Cruising on Isfjorden

The conditions in the Arctic are harsh and almost unbearable. How people can survive here in the first place is unknown to mankind...

workin' hard

Already three days after returning to Longyearbyen we sat out on a new adventure. This time we were boarding the sailing ship "Noorderlicht" (www.oceanwide-expeditions.com) for a two day cruise around Isfjorden to look at the faults and folds in the surrounding mountains. The ship was manned with the captain Ted, first mate Mika, and the cook Jackie. On the ship was also one dog called Cha Cha and two cubs Styrmann and Matros.  

From upper left: Elin, Siri Anne and Heidi showing of their new "svalbard" thermoses, our view, me pointing towards an inverted basin showed by a monocline, me and Noorderlicht, Alvar and one of his structural interpretations, Mark and his snowman, Gard interpreting the structures of the mountains, Gard snapping, me sunbathing on a cruise in the arctic

The boat was originally a lighthouse on the sea, built in 1910. Ted, the captain, bought the ship and rebuilt it. They where sailing around the canary islands, but after a while they decided to sail in the arctic. Then they got the offer of being the boat frozen into the sea-ice in Isfjorden. Every winter from then on the ship has been frozen into the ice with visitors sleeping over, enjoying dog sledding and trips on the ice. Unfortunately, this winter has been too warm, and there hasn't been enough sea ice in the fjord. We came along, and now they are cruising again :)

From top left: when we arrived we got coffee and cookies, Mika showing how to use the life vests, the first course of our lunch the first day, posin' in the mirror, me and Siri Anne's room, inside Noorderlicht, a picture of Noorderlicht, schedule for the beginning of the second day, happy girls :D

 The trip consisted mostly of eating, sleeping and looking at the fantastic geology and scenery around Isfjorden. After two days here I felt like I could roll of the boat. Lunch was consisting of two courses, dinner of three, and in between we where fed with cookies, cake, hot chocolate and coffee. I was especially happy for the desert "apple crumble" which I last ate on Herron Island in the great barrier reef.

Back on land I had "sea legs" feeling like the ground was rocking back and forth. Wouldn't mind feeling the boat lull me to sleep one night more, and be awaken by the motor starting. Thanks for the ride!