Iqaluit, Day 15: Around Town

Since I was brought here to actually do some work and not just zooming around on a snowmobile or wrestling polar bears, those last few days have been productive and were mostly spent indoors. The weather was rather cold, windy and lots of snow came down. 

On Easter Sunday we all went to a magnificent Brunch Banquet at the Frobisher Inn. It was HUGE! So much food... so much great food... fresh strawberries in the Arctic, can you wish for more?

A small part of the enormous dessert corner. Food overkill!

So, here are a few pics from around town:

The neighbourhood

Iqaluit center

Nakasuk Elementary School

St. Jude's Anglican Church

 

The Navigator Inn

Inside Grind & Brew Cafe

Iqaluit, Day 12: Picknick on the Ice

When I moved to Cork a couple years ago, I learned something from the Irish: You can go out and do something, no matter if it's rainy, windy or both - just do it! Now that I got a taste of arctic life here in Iqaluit, I learned another lesson from the locals: You can go out and do something, no matter if it's -20 Celsius and everything's covered with a thick layer of ice and snow!

So, yesterday we had a picknick on the ice!

We took the Skidoos, packed some lunch and off we went across the hills and on the sea ice. It's fascinating how agile the snowmobiles are. If you have seen the pictures of the frozen tidal waves I posted a few days ago, the answer is yes - we crossed that with the Skidoos and the Kamautiks, which are large sleds attached to the snowmobiles.

After we found the perfect spot for the Picknick, we all got hot tea and soup, sandwiches and stuff. I realised that bringing an apple to an arctic picknick isn't the best idea. It was the iciest apple I've ever seen.

Oh, and I fell from the Skidoo whilst zooming around the picknick area. The ground is so white, you cannot see anything anymore. I drove over a bump and found myself covered in snow a few seconds later. So I'm officially a Pro now!

Frobisher Bay

A Kamautik

Isabelle, Neil and their adorable daughter Mia.
And there's another baby! Both were fast asleep
during the bumpy, cold ride.

Cold temperatures and hot tea - best thing ever!

More water for the tea

After I fell from my Skidoo, I felt I need to build
my first Inuksuk to remember the historic event.

My Inuksuk. Was hard enough to dig out the stones!!

Arctic Picknick

Getting ready for the new Game of Thrones Season! =P

Iqaluit, Day 11: Longing Monsters

Almost half of the time of my stay here in Iqaluit is over already. So today's post is dedicated to my amazing husband Martin. With a very heavy heart he did let me go away so far north for such a long time (I know, some of you might think "Get a grip, it's just a month!" but for us it is just a very long time being apart from each other).

Saying Goodbye at the airport in Cork was terribly sad and intense. I was worried and excited and curious at the same time and I almost felt guilty to abandon him for this adventure in the Arctic. We initially tried to get Martin over to Iqaluit as well, but the cost of traveling was just too high and it's hard enough to get a month off. So I appreciate it even more that he has the trust in me and knows how important and valuable this trip is for me. I promise, I won't make a habit out of it ;)

You are incredible, Martin, and the best that has happened to me! I love you and miss you and cannot wait to see you again. I am surrounded by Longing Monsters ;)

Iqaluit, Day 10: Sundogs and Northern Lights

Seeing Northern Lights was something I was really looking forward to when I came to Iqaluit. And tonight they finally showed up. Right across my house! Like a spooky green snake they wandered across the sky. Unfortunately, I was so excited I didn't pay attention to any special camera setting you would have to use for getting the best shot of the Northern Lights =P So this one here has to do for now:

Northern Lights.
In reality they were much more impressive, though.

Another light phenomena I've seen here for the first time of my life are Sundogs. I spot them on a regular basis in the evening, those weird colourful lights flanking both sides of the sun at dusk and sometimes even forming a halo. I haven't had a chance to actually take a photo, so I am just stealing one from the web, which shows Sundogs over Iqaluit:

Crazy stuff, right?
(Photo taken by Frank Reardon)

Apparently, Sundogs can be seen all over the world. Though I have never seen them anywhere before.

In other news, temperatures dropped down to -30 Celsius those last few days and it's quite cold outside, especially with the wind. It's a very dry cold, though, so not too bad at all. As the saying goes: There's no bad weather, there's only bad clothes ;)

Iqaluit, Day 8: The Frozen Sea

Before I came to Iqaluit, they mentioned that the house I would be staying in would be very close to the coast. How amazing, I love the sea! So I imagined there would be open water and maybe some whales or dolphins and seals swimming around the bay and stuff.

Well, they said, the sea will be frozen when you're here.
Fair enough, I thought. Still sounds romantic!

I wasn't prepared for the reality. F***NG FROZEN TIDAL WAVES!!!!

Yeah, try ice skating here! ;)

Like a bizarre mini mountain range

Homes with coast view are highly desirable properties.

Iqaluit, Day 6: Huskies

A friend was getting his dogs ready for the sled and we quickly called by to do some reference photo shooting. Huskies are gorgeous, adorable creatures and it was so fun to give them rubs and play a bit. They are very affectionate and friendly. And sooooo cuddly! 

Iqaluit, Day 5: Gone Fishing

The weather has been really pleasant since my arrival, so yesterday I was invited to join Louise and William on a fishing trip out on the land. It was awesome! I learned how to drive a snow mobile and they put me into a traditional inuit caribou jacket, pants and mitts. Seriously, if you have a problem with people wearing real fur - don't even go near the Arctic. But once you're clad in fur, you will understand why this is so popular in cold weather conditions. You're in this cosy, warm and windproof bubble, surrounded by icy winds and snow and burning sun.

We followed the river towards north for about an hour, best part of it was: We drove ON the river. Frozen solid! We passed some of the most beautiful winter sceneries I've ever experienced. Everything here looks like meringue sprinkled with dark chocolate flakes :)  

It's like walking in a big scoop of stracciatella ice cream!

Louise, Blandina and William

An Inuksuk ("Like a person")  is a stone landmark
you can find occasionally on your way through the land.  

Once we arrived at the desired fishing spot, the snow was shovelled off the frozen surface of the river and with the help of a motor drill a hole was cut into the ice, which was almost one meter thick! My initial worries of breaking through the ice were swept away immediately.

We drank the fresh water directly
from the river - ice cubes included! 

Ready for jigging!

Fresh catch of the day

I did some target shooting with William.
He's a hunter since he was a child.

Not too bad at all, eh? No vienna sausage is safe from me ;)

After a thoroughly inspiring day out in the fresh air and clear skies, we packed our stuff and travelled back to Iqaluit before sunset. Believe me, I had a super sleep afterwards!!

Iqaluit, Day 4: Working

The last two days were mainly spent on focussing on work, so I just share a few pics today.

A giant narwhale skull

Fancy seal skin ladies boots.
Price starts at around 450,- $

Craft shop in Iqaluit

There's so much sunshine!

A view of Iqaluit. You can see the igloo church,
the yellow airport in the back and the whale blubber school.

The frozen sea