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Spitzbergen via Norway - Ny Ålesund Page |
Ny Ålesund
Saturday July 27th 2014 - At Sea on our way to Svalbard
An early view of Svalbard, to the North of us.
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Considering where we were, just North of Bear Island at breakfast, it was surprisingly warm & a smooth sea. After breakfast, I did a few circuits of the deck. Later, I saw whales spouting but only glimpsed the back of one. A solitary dolphin passed but then, four headed straight for the ship, so probably dived under it. By this time, Svalbard was visible at 14:00 & got gradually bigger. I stayed up until midnight for my midnight photo, with the Sun evident but not visible, as there was an island in the way. |
Ken & Svalbard |
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The Midnight Sun at midnight is behind the island
Monday July 28th Ny Ålesund
The panorama North-East across King's Bay at Ny Ålesund
Up at 7. A clearer sky as we approached. This got better as time passed & then, was a bit duller as we left. The village comprises a number of sturdy wooden shacks, with a couple of more impressive buildings. I bought & posted a card to Philip & Tsugi, our neighbours & stamped our passports, this being the most Northerly Post Office in the World. We were kept strictly to a route marked on a map by the ship’s crew, including Nicky, the Show Team Manager who photoed us. This was to avoid disturbing the tundra & the wild life, including nesting terns, who can be quite vicious & avoid being eaten by polar bears, who were not visible in the village. There were many research institutes here, including a Chinese one.
The Marina from the ship |
Arctic Tern |
Towards the village |
The most Northerly Post Office |
Nesting Arctic Tern |
Amundsen statue |
Telegraph Hut & nearby glacier |
Us on the edge of the village |
Fishermen sorting nets |
The Chinese research station |
The derelict coal train |
The acid green bird sanctuary |
Contact: Ken Baldry at 17 Gerrard Road, Islington, London N1 8AY +44(0)20 7359 6294 or e-mail him
URL: http://www.art-science.com/Tourism/Cruises/SB2014/CR6.html Last revised 5/8/2014 ©2014 Ken Baldry. All rights reserved.