Album 366
Spitsbergen 1
Album 367
Spitsbergen 2
Album 368
Spitsbergen 3
Album 369
Spitsbergen 4
Album 370
Spitsbergen 5
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Short travelogue
Actually for a long time I wanted to visit Alaska. But there are so many
mosquitos and flies, which are not on Spitsbergen. And seeing an offer
of a travel agency to explore Spitsbergen by a cruise, I could not
resist the temptation to book. And I don't regret this decision.
Spitsbergen is an
archipelago between 74 and 81 degrees North in the Atlantic Ocean
and situated between Norway and the North Pole. The other name is
'Svalbard' and means 'cold coast'. Since 1925 it is a part of the
Kingdon of Norway. Since 1974 it is also possible to fly to Longyearbyen
and from here our ship the 'Quest' starts its expedition cruise. With an
international group and crew we sail to the west, visiting Barentsburg
and from here to the north to Ny Alesund on the Kongsfjorden. Further
north visiting several Fjords, like the Smeerenburgfjord, Magdalenefjord
and sailing to the east we enter into the Hinlopenstretet, which is
thanks to the mild weather and northern winds quite far open so sail
southwards. See the map of
Spitsbergen.
We are in the
beginning of June and therefore there are not many flowers, but the snow
on the lower parts of the mountains is melting and this gives the
opportunity to take nice contrasting photographs. Also coalmining and
whaling in the past are subjects to visits and photograph. Like the
mining village of Barentsburg, where you can still 'feel' the old Sovjet
atmosphere. Also Longyearbyen itself is interesting because of the
remains of coalmining and the museum, which gives an excellent overview
of the cultural and natural history. Also Ny-Alesund is worth a visit
for the remains of coalmining and the remains of expeditions that Roald
Amundsen and others made.
The average temparature is about 5 C, but
the last days we were here we had temps up to 12 C. In 10 albums with
240 pictures I show the beauty of Spitsbergen. They show mostly 'atmospheric
showpieces of the beauty of nature' and I hope you will enjoy them as
much as I enjoyed reality. Like the walrusses, who are idle on the
shores; fjords with reflections in the calm water of the mountains and
glaciers, which are rising out of the water; Brünnich's guillemots,
nesting on the rocks; all the ice fields and sculptures, floating on the
dark blue water; Little auks, fluttering around the Alkefjellet along
the Magdalenefjord and reindeers, who walk around on the slopes of
Alkhornet along the Isfjorden. All together they give you a good
impression of the beauty of Spitsbergen. I hope.....
I recognize the
performance and expertise of the crew of the ship 'Quest' i.e. Mats
Forberg, Olle Carlsson, Axel Broman, Rinie van Meurs and Richard - they
did a great job. And Robert van Kempen, who was oud Dutch expedition
leader. Very well prepared and I especially enjoyed the zodiac landings.
fotograaf Tijs
Spitsbergen-barbecue
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Album 371
Spitsbergen 6
Album 372
Spitsbergen 7
Album 373
Spitsbergen 8
Album 374
Spitsbergen 9
Album 375
Spitsbergen 10
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