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Churchill  Way out on always frozen ground, and far from everything at the northern end of the train tracks, on the shores of frigid Hudson Bay, Churchill defies logic. Presented with a list that includes barren, freezing, almost unreachable, expensive and small Canadian town, few people would pick this as a place to spend precious vacation time. Add to that the chance to see uncommon wildlife in their natural habitat and potential danger, and the polar-bear capital of the world has become Canada's worst-kept secret. The remoteness of the town and vastness of the surrounding area instill a feeling that you're in an important place. Things like community teamwork, values and neighbors take on a whole new meaning. The world that's so easily taken for granted means nothing when you consider that the same distance you'd travel to your grocery store back home could spell disaster if traveled out here. A visit to Churchill can teach a person a couple of things: the world is not small, and polar bears are very large. Polar Bears Polar bears spend winters hunting on the frozen ocean, where they can smell seals through a meter of pack ice. As the ice melts, the bear are forced onto land, where they wait, and return north when the ice returns. Churchill happens to be smack bang! in the middle of that migration path. Up to 300 bears have been seen migrating along the coast between Nelson River (200km south of Churchill) and cape Churchill (400km east), Churchill being the most populated with bears, at one point more bears than residents. Recently, warmer and shorter winters mean the ice melts sooner, freezes later and the bear's hunting season dosen't last as long. Returning to land still hungry is not a good thing for the bear, or the people who live here. These are not the same cuddly balls of fuzz one might see in Coca-Cola commericals or wearing Santa hats in department stores. They are huge predators with razor-sharp claws and they can run up to 50km/h. That said, bear aren't in the habit of attacking unless they feel threatened or extremely hungry. Coming between a cub and mother is the worst thing you can do. Wandering from town without and experienced guide or inquiring about recent sightings is the second worst,which i just found out! crikey! i went wandering basically everyday, saw polar bear tracks and kept going =P silly me, but hey you wanted photos, so i got photos =P! Local authorities maintain a 24-hour vigil most spring into summer; gunshots are fired at night to shoo off town-bound bear. If bear do break the perimeter, they're tranquilized and moved out of town by helicopter. The three-strike rule applies; the third time a bear is caught, it's taken to the cinderblock jail cells of an old military base for the winter. (Authorities spray paint numbers onto the bears at 1st strike so 3rd strikes are logit). Unfortunalty there are no tours of 'Polar Bear Jail' Beluga Whales In the Summer months the Hudson invited the spectacular Beluga Whales. Up to 3500 of these glossy white torpeodoes follow the warm water into the Churchill River every summer. It's possible to see them from shore, but you'll probably hear them first; early whalers called them 'sea canaries' Northern Lights  The aqua-turquoise-yellow dance of the aurora borealis is nothing short of spectacular when you're hundreds of miles from urban lights. Would have to be the most beautiful natural excitment in Churchill, if not, the world (excluding myself, ofcourse). Most clear nights all year round the Aurora Borealis dances over remote Churchill. Most intense during the cold dark winter months. With colours that would put a rainbow to shame. All of that experienced, thought, typed; Churchill is a must see for travlers who are obsessed with remote places and polar bears. Eg, Simon Webster. I would also like to send my gratitude to Mum & Dad for helping me financially and helping me plan the trip =) Until the next adventure,... 'take care now, bye bye than' Dr. Ryan J McBain BVSc (Bacholor Of Veterianry Science) haha, i like the look of that ;)
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