Silver Cloud Expedition LIVE!!!! 8/14/19 - 8/26/19, Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq

[QueSeraSera]

This is fascinating, thanks for sharing!

[jpalbny]

Oh, darn. Was looking forward to pics from Nanortolik. Have been there twice on cruise stops. One time we walked all around the mountain behind town, looking for the trail up to the top, but never found it.

 

I agree though, it didn't look too inviting today. What's next for you? 

[RachelG]

Great pics.  We would have been up and on the zodiac, but I understand needing to rest every once in a while.  And George likes a good sleep in.

[rich48100]

OK, so we are sorry that we did not go to nanortoliq, but after hearing from someone, glad we didn’t do it.  It was on a Sunday and things that were scheduled just didn’t work out.

 

we are going to Qaqortoq and Hvalsey tomorrow.   More Viking history, and the weather looks like it will be cooperating.

 

now I need to tell you about a good,thing for our meal at the restaurant.  At lunch we asked if Barbara could have a gluten free pizza for dinner.  No problem.  Told them what we wanted.  Actually saw the restaurant manager bring the pizza to the server.  Hot and the way she wanted.

 

we sat in the back of the restaurant to see how things were being handled. Fascinating to see the choreography of the servers, wait staff and managers.  Similar thing happened the other day when people were getting ready to go to an excursion. We sat near the manager at la terrazzo, and it seeemed like a conductor trying to get all the folks in the instrument section to perform on que and on-key.

 

sometimes it is good just to sit back and watch the action.

 

until tomorrow to tell you about our excursions.

[Emtbsam]

Rich -  Can you tell if any additional wait staff joined the ship in Reykjavik?

 

The pizzas on board are quite good.  I'm so glad they could make the special one for Barbara.  Hope she enjoyed it.

[rich48100]

 Victoria, I have not seen any additional staff added.  Service in my mind is still slower than what we experienced on our Africa trip.

 

now for Greenland. After a day of mist and miserable we woke up to sunny and warm.  Glorious day today for two stops.  One scheduled at Qaqortoq, largest town in southern Greenland.  Interesting churches and carvings on rocks.  Then on to Hvalsey.  Not originally scheduled, but interesting Norse ruins of a church from the early 1400s.  Just a nice day to be out and about.

 

here are some pics

[jpalbny]

Beautiful pictures and weather! I see that they have fixed the fountain in Qaqortoq's main square there. It was under repair when we visited 10 years ago. Fenced off with chain-link fence, and the ground was ripped up getting repaved. Thanks for the pictures of how it looks now!

 

Those rock carvings along the town are pretty cool.

 

Haven't made it to Hvalsey. Thanks for sharing that with us! It looks warm. I see lots of passengers in only one layer. Now I'm getting jealous!

[RachelG]

Beautiful pics!  Weather looks nice too.

[rich48100]

We are currently having a sea day, cruising toward Nuuk, Greenland.  Largest city on the island.  A little bleak and cool out, so good there are no zodiac landings.

 

yesterday we went to Qassiarsuk, where Eric the Red established a community in 982.  His son, Leif Ericsson sailed from this area to North America. We had our picture taken by his statue on a hill overlooking the village.  Weather is gorgeous again, and waters so still that one can see reflections of mountains and buildings on the water.  Some interesting buildings and museums.

 

see the pictures

[rich48100]

Today we are in Nuuk, Capital of Greenland.  Walked around the town with a guide and saw city hall with interesting knitted murals, colorful buildings, and museum with mummies from long ago preserved in the ice.

 

weather was a bit cool and drizzly, but not bad.

 

went for dinner at La Terrazza with another couple that are gluten free and lactose free.  They ordered ahead of time to make sure everything was right.  Basically everything was wrong.  So terrible when you are expecting a nice meal and things go haywire.  Server was difficult to communicate with, but managers rushed around to get the couple something to eat.  Fortunately Barbara’s gluten free meal was fine.  Reserved hers ahead of time as well.

 

we got a new room attendant for this trip, not as good or attentive as the one for Iceland.  Hate to say negative things, but that is the way it is.

 

here are some pics from Nuuk.

[Emtbsam]

Your photos are wonderful, and we look forward to them each day.  I'm sorry that your dinner in LT was not as good as hoped for, and we agree that we hate to say anything negative, but sometimes it is required.  Continue to enjoy the cruise and your wonderful weather.

[QueSeraSera]

Agreed, the pictures are great, thank you for sharing, along with candid assessments!

[rich48100]

This morning we had an extra stop at Evighedsfjord and glacier to do a hike up the side of the glacier to get up close and personal with Ice and walking along a lateral morain as the glacier is retreating.  Opened deck 5 for early morning photos as we approached the glacier.  

 

Some rough ground and slippery rock.  Rocks are generally friendly for this geologist, but after mud on the shoes it made it a little more treacherous going down hill.  Tried to take a close up of the right side of the glacier to show where we climbed.  Relatively steep, rocky and slippery.  George, Rachel,Bob, maybe Victoria, JP and Chris would have loved it.

 

Really interesting rock formations, polished by the glaciers.  A great extra stop for,the morning.  Going for our scheduled stop of Kangaamiut this afternoon for a town walk.

 

here are some pictures of this morning.

[jpalbny]

Wow! What an amazing landscape, and such fun to climb. That third picture really shows a neat landscape - rocks, ice, and low wispy clouds. You are right - we would have loved this hike. Instead, we're both working this weekend...but at least we can enjoy your pictures! Keep on enjoying it.

[rich48100]

Ok, so I had to update the previous post with one showing the POLAR PLUNGE.  No, I didn’t do it.  I had mine in Antarctica at Deception Island.  Doctors did not have to use the paddles on Me, and all were successful on this ship. 

 

here are a few pics.

[RachelG]

We did that hike on our previous trip to Greenland, and it is very spectacular being up that close to the glacier, but as you said, a little treacherous on the way down.  But a good hike in George's book. 

I have not done the polar plunge, and do not intend too.  I am happy watching others do crazy things.

[Emtbsam]

Spectacular photos!  I certainly would have tried the hike and definitely would have used poles on the way down.  Glad you all did it safely.

 

No polar plunge for me either.

[Stumblefoot]

1 hour ago, RachelG said:

I have not done the polar plunge, and do not intend too.

 

1 hour ago, Emtbsam said:

No polar plunge for me either.

 

I’m with RachelG and Emtbsam.  I just hope JPAlbany doesn’t get any crazy ideas when he’s in Antarctica. 😊

[jpalbny]

Haha Stumbles. I already did it - twice! Nothing to prove here, and Chris has the photo evidence. Once at Deception Island like Rich, and once north of Svalbard.

 

I'll sit back and wait for the rest of you to catch up. It was a lot of fun, though. 

 

Rich, great pix and sorry for going OT.

[Sodashire]

JP. Any chance when you have the time to scan some MDR menus for both dinner and lunch please. So excited to be boarding next month. It would be nice to get the feel of what culinary delights maybe on offer. Do they buy in fresh fish when in port? As well as having frozen. 

We are new to Expedition cruising. Mentioned earlier that you are out into Zodiac groups. Do these groups stay the same for the duration of the cruise? When are you told what time the Zodiac/tour is departing? My understanding from reading recent reports is that One is not able to have late nights if very early morning tour.

we have never been in a zodiac before. We are aware staff will help us in and out, but how easy is it to sit and hang onto the ropes? 

If anyone has a copy of the daily new sheet The Chronicles would be interested to see what is available and also the time of meals, bars etc.

we have enjoyed the last couple of voyages with JP, Rachel and Rich etc giving their input. Appreciate the time it takes and the problems with wifi, but it does make us at home feel as if we are travelling along. Well done to all

Many thanks

[rich48100]

Another spectacular day in Ilulissat.  Large icebergs all around, and saw some whales.  Probably Fin? Whales according to expedition team.  Playing our last game of trivia in the morning when someone spotted whales off the back.  Trivia temporarily suspended until we could get our fill of photos and videos.  Moss said it may be the first time the game was suspended because of whale sightings.  We went out for an iceberg and whale cruise on a fishing trawler.  Not that comfortable, but it allowed us to see what was advertised.  Wish I could upload videos, but it would take forever, and probably fail.

 

anyway, trivia team was good, but not as good as our Iceland group.  Still Moss was kind enough to let me use my points, not enough, to get the t-shirt.

 

Sodashire, the zodiacs are easy to get in and out of.  As far as your other questions, you should have a chronicle waiting for you in the room and all is explained.  Dinner menus vary all over the place as well as things, like filets, one can get every day.

 

have to start our packing today for our trip home.  Should be easier than packing to get to Iceland.

 

Here are some pictures from yesterday.

[Silver Spectre]

Excellent photos Rich, with some stunning scenery.

[jpalbny]

6 hours ago, Sodashire said:

We are new to Expedition cruising. Mentioned earlier that you are out into Zodiac groups. Do these groups stay the same for the duration of the cruise? YES. I think there were six groups on Cloud. There was a sticker on the back of your key card with a number. That's your group. Hint: if you're traveling with a group then when you fill out your pre-cruise questionnaire, you can give the names and booking numbers of your companions. So that way, SS knows that you're traveling together. Then you're likely to get in the same zodiac group.

 

When are you told what time the Zodiac/tour is departing? Usually the evening prior, at the briefing. On expedition cruises, the expedition leader will have a briefing every evening prior to dinner, where the next day's plans are reviewed in detail, complete with instructions on what to bring, what to expect, and when to show up. No mysteries.

 

My understanding from reading recent reports is that One is not able to have late nights if very early morning tour. That totally depends on you. And whether you can go without much sleep. We often burn the candle on both ends during vacation. We can always sleep at home. Or on the plane. But once vacation time is over, it's over, so we squeeze as much fun into it as we can. Work will always be there, but vacation will not.

 

I have not forgotten about the dinner menus. I will get to them soon and post them on my thread so as to not clutter up Rich's excellent trip report. Really enjoying the Greenland pictures. Wish we were there!

[spinnaker2]

Great photos!

Looks like you had good weather for the most part!

 

Edited August 25, 2019 by spinnaker2

[RobC1116]

Thank you for taking us along virtually on your trip. We board the Silver Cloud tomorrow and could not be more excited!