DAY 2: MONUMENTAL ISLAND



To view a larger image left click an image once.  To return to the Blog use the Back Button or click once off the image
 
This rather complicated map shows the route we were scheduled due to take.  We started out from Iqaluit, in the lower right hand corner.  Our route was the burgundy line ending in Resolute Bay on Cornwallis Island.  Eleven nights in all.


The day always began with a call on the PR system to wake us up, if necessary, and get us down to breakfast, usually at 7.30 a.m.  During the morning there was then a more  comprehensive Zodiac briefing and a chance to exchange any wearable item, boots were often changed. It was then time to don all our gear for an afternoon zodiac cruise.  

One of many we were going to see

As we approached the island there was great excitement as keen eyes had spotted a polar bear. 

Monumental Island in the distance
Yes, the white dot is the bear we all got excited about!
Unloading a zodiac
All aboard
Yes, that's more like it!
We disturbed this one but it returned later to lie on the snow

Zoom, it was a long way away
And another
And even a third
Evening sunset



Next Post: Pangnirtung


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
DAY 11: REAL PROBLEMS ARE DEVELOPING To view a larger image left click on the image once.  To return to the Blog use the back Button or click once off the image     We departed Maxwell Bay and when we woke up the next morning something wasn't quite right.  To get to Resolute Bay our course should have been to the West as the map shows.  However, we were going East!  At the morning briefing we were told that, whereas the ship could probably get to Resolute Bay where the trip was to end and we were to fly to Edmonton, the zodiacs wouldn't have been able to reach the shore because of pack ice.  So during the evening it was decided to turn back and travel back to Pond Inlet.  This meant that the flight from Edmonton to Resolute Bay had to be changed and in its place planes had to be chartered at short notice from Edmonton to Yellowknife and then three planes chartered from Yellowknife to Pond Inlet, two for passengers and one for our baggag...
Read more
Image
DAY 12: GOING HOME To view a larger image left click on the image once.  To return to the Blog use the back Button or click once off the image   At the morning briefing it wasn't all good news!  The first plane out of Edmonton had developed a mechanical problem and it hadn't left on time.  We stayed on the ship with even the real prospect of another night aboard!  We had to wait it out before we eventually got the news that it was on the air, but this was putting our schedule back.  We were now due to leave Pond Inlet at about 7.00 p.m. which meant a late arrival in Edmonton if everything worked out.  We were now due to land in Edmonton at around 1.30 a.m.   A large glacier opposite Pond Inlet Back in Pond Inlet A tanker and Coast Guard ship Amundsen, which has a later significance We made our landing with time to fill so we all looked around the town again. Meeting up with a local We also visit...
Read more
Image
DAY 10: CHANGE OF PLANS - MAXWELL BAY To view a larger image left click on the image once.  To return to the Blog use the back Button or click once off the image      At the morning briefing we were made aware of looming problems with the ice.  The two ports of call scheduled on King Leopold Island and Beechey Island were not going to happen and little did we realise at the time that there were more difficult problems ahead.  Beechey Island is the site of four graves of members of the stricken Erebus ship.  However we continued towards Resolute Bay to make a landing at Maxwell Bay, not on the map but close by Radstock Bay. At the entrance to Maxwell Bay Wonderful reflections in the dead calm water Just one bird Something interesting ahead? Yes, indeed Our landing site Problems here - that tiny white dot is a polar bear and two cubs! Safety was always a priority and the team leader explained th...
Read more