Disembarkation Day
Alongside in Longyearbyen, our time together on MS Fram drew to a close. Our early morning disembarkation ended a journey shaped by exploration, learning, and shared experiences in the unique wild Arctic environment of Svalbard. As we step ashore, we take with us memories of spectacular and diverse...
Alkhornet & Barentsburg
This morning was glorious and the rich green of the slopes of the mighty Alkhornet were almost luminous in their intensity of colour. A short climb took us closer to the thousands of kittiwakes, glaucous gulls, guillemots, fulmars and other birds who breed there. We were even treated to reindeer - a...
Bamsebu & Calypsobyen
This morning we entered Bellsund then Van Keulenfjorden and our landing was at the privately owned hut named Bamsebu. Initially a built for beluga whale hunters, multiple heaps of whale bones lie as testimony along the beach. Some of us went on a hike to the other side of the peninsula and saw arcti...
Samarinvågen & Burgerbukta
Persistent fog appeared again and the sharp peaks of Hornsund eluded us as we sailed in. This caused our morning expedition to Samarinvågen to be cancelled. However the Expedition Team put on a great show in keeping us occupied. We had various activities and lectures including one on rocks, another...
Kapp Lee
We spent the night sailing in and out of the fog as we headed for Kapp Lee. However we were in luck and another window of fair weather opened up which enabled us to land. The best part of this landing, for most of us were the walruses hauled out on the beach next to the old trappers huts. An additio...
Faksevågen & Alkerfelljet
The thick fog continued on our night time voyage around the far eastern island of Nordaustlandet and into the early morning. However it cleared quickly and we were able to land at Faksevågen, named after the mythological horses of the Norse gods of Day and Night. After lunch we cruised around the fj...
Albertinibukta & Storøya
Extensive fog arrived over the north east of the archipelago so Captain and our Expedition leader Tessa examined all the possible options and found a window of good morning conditions for small boat cruising in Albertinibukta. It was a beautiful opportunity with another chance for kayaking for those...
Foggy pack ice!
FOG! The first of our voyage. We had sailed 117 nm north from Phippsøya but now feared that our attempt for the ice edge and to achieve an HX 'farthest north with guests' would be foiled. However this was not the ase because Captain made the decision that visibility was sufficiently good for us to s...
Chermsideøya & Phippsøya
This morning, when we looked out our windows, the scenery of Chermsideøya was beautiful. We were excited to go ashore because here have been conserved the geoglyphs (writings in stones) of several expeditions over the years, including one involving a swastika. This item is of unknown origin but is b...
Monacobreen, Texas Bar & Moffen
We spent the morning cruising or kayaking in front of the incredible Monacobreen (glacier) named after Prince Albert of Monaco who sponsored a number of famous Arctic expeditions in the early 20th century. Our science boat was also launched again. After lunch we sailed to a different area of the bay...
Magdalenefjorden & Fuglefjorden
Today was very special. Not only did we have a fascinating visit to a 17th century whaling site and some of participated in kayaking or the science boat, but some also braved the cold water and joined the Fram (polar plunge) Beach Club. However the peak of excitement was our sighting of polar bears!...
Ny-Ålesund
Our day began with briefings on AECO guidelines and polar bear safety, which were required for our landings in Svalbard. We also had options to join a wildlife watch on deck, learn about the onboard citizen science programs while in Art Corner, some of us painted postcards to send later in Ny Ålesun...
Embarkation Day
Embarkation day in Longyearbyen began with us variously exploring the town and even going on some excursions. On board MS Fram, the afternoon program included collecting expedition jackets in the Science Center and our 'muck' boots in the Lecture Hall. Later we all attended a mandatory safety drill...