Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

A blustery day greeted me as the Crystal Serenity sailed into Cambridge Bay.

It’s the biggest port along the Northwest Passage.

Home to almost 1500 folks.

Now before you start rolling your eyes, remember that this area has been populated for more than 4000 years, around the time that the present-day Inuits’ ancestors came trotting- or sledding- across the Bering Strait.  They lived as their descendants do, hunting large land mammals and marine life.

Cambridge Bay is a bit livelier than the Hamlet of Ulukhaktok.  More modern.  Heck, they even have a fabulous coffee shop!  More on that, later.

We had to take a school bus from the zodiac landing into town.  This sticker on the first aid kit gave me a giggle.....maybe THIS is where Jimmy Hoffa wound up?

The “star of the show”, history-wise, was when famous explorer Roald Amundsen stopped in CB whilst discovering Northwest Passage. That was 1905.  

He returned in 1921 aboard his ship, the Maud, which was later sold to the  Hudson Bay Company.  She remained in Cambridge Bay where she sank in 1931.  Just in the past years, she has been raised.  On the day we visited, she actually set sail- this time being towed-  to return home to Norway, where a museum is to be built in her honor.  

Now that you know a little something of the history of Cambridge Bay, let me share with you some photos of this outpost in the High Arctic.

Here's the Medical Center...

And you know I had to check out the co-op for groceries...

The selection of fresh fruits and veggies was much greater than in Ulukhaktok...but just as pricey.

Not sure if you can see the signs, but they are written in both English and Inuktituk..

Didn't know one could purchase a fire poker--thought one just used a stick...

As I said, there is a FAB coffee shop in Cambridge Bay---Kuugaq

Like a good cold-weather denizen, I removed my (monogrammed-HA!) waterproof boots at the door....

Indoor herb garden makes this place extra special.

Gotta say- this was one GOOD latte!!

I found patches of green...

But they were few and far between.

Not exactly a four-star, seventy degree kinda hotel.  But it works.

I live at the corner of.....

Elder Palace- so much more elegant name than "nursing home".

This dear little Anglican mission had the most charming interior...

The stained glass windows told the the stories of the Bible, but with a decidedly Arctic spin.

 Noah's ark with a goose instead of a dove....

An angel dressed in Inuit clothing...

Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus in an igloo.

 All the animals of the Arctic world gathered together.

Back at the community center, the locals welcomed us with typical fare.

Berries in puff pastry (nice gourmet touch), smoked salmon, and musk ox sliders.

Um...this.  Now you know I will try anything, and normally like it.  This, my friends, is mattak.
translation.  Narwhal blubber.  Imagine a mackerel-flavored gummi...but chewier.  I managed to swallow it.  Barely.

Fish jerky.  I think it was char...

Truly a memorable day.  For more than just the mattak.