

Two Danes and the Ghosts of the Past
Published: 27/10/2020
Reading time: 3 minutes
Saturday morning, we set out of the apartment and once again headed to the colonial harbor, where our next adventure would meet us. We were going by boat to the closed settlement Kaneq. This we were looking forward to, as this would bring us out of the fjord, and to more open waters.
The Ghost Village
Boarding Ice Force One, yes it was the boat’s name! we were ready to sail off. It was a bumpy ride due to the tidal wave, but luckily, we are sea strong compared to a fellow traveler who got a little seasick on the twenty-minute boat ride to Kaneq.

When arriving at Kaneq a challenge arose: how would we get off the boat and on to the island? As it was shallow water, the good captain had to find a place between the rocks where we could get off.
Note to self: Watch out for slippery stones – there is a lot!

Kaneq has the nickname ‘ghost village’, and we understand why. Seeing the ruins which once were houses, the abandoned fish factory, and the closed church, one really faced the impact of G50 and G60, which brought urbanization to Greenland.
We had about an hour to explore the ghost village, which offered quite some obstacles and we had to search for our hiking skills. It was slippery and muddy thanks to the previous rainy days. We had to guide our way through rotten stairs, mud, and squeaking houses, it was quite an adventure and experience.

Back at the boat again we stayed outside, to enjoy the sunny ride. We got coffee and enjoyed the fresh air, right until… SPLASH! Being on deck reminded us most of all of being on a water slide in an amusement park. Maya got the cold water splashed upon her, but her spirit was high!

The Footsteps of Hans Egede
Arriving at Håbets Ø, the first place where Hans Egede arrived in 1721. We saw his first house, correction, the remains of it, and a monument. This was all good, but to be honest, we were there for the fantastic view. Climbing the hill, which in danish terms would be a mountain, you got to see the stunning view over the untouched landscape.
Not lots of things to see, but much to eat. Again, we found ourselves with the heads facing the ground looking for crowberries and blackberries. To our luck, it was covering the entire ground, except for a few rocks.

After half an hour we sailed back to Nuuk, where the waves were now calm and more seasick friendly. Coming from this side, it was possible to see the entire city from a different perspective.
As a perfect goodbye to the ghosts of the past, we enjoyed a warm cup of coffee at the Café Toqqorfik– which were very much alive, with people talking and playing board games.
Read more travel blogs from Natalia & Maya
-
5.00(1)
Mountain Ridge Hike | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration8 hoursFrom 2250 DKKSee more -
Winter Safari | Sisimiut
Tour startsSisimiutDuration1 hourFrom 450 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
Snowshoe in the Northern Night | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2.5 hoursFrom 550 DKKSee more -
Sailing tour with Photographer!
Photo Excursion | Disko Bay and Uummannaq | 8 days | Guide to Greenland
Tour startsIlulissatDuration8 daysFrom 58500 DKKSee more -
4.83(6)
Hiking tour around Quassussuaq | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration3 hoursFrom 945 DKKSee more -
Private charter!
Whale Safari | Maniitsoq | West Greenland
Tour startsManiitsoqDuration1.5 hoursFrom 3700 DKKSee more -
1 to 6 Passengers Included
Captains Favorite Strait Cruise Sullorsuaq | Private tour | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration8 hoursFrom 17000 DKKSee more -
4.00(1)Accommodation & tours included!
Highlights of the Arctic winter in 5 days | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration5 daysFrom 11700 DKKSee more -
New Tour!
Disko Island Kayak Exploration | Qeqertarsuaq | Disko Bay
Tour startsQeqertarsuaqDuration3 hoursFrom 1350 DKKSee more -
2025 departures!
Arctic Circle Winter Adventure | Nuuk & Sisimiut | 8 Days
Tour startsFrom CopenhagenDuration8 daysFrom 25995 DKKSee more -
Including flights to Greenland!
Highlights of Iceland & Ilulissat, West Greenland | 8 Days
Tour startsFrom IcelandDuration8 daysFrom 45400 DKKSee more -
4.60(10)
Daytour to Eqi Glacier | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration9 hoursFrom 2450 DKKSee more -
Includes 7 passengers!
Whale Safari | Private Charter | Qasigiannguit | Disko Bay
Tour startsQasigiannguitDuration3 hoursFrom 3800 DKKSee more -
Sailing to Karale & Knud Rasmussen Glacier | Tasiilaq | East Greenland
Tour startsTasiilaqDuration8 hoursFrom 2000 DKKSee more -
New Tour!
Day Kayaking trough the Brede Bay | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration6 hoursFrom 2695 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
East Greenland Photo Exploration | Tasiilaq
Tour startsKulusukDuration5 daysFrom 15000 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)1 To 6 Passengers Included
The Calving Glacier Eqi & Paakitsoq | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration8 hoursFrom 16000 DKKSee more -
4.80(10)Extraordinary Dining
Catch’n’Eat | Qooqqut Nuan| Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration6 hoursFrom 1895 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
Afternoon Snowshoe Hike To Ilulissat Icefjord | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration3 hoursFrom 450 DKKSee more