destination could my boss send me in order to cool off from the African heat......Greenland.
So out with the warm weather clothing and packed ready for an Artic winter. I headed back to my second home Gatwick Airport for the first leg flight out to Iceland.
After a brief stop in Iceland, it was time to board the Iceland Air flight from Keflavik to Greenland. Destination Narsarsuaq.
A town in Southern Greenland with an airport that was constructed in 1941 by the USA and the base was used as a stepping stone for aircraft flying from North America to Europe to join the war. It subsequently became an International airport.
As this was a work trip most of my time was spent at the airport in the hangar or the office going through records.
Luckily it was still quite light when I finished so I could wander around.
It wasn't as cold as I imagined it was going to be, so on arrival I took the short walk from the Airport to Hotel Narsarsuaq.
There is a transfer if you want to use it to put bags and suitcase's in.
at the hotel you are greeted by a large Polar Bear statue, the staff are really friendly and helpful too.
There are a couple things to do in Narsarsuaq.
First port of call would be The Blue Ice cafe, along with the hotel they act as a Tourist Information spot, where you can arrange tours - sailing tours of the Fjords and glaciers, equipment rental - if you fancy Kayaking with the icebergs. There is a bit more on offer during the summer months June to September.
The cafe is also a good spot to grab a taste of the local cuisine.
Being this was my first visit to Greenland, I made the most out of the limited free time I had. First things first seeking out my first Iceberg.
The area is full of World War 2 history, the airport was an important base during the war America used it as a half way point when flying across. You can see bunker doors carved into the mountain side up and down the town.
Nearby Norse settlements which go back around 500 years, these sites which have been associated with Erik the Red are now a UNESCO World Heritage sites.
As it goes Erik the Red named Greenland "Greenland" as he thought it would attract more settlers and be more appealing than the icy landscape!
The history of Narsarsuaq can be found in the Narsarsuaq museum which is alongside the Blue Ice Cafe
Unfortunately I didn't have time to do the hikes, of which there are a few to take. During Summer months there is the Flower Valley hike up through the hills which is apparently a spectacular site, I just missed the start of the Summer.
And of course there are hikes and trails leading up to stunning viewpoints of the Glaciers and Greenland Ice Sheet, flying in over it was amazing, I'd go out again just for this hike alone!
A Memorial Plaque sits on the hillside dedicated to Japanese explorer Naomi Uemura.
Uemura in March to April 1978 had undertaken a dogsled expedition to the North Pole. Directly after this expedition he did the first dogsled journey down the length of Greenland Icecap 2600 Kilometers between May and August 1978.
Final Thoughts
Narsarsuaq on the whole was a lot of fun, the history surrounding the area, the walks and of course watching an iceberg float by.
Due to the time of year I did get stuck for an extra couple of days when the weather came in and stopped flights in or out, but the hotel and airline were brilliant with meal vouchers and importantly a room to stay in.
I'd go back again to do the hikes I didn't have the time and daylight hours to do them in.
And also catch a ferry to another town and xplore more of Greenland on foot.
Have you been to Greenland, where did you go? Let me know what you thought of the place in the comments below.
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