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OTL08-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen - In the realm of polar bear & ice
We took a searching break at 15:00 to rest our eyes and enjoyed hot chocolate on the top deck. The hot chocolate must have worked its magic because shortly after our break, the first bear of the trip was seen!
PLA08-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen - In the realm of polar bear & ice
This morning's destination was a unique and rarely visited place: Rossøya, the northernmost island in the archipelago of Sjuøyane (Seven Islands). This is also Norway's northernmost point, only 1024 km from the North Pole. It felt strangely mild for being at 80°N.
HDS08-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen - In the realm of polar bear & ice
We spent the afternoon surrounded by amazing icebergs of different shapes, sizes, and colors.
PLA07-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice
Along our hikes we learned about the past hunting history and about belugas. We observed reindeer along the way, a couple of harbor seals hauled out on rocks, some eider ducks and two red-throated divers flew over us.
HDS07-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of polar bear & ice
We drove through to Negribreen to the sound of brash ice popping and crackling as it released gases during its slow melting.
OTL06-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice
Incredible hues of blue, with ice everywhere in the water due to the frequent calvings, walruses lying on some of them, the weather and sights simply invited people to stay on deck, enjoy, have a cup of tea and try to take in the enormity of what they saw.
PLA06-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice
We all rushed out on deck to see a bear climbing a very steep slope. It was clearly visible against the dark rocks, and we all enjoyed watching it until it lay down in a snow patch and went to sleep. That was bear number seven of the trip!
HDS06-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice
We reached a little islet with hundreds of walruses where we had the opportunity to see some calves nursing. We stayed in silence at a safe distance, embracing the noises, games, fights and cuddling moments between these gorgeous smelly animals
OTL05-24, trip log, East Spitsbergen and Bear Island, in the realm of Polar Bear & Ice, Cleaning the Shores, Including Long Hikes
We received permission from Bjørnøya’s weather station to make a visit. Visiting the station was fantastic, we found whale bones, old machinery that was used a long time ago and of course there was also a small post office.
PLA05-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
A mother with a younger cub appeared, highlighting to us how hard it can be to spot a polar bear in what appears to be flat ground.
HDS05-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen - In the realm of polar bear & ice
The walrus colony had many females and calves, which is quite special to see!
OTL04-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen, Basecamp, Free kayaking, Hiking, Photo Workshop, Cleaning the Shores
While we were watching the bear sleeping on a snow patch, we suddenly saw another bear walking along the shore!
PLA04-24, trip log, East Spitsbergen, Home of the polar bear - Summer Solstice, Including Long Hikes
In the beginning everybody was free to walk around the blubber ovens, afterwards everybody was divided into groups.
OTL03-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile Landscapes, sea ice & Wildlife - Birding, Summer Solstice
It was a truly phenomenal encounter with the creature we had all journeyed to the high Arctic hoping to see. The experience moved some people to tears and left pretty much everyone speechless.
HDS04-24, trip log, East Spitsbergen, Home of the polar bear - Summer Solstice, Including Long Hikes
We awoke in Recherchefjorden. Reindeer grazed on the slopes of the cliffs.
PLA03-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
In the open pack ice in the vicinity of the Seven Islands, a female polar bear with cub was spotted.
HDS03-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Polar bears, bowhead whales & more
Walruses are super social creatures, huddling together in large groups.
PLA02-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
We continue enjoying our ship cruise along the ice edge and then all of a sudden, the moment we have all been quietly hoping for… A polar bear has been spotted in the distance.
PLA01-24, trip log, Arctic Ocean - Aberdeen, Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Spitsbergen
Sheep and Shetland ponies grazed the cliff tops as we wandered along Foula’s incredible coastline.
PLA32-24, trip log, Antarctica - Polar Circle - Whale Watching
The silence was broken by the distant spouts of water, signaling the presence of humpback whales.
OTL32-24, trip log, Antarctica - Polar Circle - Deep South Discovery Voyage
Diving the iceberg was spectacular in itself and we also had Sea Butterflies and Comb Jellyfish to add to the beauty.
