Greetings from Iqaluit!

Here's a cool shot of the whole of Arctic Bay---sorry it's soooo tiny... (I think if you click on it will open up bigger?!)  I took it just before the Taxi came to take me to the Airport...

The ride to the airport...was pretty crazy!... the roads were pretty icey--and there were about 2 or 3 times I thought we were for sure SLIDING into the ditch!!! (we managed to come out of a 'fish' tale once...) The road really was safe for 'one' car--but a few times we passed other vehicles!  Here's a shot of the truck--we were both moving--so it's a tad blurred!  We also passed a water or fuel truck--for that one we STOPPED and waited at the side of the road for it to pass us!

While I was checking in at the airport... all of a sudden this 'little' door opened.. and the airport staff took the baggage out to the fork lift!  So I snapped this photo--have to play tourist once and awhile!

The next two shots are shots from the air.... it was soooooooo pretty the first hours of my flight.. the sun was setting (on the other side of the plane) and casting awesome colour onto the snow below-- the photos didn't quite capture that the way I will always remember it! 

Hope you all have a great night... I am safe and sound in Iqaluit (one more step closer to getting back home!)

How Bloggers Interact in Person....

About a month ago, before I started travelling I had this revelation on a Sunday night while reading some of the northern blogs I follow...(ok stay with me need to give you a bit of background!!) This was the revelation...when I booked my trip to Arctic Bay I had choosen to stay at the  Kiggavik Bed and Breakfast. ...From reading Clare's blog--I knew he ran a B&B...and well I forgot that it was Arctic Bay..but then it dawned on me on that Sunday night that I was going to meet Clare and his family, because I had booked myself into his B&B!.. Kind of cool eh?

Clare who has been called the 'grandfather' of all Nunavut bloggers, he's been blogging in Nunavut for a long time(I think it's close to 4 or 5 years)! He also has a SITE that helps 'compile' all the Nunavut bloggers--and runs a competition every year called the "Nunies" where 'best blog', 'best new blog' and 'best post' awards are awarded! I think this will be kind of fun to take part in!!

That's one of the joys about my job and the travelling I get to do...I am meeting Northern Bloggers in person...This is a lot of fun! 

If you EVER get to Arctic Bay.. make sure you make Kiggavik B&B part of your trip plan... it's a beautiful place...the actual HOUSE is amazing... (pictured below) sitting on a hill...over looking the Bay... so pretty... there are lots of windows, and a pretty neat design of the building!  The rooms are spacious...the bed is comfy....and there's even a DESK in the room--so helpful when you are trying to work on a laptop! Now the food?--Clare is the cook and Breakfast has been amazing every morning... and if you want he'll cook up  Lunch and Dinner which are just as good!...

(I'm going to miss Clare's cooking when I head back to Pang---if the weather finally co-operates and allows me to leave!)

All in all, being 'stuck' somewhere when it's as beautiful isn't so bad... and with good food--that's a BONUS!

Here's a shot of Clare and I... and the title is "How Bloggers Interact in Person"...

Thanks for your hospitality... it was great to meet you and your family!! (your kids are adorable!!)

It was great to meet another fellow blogger...in my travels!

PS. Remember when I made THIS post about Clare and his quest to win a trip to Antarctic (you can still go and vote for him).

UPDATED: (the Blog your way to Antarctica competition is now closed--thanks for everyone that had voted prior to Sept 30/09); I have corrected one of the 'names'  Clare is also known as the "godfather" of all Nunavut Bloggers!

Modes of Transport....

It was a pretty busy day.... and tonight I was excited... just after 5pm someone I met yesterday through work said she'd take me on the road to "Victor Bay" (remember that shot from air ---and the bay that was 'above' Arctic Bay?---with the Icebergs? well that's where I was heading!)... there seem to be 'roads' going all over the place here... I was excited!!! Like a kid... I put on my long johns, snow pants, coat, mitts and hat...and waited at the door.... just after 5pm Geela showed up with her ATV.. and off we went....

Along the way we talked a bit... and she pointed out different things... but it was BRUTALLY cold....! 

here's a shot of the iceberg in Victor Bay... it was HUGE!! (apparently the others have broken up and gone)

Here's a self portrait of me and Geela.... (as you can see in my post... my hat... the one I LOVED (with that awesome photo a few days ago in Cape Dorset)...well I've misplaced it... I had it this morning.. and well don't know WHERE it went between leaving this morning and coming back for lunch!...) I was lucky to have this 2nd hat...which is more of a 'fashion' hat--doesn't really much to stop the wind--but better than no hat! I hope I can find it tomorrow!

Victor Bay has almost a small 'tent' city...well city might be a stretch...but there are lots of tents and skidoos that have been left here by the hunters....and are awaiting more snow... and the ice to form so that they can be used again to go out and hunt!!   I'm sure its' really nice in the summer months too--but today was just plan COLD!

Just on top of the hill from town is this lake...where lots of the kids go to skate and play hockey--- I couldn't imagine taking off my warm shoes and putting on skates... or walking up the HUGE hill!  The kids looked like they were having lots of fun playing hockey tho!

Thanks Geela for taking me for a ride... even though it was brutally cold... I so appreciated the lift to see something new... hope you enjoyed your hot chocolate--- I sure did to warm up!

Oh the news I received just before this little 'trip' was that my flight that was due to leave tomorow was cancelled.  The weather today in Resolute Bay was bad--and with unpredictable weather in Nansivik-- that translates to cancelling the flight today. So that means tomorrow morning there will be no plane in the morning (because there is no plane in Resolute!--are you following?)... I was told that the next available flight is TUESDAY  because the Friday and Sunday flights are FULL.  I would be wait listed on Friday--can we say a potential $80 to get to the airport and back if I don't make the flight!? ahhhhh fun times I tell you! The other thing that might be a bit tricky is... a place to stay.. see there aren't many options in small communities...and well if I stayed until Tuesday morning---there is ONLY room at my current place until Monday... so that means potentially I could be 'homeless' in Arctic Bay....

Tonight after having dinner... I called the 1-800 number for the airline.... and talked to a helpful guy-- and he actually was able to book me on the Friday flight---because there was 'spots' and then booked me on a flight to head back to Pang on Saturday morning--- I'm not sure I remember what my house looks like at this point! 

This is all still 'weather' pending... sooooo I am hopeful..that the plane will land--and I will be on it.. and WILL be in Iqaluit on Friday afternoon!  and WILL be back in Pang on Saturday morning..(say it with me now.... hehehe)

In other good news... I just received an EMAIL from my friend Tara that is 'house' sitting for me...(and also picking up my mail) that I have TWO packages waiting for me at home in Pang.... that's the news from Arctic Bay!!! I'll keep you posted... about what else happens....

(and just on a side note... I don't tell you these things about my travelling... to 'complain' or be 'negative' I actually think it's quite fun to be travelling in the north.. and well experiencing those delays...that come along with that!)...

Taxi Rides in the Arctic...

You might think Taxi's are city things...but even in small remote places they are pretty important.  Pang hasn't had a taxi since the middle of the summer.. so my experience with the taxi system to date has been a flat rate of $6/ride (per person too)... it kind of makes sense because distances could be 'potentially' not that far... (kind of make me wish that toronto cabbies join this movement!)...

The taxi system in Arctic Bay--is different... the ride from the Nanisivik Airport (which use to be a hub for a mining town but has been shut down for awhile--but the airport is still there) to Arctic Bay is about a 30-45min drive... the cost of this trip? $40 Cash only!! (now you've heard how I've blogged about the flights being a bit sketchy getting in or getting out...right?)... Well that's $40 to the airport--if your plane doesn't land; that's $40 back to Arctic Bay (total trip $80) now if the weather is sketchy for a few days? Makes me wish that I had a taxi buisness here.....

At one point in the ride I said to the driver (and other passenger).. "MAN this is beautiful... can we umm stop? so I can get some photos? I mean if it's ok with you? and the passenger?"...the guys laughed and the driver said... "sure I can have a smoke then!"

This is a photo of the lake that the water for the community is taken from.... on the other side of that rock.. is the ocean... pretty cool!

Here's a shot of the road AND the taxi... or should I say HUGE van... kind of brought me back to my summer camp days.. and the trips in the 'day off van'!