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Greenland: Days One and Two

For four days we have cruised the southwest coast of Greenland. For those geographically inclined our route takes us from the long inland fjord with Kangerlussuaq at it end, to Qassiarsuk in the south and its nearby Qoroq fjord filled with stranded icebergs.

Our first full day in Greenland, which began just a few hours after our late Saturday night landing at Kangerlussuaq, was a blur to me, other than then safety briefing with those funny suits. After program briefings we landed in Manitsoq, but I decided catching up on sleep more important. So my first foray on terra firma after boarding the MV Fram was at Paamiut Monday afternoon.

Paamiut's most notable features include the Royal Arctic shipping line warehouse, the city's (pop. 1,515) and its stave-inspired church, complete with the model sailing ship suspended from the ceiling, a common adornment in Norwegian churches. The church choir entertained us. Here are a few photos:

Paamiut's stave-style church. The origin of the style
(and this church merely suggests it) is supposedly an
upside down viking ship.


Paamiut's park includes this sculpture. Note the utility infrastructure
under the pedestrian bridge; all lines are buried to protect against the cold.

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