Skip to main content

Exploring Iqaluit, Nunavut

I have been very fortunate to have visited every province and territory in Canada.  Well, it's more than good fortune - it's determination.  I made it happen.  Priorities folks, priorities.

Anyway...in June of 2008 I flew into Ottawa for a brief visit as I hadn't been there in 13 years....however it was an excuse to use a short haul Aeroplan airmiles flight from Ottawa to visit the remote capital of Iqaluit, Nunavut which is Canada's newest territory. (once the eastern part of the North West Territories) I could never have afforded to pay the airfare otherwise.  Nunavut became a separate territory on April 1st, 1999.  Frobisher Bay was renamed Iqaluit.

I stayed at the Beaches Bed and Breakfast on the shores of Frobisher Bay.  It was a lovely place with delicious breakfasts.  I could look out to the bay which was still frozen over in most places.  The local kids' favourite pastime was jumping from one piece of ice to the other.  I preferred not to watch that.

I did the 10km walk around town which I was newly in charge of having just accepted the job of Director of Prairies/North of the Canadian Volkssport Federation. 

Anyway here are some of the highlights of my short stay:

Iqaluit taken from a jetty out on the bay.  My B and B was the navy blue house on the water front.




I loved the sculptures everywhere!




These sculptures were scattered around the main area of the town.

Frobisher Bay

Gas station - lots of ATV's everywhere!!!

Don't you love the signs for the toilet? 

Love her coat

Yep, it doesn't go anywhere...ships filled with supplies sail in during the short summer sesason and the only other option is flying in. 

Typical neighbourhood in central Iqaluit.  Well actually this is the main drag!


One little two little three little Inukshuks...I loved this.

This proud papa was happy to pose for me.

Cemetery in Iqaluit - I can't imagine the burials are too deep with the permafrost.

You knew there had to be a dog somewhere!!!

Typical home...they are all on "stilts" due to the permafrost.
This is the Territorial Legislative building 

Kids playing - I must say I was disappointed with all the garbage everywhere. 
I then walked over to Sylvia Grinnell park which took me about half an hour if I recall.  Oh oh...possiblity of polar bears?  I was told that none had been seen in the park ever - I am so gullible! I had wanted to walk to Apex which was about 5 km SE of Iqaluit but I was told that bears were definitely roaming around there frequently.  I quickly changed my mind!





I found the landscape harsh yet beautiful.






It was a bit overwhelming to be in a place of such stark beauty and so wild. 


Arctic char and caribou medallions with wine and followed by dessert.  The most expensive meal I have ever eaten but worth every penny! 
Then it was time to say goodbye to Nunavut...


I love you  Canadian North - you get a  complimentary hot meal with alcohol - love the Frobisher  (booze added) coffee!  I hope our paths cross again (but only if I can use airmiles!!!) 

The Iqaluit airport - known locally as The Yellow Submarine!
I am so happy I got to explore this unique and remote part of Canada.  Would I go back?  I highly doubt it but I have learned to never say never!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A walk from Westminster to St Paul's Cathedral

I have decided to put the Thames Path on hold until I am back in London next month and we have more Spring like weather...I will be going into a more rural area that is prone to flooding as well.  I am staying at about five miles maximum a day as well...my knees and feet have been giving me major grief so I am not pushing myself. However that doesn't mean I don't want to walk.  One of my favourite British Walking Federation walks is one that starts at Westminster tube station and covers 10km to St Katherines Docks just east of the Tower of London.  Yesterday I walked as far as St Paul's and will do the rest of the walk in the next couple of days.  Normally I do this entire 10 km walk my first day in London but not this time... So here are some of the highlights along the way....what a gorgeous day it was.  A different view of Big Ben Can you believe this was my first time on Parliament Square Another hero on Parliament Square Classic ...
1 comment
Read more

The Colourful houses of Mazatlan, Mexico

Well this isn't even Throwback Thursday and I am reminiscing about my (all too short) week in Mazatlan, Mexcico in January of 2010.  It was one of my best holidays EVER.  I stayed in a delightful little hotel called La Siesta which was on the waterfront in the central part of town.(known as centro) overlooking the ocean.   I walked around the town photographing buildings, ocean views, dogs....visited the Mercado, attended a fantastic Flamenco dance performance in the restored Teatro (theatre), toasted the sunset with a beer from my balcony every evening and ate at some wonderful restaurants.  I also took a couple of day trips which were okay but my time in Mazatlan overshadowed anything else I did. My one foray into the Gold (tourist) Zone left me horrified and scampering back to my beloved Centro.  And did I mention I did this as a solo trip?  Mexico has had a lot of bad press lately and while there ARE bad things going on there I still believe the average...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cowboys and Outlaws in the Big Muddy of Saskatchewan

One of the (very) few advantages of being stuck at home during this pandemic has been an opportunity to see more of my home province of Saskatchewan.  Last summer and fall not only did I do a couple of day trips with friends but I took four day tours with Engelheim transport, a local Regina company.   I have to admit my favourite day out was the "Big Muddy Valley and Outlaws" tour. While I had been to the Big Muddy previously many years back I was eager to revisit and learn more of its history.   So in early October, I hopped on board and off we went.  The bus is only booked to half capacity so it was easy to social distance, hand gel was a must each time we boarded the bus,  masks were required when you got on and off the bus and in any buildings we visited.  I felt totally safe and oh my, it was so good to have an adventure!!  Despite the name the Big Muddy isn't a big huge puddle of mud but a valley of badlands that were formed from a glac...
Post a Comment
Read more