Good Morning, Bergen

I may not have mentioned that I got off the ship with a surprise: Covid.

It's my 3rd day since testing positive. I've confined myself to my room since then. The protocol in Norway is very relaxed. I was told, "Do whatever you want." I've been sleeping and reading. This morning, since it wasn't raining, and I was feeling better, I took a walk to see what I'm missing. Here's what I saw.

Bergen

Final photo and good bye to all the expeditioners.

Bergen rains a lot, but when it's sunny it's amazing. I took the funicular up Mt Floyen, and what a view. I think everyone who lives in Bergen, and every tourist, was on the mountain enjoying the rare phenomenon of sunshine.

Hot chocolate, anyone?

This is just the beginning, I have a full week here to enjoy all that Bergen has to offer.

Jan Mayen

We are so close to the Beerenberg volcano on Jan Mayen. It's unclear whether we will get to land.

Disappointment. The waters are too rough for a Zodiac landing. We will be on the boat until Iceland.

Burgerbukta

Today's landing is at Burgerbukta. It is a bay with two active glaciers. There were huge chunks of ice floating on the bay and strewn around the beach. I was pleased to be able to hike up a steep rocky hill to enjoy the gorgeous views.

Zodiac tendering small groups from the ship.

MS Spitsbergen.

MS Spitsbergen from the glacier.

One of the two glaciers.

Ice.

Climbing back down.

With Arne & Carlos at the end of the hike.

Waiting for the Zodiac. Notice the shotgun.

Zodiacs being loaded back onto the ship.  These excursions are a lot of planning, coordination, and hard work.

The day kept getting better. We got Aurora Borealis!!!

Bamsebu and Recherchebreen

Today we had two Zodiac landings. The crew is very well trained in teaching us out to get in and out of the rubber boats.

The first landing was at Bamsebu Cabin. It is a whaler's cabin built in the 1930s on the edge of a fjord. It is now privately owned. Piles of beluga whale bones, and old wooden boats all around. While we explored, several guides were on the lookout, with their shot guns, for polar bears.

The second landing was at Recherchbreen. It is a glacier on another fjord. The huge chunks of ice on the edge of the lake are so beautiful. We saw an artic fox.

Gudrun and me with our twin Trondheim hats.

Some brave souls took a polar plunge!!!

Hello, Goodbye, Longyearbyen

Arrival: Longyearbyen Svalbard