What a beautiful day. Blue skies, bright sun, crisp air. We ordered room service with hot chocolate and a croissant for me, coffee, oatmeal, and two strips of bacon for Karla. This small community, 25,000 people live on a beautiful deep-water bay. It serves as an export terminal for iron ore and aluminum ingots. Aluminum is smelted here using the cheap electricity from the dam built in support of the St Lawrence Seaway.
We were the first ship in two years to make a tourist stop. Our guide confessed she would have to refer to her note cards it had been so long. Our bus driver spoke mostly French, so it was rather comical when the guide could not think of the English word and she would turn to the driver. They would have a mini discussion on what the guide was trying to say and eventually with help from the passengers, she would find the word she wanted to use.
Big deal on a sunny Sunday
Not the usual Viking transportation, but this is a small town
Our guide is married to an Englishman and they raised their three sons to be bilingual. She was very enthusiastic to speak English and get back into the “tour guide” mode. About 3 feet of snow was on the ground and plowed aside from last week. We saw some of their plows. Bigger than the ones we use with bigger blades.
Housing was interesting. A mix of ranch and small 2 story homes. All appeared well kept. Seriously, with the usual winters of heavy snow, I guess we expected less than pristine siding and neat yards. We made several stops for picture taking. One included viewing several of the 7 islands for which the area is named. The 7th island is so small and none are inhabited.
Iron ore is the main economic trade for the area. A train runs thru Sept Iles, but it is strictly for the transport of ore. Traveling outside the area can be done via plane and boat. Despite the appearance of isolation, the community seems tight. Winter sports and boating during other seasons bring in the tourist trade. One island is designated for deer hunting and is well known to hunters.
We didn’t have an opportunity to look around and shop as we needed to return to the ship and dress for our Zodiac excursion. Rick mentioned the sun and calm waters. Really a perfect day to be out on the water in a Zodiac. Our guide is the new historian that came aboard in Barbados. He is very familiar with the area and was pleased about the weather also. We didn’t see any fish or puffins (native to this area), but we did witness lots of contrails in a perfect blue sky. We also got a water cannon display from one of the tugboats. Like I said, they were really glad to have tourist back.
The Aula
We had lunch aboard the ship upon our return. Rick decided to attend a couple of lectures. One on the sinking after a collision of the SS Empress, the other about the discovery of the Swedish warship Mars. It was successful in its first battle, and sunk before or during its second. We met up again at 5 for church. About 10 people attended and Rick was our lay reader. Another guy joined in to do some of the readings. Made it to the daily briefing to hear about excursions for Monday. Dinner at 1830 was prepared by the sou chef. He offered to make anything we wanted. Again we opted for Mexican. His chili about put me in a heated state, but it was sooo good. A lovely plate of cheese nachos and delicious guacamole accompanied the chili. Rick and both had beers which helped reduce the heat somewhat.
The Liars Club was on again. The commentator has three people explain the meaning of a situation, word or phrase. The audience must determine who is telling the truth. It’s kind of crazy and very entertaining after a long day. We went to our room and lasted about an hour before turning out the lights.