The Northwest Passage - In the Wake of the Great Explorers - Alaska, Canada, Greenland Week five on our 13-week bucket list Pole to Pole cruise on the luxury hybrid expedition ship MS Roald Amundsen with Hurtigruten Expeditions. Day 29 - Beechey Island, Nunavut, Canada Today was magical! We had a nature landing on Beechey Island, an uninhabited island of Arctic wilderness. The weather was on our side, no polar bears were around, and the polar plunge was happening! We were so excited we were geared up first thing and on our Zodiacs as soon as our group was called. Beechey Island is best known for containing three gFranklin expedition members graves, first discovered in 1850. It was about 1 degree, so we were layered up to explore the island for one hour, got some steps up, took in the magnificent views and captured some lovely pics. We saw a geocache site with some time capsules, lust off a stone beach full of pebbles like polished gemstones and the most spectacular coastline views with sparkling turquoise waters. Next was the "Polar Plunge", where we could swim in the ocean! Wayne wouldn't miss out; he was out of his layers in a heartbeat to have a refreshing (and cold) swim. He was fearless, with just a little swearing to get him through! Another item ticked off the bucket list. After lunch, the ship continued until we arrived at a wildlife hotspot - where we saw our first belugas, hundreds of seals, and more birds and spotted about six polar bears! It was an incredible day of wildlife! The Captain stationed us in Radstock Bay on Devon Island for a few hours, a sensory overload. Pods of seals surrounded the ship; the beautiful white belugas were a constant shimmer against the coastline, followed by about six polar bears; one was swimming, hunting for food, and a mama bear was taking her little ones up the mountain. Fun fact: To remain healthy, polar bears must eat one seal every five days It was a beautiful afternoon of wildlife moments; we were all in awe! We were blessed to enjoy ourselves from our balcony, and we're grateful for our binoculars, as the naked eye wasn't quite good enough, nor the camera (iPhone) to capture the pics. All passengers with great lenses on their cameras will have arrested magical snaps this afternoon. Dinner in Aune this evening, as the roast lamb always gets us! It was another delicious meal with ever-attentive service from our King Richard and Armani. A special thank you to Nenad (our Serbian friend), who runs a very efficient and energetic team. We always feel very spoilt by the warm welcome from the entire team. As the evening progressed, we sailed past a couple of vivid blue icebergs, followed by another sunset and the surprise delivery of the Polar Plunge certificate. This week, we have been spoiled with sunsets! Day 30 - Croker Bay & Dundas Harbour, Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada This morning, the sun was beaming across the scattered sea ice as we opened our curtains; with a snow-covered island as a backdrop, we were sailing past Devon Island, which is 75% permanently covered in ice. We were attempting to land at Dundas Harbour, but the sea had other ideas, and the Captain continued to Croker Bay for a bonus glacier viewing as it was a pocket of calmness for the morning. This was our most northern point yet in the Arctic Circle. Morning coffee was on the balcony with the most mesmerising views of the glaciers as we navigated through the sea ice, a beautiful morning enjoying the best of nature. Soon, it was time for lunch after a few hours of blogging and publishing our four-week adventures. We landed a window table for our arrival into Dundas Harbour, an abandoned old settlement. You couldn't beat this morning, but the Captain topped it! He was busy navigating us through all the sea ice to find a cosy spot to park for the afternoon nature landings. The ship busily thrust all the sea ice from its path to clear our entry to the landing spot. Watching and being amidst all this ice and beautiful terrain. was thrilling The Zodiacs were released, and the expedition crew were off to scout the island for polar bears; they arrived back with good news, and the excursions were approved! They saw a couple of bears on neighbouring islands but stationed a few crew on the watch-out points with their rifles should the need arise to scare them away. Our group was second last today, so we had a few hours to wait until we were called. Once geared up with quite a few layers, even though the sun was still sharing its warmth over the ship, it was still very fresh, about 1 degree, and the wind was creeping in. Just as we were about to make our way to Deck 3 to embark on our nature landing, the sad news came over the PA that all future excursions were cancelled. The wind was getting more robust, and the boats struggled to pick up from the island due to the sea ice filling the landing spots. We were disappointed but understood safety comes first. Back in the room, we removed all our layers. We compensated with a few mojitos before dinner, chatting with our new shipboard friends to hear stories of their landing and enjoying the beautiful views as we made our way to Baffin Bay. As we were heading to dinner, we were all advised, 'One hand for you, one hand for the ship' as the ocean started showing us who was boss and was around for the evening. We all got through the evening with a gentle sway and were rocked to sleep. Day 30 - At Sea, Eclipse Sound & Baffin Bay - In honour of our Queen This morning, we woke, and the ship was very calm and steady, but the sea was still having a bad day upon opening the curtains! The strong winds were still fighting with the sea, which we suspect might make our visit to Pond Inlet difficult today. We were right; we arrived at lunchtime, and unfortunately, there was no anchor side and Zodiacs for a trip to explore. We quickly picked up a new ice pilot for our Greenland segment, returned our guest visitor Roger, a local from Nunavut and continued on our way. We navigated our way to Baffin Bay with misty views of surrounding mountain tops with a dusting of snow. Further along, we had sneak peeks of glaciers as we sailed out of the Northwest Passage for Greenland. During lunch, we all received an important announcement for our British passengers to confirm the sad news of the Queen's passing. This impacted all passengers of The Commonwealth and us being Australians. In honour of our Queen, we celebrated her life and thanked her for dedicating her life to us all over a glass of Bollinger (by royal appointment). She will be missed, and it was a monumental moment; we spent the afternoon and evening with fellow passengers reminiscing about The Queen and sharing our gratitude for her reign, one of the longest-running monarchs in history. It gave us all a way of measuring the passage of time. It was a defining moment. This evening was spent in Lindstrom with our incredible team to keep us smiling, and we had some fun moments taking candid pics before we retired for the evening. Day 32 - At Sea, Baffin Bay, Canada We are on our way to Greenland! Today was spent crossing Baffin Bay as we navigated our way to approach our new destination. The waters remained friendly all day; as we sailed, floating around us in the near distance were scattered icebergs for everyone's viewing pleasure. We enjoyed lunch with our new ship friends, Robin and Lynn, and loved listening to their life stories. The travelling Arctic Dentist and nurse. They grasped every opportunity as they became young adults, and the doors that opened for them have taken them to fascinating places. The conversation was inspiring; now they are visiting places they had once lived and visited over 30 years ago. The afternoon was spent recording a few video messages to our dear friends worldwide; we love checking in and sharing our experiences with everyone; the world is to be enjoyed by all. Dinner was another delicious affair, and we were again spoiled with a succulent piece of Bbeeftenderloin prepared expertly by the chef and served with lots of smiles and laughter from the great team in Aune. We lost another hour this evening, so an early night for our impending arrival in Greenland; we can't wait! Day 33 - Ilulissat, Greenland, Denmark Where do I start? Today is the highlight of the Northwest Passage segment (still seven days to go). Yes, we have seen the Aurora; yes, we have had to do a u-turn in the middle of the night due to our path being blocked by an enormous ice pack; yes, we have seen polar bears and snuck in a polar plunge, to name a few, but arriving into Greenland and being up close and personal with an ice fjord tops the charts. Mother Nature, you are the best gift of all. Let's first celebrate our 55th country; Greenland is an island of the kingdom of Denmark, so Denmark is our 55th country. Ilulissat is the Kalaallisut word for "Icebergs". Ilulissat is home to almost as many sled dogs as people. It has a population of 4700 and is Greenland's third-largest city and most popular tourist destination. Let's quickly summarise the day: as we cruise into Ilulissat, we are surrounded by enormous icebergs we have not seen yet; we are welcomed by two massive whales breaching as we approach the shoreline, or better yet, the ice line. The village is wrapped in an ice fjord; we jump on the first tender boat to make our way to the fjord (a short 30-minute walk from town); we are treated to a dog sled practice as we walk through the fields where the dogs are homed. Thank you, Arctic Living Ilulissat, for this enlightening experience on sled dogs. We were fortunate to see the dog sled practice and the level of excitement with all the beautiful dogs. We love how you put the dogs first, your high level of nourishment and care, your preservation of the Greenlandic dog sled culture, and your passion and love for this tradition. We are then rendered speechless by the fjords as we reach the top of the hill. We hiked through the breathtaking and colourful natural flora to the actual fjord to experience this magical moment for the first time. It was very picturesque, and we took many pictures to capture this incredible landscape and moment. Ilulissat Ice Fjord is 66 km wide and 555 km long and is a UNESCO natural world heritage site. The fjord is a collection of icebergs that have calved from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, the fastest and most active glacier in the world, one by one, with a speed of 40 metres per day. We followed this with a visit to the Icefjord Centre. It was incredible architecture with minimal impact and nicely blended with its surroundings, using only steel and wood to construct over two years. It only opened 11 months ago. It was imposing and a great way to learn about the life stages of ice, from a drop of rain to snowflakes, calving, drifting and melting! A friendly chap who worked there joined us for coffee and shared his stories about Ilulissat and the dramatic change they are experiencing due to climate change; recently, the permafrost has been reducing, and the houses are beginning to shift and become damaged; among the changes in the ice. Thirty years ago, it was much closer to go and touch; now, the drive has become much longer. In the Ilulissat Icefjord, global warming is evident. The Greenlanders are thankful for the growing interest in an issue they live with and adapt to constantly. The area is a site of extensive research undertaken for centuries and, as a result, is said to facilitate insight into climate change. We enjoyed listening to and hearing about the village and how tourism is doubling and becoming stronger each year from around the globe; it was a beautiful, charming community with excellent infrastructure, nestled among a seascape of ice. We captured a fantastic video of the dog sled practice and wanted to share it with the owners. Fortunately, being a small community, the lady from the ice fjord centre shared our contact details. Her name was Anso, and we later shared the video with her. They loved it, and Anso told us how much the dogs love the training; we could see how excited they were, too! What an experience. We finished the day exploring the beautiful town, the bright-coloured homes and the scenic views. The ship was joyous this evening as the crew and passengers digested the sensory overload we were all grateful to experience, thanks to Hurtigruten. Fun fact: Greenland is 80% covered in ice, and It got its name from Erik The Red, an Icelandic murderer exiled to the island. He called it "Greenland", hoping the name would attract settlers. But according to scientists, Greenland was Let'sgreen more than 2.5 million years ago. Day 34 - Sisimiut, Greenland, Denmark The ship received a wake-up call from the waters of Baffin Bay this morning around 2.30 am'; it was time to show us who was boss again. The pre-evening announcement should have been 'one hand for your partner, and one for the bed!' We had a sneak peek, and the waves showed off at about four meters. The ship is impressive in handling the wild sea; apart from a few bumps and creaks, she is very stable. A special thank you to our Captain Terje for keeping us safe and comfortable during these times, which have been few and far between. We lightly slept to the morning, and upon opening the blinds, you could easily mistake the whitecaps for sea ice; this continued until lunch. Our arrival in Sisimiut was delayed about one hour due to weather conditions, but as we neared our new destination, we were protected, and the sea had a breather and let us dock at the pier. Everyone was off exploring the lovely village in a heartbeat and standing on solid ground for a few hours to recalibrate the body. We opted for the walk-off self-guided tour and set out on foot to take in the colourful homes and beautiful nature views around town. Other excursions included hikes to a volcano and up the mountains or a panoramic bus tour. Sisimiut means "the residents at the foxholes". The second largest city in Greenland and the largest Arctic city in North America, with a population of 5600, is also the fastest growing city in Greenland. It has been inhabited for the last 4,500 years. The population of modern Greenlanders is a mix of the Inuit and Danish peoples, who first settled in the area in the 1720s. We first arrived at a lovely souvenir shop, which was also home to a litter of puppies; they had them on display for us to all say hello and have a cuddle. The lovely shop owner's daughter was sharing the dog mama's story with us, and we couldn't wait to stop in on the way back to make a purchase and support this lovely family. The whole ship was just as excited to find a souvenir shop, too; she flourished with business all day, making us smile. We continued walking around until we stumbled on a brassiere restaurant that looked cosy; it was part of Hotel Sisimiut. We stopped for a coffee and snack; it was so lovely we stayed for a while and just enjoyed the magical views. Chatting with the Thailand team andreturningk our basic Thai phrases after living in Koh Samui three years ago was enjoyable. We must note both Greenland destinations; the coffee was impressive! It was time to head back to the ship, so I made a detour to uncover new sites, came across a beautiful lake in the heart of town, stopped back at the lovely Greenland Memories Souvenir Shop, and made a cuddly purchase for the cabin. We welcomed 'Sami the Seal' to our family whilst supporting the children of Nepal in need with a portion of our purchase via Plan International. Sami feels at home already, and the crew enjoy his company, too. Golden hour was upon us, so we enjoyed taking some snaps of the bright and colourful homes on our way back, being cautious of the fast-paced traffic, not sure if they get extra points for tourists or were trialling to become a race car driver, so do keep this in mind. Fun fact: Why are Greenland homes bright and colourful? In the 18th century, Greenland received timber kits from Scandinavia to build wooden houses. Only five colours were available, and each one had a special meaning. Nowadays, many of the colours are decorative. Red: churches, schools, teachers' or ministers' houses, and trade Yellow: hospitals, doctors, and health care personnel Green: power works, auto mechanics, teleoperations Blue: fish factories Black: Police stations This evening was roast lamb and Pavlova, always delicious and early to bed before the moody sea was upon us again for the evening as we prepared for a sea day back towards Canada. Greenland, you were a treasure. Day 35 - At Sea, Labrador Sea, Greenland We woke to the morning update over the intercom at 9.15 am, welcoming the day. We were grateful to have slept through the night and felt refreshed, especially after hearing the waves averaged 5 metres throughout the night. The sea was much kinder this morning, and we expect the same for our arrival in Canada. Today's onboard activity was the bridge visit, which we are very excited about; as we have another two months on the ship, we thought we would give everyone extra space to enjoy as we will have another opportunity when it is quieter. Today was a distinct change in weather; the sun was shining, so we took advantage and enjoyed a glass of champagne in the sun on the pool deck, chatting and sharing laughter with our fellow Pole-to-Poleguests before dinner. Following dinner, tonight was a treat: Filet Mignon and Lemon Tart; we attended the Polar Molars session hosted by Robin, our Arctic Dentist friend, to hear his stories about practising in the 80s in the Arctic. We finished week five with the most magical sunset to take us into week six. Join us next week as we travel South to the East Coast of Canada and the United States.

Icefjord Centre - One visit Upon arriving in Ilulissat on the west coast of Greenland on our Pole to Pole cruise with Hurtigruten Expeditions to visit the magnificent Ilulissat Icefjord, we followed this with a visit to the Icefjord Centre. We were impressed with the incredible architecture, with minimal impact and nicely blended with its surroundings, using only steel and wood to construct over two years. The Icefjord Centre only opened 11 months ago. It was imposing and a great way to learn about the life stages of ice, from a drop of rain to snowflakes, calving, drifting and melting! A friendly chap who worked there joined us for coffee (the cafe onsite makes exceptional coffee) and shared his stories about Ilulissat and the dramatic change they are experiencing due to climate change; recently, the permafrost has been reducing, and the houses are beginning to shift and become damaged, among the changes in the ice. Thirty years ago, it was much closer to go and touch; now, the drive has become much longer. In the Ilulissat Icefjord, global warming is evident. The Greenlanders are thankful for the growing interest in an issue they live with and adapt to constantly. The area is a site of extensive research undertaken for centuries and, as a result, is said to facilitate insight into climate change. We enjoyed listening to and hearing about the village and how tourism is doubling and becoming stronger each year from around the globe; it was a beautiful, charming community with excellent infrastructure, nestled among a seascape of ice. There is a viewing platform on the roof of the structure, which provides a sensory overload of the Icefjord. Be sure to visit if you are fortunate to find yourself in this magical part of the world.

The Northwest Passage - In the Wake of the Great Explorers - Alaska, Canada, Greenland Week four on our 13-week bucket list Pole to Pole cruise on the luxury hybrid expedition ship MS Roald Amundsen with Hurtigruten Expeditions. Day 22 - At Sea, Beaufort Sea, Canada Let's talk about the dining scene on the MS Roald Amundsen. You have three restaurants to choose from for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Soft drinks, beer, house wine (premium at an additional cost) and coffee/tea are included in your meals in each restaurant. Each restaurant is elegantly designed, with floor-to-ceiling windows for beautiful cruising viewing. Lindstrom Restaurant - Located on Deck 9 and available to suite guests for all three meals, open from 7-9 am, 12-2 pm and 6-9 pm. The menu changes almost daily for lunch and dinner; some days, it remains the same, but no more than two days in a row. Think fine dining and very high-quality cuisine and service (which is outstanding in each restaurant). Non-suite guests can experience Lindstrom for dinner at an additional cost of €25 each. Aune Restaurant - Located on Deck 6 and available for all guests for three meals daily, the times are the same as Lindstrom. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style, and dinner is a la carte, except maybe once per week when they have a buffet evening. We have dined in Aune several times over the past few weeks and recommend the a la carte evenings. The daily menu for each restaurant is published each morning in the app, so you can easily decide which restaurant you wish to dine in during the evening. Fredheim Restaurant - Located on Deck 6 and available for all guests to dine in for three meals a day, and takeaway options are available. Dining hours are extended; you can dine from 12 pm - 9 pm. The menu stays the same with your classics, pasta of the day, hamburgers, hotdogs, fish, chicken, steak with vegetables, a new weekly Mexican dish, and other dishes. Day 23 - Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada Long gone are the early risers! We have been making up for years of lost sleep on this cruise and rising at least from 10 am daily. We make it for morning coffee and then straight to lunch! Just after lunch today, we arrived in a tiny community called Ulukhaktok in the Northwest Territories of Canada. Home to a couple of hundred locals. Everyone was eager to get on our Zodiacs for the landing. Once onshore, we were greeted by the local indigenous to take us around their village. It was eye-opening to a different way of life. The homes were primary but were shelters. The locals dressed in coats enhanced with animal fur on the cuffs and neckline. There were approximately three grocery stores (surprising to see the volume of processed foods/sweets with very little fresh produce), where a couple of flights arrived weekly to stock up and another to deliver gas. Their primary means of transport was by foot or four-wheelers—primarily hunters and gatherers (berries), tiny else to keep them busy. We were given four hours to explore, but after 90 minutes, we were ready to return to the ship. The village had the opportunity to put on their arts/craft market when we arrived, but they scheduled this for later in the afternoon when most passengers were back on the ship! Missed opportunity to have the passengers ready to shop; 400 passengers can quickly help fund the community for the next few months; maybe the government subsidy is more than enough. There was not much to see here and trim from the team as to why we visited; it felt like the community existed purely because of subsidies, as no one appeared to be very busy. You could question the carbon footprint, and seeing the rubbish scattered around the village was disappointing. Today, we marked the 106th anniversary of Roald Amundsen's expedition to the South Pole. The Norwegian explorer after whom our ship is named was the first human to reach the South Pole. The ship celebrated with pre-dinner bubbles as we sailed through the Amundsen Gulf. We then finished the evening with a rare and beautiful sunset. Day 24 - Sea Day, Amundsen Gulf, Nunavut, Canada Today was a chilled sea day; we love these days! It's a great excuse to relax genuinely. We received our certificates for crossing the Arctic Circle and kept busy blogging to record all our extraordinary adventures and memories. We enjoyed a beautiful dinner at Lindstrom and celebrated life with a lovely bottle of bubbles, followed by another magical sunset. Day 25 - Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada Last night, we slept with the curtains open to bring our body clocks back to normal, and we were up at 7 am! It's been a few weeks since we had breakfast, so we took advantage of the early morning and popped up to Lindstrom; surprisingly, it is hectic in the mornings, and we even had to queue! After breakfast, we were ready to Zodiac across to our new destination for the day, Cambridge Bay, a small community village of approx 1400. It is also the home to The Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS), a world-class research facility that enhances research and analysis of Canada's North. We wandered around the village and learned about its short history, founded around 1940; we were even offered a sample of whale, a local delicacy, but we politely declined as we were uncomfortable with the offer. After two hours, we were back on the ship for lunch and a cheeky afternoon tea; we found the' cake time' for the first time in 25 days. Every day in the Explorer's Lounge on Deck 10 for one hour, you are offered a selection of freshly baked cakes; the sponge was divine; we must learn to stay away from 3 - 4 pm each day; otherwise, we will need a new wardrobe! The sun blessed us with its presence and warmth this afternoon as we sailed away from Cambridge Bay to our next destination in Northern Canada. A pleasant surprise this evening! The sky was dancing in lights. We finally see our first Aurora with Hurtigruten Expeditions. Day 26 - Gjoa Haven, Nunavut, Canada Mother Nature has been the week's highlight, with the spectacular Aurora show in the sky we experienced last night. This afternoon, we arrived at Gjoa Haven at the heart of Northwest Passage, where Roald Amundsen noted it as 'the finest little harbour in the world! Gjoa Haven is where the polar explorer Roald Amundsen stayed for two winters during his famed quest through the Northwest Passage. Once his ship was free from the ice, he continued his pursuit in 1905, successfully crossing the Northwest Passage. Gjoa Haven is another small, lonely village in the Arctic Circle, with a local Inuit community of 1400. The permanent community was founded in 1927 after a trading post opened; in 1950, there were approximately 110. The last three landings have been underwhelming, and we wonder why they have been chosen; they don't seem to align with Hurtigruten's values of sustainability. We have been quite disappointed with the pollution level (especially in Gjoa Haven). There was not much to see; the people appeared to have very little pride in their land, each village needed supplies, and the pricing for this one was quite a shock! CAD 43 for a frozen dessert, $20 for a frozen pizza, and $18 for 1L of orange juice (not freshly squeezed). You would ask how the locals can afford these heavily processed foods with minimal employment opportunities or industries other than fishing or hunting. We chatted with a grocery store lady, who agreed everything was expensive. We asked how they could afford them, and she confirmed you needed to work. We suggested making the pizza from scratch would be much cheaper (and healthier). Her response was this is much easier. We also noticed the 'We are hiring' sign as we entered the store; this has been a regular occurrence in all villages. We are starting to question these small hamlets' carbon footprint and sustainability. We were blessed with a gorgeous day; the sun was shining, so we enjoyed the weather to get our steps up as we navigated around the rubbish, dead birds and fish as we strolled the coastline of the small village. After a few hours, we returned to the ship to enjoy another fabulous dinner and catch up with fellow passengers over drinks, hearing many stories. Day 27 - Sea Day, James Ross & Bellot Strait, Nunavut, Canada Today, we woke up to views of sea ice as we navigated our way to the Bellot Strait to embark on the Northwest Passage and Greenland. We had a sea day, and the fog was lifting us to enjoy some new scenery, refreshing from the desolate and bare coastlines over the past few days. This morning, Captain Terje updated the ship on navigating us through the Northwest Passage. It was very insightful regarding the ice, weather, permits, and approvals for making the trip. He is also very considerate of the waters; we loved how this is very important to him. For example, he will anchor the ship further from the shore if he thinks the ship is causing disturbance to the sea floor due to the bow thrusters. He also loves that the ship has DP (Dynamic Positioning) as it is much more friendly to the sea and does not cause any damage to the sea as opposed to anchors, which are also much more stable. This evening during dinner, we entered the Bellot Strait, the northernmost point of the Americas and accessible only during Aug/September to sail as iced over during the other months. Bellot Strait is a passage in the Canadian Arctic and is very narrow. Captain Terje perfectly timed our sail through the stunning scenery through the golden hour of the evening. The strait is named for Frenchman Joseph Bellot, one of the many adventurers who set out in the 1850s to search for the doomed Northwest Passage mission of Sir John Franklin. I believe the marine sediments of the canyon walls were very interesting; they were a mixture of three or four and constantly changing. We shared the sailing with another ship passing us by. The passage has complex currents; they were strong in the strait, and many giant whirlpools surrounded us. Exiting Bellot Strait, we sailed past Fort Ross, an abandoned former trading post on Somerset Island. Founded in 1937, it was the last trading post established by the Hudson's Bay Company. This evening's sunset was magical; we have been blessed with clear skies and sunsets this week. Day 28 - Prince Leopold Island, Nunavut, Canada This morning, we woke at about 10 am. We have changed our clocks considerably in the past ten days, losing an hour each time. As we skip breakfast, no big deal and start the day with lunch and wine, no complaints! During lunch, we arrived at the spectacular Prince Leopold Island. We are all spellbound; it is beautiful! The island is one of the most important seabird colonies in the Canadian Arctic; therefore, seabird life was abundant. It is located in Lancaster Sound at Prince Regent Inlet and Barrow Strait. The natural landscape and cliffs of the island were over 1000m and had a natural sequence of limestone. We were very excited today, as it was our first polar bear sighting; we saw four as we arrived at the island. Perfect lunch viewing whilst devouring another delicious lunch of pulled lamb in Lindstrom! Perfection! The bear sightings were announced over lunch, and all knives and forks were instantly placed down, and everyone raced to the windows on the port side to catch a glimpse. Fortunately, we had a window table for front-row seats. Binoculars were a must and provided a clear image of the bears running along the beach, catching their fish or birds for lunch; we ensured the lovely Lindstrom team and fellow passengers shared our binoculars so no one missed out on this beautiful moment. We later learned from the expedition team that Canada has surveyed the island and has no oil prospects, which is positive news as this will protect the island's beauty. After lunch, we were all geared up for the 2 degrees and ready to head out on our Zodiac cruise. Unfortunately, the zodiacs and kayaking were cancelled due to passenger safety, as polar bears were nearby. They can run up to 40 km per hour, and the waters are rough; therefore, passenger safety comes first. Instead, we took advantage of the magnificent views and captured candid pics and moments. The ship sailed away later in the evening and into the night to continue our way to the next destination of Beechey Island, where we all prayed to the weather gods to be kind so we could enjoy a new landing for the morning. See you all next week. Week five is beginning to be full of beautiful surprises! We can't wait to share them.

The Northwest Passage - In the Wake of the Great Explorers - Alaska, Canada, Greenland Week three on our 13-week bucket list cruise to the North and South Poles on the luxury hybrid expedition ship Hurtigruten Expeditions - MS Roald Amundsen. This week, our friends with us from Vancouver disembarked in Nome, and 400 new faces joined us for the Northwest Passage expedition. Day 15 - Savoonga Island, Alaska Last night, we time travelled; we crossed over the international date line at 2.30 am, for only a short while, and then back to the present while we were sleeping. The first time, we skipped the wine for lunch and decided to spend the day online, as today was the last day before we embarked on the Northwest Passage leg of the cruise. Unfortunately, we skipped the excursion to Savoonga (35 miles from Russia). Still, after hearing all the stories over dinner about the warm welcome from the locals and the rich history of the community, we reminded ourselves we wouldn't be doing this again! The local economy consists mainly of subsistence hunting for walrus, seals, fish, and bowhead whales. The city calls itself the "Walrus Capital of the World". A dogsled mail service operated until 1963. During the evening, the Captain's farewell took place and Shaun, the Hurtigruten photographer, shared with us all the magical memories from the first leg of the cruise. Thank you, Shaun, for producing this extraordinary collection of moments. We enjoyed dinner in Lindstrom, and the talented team put on a little show for the departing guests. We said our goodbyes to all the wonderful new friends we made over the past few weeks, followed by drinks in the lounge. Day 16 - Nome, Alaska Today was a big changeover day; 340 passengers disembarked, and over 440 new passengers embarked for the Northwest Passage leg of the cruise. We had the whole day in Nome, Alaska's most famous gold rush town. This little town was put on the map in 1899 due to the discovery of gold, of which $2m was discovered in that first year. It was full of super friendly indigenous Alaskans, who would warmly greet and welcome you to Nome as you wandered around. Very authentic Alaskan architecture, some buildings over 100 years old. We had a little to-do list as this was one of our last ports before we crossed into the Arctic Circle and sailed for three weeks through the Northwest Passage, so we busily ticked this off; apart from haircuts, they will need to wait until Halifax, including lunch and a Hawaiian pizza (Yes, apologies to all our Italian nearest and dearest). We were back onboard during the afternoon and jumped online to complete any urgent tasks before our connection was weak. It was a busy night on the ship as all the new passengers navigated how it operates, and the restaurants were buzzing! Day 17 - Sea Day, Chukchi Sea, Alaska (Arctic Circle) Today at 4 pm, we crossed the Arctic Circle and were in for a surprise. As we travelled, we were all baptised with icy cold water by the Captain. In the Arctic Circle, they have a crossing ritual; fortunately, they skipped the Cod liver oil part of the ritual. Wayne, of course, volunteered for us to go first! It was cold! But we were quickly offered a shot to warm ourselves up; it was lots of fun, especially watching all the reactions. Fog obscured our views of the Diomede Islands today as we cruised past, but one thing we couldn't control was the weather, so it made for a relaxing day. This evening was a pre-dinner drink whilst attending the Captain's welcome and introduction; many crew also changed over in Nome, so we have many new faces onboard. All the new passengers have settled in, and the ship runs like a machine. Day 18 & 19 - Sea days, Bering Strait & Beaufort Sea, Alaska Lazy days cruising, preparing for our re-entry into Canada, submitting forms and the like and receiving safety briefings on the Arctic and kayaking procedures. On day 18, for dinner, we opted for Bison for the first time, which was delicious—Milder than beef and very tender and tasty. The sun goes down around midnight here, so we enjoy very long days; fortunately, our suites have great block-out curtains, so you can easily sleep anytime, day or night. On Day 19 - During our afternoon nap, we woke up to a view of sailing through sea ice, the largest we have experienced in Alaska. It was mindblowing, and the colours were magical! This was followed by a special invitation with the officers for drinks with all transit guests, 56 of us; karaoke and dancing were the entertainment. Thirty-six passengers embarked in Vancouver for the Northwest Passage and will disembark in Boston. The remaining 20 will continue to Antarctica and leave on 8th November. Dinner this evening was Roast lamb in Aune Restaurant; we opted for our favourite table and enjoyed the beautiful evening scenery of sea ice scattered all around us. At about 11 pm this evening, once we were tucked up in bed, we felt the ship come to a halt and stepped out onto the balcony. We were stopped due to ice blocking our path! We couldn't miss seeing all the ice, so we were up and out of bed to get to the Observation deck on Level 11 to check it out! The Captain completed a 360 of the ship whilst we were up there and rerouted us for a more straightforward path forward. Day 20 - Sea Day, Beaufort Sea, Alaska Another day at sea, we were relaxing and dining! So, let's talk about ice. The distinction between 1st-year sea ice, 2nd-year, multiyear and old ice. First-year sea ice is thicker than young ice but has no more than one year of growth. In other words, ice grows in the fall and winter (after it has gone through the new ice – nilas – early ice stages and grows further) but does not survive the spring and summer months (it melts away). The thickness of this ice typically ranges from 0.3 m to 2 m. First-year ice may be further divided into thin (30 cm to 70 cm), medium (70 cm to 120 cm) and thick (>120 cm) Old sea ice is sea ice that has survived at least one melting season (i.e. one summer). For this reason, this ice is generally thicker than first-year sea ice. Old ice is commonly divided into two types: second-year ice, which has survived one melting season and multiyear ice, which has survived more than one. (In some sources, old ice is over two years old.) Multiyear ice is much more common in the Arctic than in the Antarctic because sea ice in the south drifts into warmer waters where it melts. In the Arctic, much of the sea ice is landlocked. Day 21 - Herschel Island, Yukon, Canada This morning, we crossed the US border to arrive in Canada; we anchored just off Herschel Island in the Yukon Territory. Canadian Customs arrived after lunch, and they needed to fly into the island via a 90-minute flight and be boated across to clear the ship and passengers for our landing. Once we were cleared, we had a quick safety briefing from the local park rangers, who warned us there was a grizzly on the beach last night (footprints below) but had since left the island, and we should all be safe. We all boated across in the Zodiacs and enjoyed the fresh air and a walk around the island after four days at sea. As we walked, we could follow the bear's footprints, which were also accompanied by red fox prints, for how long we don't know. Herschel Island is located in the Beaufort Sea, on the edge of the Ivvavik National Park. The rangers resided on the island for six months; a few huts and outside toilets were scattered around, powered by solar, with regular supplies flown in. For those of you who are history lovers, here is some light reading. There was a runway, which was how the customs officers arrived. We chatted with the pilot, who told us the runway was only 250m long, and we all enjoyed watching the plane take off. After about one hour, we were delivered back to the ship; exploring the little island and capturing some memorable moments was incredible.

Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands - Alaska Week two on our 13-week bucket list cruise to the North and South Poles on the luxury hybrid expedition ship Hurtigruten Expeditions - MS Roald Amundsen. Day Eight - Kukak Bay & Kinak Bay, Alaska We enjoyed our morning coffee on the balcony and spotted our first bear! I quickly pulled out the binoculars and confirmed it was not a rock but a bear playing on the water's edge. We had just anchored in Kukak Bay, Katmai National Park, so we quickly geared up for our Zodiac cruise, beginning to understand this layering concept. Our Zodiac Captain Freddy took us to the bears; three bears were snacking on salmon. After 20 minutes, we continued our Zodiac cruise. We spotted a few seals, otters, bald eagles, and gigantic jellyfish while soaking up the mesmerising scenery we were surrounded by. It was the most refreshing start to the day! We returned to the ship for lunch and cruised to our afternoon destination, Kinak Bay. Today on the menu, we opted for Vegetarian Lasagne, and we look forward to this coming back! In mid-afternoon, we anchored in Kinak Bay and Katmai National Park. We layered up again for another Zodiac and thought we couldn't top this morning, but low and behold more bears, and we were able to sneak up even closer! We even saw a Mama bear with her two cubs. What a day! We had our first bear sightings in the wild and counted eight during the day. I am grateful to have purchased our Canon Binoculars (Canon 12x36 IS III) with the stabilising feature to see these magnificent creatures up close. The ship pulled up anchors, and we were back cruising for a few hours; then, to our surprise, we were stationed for the evening in Geographic Harbor. This made for stunning views over dinner and a quiet evening. Day Nine - Geographic Harbor, Alaska Each day continues to surprise us! We didn't think it was possible to top yesterday's luck with all the bears. We had an early Zodiac cruise at 9 am this morning; the weather was forecast to be cold and wet, but the weather gods were on our side, and the sun shone. First up was about eight bears by the river catching salmon and playing about! It was incredible! They are so graceful as they move their gigantic bodies! You could easily sit by and watch them in their natural habitat all day. We enjoyed the viewing for about half an hour and then continued to explore Geographic Harbor, which is so beautiful. The surroundings were gorgeous; this was the best yet! The ship was pulling up anchors today at noon, so we were back on board and enjoyed lunch with our fellow passengers and a rest for the afternoon. We were impressed with the ship's values; our new friends Jonny and Ben educated us on some sustainability features over lunch. The vessel continues to impress us. Tonight, for dinner, we booked Restaurant Aune, another excellent restaurant with stunning views and food to match. The staff were full of conversation, and we loved getting to know more of the crew we will spend three months with on this epic journey from the North to the South Pole. This evening, we were blessed with another magical sunset. Day Ten - Unga, Alaska We were thrilled to see yet another magical backdrop upon opening the curtains this morning. We arrived at Unga this morning, a remote abandoned settlement also known as a ghost village, which has been reclaimed by nature and cows following the departure of its inhabitants. Unga was believed to have a population of 116, half natives and half Russian, and the remaining family left in 1958. The cows were hiding from us, but there was plenty of proof they existed due to the number of cow pats. It was also a beautiful location for pictures. Thank you, Zoe, for capturing these special moments for us. We got to experience the eerie beauty of this village by being dropped off in the Zodiacs to explore for the morning. We walked among the abandoned wooden buildings that now stand only as monuments to the community that once called this place home, taking in the stunning coastline. After one hour, we were back in the Zodiacs for a quick look at Bird Rock, smothered with seagulls; fortunately, we saw a seal sun-baking and then delivered back to the ship for a slow lunch. In the late afternoon, we sailed away to continue cruising to enjoy the beauty of Alaska's Aleutian Islands. Pods of whales for pre-dinner entertainment tonight, the captain slowed and turned the ship for everyone to enjoy the show. We saw about 20 whales breaching for about half an hour. Another magical day, with more delicious dining at Lindstrom! Day 11 - Dutch Harbor, Alaska The Island of Unalaska is home to the International Port of Dutch Harbor - the number one commercial fishing port in the nation and the location where 'Deadliest Catch' is filmed—a population of approximately 4,200. Dutch Harbor is a harbour on Amaknak Island in Unalaska, Alaska. It was the location of the Battle of Dutch Harbor in June 1942 and was one of the few sites in the United States to be subjected to aerial bombardment by a foreign power during World War II. We were on the first shuttle out to explore the area. The first stop was downtown, although I am not sure the name is appropriate, as we came across a church, a few fisheries, and very little else. This town is definitely for working families only, as there wasn't much to see or do, and it lacked shine from our perspective. We strolled around and came across a large pod of sea otters off the pier. A giant bald eagle landed before us and then jumped back on the bus for the hotel. Today was our online day, so we tucked ourselves in the cafe's corner to connect. The hotel had no wifi, but they had a satellite option to purchase on the island, starting at USD 25 for 1GB, followed by USD 80 for 5GB; fortunately, the speed was fast. After spending the afternoon online, we returned to the ship on foot, navigating through the port and shipping containers to prepare for dinner. Tonight was another incredible pre-dinner show of over 40 whales surrounding the ship; the captain stopped the ship for half an hour for everyone to enjoy the whales and ensure they had no distractions in their home whilst they were feeding and to continue their journey. Before dinner, the captain announced we were in for some rocky waters this evening, so be sure to take your motion sickness pills if required; we got through the evening unscathed and were rocked to sleep all night, but nothing too dramatic. Dinner views were also spectacular this evening; the lush green hills as we sailed by were impressive! Day 12 & 13 - Bering Sea, Alaska Due to the low weather pressure system, we had to bypass Chuginadak and had a sea day! The ship was rocking all day; we were in the Bering Sea. Our day was lunch in Lindstrom, followed by an afternoon nap. We then joined our new friends Jonny and Ben for dinner; it was a night full of stories, laughter and delicious food. This was followed by a very rough night! Fortunately, we had no motion sickness, just a restless sleep. Insider's tip: choose a midship cabin when the ocean is a little on edge. Day 13 was a scheduled sea day, and we woke to another wild ocean, so another quiet day, staying horizontal to avoid motion sickness. We know preventing the bow during these times can be quite an adventure. We enjoyed lunch in Lindstrom, followed by a lovely afternoon of blue skies and the sun peeking through. We opted for Restaurant Aune for dinner as they had roast lamb, and we couldn't pass up one of our favourite meals. We had a beautiful evening dining slowly and were happy the ocean took a breather and turned on calmer seas from 8 pm, so we were guaranteed a lovely night's sleep. We finished the evening with a birthday video call to Mum and Dad (via Facebook messenger); it was great to catch up whilst we were in the middle of the Bering Sea via video to wish Dad a happy birthday. The quality was much better than we expected. Day 14 - St. Matthew Island, Alaska This morning, we were blessed with the most intense sunrise, and we didn't even need to wake up with the birds; it was 8 am! The ship anchored just off St Matthew Island in uncharted waters, accompanied by guidance from the local fishermen. An uninhabited and remote island in the Bering Sea. It is a completely deserted island, home to voles, birds, wild grasses and natural scenery. Excursions were all first up; we were in the second group, so at 9 am, we were on the island. Upon landing on the island, the expedition team were there to provide us with instructions and to feel free to help them remove the trash; there was lots of debris washed up. We were all keen to help with this beautiful initiative, and as we explored, we collected foreign items that did not belong in nature. The Hurtigruten team ensured the rubbish collected was brought back to the ship to be disposed of correctly when we arrived in Nome. Hurtigruten takes eco-travel to the next level, always leaving a place better than they found, a Hurtigruten motto. They actively encourage guests to help collect washed-up waste to be recycled. As we sailed away, it was announced we had all collected over 1000 kilograms of trash to recycle. We enjoyed another lunch (yes, we are eating our way to Antarctica), soaked up the sun by the jacuzzis, and chatted with our fellow pole-to-pole friends. Our lovely friend Cath from France gifted us with this gorgeous piece of art as we enjoyed an afternoon wine. We celebrated our new friend Ben's birthday and dinner in Fredheim restaurant; we enjoy visiting the different dining venues regularly. The sun has been shining all day, and the waters have been calm, so a perfect day!

Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands - Canada and Alaska. Our first week on our 13-week odyssey cruising to the North and South Poles on the hybrid expedition ship Hurtigruten - MS Roald Amundsen. The first segment is from Vancouver to Nome. Day Zero 'Embarkation Day' - Vancouver, Canada Embarkation day was a breeze; a quick COVID test and quickly into our suite after enjoying a glass of welcome champagne in the guest restaurant, Lindstrøm. This was the first time we had been in the same place for three months in two years. As you can imagine, we were very excited about entirely unpacking and setting our suite up for the next three months; it was our new home. After our safety drill, it was time to prepare for our first dinner in Lindstrøm. We spoiled ourselves with a special bottle of champagne to celebrate the beginning of three exciting months on the ship. The food was plated exquisitely and was delicious. We are very impressed with this ship, the dining and all the warm and friendly faces of the crew. Day One - Seymour Narrows, Canada Today was a sea day as we continued to cruise the Inside Passage towards Alaska. We enjoyed and explored the ship and just relaxed. The ocean was slightly rocky, so it was an experience by the pool. We also received our expedition jackets, boots, and a surprise welcome gift to attach to our expedition gear. We were invited to a meet and greet with the Captain and Officers of the ship, along with meeting the other 20 Pole-to-Pole passengers we will share this once-in-a-lifetime adventure with, surprised to meet two other fellow Aussies in the group. We also love we have a fellow Serbian Nenad travelling with us! We also have the ship to ourselves from Boston to Miami for five days and the crew, of course. The ship is only a few years old; we are incredibly impressed with the Nordic design and decor. The crew are warm and friendly, and the restaurants have been exceptional. Over the next three months, we will be spoilt for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Day Two - Misty Fjords, Alaska We woke up to the sun beaming through our suite; what a magical morning! After missing the first morning, we were excited to experience our first breakfast! Today, we cruised through Misty Fjords, and the landscapes were stunning all day! President Jimmy Carter proclaimed Misty Fjords as a National Monument in 1978. Misty Fjords National Monument's glacial valleys are 50 to 70 million years old. Wayne took advantage of the scenery and the sunshine and dipped in the ship's pool; the weather was 24 degrees! The ship anchored for the afternoon, and we were to experience our first Zodiac boat cruise. They fit up to 8 passengers and are a great experience exploring our surroundings. The Zodiac captains also shared local knowledge and stories of the surroundings. The ship has about ten little boats staffed by the knowledgeable expedition crew for passengers to get up close and personal with nature and some hidden gems, including a 'God pocket' only accessible by a small boat! We were fortunate to touch a waterfall and cruise near a harbour seal. We loved it! We finished the day in the Lindstrom Restaurant (one of three restaurants) for a scenic dinner by the window as we cruised out of Misty Fjords. Day Three - Wrangell, Alaska We woke up to find ourselves docked in Wrangell, a classic Alaskan town home to 2000 people. We tendered across to explore by foot, enjoy morning coffee, and purchase a local SIM card. Wrangell has a charming and authentic vibe; everyone was full of smiles and waves, and all cars would stop to let you cross the road, no matter where you were! After lunch, we were on an excursion, back on a Zodiac with a local guide, this time with our boots as we had a landing included. We explored the nearby Deadman's Island and landed at Petroglyph Beach, where the low tide revealed 8,000-year-old rock carvings, finishing with a cruise through the local fishing port. I spotted an eagle's nest (which could easily fit four humans cross-legged playing cards), a bald eagle and a harbour seal; thanks to my wildlife spotting skills, I was the first to point them out—still searching for the bears and whales! Surprise, surprise, back to the ship for dinner and a magical sunset as we cruise to Sitka. Day Four - Sitka, Alaska It's not all exploring! Today, we arrived in Sitka and were here again for only a few weeks on our seven-day celebrity cruise, so we took advantage of the empty ship and spent a few hours online. It's also a great time to get to know the crew as they wander past. Back in our restaurant for lunch, the food continues to be on another level! The conversations are generally about travel and sharing tips with fellow passengers who have travelled extensively worldwide and have so much to share. We met a lovely lady who spent time in '76 travelling the west coast of Africa to a truck, and then Iran and Afghanistan; the stories are thrilling! We receive a bag of laundry daily; today, it arrived all pressed and folded in a cute little box, and the shirts were neatly pressed. Very impressed! Over dinner, we experienced a slight swell, but it soon calmed down, and we went back to smooth sailing- nothing dramatic. We have been amazed by the ship and its stability so far. The evening finishes with another gorgeous dinner, and then we retire to our heavenly bed to turn in and be rocked to sleep. Day Five - Icy Bay, Alaska It was a very relaxed Saturday morning, coffee and lunch as we cruised through the ice fields. In the afternoon, we were back on a Zodiac tour after we anchored neatly in Icy Bay, surrounded by glaciers. One hour cruising on the Zodiacs through Icy Bay, weaving through the ice, was quite the experience of being so close to the big ice carves floating around us. As a result, the vivid blue colours, listening to the shards carving off from the nearby large glaciers, and feeling the waves were quite an experience. The fog was in and out, so we could catch glimpses of the glaciers and scenery we were engulfed in. We were fortunate to have many curious seals today; they were brave and would pop up very close to the boats. Wayne was excited to receive his piece of ice from the bay, which he couldn't wait to return and add a chunk to his martini, back in the observation bar for sail away! Day Six - Seward, Alaska We love the early afternoon arrivals to our destinations, a very relaxed way to travel. Today, we tried out a new restaurant on the ship called Fredheim; it has a daily menu of your classics (chicken, salmon & steak), hamburgers, tacos, and hotdogs. I am equally impressed with the floor-to-ceiling windows for perfect views. The afternoon was for exploring as we were docked in Seward just after lunch. We decided to walk (in the rain) instead of taking the shuttle to the Alaska SeaLife Center, which was about 40 minutes, so that we could roam through the town on the way. It was a top-rated stop for campervans, as many were settled in the designated parks along the coast on the way. The SeaLife Center was quite remarkable; you could watch the sea lions, otters, and seals; they had many fish species on display, including jellyfish, while learning some fun facts. The rain had decided to give us a break, so we explored the nearby old city by the centre, which had an authentic Alaskan vibe, and stopped at an actual Alaskan bar for a drink and to watch the locals play pool. Back to the ship later in the afternoon for some blogging whilst we were in range before yet another dinner of fantastic food! Day Seven - Kodiak, Alaska We arrived early today, were docked at 9 am, and were ready for our shuttle at 10 am for a self-guided hike around Fort Abercrombie State Historic Park. Thanks to a crew member, we now describe it as fifty shades of green! The pics will speak for themselves! The park was stunning, with lush green moss covering the trees whilst the mist settled around us! As it had been raining, everything was sparkling and green! We were impressed with the well-built and maintained walking tracks that took you lakeside and to the coastline for stunning views. After a few hours, we headed back to the centre of Kodiak to explore the little Alaskan town. There was little to see, but we visited a lovely Orthodox Church and a local brewery. Just after lunch, we popped in for a cleansing cocktail. A Kodiak Mule (a local version of a Moscow mule, including a honey splash) was on tap. We then strolled back to the ship for lunch and a rest! Cruises are the best for afternoon naps. Early dinner and a surprise glass of bubbly from our Serbian friend Nenad, followed by another delicious dinner, gorgeous views as we sailed away from Kodiak and (another) dessert!

Join us on a three-month epic Pole-to-Pole expedition with Hurtigruten of Discovery as we cruise up to the North Pole and then down to the South Pole. Our basecamp at sea is the world's first hybrid expedition cruise ship, the comfortable and stylish MS Roald Amundsen, named after the first explorer to reach the North and South Poles successfully. MS Roald Amundsen is the first of two hybrid ships in the fleet. Emissions are cut by sailing with electrical propulsion. Innovative sustainable technology reduces vessels' fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 20 per cent. Scandinavian natural materials, such as granite, oak, birch and wool, create cosy and stylish cabins and public areas. While typical world cruises focus on a horizontal circumnavigation of the world, this expedition cruise will be unlike any other voyage, as we'll sail pole to pole. We begin our 93-day cruise in Vancouver, Canada, sailing north along the Alaskan coast and crossing the Arctic Circle as we make our way through the fabled Northwest Passage to Greenland and Baffin Island. We will then turn south along the eastern seaboard of the United States to the warm and colourful tropical islands of Central America before passing through the Panama Canal and reaching South America. Here, we'll experience a mix of culture and nature, exploring ancient sites in Ecuador, Peru, and Chile before witnessing the ethereal splendour of the Chilean fjords and Patagonia and Antarctica's pristine, otherworldly beauty.

Follow us on a three-month epic expedition with Hurtigruten of discovery as we cruise up to the North Pole and then down to the South Pole. Our basecamp at sea is the world's first hybrid expedition cruise ship, the comfortable and stylish MS Roald Amundsen, named after the first explorer to reach the North and South Poles successfully.

Trendy Kensington Condo Steps to Everything - Five nights What a great location, perfect walking distance to downtown and all the major attractions. The area is alive with small bars, restaurants, and relaxed cafes to hang out and enjoy all that Calgary offers. This Airbnb has everything from an outside mains gas BBQ with stunning views and sunsets to a fully equipped kitchen, with everything included. The main living room has full windows that give you a sense of space and plenty of light. This is a perfect short or long-stay apartment in a very secure building with great views while being very quiet. There is also a shared rooftop, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the city views and sunsets. Kensington is the ideal location to chill out or explore. You're also very close to public transport; however, we walked everywhere in Calgary. There is secure underground parking for those that have a car. We loved all the little touches, like the incense burners and all the laundry cleaning items. Ron and Amy were a pleasure to communicate with and had a seamless check-in and out process. We spent the most beautiful time with our friends Lins and Trev, exploring their hometown with fun night-outs.

Downtown Condo with 180-degree Mountain Views - Ten nights Canmore is a town full of beauty and surrounded by magnificent mountains everywhere you look! The vibe is chilled and less intense than in Banff, only 20 km away. We were thrilled to have found this spectacular Airbnb with the most incredible mountain views, including the iconic Three Sisters from the balcony. The Airbnb is a spacious, cosy setup to settle and relax, take advantage of the views and enjoy home-cooked meals, especially the awesome BBQ on the balcony overlooking the mountains. You are only a short walk from the city centre and all the markets if you need to stock up on food and drinks; everything is available without requiring a vehicle. Five stars for cleanliness, and the apartment is fully equipped. No stone is left unturned, from the cookware and utensils to cleaning supplies. Jess and Ryan, your hosts, are warm and welcoming and will make sure your stay is comfortable and very responsive if you need them, but unlikely you will, as they have thought of absolutely everything. We stayed for ten nights, were very comfortable, and had a heavenly sleep in this beautiful property. We were not ready to leave. Recommend this property; you will not be disappointed. Memorable moments, celebrating Wayne's 60th Birthday (where he cooked up a storm on the BBQ) and a visit from our Samui besties to celebrate his Birthday.