Kalaallit Nunaat

whc.unesco.org/en/list/1149

Ilulissat Icefjord is covered with large bergs and brash ice from Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. The glacier has considerably accelerated its retreat since the 1990s: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakobshavn_Glacier whc.unesco.org/en/list/1149 Der Ilulissat Eisfjord ist voll mit großen Eisbergen und kleinen Schollen vom Sermeq Kujalleq-Gletscher, der sich seit den 1990ern erheblich zurückzieht: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakobshavn_Isbr%C3%A6

Plenty of picnic benches along the beach at Qeqertarsuaq, usually with an old oil drum as wastebin HBM!

Qeqertarsuaq auf der Disko- Insel hat einen der spektakulärsten Kunstrasen- Fußballplätze der Welt. Die Strandseite ist mit Sandsäcken gesichert, damit die Tsunamis, wenn mal wieder ein Eisberg umkippt, nicht den ganzen Platz überschwemmen.... Euch allen hFF und ein schönes Wochenende! Ich bin aus Grönland zurück, aber in gut 2 Wochen schon wieder weg. Ich werde versuchen, in der Zwischenzeit aufzuholen und bitte um Verständnis, wenn ich nicht ganz hinterherkomme....

A few of the Arctic flowers to be found near Qeqertarsuaq Main photo: Chamaenerion latifolium (Epilobium latifolium)- Arctic fireweed, arktisches Weidenröschen Papaver radicatum- Arctic poppy, arktischer Mohn left: Saxifraga tricuspidata right: Pyrola rotundifolia- round leaved wintergreen, rundblättriges Wintergrün Saxifraga cespitosa (and Arctic willow)

Greenlandic contrasts- dumped pick-up and pristine iceberg at Qeqertarsuaq

The Inuit word Qeqertarsuaq means "big island" and is used for both Disko Island and the settlement on its south coast. Disko Island is famous for its geology: on top of cretaceous volcanic and sedimentary rock there are tertiary basalts (see notes for a closer look at the layers) and the northern part of the island is one of the very few places where native iron can be found. Apart from the geology there is also a surprisingly lush tundra vegetation usually only found in southern Greenland. de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diskoinsel

Early morning in the fjord towards Uummannaq, the ice pilot had his work cut out. Vessels venturing into Greenlandic coastal waters have to take 2 Danish ice pilots on board who work in 4 hour shifts. Exceptions are regular cargo ships and ferries with specially licensed crews- and of course the local fishermen who know their area.

This iconic heart shaped mountain (1170m) sits on Uummannaq island in Uummannaq fjord. It consists of granite and gneiss and dominates the landscape from afar.

HBM!

One of Greenland's most beautiful settlements, Uummannaq is dominated by its heart shaped mountain (the Inuit see a seal's heart in it). The daisy like flowers are tripleurospermum subpolare (Strandkamille), growing in profusion along the coast de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uummannaq en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uummannaq

SC 63: Red and Yellow A typical colourful Greenlandic scene. All essential goods are brought by sea in shipping containers as there is no road network. The containers are then put to further use for storing any old clobber, you can see them everywhere in front of houses and in people's gardens or along the coast holding fishing gear. btw- opening times of shops, cafés and museums are often rather approximate, supermarkets excepted;-)

...and some fences to keep the sled dog puppies in. Adult dogs are always chained, they are half wild and only follow their owner, puppies up to 6 months are allowed to run free. Greenlandic sled dogs are not huskies, they are a completely different breed and still have a lot of wolf in them. Other dog breeds aren't allowed into Greenland, sled dogs that have left the country aren't allowed back in. hFF folks!

in Uummannaq (ca.1400 inhabitants)

hFF, folks!

Just a brief sign of life, I'm off for another two weeks but expect to bring back some new photos:-) Looking forward to visiting your photo pages in March!

Iceberg in Uummannaq harbour