Last Days Cruising

21-06-24

Todays first stop is at Chermsideoya for a walk along the beach and up the hill. There is “graffiti” here from many years ago. Left by Russian explorers and Nazi explorers who left a swastika marked with stones. The weather here is beautiful again. Water temperature is -1, air temperature is 2 degrees. Polar plunge is open again today and Ian is up for it again. He played walrus on an iceberg very quickly. A few more takers this morning for the swim. This landing site is in a very protected bay with mountains all around. The sun is out and the views spectacular again.

After lunch we go up to deck 7 to enjoy the views again. After enjoying the view for a while we spot some Walrus on some pack ice, just floating along. They just lounge on the ice as we pass by. Also spot another Walrus further away.

We cruise into Sjuoyane where we spend the next couple of hours doing small boat (tender) cruising. This spot is breathtakingly beautiful. Not a ripple on the water, ice floes everywhere, mountains and islands in the background and the sun is shining in a blue sky giving a warm glow to the snow and ice and making the water and ice bergs a tropical blue.

(P:- Starting to loose count how many times we have been overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery! Hard to describe but overwhelming! All I can hope that these memories will be the ones I remember when I get Older and Stupider and I get put in a Retirement Home).

22-06-24

Today we have an early tender trip in Alicehamna to view a 1928 trappers hut and several whalers graves. In the hut was a piece of timber on the wall with a stamp with the name Albert Nobel. Albert Nobel was the founder of the Nobel Peace Prize. A short walk up hill following the line of red ants (fellow passengers in their Hurtigruten jackets), over snow in places, spotting arctic flowers taking every opportunity to bloom and Svalbard’s only tree, the Arctic Willow that grows to a huge height of 7 cm (2 3/4”). Again spectacular weather, 8 degrees, no wind and mind blowing views. Our expedition guide says he has never had an expedition prior to this one where the weather has been beautiful every day. How lucky are we.

Back on the ship for a short trip across the sea to another spot, Ytre Norsoya. We tender ashore again for another walk, this spot is gorgeous with areas of minute purple flowers over the ground, little streams flowing through mossy areas, auks (birds) nesting in among the craggy rocks on the cliffs above us and more great views. After the walk we head back to the ship for an afternoon, packing and relaxing. Word comes through that there is another bear sighting. So we’re out on deck trying to spot it among the rocks. Listening to fellow passengers, the last tender boat had to be evacuated from shore as the polar bear had swum 700 metres across the bay in 2-3 minutes and climbed the hillside towards the passengers and crew. Several flares were set off to frighten the bear as the evacuation was happening. Everyone returning to the ship safely, although some crew had to be picked up further along the beach for their safety. Some great excitement for the last shore excursion of our trip. (P:- And here I was stuck on board and not experiencing a closer encounter of the Worlds King of the food chain).

After dinner we attended the Captains Farewell and applauded all the crew who have looked after us so well for the last week. The Captain has been as amazed at the wonderful weather that we have had, just as we have, and although we didn’t get to circumnavigate the island no one was disappointed. About 15% of cruisers get to see one polar bear a trip, we have seen 5. Belugas, Walrus, seals, and multitudes of birds have entertained us and kept us looking out the windows and from decks with binoculars raised (P:- mental note:- for next adventure to buy Judith her own Binoculars so she doesn’t constantly steal mine)! We have travelled through sea ice and glacial ice, seen too many glaciers to count, had blue skies most days and smooth seas every day. This place is magical, spectacular, breathtaking and something we will remember for a life time.

23-0624

Today we leave the MS Fram and return to Oslo for a couple of days. Bags were packed and left out for crew to collect last night for transfer to airport. This morning we are picked up from the Coal Port for a drive through Longyearbyen and out to Camp Barentz where we get to see some working sled dogs, look at a replica cabin from one of the early explorers and get a pancake with jam and a hot drink while we watch a presentation about polar bears, before returning to the bus and Longyearbyen for some free time before transfers to the airport for the flight back to Oslo.

(P:- Norway was an add on to our original plans, It certainly has left us with beautiful memories. The combination of the Costal Norway cruise and the Svalbard attempted circumnavigation was a great one. Pleased we did both. The advise was “Sleep Quickly” in Norway as there is so much to see and 24 hour daylight. – accurate advise but now I need go home for a rest! Been away from Tasmania almost 3 months, to summarise Japan was Awesome, the USA was Awesome and Norway was Awesome! A truck load of dreams ticked off the bucket list, visits with wonderful friends and way too many photos to sort through. Time to start thinking – Where to Next)?