August 18, 2023 Sea Day #12. Prins Christians sund
It was cloudy this morning, but the thin cloud disappeared in the afternoon. The morning temperature for Sea Day #12 was 8° C with north north east winds at 34 km/hour with two metre swells. Zuiderdam was travelling at 18 knots on the course SW 248.55° toward Prins Christians sund. We had an extra hour of sleep since the clocks were set back an hour overnight.
We read a bit then dressed for warmth to ascend to Deck 3 and walk to take in the approach to the sound. The commentary began at 11:30 a.m. from Tjalling and the Terrells. On the outside decks (Promenade on Deck 3, Deck 4 Bow area, Seaview Pool on Deck 9 and Observation Deck 10) Seafood Chowder was served at 11:30 a.m. by parka clad crew carrying trays of hot soup. The temperature was about 10° C and the sun was trying to break through the thin cloud as Zuiderdam entered the entrance to the 100 kilometer long Prins Christians sund. The ship maintained a speed of between six and seven knots during the passage. We saw the spouting of a whale and others saw its tail fin while we were at the on Deck 4 for the entrance into the sound.
The large flat iceberg that was grounded by the east entrance when we exited on July 31st was not there today. The first sign of civilization was the communications towers and buildings at E1 of the weather station numbering system. The scenery was stunning. The ice conditions were favourable. We saw blue sky all afternoon after the past few days being cloudy. There was large glacier that dropped to the water as it had split in two, to go around a large rocky outcrop. There were many varying sized icebergs, bergy bits, mountains and thin waterfalls. The sound’s water was glacial green and calm. We took a lunch break for Chinese food in Lido Market. After lunch we climbed up one more flight of stairs to Deck 10 to walk and watch. Then we went back down to Deck 3, found some blankets and deck chairs, pulled out our books and read. As something of interest caught our eye we would walk over to the railing to investigate and then return to reading. Tjalling announced that the captain would take the ship into a fjord, which had too much ice in it when we passed two and half weeks ago. The ship was able to slowly turn so that people sitting on their balconies on both sides of the ship could have a view. The ship was within 400 metres of the glacier. You could see the high water mark at the bottom of the glacier from when the tide was at its highest point.
The usual 3 p.m. Afternoon Tea in the dining room was not on the daily program. Rather, in Lido Market at 3 p.m. there was “For Cake Sake”. The crew wore black fedoras black pants and vests and white shirts, the female officers, in long dresses and fancy hats greeted guests as they entered Lido. The lines were long as people chose from a colourful arrays of desserts at all the food stations. The waiters were carrying carafes of tea to fill the cups on the table. We returned to Deck 3 on the sunny side to deck chairs and a blanket to cover our legs as we read. Shortly before 5 p.m. at the Inuit village of Aappilattoq, the ship stopped so passengers could take photos of the tiny settlement of 100 people only accessible by boat, kayak or helicopter. There were a couple of 20 foot basic motor boats with residents that came out to wave at the ship.
At dinner Cee Kaye and Brad joined us right from village watching. They had been bundled from their day on the decks, too. We donned our jackets after dinner to watch the ship’s exit from the sound. There were a handful of people on the bow area. To exit we passed another weather communications station (in the area of Narsamijit on the map). The ship only increased its speed to eight knots for the first few hours after leaving the sound and entering Ikerasassuaq Strait. Tomorrow the ship arrives at Qaqortoq after 7 a.m. to anchor then lower the tender boats for the passengers who want to explore the town.
Tonight’s show was the male Quartet, Cantaré.
Total steps 16,174
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