Embarking on a 3-day expedition across the largest ice island on Earth.

Something peculiar is happening as the remote and frigid North Pole region is currently attracting more tourists than ever before. Could it be because, at the end of December last year, CNN released a list of the 16 hottest travel destinations for 2016, with the North Pole ranking third on that list?

Greenland Journey: 3 Days on the Largest Ice Island on the Planet

To explore the North Pole, you can choose from one of three territories owned by Iceland, Greenland, or Norway. Particularly appealing to our group of Vietnamese students in Finland is Greenland, as it boasts a unique world heritage site, and in March, the Arctic Winter Games will take place here.

Moreover, the journey to this destination is convenient. Therefore, we have decided to dedicate the last weekend to getting acquainted with Greenland—the largest ice island on the planet.

The Capital Nuuk

As the airplane window opened up a panoramic view, we couldn't help but feel like we were gazing at clouds. However, as the landing preparations began, it turned out the aircraft was gliding over icy mountain peaks. The landing was not as smooth as expected, but the flight crew quickly assured everyone that this phenomenon is entirely normal at this airport.

Nuuk Airport is quite petite, lacking both customs and security checkpoints. No one stamps your passport. Passengers simply grab their luggage and step outside. And just like that, our dream of exploring Greenland became a reality.

The weather was bone-chillingly cold. The wind carried drizzling rain that rustled gently on the thick ice. Waiting for us was a young man named Peter, who spoke English quite fluently.

On the way to the hotel, Peter shared the history of Greenland. According to legend, in the past, a man named Erik the Red was expelled from Iceland for murder. He, along with his family and slaves, ventured northwest and discovered this land, naming it Grønland (Greenland in English), perhaps to attract settlers from elsewhere.

With nearly 16,000 inhabitants, Nuuk is the most populous city in the archipelago. Greenland gained autonomy from the Danish Parliament in 1979, though Queen Margrethe II of Denmark remains the head of state.

Covering an expansive area of 2,166,086 km² and a coastline of 44,087 km, this ice-covered island is home to a mere 57,000 people. Greenland still receives an annual subsidy of approximately 3.6 billion kroner (over 627 million USD) from Denmark, not to mention defense, security, and order maintenance expenses.

According to the Geological Institute of Denmark, Greenland ranks among the world's top 20 'mining nations,' attracting exploration and exploitation efforts from American, British, Australian, Chinese, and South Korean companies.

Peter revealed that the island faces a shortage of local labor, leading to a significant influx of workers from elsewhere, notably from China. Danish journalists humorously refer to Greenland's capital, Nuuk, as 'Chinatown' due to the ubiquitous presence of Chinese individuals!

... And the office of Santa Claus!

After a tour of Nuuk's colonial-era harbor, Peter guided us to a street with a gigantic red mailbox. As it turns out, it's Santa Claus's mailbox, dedicated to receiving children's wishes from around the world through letters.

'Santa' (of course, a charitable organization) promptly sends the most suitable responses after reading the letters. Recently, 'he' expanded his network to three locations at the North Pole, including Alaska (USA), Lapland (Finland), and Greenland. Although Santa's house is located in the Uummannaq province in northern Greenland, all children's letters from around the globe are accepted at this location.

The next stop is the vividly red Savior's Lutheran Church, built in 1849, with a statue of a man overlooking the harbor outside. This man is Hans Egede, credited with laying the first bricks that formed Nuuk in 1728 when he arrived from Denmark for missionary work.

At the entrance, a replica of a Viking ship hangs from the ceiling, while inside, an oil painting captures the portrait of Hans Egede deep in prayer. The church interior, though simple, exudes elegance with its gray and gold tones.

Each row of seats is adorned with a candle at the end. Perhaps it's not yet time for the ceremony, as only a few individuals quietly offer prayers in the solemn atmosphere.

We continue our journey past the Parliament building, the courthouse, and Greenland's administrative offices. While those architectural structures boast grandeur and age, on two other streets, numerous constructions are underway. In this perpetually icy North, construction work intensifies during the brief summer to alleviate the challenges.

The tour around Nuuk's capital concludes with a visit to the Greenland National Museum. With just an hour before closing, Peter advises everyone to hurry, adopting a 'ride and see the flowers' approach.

In about 45 minutes, we acquaint ourselves with exhibits showcasing the life, clothing, and tools of the indigenous Inuit people. Subsequently, we watch a presentation outlining the 4,500-year history of Inuit migration from Asia through Northern Canada to Greenland, as well as the appearance of North Europeans approximately 1,000 years later.

At this point, everyone eagerly desires to witness the Qilakitsoq mummies – an Inuit woman and a child who lived in North Greenland in the 15th century. Due to the frigid climate and perhaps more importantly, effective preservation methods, their bodies and belongings remain remarkably intact.

After leaving the museum and before dinner, we stopped by a captivating souvenir shop. Prominent among the displayed items were carpets and clothes made from fur, such as musk ox wool, fox, reindeer, and polar bear.

Not only that, the place showcased carvings and jewelry crafted from whale bone and tusks, polar bear, and whale teeth. When searching for a dinner spot, everyone was surprised why a place known for shrimp fishing had no seafood restaurants. So, the whole group had to return to the hotel.

Following the guide, we arrived at a restaurant… Two blocks away! Well, we had to settle for a hot and spicy tom yum soup and seafood curry to warm ourselves up and fend off the cold.

Immersing in Disko Bay

After a two-hour flight from Nuuk, we reached the city of Ilulissat – home to the Disko Bay, UNESCO-listed as a 'World Heritage Site' since 2004.

At a hotel on a hill, the waitress warmly welcomed us and explained that the scenery in Ilulissat changes daily. Observing, I noticed that indeed, during the afternoon, the landscape photos displayed a distinct difference in background colors.

From the hostel room, the harbor and a part of the city, especially the renowned Disko Bay, are clearly visible. Here, tourists can purchase tickets for a boat excursion into the middle of the bay to admire drifting icebergs.

The boat moves quite fast, and the cold sets in quickly. We don extra hats, gloves, and scarves. Honestly, boating on the bay feels like floating in a stone sculpture museum.

The icebergs come in various shapes and sizes. Some are as large as boats, and that's just the tip of the iceberg on the bay's surface. While most ice appears pure white, occasionally, there are blocks with a gray volcanic ash hue. The ice here moves faster than anywhere else in the world, reaching speeds of about 35 meters per day.

About an hour later, the boat captain turns off the engine for passengers to enjoy the majestic scenery, and he takes on the role of a tour guide. He mentions that compared to 25 years ago, Greenland is much warmer now, and the amount of drifting ice has decreased. Furthermore, about a decade ago, Disko Bay was busier than it is today.

Sitting on the boat's deck, we admire the drifting ice and capture images of the most peculiarly shaped pieces. Occasionally, the rumbling sound of calving ice echoes, immersing us in the world heritage site for about an hour, yet time seems to pass swiftly. The sky gradually darkens, while the sun here is an early sleeper, sinking slowly into the distant horizon, leaving behind hues of orange and lavender on the icebergs.

Suddenly, a fellow group member exclaims, 'Whales over there!' All of us follow his pointing arm. Indeed, a black humpback emerges from the water, and a strong stream of water spurts from the whale's blowhole. Just a minute later, the whale arches its back, gently disappearing beneath the water. Its colossal tail lifts from the surface, waving goodbye in a slow, deliberate motion. At this point, the boat turns its bow, returning the travelers to the city...

As per the travel diary of Saigon Entrepreneur

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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook