Nuuk - 64°11'31" N 51°43'26" W

Nuuk is not a common tourist destination … yet.

After a long, long passage, we motored into the harbour with intentions to find something solid to tie on to. We called the harbourmaster on Channel 16 and asked for docking instructions. We were told that there was nowhere that we could tie up, and anyway there were very few berths (in general) for boats of our size. We could anchor in the harbour, but that really wasn’t advisable.

So, we quickly consulted the cruising guide for the area and read about an alternate anchorage on the north side of the town. It was twenty minutes away. Off we went.

The little cove was perfect, so we dropped anchor, secured the boat and then fell into our bunks.

After a day of rest and tidying up the boat, we went into town to check into Greenland (immigration) and then to be tourists. We dinghy-ed into a small, rocky beach and hauled the dinghy up past the high water mark.

We ditched our rubber boots for hiking boots and then picked our way up to the houses we could see, 50 metres above us on the cliff.

We have just hiked up from the beach towards some residential houses.  Most places are of a good size by European/North American standards and well-kept.  You can see Voyager in the harbour.

The walk into town took about 30 minutes. The landscape seems odd – it is difficult to put your finger on what is different and then you realize – there are no trees. Anywhere.

We hiked along from one neighbourhood towards the main part of town.

In town, we find the police station, which is also the Customs/Immigration office.  Inside the police station / customs office they had some great art.

After checking into the country, we spill out onto the tourist strip.  Quite a few handicraft shops, regular clothing and electronic shops, the public library and a few nice pieces of public art.

Grocery stores are a great cultural experience. We try to visit them in each country.
Also handy if you need to eat while in that country.

Well-stocked produce department for a place that can grow almost nothing in country.
Not cheap, though.

They had a surprisingly good selection of dry goods, canned goods, dairy, meats and produce. It could have been any store in Denmark (they even charged Danish Kroner), but the prices were eye-watering. 

We separated from Marisa and Adriano and did some exploring of Old Nuuk.  Great architecture.

Kate poses near Mother of the Sea statue, which almost submerges at higher tides.

We also went to the Greenland National Museum and Archives.  Great artefacts and history.

... and Musk Ox.

After the museum, we had a picnic lunch (thanks, grocery store tour!) at the old harbour outside the museum.

Our typical picnic lunch when available - fresh bread, olive tapenade, salami and blue cheese.

After lunch, a walk along the old harbour and some of the public artwork.

Old Nuuk.

The new harbour is quite different ... and commercial.  A fish processing plant, space for cruise ships and places for small commercial boats (think whale-watching, sport fishing, etc. that will service the cruise ship guests). The harbourmaster said they will not welcome personal yachts (sailboats or motorboats) next year and will focus on cruise ship guests and commercial traffic only. 

On our way back to Voyager.  The bay we are anchored in is right behind Kate.

Walking down to the beach.  Adriano is carrying a 30-06 rifle and rifle case that he bought with no issues at the chandlery.  Rifles are for hunting and protection from polar bears.  No sport shooting here.

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Once we got back to the boat, we looked at the weather for the next week.  There are big storms that will arrive the day after tomorrow and stay for the weekend, but we may be able to head further north on Monday or Tuesday (in 4-5 days).