Post 289: 11 August 2018, Qaqortoq
Qaqortoq, formerly Julianehab, is the fourth largest town in Greenland and the most populated town in Southern Greenland, with approximately 3229 people. Quartortoq means ‘White Palace’, presumably relating to how it looks in winter rather than in August. 
It is located on the Qaqortoq Fjord alongside the Labrador Sea.
There are a number of walks in the area and Cumbria Man and myself decided to walk to the far end of Tasersuaq Lake, again leaving the ladies to browse around the town. The walks are not signed. 
The ship arrived at 12.30 and we had to tender into the town. We had until 18.00 hours to catch the last tender back.
Qaqortoq is a seaport and trading station. Fish and shrimp processing, tanning, fur production and ship maintenance and repair are important, but the economy is based primarily on educational and administrative services.
Tourism also plays a part in the economy of the town. The coloured houses and arts and culture appeal to tourists, approximately two thirds of whom come from Denmark.
The area has been occupied since prehistoric times, beginning with the Saqqaq culture approximately 4,300 years ago, then the Dorset people around 2,800 years ago. The Norse arrived in the 10th century and stayed until the 15th century.
The present town was founded in in 1774 by the Dano-Norwegian trader Anders Olsen, on behalf of the General Trading Company. The current layout and facilities are as below. There is even a youth hostel with wifi! 
The Tourist Office and souvenir shop seemed a good place to start our walk. 
Just along from there is the Church of Our Saviour..
It has the traditional ship hanging from the ceiling 
Near the church is the oldest fountain in Greenland, Mindebronden, which was finished in 1932. It was the only fountain in Greenland until another was built in Sisimiut.
The oldest standing building is a black tarred log building from 1797.
Following the stream past the church,
we soon came across some of the rock art which is part of the Stone and Man project. From 1993 to 1994 Qaqortoq artist Aka Hoegh presided over the project, which involved 18 artists from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Greenland carving 24 sculptures into the rock faces and boulders in town. Today there are over 40 sculptures.
There are some interesting street names!
Our lake destination soon appeared and there is some colourful flora in the area
Although the temperature was only about 10C degrees (50F) children were swimming in the lake.
There were a few mosquitos around further along the lake and so we needed our nets on our heads.
Soon after passing some local joggers we got to the far end of the lake.
In view of the limited time we decided to return the way we had come along the lake. 
Before diverting past the football pitch
To the busy residential part of town. 
We had walked just over 8 miles.
Back on ship, we left Greenland with some regrets but with some amazing memories.
We had two days at sea before reaching Reykjavik the capital of Iceland where we were to encounter a rescue at sea……………..
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