More Prose and Pics on Northwest Passage

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Beluga Whales in Coningham Bay off Prince of Wales Island

Scenery at Bathurst Inlet

Town of Gjoa Haven

Marc explaining stromatolites at Port Epworth, Coronation Gulf

Scenery on another landing in Coronation Gulf

Delightful plant and rock at False Str. on Booth Peninsula


August 22nd: During the night we sailed down Peel Sound, then unable to go down Bellot Strait because of ice, we have a detour and landing at False Strait on tip of Booth Peninsula. We see a ring of rocks that had been a Dorset dwelling, a lot of very attractive rocks, and a stone cairn. Our historians knew the cairn contained a glass jar with a message in it; they opened it, and message inside was that in 1957 a US Geological Survey tea, was surveying the area.

While on board, someone spotted three swimming bears. A short time later we were in Zodiacs on a cruise following the bears, at a distance of course, until they finally reached shore about a half hour later. Even tho the wind was cold and raw, many cameras were clicking; we were delighted to see the bears coming out of the water. The Zodiacs then proceeded to another area where we saw dozens of Beluga whales at close range. Another wonderful display.

Next day we are hiking at Pasley Bay where the first Canadian vessel, the RCMP's St. Roch, made its maiden voyage through the Northwest Passage from west to east in 1940-41. They over-wintered here during that trip; a lot of building remnants is strewn around.

On August 24th we reach Gjoa Haven on King William Island. This village of 1,000 was founded by Roald Amundsen in 1903, who named the settlement after his ship, Gjoa. We are escorted around town by some high school students. We visit a memorial built in honor of Roald Amundsen, two stores, and their cultural centre-museum. Our visit ended with attending a concert of drumming and singing, and impressive square-dancing.

The following day we visit the Jenny Lind Island, about 20 km in diameter, and located in the Queen Maud Gulf. This island is popular with many birds and is the breeding habitat for many waterfowl especially for various types of geese.

In between our excursions, we get a lot of lectures on things we expect to see from a superb group of lecturers; like historians,a geologist, and cultural ambassadors, just to name a few. They are all excellent and very much appreciated by the passengers.

On August 26th we're anchored in Bathurst Inlet and have an excursion to Arctic Sound. We come across several small shed obviously used for hunting. The terrain is sandier and now we see clumps of willows and small bushes; vegetation is taller as we get further south. And it is now showing some lovely fall colors.

At lunchtime today, there is a polar swim; of course, I don't participate as I would sink to the bottom. However, 35 hardy souls take the plunge, even tho' most are out in less than a minute. But at least they can claim they've done it.

After dinner tonight, there is a fur fashion show organized by our cultural ambassador Aaju - beautiful jackets, vests, coats, etc. She has selected several passengers to model them, and they did a great job.

Today is August 27th, and the sun is shining, a beautiful day. We have not had much sun the last few days. We are in the Coronation Gulf and we will be going ashore at Port Epworth. This is the last day of our trip, as tomorrow we are due to leave.

As we come ashore at a large outcropping of rocks, our geologist is there to greet us with, "These are stromatolites, the oldest form of life on earth, about 2 billion years old. They were formed by bacterial colonies of blue-green algae at the bottom of shallow warm seas almost 2 billion years ago, and thus represent some of the earliest traces of life itself."
These rocks are beautiful even tho' they have the appearance of layers upon layers of round plates.

We made another landing in the afternoon, and if you have read my first chapter, you will know that our ship hit a rock this evening; it's all in my earlier write-up.
I am enclosing a few pictures to end my Northwest passage pics. Hope you enjoy them.