Day 8, 9 & 10; - Northeast Baffin Island
August 24, 25 & 26, 2018

On the morning of Day Eight we sail along the east coast of Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin Island).

We sail into into Eglinton Fjord

And we get to taste the food of the north ...
Narwal blubber, seal meat, cariboo and musk ox. 

 

Day Nine we arrive at Mittimatalik or know to us as Pond Inlet.

Again the zodiacs are lowered for us to disembark.

On shore we are greeeting by an Inuit describing for us life in a sod hut..

Our tour guide is a local techer and her school is in the background.

Don't ask ......

The local Co-op was celebrating 50 yrs in Pond Inlet. The line-up is for free ice cream.

The most northerly Tim Hortons in Canada.

We are treated to an Inuit presentation in the local community hall.

Drummers and throat singers.

A street scene in Pond Inlet.

That evening some local town folk were invited on board for a barbeque.
We shared out table with fellow passenger Stephen from Arkansas.

Day Ten; We go ashore at Tay Bay on the west coast of Bylot Island.

Sirmilik National Park encompasses most of Bylot Island.

Beautiful colours and designs created by nature enhance a barren landscape

These hexagonal patterns replicate all over the landscape, caused by the constant freezing and thawing of the permafrost..

Did you notice .... not a tree in sight. The vastness of the landscape was awsome !

Yet trees do try to grow. These are Artic Willows, or Salix Artica.

We were told about the mud caused by permafrost melting but some didn't heed the warning. It was very difficult to extricate yourself without losing your boots.

Some arctic explorers.

We board the Ocean Endevour and head for Cape Hay.

On the ice flows we encounter a 'playfull' polar bear.

After putting on a show for us he settles down to wait for a seal to pop up and join him for supper. We turn around and cross Lancaster Sound to Devon Island.

move on to Day Eleven

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