Welcome to Qaqortoq

Well here we are still in Greenland and with an early start so up and get ready, we are on the first tender into the port.

Now I know you are impressed because I can actually pronounce this place name..Car-cor-toc . You just run it all together and you will sound like a local. Erik the Red discovered Greenland. He came from Iceland but was a descendant of a Norse parents. I loved the telling of the history by Etna dressed in her traditional Norse outfit. She was waiting for people to come to hear the story and we didn’t even know it was being held. Where is our guide? Gone!According to Etna, Eric was a bit of a lad. He went to Norway to join the Vikings to make his fortune and so win the heart of the rich girl he had chosen. All went well. He came back and was welcomed by her family.  His temper got the better of him and he killed a local farmer. Punishment? Banishment for a year…..they were lenient in those days. Back he came and all was well until……another lapse of temper. He had asked a neighbour to look after some of his belongings. We all know that can be a problem sometimes. The neighbour decided the goods were given not lent. Erik took them back. Etna did the sound effects of the horses and the chase. She said Icelandic horses if you urge them move into 5th gear. Another battle ensued. The neighbour’s sons were killed. A real no no. Erik now banished for 3 years and an outlaw, Norway wasn’t an option ( he had another temper lapse there)  took off in his boat and discovered Greenland. There was more to the story but I am sure you want to explore the town.

Brightly covered houses and apartments cover the hills. There are 3000 people here so it is much more lively.

 
As in Paamuit , the main religion is Lutheran. There is a 100 year old Danish style church known as the Old Church.   You were absolutely charmed by the gentlemen looking after the church. The presenter had a beautiful voice and the organist played well. They both had European names as they said Inuit names were considered old fashioned when they were young. This is not the case now.

Surprise! The main industry is fishing and hunting. There is a processing plant and also a tannery factory for seal skins.

   Where ever you go in the town,the scenery is amazing.

    Stone carving is important in the town. Carvings are found in different places ,including the seats.

The artist who created these head carvings used to live at the end of the cliff in a small cottage with 7 siblings. She would escape and sit imaging faces in the rock.

Like to try some seal or whale? Just choose the slab you want. Go weigh and pay. I don’t have any kroner so will have to miss out this time.

Fun sight……these boys decided to practice rock climbing. There is no shortage of places to practice.    We are at sea for the next two days but it is believed to be beautiful fjords.