Mīrandus: Greenland

CRUISING TO EXTREMES

極 地 啟 航

格陵蘭，總有一股震懾威力。

就算這目的地是多麼令人畏

懼，也無間斷地吸引著，甚至 有越來越多的極地巡洋艦冒 險來征服它。

圖、文 Roger Harris

Experiencing Greenland – and the Arctic - engenders a new perspective of the world. It’s hard to understand how human life can survive here, in such a stunningly-beautiful yet terrifyingly-harsh environment. The world’s largest island (discounting Australia and Antarctica, which are regarded as continents), but with a population of only 56,000, Greenland is physically part of the North American landmass, but has always been politically associated with Europe. Currently an autonomous constituent country within the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland has experienced colonial relationships with both Norway and Iceland through its rich history.

More than 80 percent of this vast destination is covered by ice – in some places 10 kilometers thick – and its population can be found in the towns and settlements that line its coast, which is largely ice-free. Without roads connecting the towns, travel and transportation in Greenland is dominated by sea and air, making cruising around the south and west coast, where most of the population live, the ideal way to experience the remarkable landscapes and cultures of this unique but extreme locale.

格陵蘭的體驗之旅 當然還有北極 絕對是 開拓了人類史上一個嶄新的世界觀。在如此一處 美得讓人驚艷且極惡劣的環境下，很難想像到 人類是如何生存下去。在這個全球最大的島嶼 格陵蘭上（除被視為洲的澳洲及南極洲之外）， 人口卻只有 5.6 萬人，地理上它是屬於北美洲一 部份，但政治上卻一直與歐洲有聯繫。目前格陵 蘭是屬於丹麥境內的一個自治組織國家，但追 溯其悠久的歷史，她曾經與挪威及冰島建立了殖 民關係。在這個遼闊的國家上，超過百分之八十 的土地是被冰覆蓋，甚至逾一萬米厚，所以大部 份人會選舉聚居在沿海沒冰的地方。島上的城 鎮也沒有道路連接，來往格陵蘭方法唯有靠海 路或空路，因此當地的南岸及西岸會有較多人聚 居，海上交通也相對繁榮熱鬧，是體驗這個獨特 極地美景及文化的最佳地方。

Greenland is a formidable destination but also one that’s increasingly seducing adventurous cruisers seeking a destination of extremes, discovers Roger Harris.

Silversea’s purpose-built Silver Explorer expedition cruise ship was specifically designed for navigating waters in some of the world’s most remote destinations, including both polar regions. A strengthened hull with a 1A Lloyd’s Register ice-class notation for passenger vessels enables the ship to safely push through ice floes.

為了世上最偏遠地區的探索之 旅，包括南北兩極等地，銀海郵輪 特意設計了專業探險船銀海探索 號。這艘載客郵輪船身堅固，更 獲得英國 Lloyd’s Register 冰級 標誌的 1A 評級，能安全地在浮 冰間航行。

From the prow of the Silver Explorer , passengers enjoy a 270-degree view of the spectacular fjord system of Prince Christian Sound, near Greenland’s southern tip. Surrounded by steep mountains, some reaching over 7,200 feet, the fjord is famed for its numerous glaciers, which regularly calve into the icy waters below.

登上銀海探索號，乘客可以 270 度欣賞到格陵蘭南

端普林斯基督灣的壯觀的海峽景色。峽灣四周也被 陡峭的山脈環繞著，有些更高達 7,200 呎，以其眾多

的冰川而聞名，並會定期崩塌到山腳冰冷的水中。

The tiny settlement of Aappilattoq, located on Prince Christian Sound, is virtually inaccessible by land, yet it’s home to 130 inhabitants, a school, a church and a helipad. The village takes its name for the “red” mountain that rises behind it.

位於普林斯基督灣附近的西南部漁村，是一處幾乎 無法靠陸路進入的小型聚居點。小村莊的名字來自 它背後那高聳入雲的「紅山」，而當地有 130 名居民， 並設有一所學校、一座教堂及一個直升機停機坪。

SNAPSHOT | 寰球掠影

The Aappilattoq church choir renders a selection of hymns to entertain newly arrived passengers from the Silver Explorer. The tiny town’s population doubles for the day when expedition ships like the Explorer arrive.

西南部漁村的教堂合唱團會詠唱讚美詩，迎接乘 坐銀海探索號抵埗的旅客，探索號也瞬即為小鎮 帶來多一倍的人口。

Remote Greenlandic communities like Aappilattoq survive on hunting and fishing. Increasingly, visits from expeditionary cruise ships offer a valuable source of income for settlements. Here, a village spokesperson guides guests through life in remote Southern Greenland.

像西南部漁村這些位於格陵蘭偏遠地區的小村 莊，是依靠狩獵及捕魚維生，而探索船的到訪也 為這地區提供了寶貴的收入來源。這裡的一位 村莊發言人，為旅客講解如何在偏遠的格陵蘭南 部生活。

The few cruise ships which reach the remote port of Aappilattoq offer an occasion for the community to come together, share its heritage and folklore, and connect with guests from around the world.

那些千里迢迢來到這偏遠港口的遊輪，為這個社區增添了一份凝聚力，以及 分享當地傳統及習俗的好機會，與來自世界各地的旅客緊密聯繫。鎮上的 一位長老正在歡迎抵達西南部漁村的旅客。

The Silver Explorer carries 12 Zodiac inflatables for daily, guided on-shore excursions, allowing passengers the chance to interact with and learn more about this unique ecosystem in the company of experienced naturalists, who provide local guidance and more in-depth interpretation during evening lectures.

銀海探索號備有 12 艘 Zodiac 橡皮艇，供每日的岸上導賞團之用，讓遊客 有機會與經驗豐富的自然生態專家互動，亦設有晚間講座指導及講解，讓 他們更深入了解這裡的獨特生態系統。

A fun feature of life onboard Silver Explorer is dining at the hot-rocks outdoor restaurant, where passengers cook their own steaks or seafood on pre-heated volcanic slabs. Warm clothing is essential.

其中一個在銀海探索號的有趣活動，就是讓遊客在戶外餐廳「熱岩」裡， 即席在預熱的火山岩石板上烹調自己的牛扒或海鮮，但謹記要穿上保暖衣 物。