Flying back north on Sunday... had a bit of a delay landing at the Iqaluit Airport... about 11am a private charter ended up sliding off the runway--and going through the fence at the far side of the runway.... So this meant my plane that was about 15mins ahead of schedule had to 'circle' and wait for the runway to be given the 'all-clear'.... circle we did... (I have on occasion been known to get motion sickness--thankfully that didn't happen today!)  I got some amazing photos.... the one below is of Iqaluit.... the airport on the left....

I think this photo will be blown up and on my wall someday in my house..... I love how you can see the ice that has been forming... the wind blowing snow across the land... and how there's nothing for miles to see... Nunavut really is a gorgeous place...and I've been so blessed to be able to call it 'home'!

Walking home for lunch today.. the sun was just hitting the Mountains.... the Pang Pass... I'm lucky to have this my 'living room' view....

Looking out towards the Sound...and downtown Pang... the Ice has formed in the 2 1/2 weeks I was away from Pang.... the Sun has been rising around 9ish... and setting to darkness by 2ish... and for the most part we just get to enjoy gorgeous colours in the sky until the darkness comes.....

To the TOP of the Globe...the land of 24hour darkness...

Well this blog is going to be short..(famous last words from me!)...Just wanted everyone out there ie) my Mum and Family... I'm on the road again..... I'm heading to the TOP of the WORLD... no lies... it's true... I'll be in Resolute tomorrow evening...and Thursday I'll head up to Grise Fiord.... I'm pretty stoked to be at the top of the world... and to experience TRUE 24 darkness (the sun isn't rising in Grise...and the sun's hours are limited in Resolute!) How exciting.... I'll try to keep you posted while I'm on the road again.....

Now just to pack... because today it was -40C with the wind chill in Resolute..when I checked the weather online...

Flying home...

In yesterday's blog post... I talked about my 'plan' to arrive at the airport at 8am, board and leave Iqaluit by 9am and arrive in Pang at 10am and be back in bed by 10:45am by the latest... Now some of you that are regular travellers of the north probably laughed and said...often when you plan things like that...well they don't normally happen!  So my flight was 20mins delayed....which was ok.. I picked up a book in Iqaluit from (which was the newest in a series I had been reading)...at one point in my flight I looked out my window...and thought I saw "Mt. Thor"  but shook my head because that was in Auyuittuq National Park...which is between Pang and Qik NOT Iqaluit and Pang... I just buried my nose back in my book... and continued reading... When we began our final approach---I realized that it wasn't Pang where we were landing--and it indeed had been Mt. Thor--and I hadn't gotten any photos so was a bit bumed out!  My guess was that indeed I was in Qik...but really wasn't 100% sure! 

After spending 30mins in the terminal in Qik... while the Cargo was offloaded and the plane was refueled... I returned back to Pang.... and I actually put the book aside and watched out my window.... it was a perfect day to fly over the Park!! 

I was able to fly up to Qik in the begining of June for work, and to visit my friend Emily who was teaching there...and LOVED the flight then....

I honestly think that this 30-40min flight is one of the most beautiful ones that I've EVER been on.....

Coming into Pang there were some 'clouds' just hanging around on the top of the Pang Pass mountains....

All in all it wasn't my plan to be on an airplane past an hour.... BUT I think it was well worth it... I got to fly the most AWESOME flight and take a million and one awesome photos.... and make me realize once again... I live in the most beautiful spot in the world!!

(oh and if anyone was wondering I did arrive home about 1ish after a stop at the Northern and actually didnt' go back to bed but dozed on the couch!) 

From the Air.......

(taken somewhere between Iqaluit and Pond Inlet...but most definitely closer to Pond!)

...I slept a bunch on the flight..but woke up and saw these out the window!! I LUV flying!!

Airline Food 101

I'm typing this from Pond Inlet... I'm travelling again this week.. .and had two great flights!  The flight from Pang to Iqaluit was a normal flight... (except for being a bit delayed!)... I got my Box lunch... with the typical pudding, brownie, cheese, crackers, 'soggy/frozen' sandwich....it was good times... The only difference was the sandwich looked like it had 'actual' chicken (still probably processed) but not the 'cold cut' variety.... it was still pretty good.. and I lucked out.. because neither my bread was mushy or hard as a rock!  I was pretty happy!!! (next time I receive one of these yummy boxes i'll take a photo!)

My next flight from Iqaluit to Pond Inlet...well it wasn't so nice.... when it came to the 'boxed' lunch... my heart sank a bit when I saw the flight attendent passing out the 'boxed' sandwich lunches..because I was going to tempt fate to get handed 2 boxes that had decent sandwiches to eat in ONE day.... but when I looked at it.... I did a double take.... then grabbed my camera.......I'll let the picture speak for itself right now....

hmmm interesting right!? let's start RIGHT to left... we have a small 'corn' like the ones you find in a can? then a SWEET pickle....and that's Genoa Salami wrapping COLD sausage.... all on a bed of bow tie pasta that is smothered by italian dressing.... (there was also cheddar cheese, melba toast(but it was broken in a million pieces) and crackers (also broken)... and the BEST part of this meal.... the Lindor Chocolate...

I seriously hope that this is not the NORM for meals to come on this AIRLINE..because seriously... this meal does NOT need to be repeated EVER!!!  the pickle was good... as was the cheese... and well where was my PUDDING?! but at least I got 2 Lindor chocolates out of it....it reminded me of the 'festive dinner' from Swiss Chalet...but well wasn't so festive... OK enough because frankly looking at this photo... is making my tummy turn......

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!)

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!)...

Polar Bears... and 5am wake ups!

When I arrived at Resolute Bay, this polar bear greeted me in the airport.  it's a pretty big 'bear... under 'glass' I guess to keep him safe--and people don't 'pet' him too much?! Unless maybe he comes alive in the dark...and needs to be kept in his glass cage!? who really knows... (i think it is to stop people from 'touching' him...!)

This is the sign that goes along with the 'bear... I like the way they use the term "caught"...hehehe don't u mean shot and killed? I'm guessing it was probably a 'trouble' bear--that the hunter had to go out and get...but not 100% sure... perhaps that's why its in glass bc maybe it is really alive--but really good at playing statues?

When I arrived at the hotel... I came across this 'little' bear... and of course said 'hello'... I think this is as close as I ever want to get to one of these guys!

The flights south from Resolute Bay... leave at 'crazy' times... it's a 6:30am departure... so they request we are there by 5am to load all the bags etc... (so that means I got up at 4:45am)---perhaps I should tell you that I did learn something new-- Resolute is in a different time zone!  (it's an hour 'behind' eastern time)...so 5am is really only 6am EST but still too DARN early.  I've never liked mornings; and well this didn't really help matters being at an airport so early!  So what did I do? take some photos of course... here I am with the bear again.... isn't he HUGE!?

(please don't judge the 'bed' head and glasses.. remember it was 5am!)

Here's some 'random' people chill'n waiting for the flight.... (the plane was FULL like all 18 seats were taken!)

It was the longest walk to the plane... and COLD... but I did it quickly... and was one of the 4th people on the plane-- I got a window seat-- which is always important to me... because then I have the opportunity to take photos!

Here is Arctic Bay... from the air! it was clear and not a cloud/fog in site... but you see the airport is in Nanisivik (an old mining town)...about a 30-40min drive away.  This airport is higher up...and is known for its trouble with fog issues.. so even though the weather was clear here-- everyone on the plane wasn't sure it would land!

This is one of the last photos I took from the air... see we flew into 'fog' that was all AROUND the airport.  The pilots made a first attempt; and well abandoned it.... but because there was enough fuel, and there were 7 people that wanted to get off in Nanisivik--and they flew over the night before...they decided to do a 2nd try.... I literally HELD my breath the whole time the plane circled (I thougth for sure I'd be heading the 3 hours back to Iqaluit)... but I was wrong... slowly we decended... I got a bit nervous at the end when I looked out my window and saw runway zooming by...and well it was under the WING not the PLANE... but with a quick turn.. and quick stop... we were on the ground... Pretty amazing.... I was glad I was here!!

...my next question is... I wonder what the weather holds later in the week (thrusday) when I'm scheduled to fly out!? That's the part of travelling that is kind of cool... the fact that I dont' really know if I'll get IN or if I'll get OUT of communities... people call me crazy.. but I just think it's part of the Adventure...except I could do without 5am mornings!!

Lessons # 143 in Northern Travel

You might not end up in your correct destination!

This morning, I thought at this time I'd be all comfy cozy at the B&B in Arctic Bay---but seems like the weather at the airport in Nanisivik denied me this. 

So you might ask? where did I end up? well Resolute Bay of course!    (you can look at the map if you need to figure out where that was--compared to where I should be)... but this is the furtherest north I've been in a long time.. so that's pretty darn cool!

Tomorrow I have to be at the airport at 5am... YES that's right... 5AM---for my flight that leaves at 6:30am...  There will be an attempt to land at Nanisivk again... let's cross our fingers-- but you never know... I might just have to fly up here again!

I'll probably update you all with some photos at some point.... but for right now this is all!

Lucky me....

I was soooo lucky to land yesterday!!! The plane didn't land this morning... on either attempt (see the regular flight goes Iqaluit to Pang to Qik to Pang to Iqaluit)... So I put this out to everyone.... my situation... I'm flying south on Saturday May 23rd... YEP in 4 Days!!! (well that is unless weather delays me----) that's where you my friends can help!... if you are someone that is a praying folk? please send up the request for GOOD weather ie) no fog, wind, cloud... so that the plane can land on Sat AM and then get out!!! I'd really like to leave as scheduled and arrive in Ottawa at 5ish on Saturday... rather than the 'next available' flight....which could be as early as Monday...but who knows if that one gets booked!!!! So send up a little request..... I'll keep you updated on the weather..... or you can keep checking it as well!!... http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/canada_e.html

Third Time's a Charm....

Happy VICTORIA day to me!! I can honestly say it's the first one that I have experienced that involved snow!! But it was a good day... here is a shot of my hotel that I stayed at in Iqaluit, the Nova...home away from home!

Well I finally landed back safely in Pang---got a bit of a taste of flying/travelling up north! The pilots landed on their second attempt... a momentary break in the fog/cloud cover... (so yes I thought for a few minutes after they turned and gained altitude that I would be indeed flying BACK to Iqaluit and have experienced another 'flyby'... I was happy to get home to my clean house!!!

The pilots brought us in REALLY low over the ice....because the ceiling was so low! the 'cracks' in the ice in a week have become HUGE.... It was amazing to see the differences a week makes in the snow and ice!!

This is hard to see... BUT it's the plane's wing... and all of Pang--you can see the fog/cloud cover....crazy but thankfully we LANDED!! :)


Another shot of the Wing/Pang in a distance.... The ice is soooo amazing... the colours are awesome!!! very watery...and bright blue in colour!!

I think this has a mixture of sand/rock as well as the ice.... pretty cool patterns... I think they'd look awesome as HUGE canvas prints.....

Flyby

Orgin: English
Pronunciation: 'flI-"bI
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural flybys

1. a flight that passes close to a specified location without stopping
2. a prearranged usually low-altitude flight by one or more airplanes over a public gathering (as an air show)
3. a : a flight of a spacecraft past a celestial body (as Mars) close enough to obtain scientific data b : a spacecraft that makes a flyby

***********************************************************************

Well today I did a bit of a 'flyby' of Pang....(number 1)... When I checked in at the airport things looked good...(weather wise)... boarded at 10am..had a lovely breakfast basket of muffins and other yummy things! The pilot announced that they were prepping to land---that the temperature in Pang was +4C...(i was excited)....and then 5mins later...it was our first BUMP....I was like, ok a 'bit' of turbulence....no worries.... then we dropped... and rocked (we didn't roll!) all of these bumps and rocking were accompanied by my own little sound track (not me!)...but lots of EEEEEEEs and Ohhhhhhs..... in the midst of this I was kicking myself that my camera was in the overhead bin---bc I could have gotten some AWESOME shots of PANG! we turned around...and headed back to Iqaluit....(after experiencing my first crazy turbulence)...we landed at 12pm....


..there has been a flight re-booked for tomorrow at 11am... so hopefully I'll get back home soon.... but then again... Iqaluit isn't a bad place to be 'stuck'.... All for all it was a good day! :)

Flying....

It's pretty amazing what you can see out your window from the plane isn't it?...Although most of the flight was just cloud!! I made it back to Iqaluit early this afternoon....and had a great day! Went out for $5 wings--and caught up with a friend that lives here!

Iceberg #2...

(on a side note: those 'bare' roads are NO more---it snowed all day SUNDAY and all through the night---i guess that's good it's warm enough to snow!)

Now let's get onto showing you some more exciting fun from Iceberg #2.....it was bigger than number 1....(but shhhh don't want to give number 1 a complex or anything!)

it just is soooo incredible how MASSIVE these things are---and apparently they are still 'small' that there ARE bigger ones OUT THERE!!!

..balancing act (you have to keep the photos different!)

---in the background you can see an iceberg in the distance...

...the 'tourist pose' been there and done that!

I saw my first SEAL...(not in a zoo that is) yep that's what the black blob is...we tried to walk closer to it..but it saw us and dove back into the water!!

I learned that when pretending to fight...you need to know what the other person is going to do....I thought OK...we'll do this.. then CHEST bump...and then it will be all good... but at the last moment... Claus changed his body direction...and well I got his shoulder/elbow in well my chest... that didn't feel so good....although a bit bruised it didn't ruin the rest of my day!

(kind of funny actually-you'd think I'd learn my lesson about 'play' fighting with the boys!)...



...posing like the tough dudes we are!

...OK so I need to work on my 'jump'....but still think it's a fun shot...and that my friends is the end of the photo delights from iceberg #2...stay tuned because iceberg 3 & 4 have yet to make their Internet debut...and I got to walk on one; and put my food on the other!

Yes, I am a dare devil-but you all knew that didn't you!?!

Iceberg #1...

Today, I went with a group out towards the sound...about 20kms(i think) to see the 'giant' icebergs that have been 'trapped' in the ice. With changes in currents and tides and stuff...these icebergs have been known to rise UP or sink MORE---so the ice isn't solid up to them...there's water usually and slush around them... They also have been known to FLIP over; or tilt or turn if the currents, wind and elements are right! (pretty powerful stuff---that didn't stop me from having an amazing day out on the ice exploring and marvelling at how amazing these things are!!)

Walking away from the berg....putting a person beside it puts it into perspective...I'm going to let the last two images talk for themselves.......the colours and the stripe were pretty niffty!