Leaving Mittimatalik, we cruised along Lancaster Sound (Tallurutiup Imanga) – one of Canada’s newest National Marine Conservation Areas and gateway to the Northwest Passage. Passengers gathered on the decks with binoculars to look for narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales that feed in the area. We saw no whales, but watched a walrus hitching a ride on an ice floe. A fewminutes later, the captain announced: “Bowheads are all around us. I’ll anchor the ship so that you can board Zodiacs.” We’ll never forget our excitement as a 90-ton bowhead surfaced like a submarine and exhaled just metres from our Zodiac. “Its mouth is as large as an open single-car garage door,” explained the marine biologist who accompanied us. On the northern border of Tallurutiup Imanga, 50,000-square-kilometre Devon Island abounds with wonders. At Croker Bay, curious ringed seals popped their heads out of the sea to watch us zip between awesome icebergs on Zodiacs. SNOWBIRD CAR GO FLORIDA Retired airline pilot offering door to door personalized concierge service between Toronto and Florida for a flat rate. SERVING THE G.T.A. Transport your vehicle or RV with peace of mind and give the keys to someone you know and trust. 1-647-334-5601 www.snowbirdcar-goflorida.com Whales ahoy! World’s largest uninhabited island Some of the powder-blue and snow-white blocks of ice towered over us. Others were as small as toy boats. Our expedition leader hauled a small bergy bit into our Zodiac. Crystal clear, it resembled a glass sculpture. Back on the ship, he chopped it up. As the 10,000-year-old fresh-water ice cooled our drinks, trapped air bubbles made them fizz like champagne. CSANews | FALL 2022 | 19 Travel
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzMzNzMx