03 Sep 2013

Eskimo Village

We are currently anchored at the mouth of the Anadyr River and will move up river later tonight to meet the Pilot in the morning for the last few miles to the town of Anadyr. Today as we crossed Anadyr Bay the group recapped and reflected on what has been an incredible journey.  Our final landing for this expedition was made early yesterday morning at Masik under blue skies - a perfect way to end our journey. This was once an impressive Eskimo village, dating back to the 12th Century. There are rows of Bowhead Whale jaws set vertically in the ground which would have been used for drying baidara (seal skin boats), numerous meat storage pits and dugout dwellings. Our visit provided a rare glimpse into a people and a culture that once inhabited this region.

Tomorrow we will embark new passengers in Anadyr for the Jewel of the Russian Far East expedition which will take us south to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy. Winter is coming and it is time to follow the sun after another satisfying northern season. Wrangel has not let us down - it has lived up to its reputation as an island full of surprises and special encounters.