Disembarkation day. Things started with a medical evacuation of what we believe was a crew member. They evacuated the patient by Can Coast Guard helicopter - haven’t heard a “Code Mike” call since our Oceania Around The World Cruise. We cool our heels at a local hotel while waiting for our afternoon flight to Calgary. Tomorrow we have a very early flight back to Halifax. Always sad to end an adventure with fingers and toes crossed we get home as planned - our luck so far this year hasn’t been great for travelling home. We got to do a bit of a walk around Resolute before being transferred to the airport.
Our flight from Resolute was two hours late leaving and then was delayed getting refuelled in Yellowknife. Resolute has a tiny airport which was jam packed with our too outgoing flights delayed waiting for incoming flights and then the passengers from the incoming flights arriving. Summit airlines is a charter airline and the whole experience was other worldly. No security to speak of. Everyone doing multiple roles, directing in planes, removing garbage, delivering food and luggage and greeting us. Our seats were preselected in a way that made little sense, no chance to change them and we received our first hand written boarding pass ever??? In some ways it was a lovely nod to a simpler time. Once we were in the air the food service was delivered in 4 sections, cutlery and snacks, drinks, potato salad and finally a hot meal. Watching the complete debacle was the most fun we had all day! 2 hours late landing in Calgary and a 6 am flight tomorrow - looking forward to being home.

Beechey Island  and Radstock Bay
Stepped back in time and visited the graves of some of the Franklin expedition crew members on Beechey Island. Interesting walk over the tundra and even captured a picture of an arctic poppy. The fog rolled in and the wind came up - our landing was cut short when two polar bears arrived on the beach. The ship doesn’t interfere with wildlife and so we retreated back to the ship as soon as the bears were spotted. This afternoon we packed, got our disembarkation instructions and listened to a lecture on the Franklin Expedition mystery.

At sea sailing South to Lancaster Sound. Spent a lovely day enjoying the ship and getting to sleep in past 7:15 am. Massages booked for this afternoon. Beautiful evening sky

AM The Skerries Islands - this morning we got to travel through the sea ice and around the Skerries Islands by zodiac. Managed to see a seal and hear about some polar bears. The bears were spotted in the area but our zodiacs scared them so we were unable to get close enough to even catch a glimpse. The ship follows strict rules about wild life disturbances, proud that this area is now being so well protected.
This afternoon we visit the. Community of Ausuittuq (Grise Fjord).
Before we left the Skerries the ship decided to offer its famous polar plunge. Anyone who knows Adrian will know he didn’t partake- but he did act as a fine videographer for my plunge.
Our visit to Grise Fjord, known as the place that never thaws out, got off to a late start - we were in the third group - our tour included a very interesting and sad recounting of the settling of Grise Fjord in 1953 when the Canadian Government moved 8 families to the community, giving them no choice in their resettlement and making many promises of support and a better life, none of which were honoured.
In the community centre we were welcomed and treated to some drumming and throat singing by students whose first day of school was also today!

This morning's wake up call...

Today’s bird was the Canada Goose  for our 7:15 am wake-up call. Zodiac exploration this morning with possibly a hike this afternoon . Today is foggy and the water is calm!
On our zodiac trip we were lucky enough to see a seal and I even got a photo! Lots of icebergs and interesting tundra too!
This afternoon we did manage to go ashore and had a lovely 90 minute hike in the tundra. The guides set up a perimeter so that we remain safe - the perimeter folks are also armed in case of any animals wander near us. Didn’t see any wild life but lots of scat to prove they do exist. Had a great time taking scat photos - along with more plants and scenery. We had a sauna on our return and this time Adrian joined me on our deck to cool down afterwards.

This mornings wake up call...

This morning we headed ashore for our first hike. The ship organizes these based on “fitness” level and desire for exercise. So the Chargers go first - as the name implies these are the fit folks who want to go far and fast. Then medium fast group and so on. We’re starting in the moderate slow group - described as those who want to have time to stop for photos but also want to move more than the final group the leisurely ones. Testing to see where we should be.
We’ve been assured there’s lots of wildlife here, including birds, beluga whales - no sightings by us yet!
This morning we did an amazing hike - lots of interesting rocks, vegetation and some heart pumping climbs. This afternoon we got to take to the air again, sadly no wildlife spotted from the air. The sea kayakers got to see beluga whales and narwhals - we could see them with binoculars from the ship and we all got to see a polar bear sleeping on an iceberg as it floated by. Pictures aren’t great but many folks with great cameras onboard so fingers crossed they’ll share. The helicopter flights are spectacular and it takes up to 7 hours to get everyone up in the air!
We had an amazing sauna after our ride today - the sauna has large windows so you don’t have to miss anything while relaxing.

This mornings wake up call...

Wow day 4 was spectacular. Today we awoke to sunshine and the promise of helicopter sightseeing. We were lucky enough to be in the first group and the first flight. Fabulous views and a wonderful experience. It takes between 6-7 hours to get everyone onboard up in the helicopters. The ship has divided us into groups - we’re in the Viking group. This facilitates getting us on and off the ship and the groups rotate in order for fairness. While the skies were clear today the seas were a bit choppy so we chose not to do the zodiac tour in the afternoon. Great views from the ship and everyone who went returned quite wet - happy with our decision.
At tonight’s briefing they announced we won’t get to Axel Helberg due to too much ice. The ship does a great job of pivoting and communicating the changes. I am getting used to the constant changes - hard on my planner brain - perfect for Adrian though. This ship has the best stateroom I’ve ever had. Well organized - lots of storage. The food is a bit underwhelming but that’s been overshadowed by all the other good stuff.

Thought you might like to listen to our morning wake-up call!!

Day 3 and Coburg Island was all about bird watching, walrus sightings and admiring the ice. Followed by a lovely sauna and some time on the deck. Of course we also squeezed in a mandatory helicopter briefing so we are prepared to take to the skies.

This is a completely new adventure for us - we're quickly learning that expedition cruising is as the name suggests exploratory. No fixed schedules, everything is open to change. Our first day onboard began when our cabin was filled with bird sounds at 7:15 am. We had no idea what was going on until Colin, our expedition leader, wished us good morning and explained the plans for the first few hours of the day. Today we're in Cuming Inlet and get to experience our first steps on shore and a glacier walk. Lot's of mandatory safety briefings including how to go ashore in the zodiacs and how to use the ready room and gear. Yesterday we checked to make sure the muck boots provided fit and our waterproof pants are mandatory for all zodiac trips. In the afternoon we did a zodiac cruise and some wildlife spotting from the deck. Muskox and Walrus were the animals of the day. Our animal shots will be in the final post we make in a couple weeks - when we get the pictures from the folks with the really long lenses! Great 71st Birthday for Adrian and an awesome start to our high arctic adventure.

This is officially our honeymoon trip. We booked our arctic adventure after getting engaged in the Falklands. We got married in December...
​Another early start - 4:30 am breakfast and then wait for 8am flight. Truse to our travel record our flight to Resolute was delayed 2 hours. Landing in Resolute was spectacular. Zodiac cruise to the ship and some pics of the ship and our cabin.

Couple of good maps so you can figure out where - we're going/will be.