While the plane approaches the small airport of the Narsarsuaq community, we can check out the window one of the most peculiar characteristics of the whole Greenland : The impressive ice cloak losing sight of the horizon.
Known as “Ice Sheet”, the glacier ice mass covers about 80% of the territory, which corresponds to an area of more than 1.7 million square meters.
After landing and already on land, it is impossible not to be infected with the thrill of being in one of the most hidden corners of the earth: Arctic . And the sweeping visuals that mix ice, fjords, rocky mountains and small, sparse communities of colorful houses help in the task.
I confess that I was concerned about boarding an adventure trip in full Arctic Without having the size of the place, since it is not such a common destination. But the decision to venture into Greenland, First destination of the fifth season of CNN Viagem & Gastronomy it was more than right.
Among the activities in this area south of Greenland, the chin is dropped by the beauties of Prince Christian Sound waterway that can be closely admired with the help of the zodiacs, inflatable boats that carry us on offshore excursions.
What caught my attention most here is their great rocky walls that present us with waterfalls formed by the defrost.
Equally stunning, we also depart for the TASEMIUT FJORD Fiord whose closest town is the city of Nanortalik. With 70 kilometers long, the landscapes are even called “Patagonia da Greenland”, where we can have an extra taste of the waters and visuals through the practice of paddling.
With the help of helicopters, we can also arrive in the large ice cloak the Greenland Ice Sheet which covers more than 80% of the island, has a thickness of 1,500 meters and can date 150,000 years – older ice age found here.
For me, this was one of the most striking programs throughout the expedition, as walking on the cloak helps us have a greater understanding of the importance and impact of this place in the world, especially in a context of rapid climate change and global warming.
Given the isolated location of Greenland, a question may arise: How do the people of the Arctic live? Visiting a remote community may surprise us. So it is AAPPILATTOQ village that celebrated 100 years last year and is formed by about 100 residents, 17 of them children.
Part of the Roadmap of the Overseas trip, the visit is an opportunity to expand our knowledge and respect in the face of a different way of life to what we are used to. The subsistence comes from the sea, where residents are fishermen and hunters, and plumbers connected to glaciers carry freshwater to the small village.
In the southern cable of Greenland, the site looks like a movie scenario: the few houses are blue and red, there is still a school and a church. The experience is even more touching when we see that everyone here are vulnerable with the effects of global warming and decreased ice cap.
Rarely visited by ships, the village is served by helicopters twice a week and during winter everything is covered in ice, and it is impossible to maintain any type of plantation.
Another important point that reflects the local culture is the Hvalsey Vikings Ruins one of the largest and best preserved ruins of the Norse people in Greenland. Near the city of Qaqortoq, the place has a church, whose last marriage record occurred in 1408, and the remains of a farm.
It is amazing to see the conditions in which these people lived for centuries. In addition, the ruins of Hvalsey are part of Kujataa region of pastures considered as the first place of agriculture in the Arctic and which is registered among the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How about a hot water bath? Greenland also has! To the thermal sources of uunartoq They are on the island of Vunartoq, near the village of ALLUISP PAA, where the waters are between 34 ° and 38 ° C due to the friction of the underground stones – while we are submerged in hot water you can see icebergs in the sea below.
Nuuk and Disko Bay
In general, Greenland also has other interesting points for visit. If your entry into the territory is by the capital Nuuk the National Museum of Greenland is requested to get more in contact with the country’s art and history, as well as the Nuuk Art Museum which has contemporary works and hosts exhibitions and events.
Already one of the most commented charts when we talk about Greenland is Illuissat third largest location in the territory, which opens to Disko Bay known as the “Grand Canyon of the Arctic Polar Circle”. Here, colossal icebergs, glacier and pads pulled by dogs define the bay on the west coast, which appears in lists of best destinations from CNN and Time magazine.
Illuissat is still neighboring Enlulissat Icefjord declared fjord UNESCO World Heritage that shines eyes for its beauty and also has great importance in the scientific studies that help scientists understand the impact of climate change.
I say that everything in Greenland is like a spectacle of nature, which makes us have ecological awareness and the impact we have not as tourists, but as travelers and humans. It is one of those trips that transform us and remind us all the time of our role in the world.
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The Post Greenland: Get to know the local communities, local communities and ruins Appeared First on CNN Brazil V&G.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
