The first few Days: Mosquitos, whales and icebergs.

Finally I'm in the Arctic, but not in my final destination. After a long day travelling from London via Copenhagen and Kangerlussuaq I'm in Ilulissat. I arrived last night around midnight with the sun up as if it was daytime and that twinned with having to go both directions in time zones on route I really had no clue what time it was. The flights were pleasant enough with an interesting contrast between the Airbus A330 and the Dash-8.

This morning I got up around 6am to go for a walk. Even at that time it was warm, but the mosquitos weren't too bad. I walked down toward the fjord where it is thought that the iceberg that sank the Titanic was born.

As it warmed up the mossys increased so the trick was to keep moving and stay in the wind.

While perched on a rock listening to the popping and cracking of the ice I saw a whale who stayed around for a while. This is the sort of experience you won't get many places: sunshine, icebergs, and whales.

Then it was back to my room for a nap before checking out ready for my 4th and final flight to Upernavik. This will be on a dash-8 too as they are one of the few planes that can service the small runways that are around this country.

The journey begins

After finishing exams on Thursday and a couple of nights out with friends, including last night on a boat on the river mersey with most of my year from uni, it's time to leave Liverpool and wind my way to Gatwick. First stop is to the Midlands to pick up some bits.

I always hate starting journeys because of that thought in the back of my mind that I've forgotten something, as we all know this is usually the case. We just need to hope that it's nothing too important.

I think this is the smartest looking I'm going to be for a while.

Excitement of nearing departure

So far I'm halfway through my exams and only 9 days from departure for my elective. I've got most of my stuff packed now too. I'm starting to get apprehensive now, as I guess is natural when a trip like this is looming.

But the upside of today is that I've picked up my spending money (for the flights and the first day or so) and my host has just sent me a picture from her house with icebergs and blue sky. This has helped the nerves fade and the excitement build.