Drron takes to cruising.The Arctic here we come.

[Keith009]

My, my, you do get around. Great TR so far drron, looking forward to what's to come!

 

[drron]

Deplaning in OSL the airbridge has an up escalator you take up and then go to the baggage area along a corridor.A Brussels Air flight had arrived just before us and an African man accompanied by 3 women in burqas and 10 children had completely blocked the corridor holding our planeload up for a few minutes-how can he afford that many wives and kids-1 of each is enough for me:shock:.
Get to baggage area and we have to wait for 10-15 minutes for our flight to come up on the board for baggage carousels.Once it does the bags appear and ours are first-I am beginning to like Finnair!Straight through customs and then just a short walk to the Radisson Blu for a nights stopover.Report here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-reviews/radisson-blu-oslo-airport-25111.html
Dinner there set us back $65 for spare ribs for me-OK but overdone,plus salmon with a potato salad for mrsdrron.unfortunately for her the potato salad was full of pickled onion and chilli so way to spicy for her.The bed was really comfortable so we had a good nights sleep-though we woke at 2am and the sun was already up.Breakfast was quite reasonable and I had what became my staple for the next 2 weeks-smoked salmon and herring 3 ways.All the usual offerings.It was called an Ecological breakfast-well all types of healthy bread-finally finding the white bread in a far corner.
The rest of the morning was spent rearranging the luggage-weighed 19 and 26KG at BKK but on SAS it is only 20KG-at checkin they weighed 19.5 and 21.5kg-thank goodness carryons weren't weighed!
Next-our first SAS experience.

 

[drron]

Check in at OSL was slow as there were several large groups.Had bought these tickets on line and it stated I needed original CC at checkin for ID so I bought my now inactive DC.However wasn't needed.No waiting at security,No lounge access:shock:.So to gate-very few seats so glad we got there early as usual.The monitor at the gate warned us of what was ahead-

Yes Longyearbyen just 3C.
SK4414.OSL-TRS-LBY.ETD-0955.Actual-1000
ETA-1355.Actual-1345
We have seats 21B,C-Yes it is true-in Y,and very discount at that.No FF points even if you were in SAS's program.On a B737-800.The leg shot-

Uneventful flight.Lots got off at TRS but an equal number boarded there so a full flight all the way.Tea or coffee all that was complimentary.The snacks were smaller and dearer than those on AY.
Interesting carousel at LBY-

Apparently this young male attacked a couple of Norwegian students about a KM from the airport a few years ago killing one hence becoming stuffed.Our bags are well into the second half of those out so as we exit the terminal the first bus to town is already full.But we had done our research and lined up at the taxi rank-4 people were just getting into a taxi so we were next in line.The bus costs 75NOK each.However the next taxi was a minivan and we invited people to share-did with 3 other couples so cost us 50NOK.And we beat the bus to our hotel-the Radisson Blu.Review here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....radisson-blu-longyearbyen-svalbard-25130.html
Next Longyearbyen.

 

[drron]

Well we are well and truly in the Arctic circle now.Longyearbyen is 78 degrees north.It was a coal mining centre and it shows-

It is a pretty desolate place.The main drag-

After we had checked in we walked down here-most of the shops etc are along here.Msdrron had set her heart on buying an Oleana jumper in Norway-they got a lot of publicity when Michelle Obama bought 4.Well they had them here and tax free so instead of $500 it was $330.The Amex got warmed up.
The restaurants in town weren't much so we decided to eat at the hotel.Luckily we had not eaten lunch so went to the restaurant at 6pm to be told it was booked out but if we started straight away we could stay.The A La Carte menu was limited so we had the buffet which had several interesting items.I tried the smoked whale-assured it was Mincke.Also seal,reindeer,venison and assorted fish species.The buffet was 325NOK($65).
Most of the staff here are Thai-as is a fairly large percentage of the population.The population though has a frontier mentality and many are carrying rifles-not allowed to go outside the city limits without one.Some fairly familiar names here-

though there are some dissenting voices-

After dinner I went to use the internet.It was free but you needed a password.After ringing 3 times and being unable to access with the password given I went to the desk and got it written down-letters when spoken by a Norwegian just dont sound the same.
That night it got down to minus 3C and had snowed.There were signs the locals weren't worried-

Next-time to say goodbye to Longyearbyen.

 

[Flashback]

Great TR so far ; and confirms what I've heard about costs in that region of Europe!

 

[drron]

Well I am already falling well behind-have now arrived in the Good Ole USA.Mrsdrron is salivating-a walking tour of an outlet mall is today's activity.Time to break out the third suitcase.
Now tgh this will bring back memories.But first the last day in Longyearbyen.
We started off with a good breakfast.i approached the desk when going back to the room and got out-"Could we get a..." when straight back came-"No.Chechout is 1100".So checkout was at 1100 but embarkation wasn't until 1500-so we walked down to the local museum.Quite intersting-75NOK and at least it was inside-bitterly cold today,it had snowed overnight.The lobby was a zoo as many were on the 2 ships going out plus all those who had disembarked waiting for a room.Fortunately we had booked a taxi for 1430 because by 1100 there were no more taxis left.Our taxi was stolen by a Colombian fellow so we commandeered the next-this time only a small car but only cost us 58NOK or $11.Those who booked the Silverseas bus transfer were slugged $US39 each.
At checkin on the boat they take your passport and you get it back when you pay your on board account.Oh no!Hostages.But then given a glass of champagne-OK fair swap.Down to restaurant for a late lunch whilst our bags are taken to our suite.Then to room-a bottle of champagne and a fruit bowl.Never got to drink the champagne as standard drinks on board are included.So views of our suite,first an impressive bathroom with separate bath and shower-

And a walkin robe-

Then the living room-

More of the PA11 next.

 

[drron]

Next was the bedroom-

On the bed are the parkas you get-just so they wont lose you!

With great views out the window.

And possibly the first AFF tag to go cruising in the arctic.

And of course drron has to try out the bed.

Just before we leave the Quest leaves-we would see it several times in the next week.
Then came the mandatory safety and lifeboat drill followed by a talk on the intended activities-naturally accompanied by a glass of champagne.Then it is time to sail and we look back on Longyearbyen-

Everyone is out on deck taking photos.Wind ++ and it is bitterly cold.1930 and time for dinner.The quality of the food is very good but thankfully at dinner the portions are not too big.There is a reasonable selection of complimentary wines though more upmarket ones can be purchased.During dinner the recent arthritis in my right hand flares-almost certainly due to the cold.My third MCP joint swels ++.Back to room and take a coughtail of panadol,mobic and colchicine plus a soak in warm water.
Dont sleep very well.In the morning heat is better than anything so I decide to enter my Jacko phase.I have a glove on my right hand from then on.Worked well and certainly better than drugs.
Next-the first day of cruising.

 

[tgh]

sigh .. that was a downside last year.. the wine.
We all assumed they had been dudded by the chilean providore and the poor bloody Sommelier copped a lot of stick.
Tried his heart out tho' and something drinkable was always found... interesting that some of our well travelled table companions didn't know the difference.

Sigh #2... . can you stop posting now .. I'm just gonna go find my parka and give it a hug.....

 

[drron]

Sorry tgh the pain will continue.Once started a TR must be completed.
On our way out of the fjord we pass more evidence of the old mining activity with a bucket line still intact-

And as always in the next 10 days we had avian escorts-

Then off course the glaciers-one after another-yet never got bored-

Now for our first day.Naturally starts with breakfast which was a very good spread.Getting very used to my morning herrings.Interestingly they serve 3 kinds of bacon-US,cremated-UK,normal-and Canadian,processed.Then we have to be ready for our first zodiac landing at the 14th July glacier-lots of bird life and glacier calving.Also a seal cruises the shore keeping an eye on us.We are here though because this glacier was named by Prince Albert first of Monaco.It was a good idea to bring walking poles.Certainly saved my bacon coming back down from the Glacier.On the way back to the ship the zodiac does a detour to a puffin nesting site.Now for the pictures-

More ice next.

 

[drron]

Well more pics of the Glacier and ice-

And now on top of the Glacier-

And drron in regal pose-

And the PA11 in the background-

And more ice-

After getting back on the ship we were served hot chocolate-boy was that appreciated.The problem though was that we are not experienced cold travellers so I had too much on and despite all the advice removing layers was not easy.So a nice shower when back to the cabin and for the next landing a totally different approach to the layers which worked fine for me.
Then of course it was time for lunch-accompanied by wine-on this cruise a good blend of French,US,South American,South African and NZ wines.At meals we elected to be seated with whoever turned up next so met a wide variety of people-onm this occasion a Dutch couple whose daughter was on the Expedition staff and whose family lived in Perth.
Next Ny-Alesund

 

[drron]

After lunch we arrived in Ny Alesund.The world's most northerley settlement at 79 degrees north.A wharf here so just walked off the boat.The place basically is a collection of Arctic research stations including the Chinese and Koreans.A 70kph wind made it particularly bleak.

one very important building though not open when we were there-

We posted a few postcards as drron checks out the post Office-

You could get your passport stamped here but as we have used half our pages in 2 years we declined.In the middle of town is a statue of Roald Amunsen who set off from here in the 20's to fly an airship to the North Pole with Nobilo and the blessings of Il Duce.He died a year later when flying from Tromso to here to search for his partner who tried the airship flight again.His plane was called"Latham"-we could have told him not a name to bring good luck.

The place was also a coal mining venture until the early years of last century.There are still some reminders-

Next leaving Ny Alesund.

 

[kpc]

very interesting.....

 

[drron]

In such a cold harsh environment it is amazing plants survive but they can be found everywhere-

It was so cold we decided to go back to the ship early and had a cappucino to warm ourselves up.That night was the Captain's coughtail party.The women dressed up.The rest of us drank champagne.From there to dinner.Sat with a couple from BNE though he works in Karratha.Made my commuyte from MCY-DPO look easy.Tonight started with caviar then lobster for main course.This time with a NZ Sav.blanc to wash it down.The dessert we selected was a trio of chocolate.
Mrsdrron retired for the night but I was feeling very awake so went out on deck.Shared some time with the manager of the butler services.The scenery was amazing and we just kept passing glaciers-

After a while I asked a casual question-"how many polar bears have we passed since dinner?"Probably a few.With that I went to the bridge.As I walked in they spotted a polar bear walking along the shore.I went down to the cabin and changed and was first in line when they launched the zodiacs.The driver was the Canadian bear guard Chris who was extremely knowledgable and a great guy.Somewhere in this pic are 2 polar bears-

There are times when a point and shoot just doesn't cut it-should have taken mrsdrron's camera.As we were about to go back we spotted an Arctic fox already in his white winter coat.This was at Magdalena Fjord which was to be our overnight anchorage with a landing in the morning.2 polar bears in the area meant a change of plan.However not now as the decision to do this last zodiac trip was taken at 10pm.There is still no darkness this far north.So a final picture of glaciers-

Next-Dutch whaling history.

 

[tgh]

A small world indeed.....

Amazing... The couple you had dinner with ( J&C) were on our Antarctic jaunt.
They live just a few k's away.
We knew they were heading north but didn't know when.
Say g'day.. they will remember us..... :mrgreen:

 

[drron]

The next morning we awake at 6am as the ship leaves the anchorage.After breakfast we arrive at Smeerenburg which was a Dutch whaling station in the 1600s.It must have been a dreadful place.They did try to overwinter one year but all died so they would return home every winter after that.You can still make out many of the buildings,the boiling pits and many old dutch bricks scattered around.Nature however is reclaiming it and now the site of many nesting Arctic terns.
It is our turn to be on the first trip.We are greeted at the shore by one of the bear guards-a local lady from Longyearbyen who I called-the chick with a gun.

It is very definitely a desolate and exposed place-

And evidence of the nasty trade-

Next some more pics before heading to some more recent history.

 

[drron]

First the chick with a gun meets mrsdrron-

Ever since we arrived in Longyearbyen it had been cloudy.Although it was never dark we had not seen the sun until now-

On the way back to the ship a ringed seal investigated us and followed us for a minute or so.Back on board and we were given a hot Pina Colada-really hit the spot.As we were about to leave another expedition ship arrived-The Polar Explorer.Lunch as usual was a buffet and once again very good.This time however we were seated with a group of 4 from the UK who I dont think appreciated being invaded by a bunch of colonials!
After lunch was a lecture on glaciers then we had a walk around the ship.The hot tubs weren't getting much use-

Nor the deck chairs-

In the afternoon came a visit to Virgohamna-an old Danish whaling camp.Then the base for a Swedish attempt to reach the North Pole by hot air balloon and then an attempt by an Englishman,Wellman, by airship-another grand English failure.Another desolate spot-

But life clings to existence-

Next more of Virgohamna.

 

[drron]

It is interesting seeing the detritus of past adventures here.The scrap iron was bought in to produce the hydrogen for the airship-

The ceramic pipes were to transport the sulphuric acid for the reaction.

And this is whats left of the airship hangar-

And an Englishman's summer house-

But then there was the view as we headed back to the ship-

And the ship itself-

Back on board and we were served a hot ginger tea-again really appreciated.Much more appreciated was the news that another expedition ship reported that there was indeed a Celebration of polar bears in a bay just a short cruise away and we would be there in about an hour.That is next.

 

[drron]

As we were cruising around to see the polar bears we had an early dinner-trio of salmon,cauliflower soup,slow roasted veal and an apple crumble.Started with a Californian SB then a French cabernet to wash it down.It was very good especially the veal.
soon after dinner the zodiacs are launched but we are in the second group.On the zodiac trip to and from the bears the wind is howling and it is snowing.However as soon as we turn into the bay the wind drops and the snow stops.6 bears including a mother and cub.They are feeding on a whale carcass which is now underwater so we see them swimming and diving.the photos are mrsdrrons.

Next more photos.

 

[drron]

Of course if you turned around and looked the other way the view wasnt too bad either-

Of course no one was looking-

I dont know how many shots were taken of those bears but certainly a lot.This hour has made the whole cruise worthwhile.It was the major thing on my wish list.The zodiac trip back to the boat through the snow didn't bother us.Once on board we were given a tea with a kick-really great when coming in from the snow.
Off to a well earned sleep after a great day.Slept in awakening~0730 to the sound and sight of sea ice.
Next-ice cruising.

 

[Flashback]

Great photos! Would be cool to see in person.