We said it at the beginning of the trip, and we meant it…this is not a cruise, it’s an expedition! Today’s plan was to land at Sundneset but when we arrived, we found the site completely blocked by ice. No problem. Within five minutes, the expedition leader and the bridge team had a plan B, a landing on another island just 30 minutes away. And what a plan B it was! A beautiful, icy beach that has witnessed over four centuries of Arctic history, including whalers, trappers, and scientists, all passed through here leaving behind countless stories that helped bring this place to life for our guests.
Spring is slowly arriving on the island of Edgeøya. The snow is beginning to melt, the first birds are returning, plants are starting to grow, and reindeer were happily grazing near the landing site, starting their recovery after a long, harsh winter. This place is still mostly black and white, but in just a few weeks, it will be alive with greenery, flowers, and wildlife. A vivid reminder of the ever-changing nature of the High Arctic.
Now we say goodbye to the high latitudes of Svalbard and begin our journey south to Bear Island—a solitary rock in the middle of the Barents Sea, and our final stop in this remote archipelago. The adventure continues!
