Russebukta As a full day was planned with early landings I went for a 0630am session in the gym - I need not have rushed even though it was a great session as it was foggy outside and the fog defined the morning. Plans A&B were discarded and we embarked on plan C. Although extended fast ice prevented us from landing at Discobukta, we had the opportunity to enjoy Frank’s presentation “Smile of the Walrus" which examined the natural history of the walrus....

Alkefjellet & Bråsvellbreen. I was awake at 5am, John went to the lounge and returned with a cup of tea! The Arctic sun hanging heavy over the ship this morning, we all rose, chipper and eager for the day ahead. Looking outside, we could still see pieces of ice clinging to the sea’s surface, icebergs and slabs which had only recently come away from their winter home drifting by. An early breakfast was satisfying, especially as our Expedition Leader, John...

At Sea in Southeastern Spitsbergen. Shrouded in often dense fog for most of the morning, we cruised north along the coast of southeast Spitsbergen in search of sea ice, the ideal site for Polar Bears. A number of hours were required to reach the ice edge, hence there was some time to commence our comprehensive seminars at sea, with informative lectures covering the history of whaling and hunting with Natalie and geology with Bob (the latter I missed as with my u...

Bellsund & Van Mijenfjord. The morning brought with it snow-capped views and deep blue waters, atmospherically topped by high cloud and periodic glimpses of blue sky. But, as eager as we may have been to start exploring, we couldn’t get into the Zodiacs immediately, and instead gathered in the Discovery Lounge for our Arctic rules and Zodiac briefings. After collecting our rubber boots Frank regaled us with our first lecture on the diversity of wildlife th...

Longyearbyen was founded as a coal mining city by the American businessman John M. Longyear in 1906, today the capital of Svalbard is a modern community, featuring most amenities of modern life. Just outside the town civilisation ends and you enter “Polar Bear Territory”.....but only approximately one comes into town in any year! At 16:00 it was time for us to make our way to the harbour to join our expedition vessel. Arriving at the pier, the only thing we ...