7:15 AM and we received another cheery wake-up announcement via the ship intercom, announcing a new day and a new adventure.

We had made the decision to change rooms because of the problems with our previous quarters and it was done quickly after breakfast. The new room is much nicer, especially with an enclosed shower and heated bathroom floors- luxury living on an expedition ship.

This morning a PEP kayak trip in the fjord was on the agenda, as well as heliohiking for the “Fjord” group.  We had made a conscious decision to not sign up for what is called the “PEP” kayak trips because we go kayaking at home and we did not like to have to don all the clothing required to go on those trips. So our option was to do a zodiac landing and hike. Steve again chose the “charger” group and after my previous experience with the “medium” group I made the wise decision to join the “contemplative” group today! It started out nicely. I took my time, stopping to take in the majestic vistas around me, snap a few more pictures and simply breath deep. Then it happened! As I was climbing a small hill I partially stumbled and tweaked my left calf muscle as I recovered my balance. Nothing bad, but it became a nagging ache so I cut short my hike and returned to the ship to rest the leg.

After lunch the Viking group was scheduled to take a heliohike which I hade certainly been waiting for. We suited up-parkas and mud boots, but no life vest as we would be wearing special life vests when we flew. We had previously been weighed so when our random group of 7 showed up to the launch area we were giving proper life vests, reweighed (did they think we were eating too much?), including any carry on bags, and assigned one of the 7 seats on the copter. The seat assignment was made to balance the helicopter. Luckily both Steve and I were given window seats. We then simply sit in the chairs and wait to be called to board the copter. We waited. Then we waited some more as the feedback from the air was that the weather had deteriorated and further flying was questionable. After about 20 minutes we were told the flight was scrubbed; we would not be flying today. However, we would be first in line the next time the helicopters fly. Needless to say we were disappointed but we glad that safety was a priority.

By the time our flight was canceled it was late in the afternoon so we simply retired to the Ambassador Theater for some cribbage and drinks to await the daily briefing.

Dinner was again off the menu and was very good. After dinner some of the staff entertained us with a game of “Mariner’s Bluff”, where three of them were to give us the story of what a mariner term was derived from. Basically two people lied and only one told the real answer. We were then asked to vote on which definition we thought was correct. Needless to say there were some humorous moments and the audience was more often wrong in picking the correct answer.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, the plan is to transport all of us by helicopter to experience the immense ice sheet that covers most of Greenland. It should be quite a day,