Nanortalik and Qaqortoq in Greenland

During an August 2009 cruise, I visited two southwestern towns in Greenland, Nanortalik and Qaqortoq (pictured above). Our group spent time walking the streets of each town to get a sense for what it must be like to live in these small, desolate communities, but we had a hard time picturing the winter months, when the temperature drops below freezing and there are only four hours of sunlight each day. In summer, the sun is around for almost 24 hours. There was not much to do except immerse ourselves in the feel of these small towns, but it didn’t matter. It was enough to enjoy the area and the warm, friendly residents. I would return to Greenland in a heartbeat.

— SANDY FOX, Scottsdale, AZ