Until two weeks ago, I couldn't even pronounce the names of the cities, and now they are deeply engraved in my memory. Greenland is one of those so close, yet so far destinations that make you feel small, insignificant and detached from rest of the world.
When people asked me why I was going to Greenland, my response was "Why not?" Yet they gave me blank stares, not knowing much about the country as a tourist destination. "What will you eat, how cold will it be, what will you do there?" These were a few things that even I didn't know of before I started doing my research on Greenland.
What I did find was one of the most beautiful natural sceneries in the world -- whether you look from the air, sea or land. With only 60,000 people residing in the third largest country in North America, the towns are small and spread out. I traveled by air, chopper and boat between places, often found a handful of eateries, and comfortable accommodations in the charming old towns.
During my 10 days traveling around the Western and Southern parts of Greenland, I learned a lot about where to hike the glaciers, upcoming modern Greenlandic cuisine, best places to rest my head, and much more.
Here is sneak peek of places I visited...
Ilulissat (meaning Icebergs), a magical town located approximately 200 km (120 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. The most visited place in Greenland is home to Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour by air, sailboat and on foot -- all three if you can afford to (book through World of Greenland). Stay in an igloo at Hotel Arctic overlooking the Icefijord and Disko Bay.
City of Ilulissat
Sailing among icebergs
Igloo rooms at Hotel Arctic
Kangerlussuaq -- Site of Greenland's largest commercial airport, the entire city is built around the runway. The only reason to visit is to see Ice Cap Point 660 along the Arctic Circle. Drive through the moraine landscape and walk directly on the vast ice sheets that make up the Greenland Ice Cap.
Crossing streets in Kangerlussuaq
Entering Ice Cap Point 660
Nuuk is the capital and largest city in Greenland. Admire traditional Danish homes as well as modern housing projects. The city offers museums, malls, restaurants and cultural centers where visitors can learn about Greenland's ancient civilizations dating as far as 2200 BC.
Nuuk Harbor
Narsarsuaq -- This is the place to see blue ice glaciers; a phenomenon caused from compressed snow and increased size of air crystals. The best way to soak in the Narsarsuaq Glacier, or the Dead Glacier, because it doesn't produce any icebergs is by hike (book through Blue Ice Explorer).
Blue ice glaciers
Ipiutaq -- The area around the settlement is home to many sheep farms that were inhabited by Norsemen. The only reason to come here is to relax at the Ipiutaq Guest Farm, a working farm with a two-bedroom guesthouse and French-Greenlandic cuisine. Picturesque valleys, vast pastures, and glaciers surround it, and there is nearby fishing and hiking.
Backdrop of Ipiutaq guest farm
Narsaq -- Another sleepy little town in south Greenland where photographers can have a field trip. With a backdrop of mountains, colorful homes and beautiful shore of Tunulliarfik Fjord, there is no reason to stay indoors.
Plains of Narsaq
Qaqortoq -- The capital of South Greenland can be identified as the Portofino of the Arctic. A dramatic approach from water captures the bay lined with shrimp boats and homes spread across the hilly slopes. The destination is known for kayaking, guided hiking, whale watching, cross-country skiing, and boating (book through Greenland Sagalands).
Homes in Qaqortoq
To read more about my journey to Greenland, follow my blog at Go Eat Give.
~ Words and photography by Sucheta Rawal. Follow on Twitter, Facebook and Blog.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.