Rankin Inlet (July 30/03) - E.K. Whiting and his wife Marianne planned to board a plane as soon as they reached Rankin Inlet Thursday, but sometimes things don't go as planned.

The Whitings, and nearly 50 other passengers from the Academik Ioffe cruise ship, found themselves stranded in Rankin.

The aircraft scheduled to take them to Ottawa was two hours late after it was turned around due to mechanical problems.

But it wasn't a complete loss and actually worked out well for both the travellers and the hamlet.

The plane that was supposed to pick up the Whitings and their group was also dropping off more passengers bound for the Academik Ioffe.

In an effort to take advantage of the influx of tourists an art show and reception was set up at the Siniktarvik Hotel for the travellers.

Those who found themselves the unexpected guests of the hamlet were treated to the event, meant for their arriving counterparts.

Photos, prints. paintings and traditional clothing were just some of the items for view and sale.

As well, Eastern Arctic Liberal MP Nancy Karatek-Lindell, deputy mayor Levinia Brown and Jordin Tootoo, took time to welcome the guests.

The three expressed the importance of having tourists come to Nunavut and the wonderful uniqueness of the region.

"It's a real pleasure that you came in and brought the community together, our culture is on display here," Brown told the visitors.

Karatek-Lindell said whether you're from abroad or are a Canadian Nunavut is an important attraction.

"You're missing out on knowing your own country if you never come North," she said.

Tootoo, who by the reaction of the crowd needed no introduction, was available to sign autographs after the presentation.

This was the Whiting's first trip to Nunavut, and they say it is a place they would visit again.

E.K. was a pilot and Marianne said that they have travelled on many occasions.

Both agreed that they found Nunavut to be a very diverse and beautiful region.

"Two things that surprised me were all the wild flowers and the rocks," she said.

They were also impressed by the richness of the Inuit culture.

In Hawaii, they said, the aboriginal culture has been severely eroded and they hoped Inuit traditions and skills will continue to be passed down.

"When the young people start to lose some of the traditional skills they lose their culture. We see it in Hawaii and we don't want to see it here," said Marianne.

E.K. and Marianne said they would consider returning to the North, but first they might visit another global extreme.

"We're thinking about balancing it out by going to Antarctica," said E.K.