Svalbad - Arctic
My good friend Robin Aiello is a marine biologist and lecturer on Silversea Cruises. The main drawcard for cruises to this part of the world is undoubtedly the amazing natural beauty and the wildlife.
Recently she posted some amazing pictures on her Facebook page of some of the wildlife she has encountered on her latest cruise up to the Arctic and Svalbad in Norway in particular. She has graciously allowed me to re-post them so you can all enjoy them too. Thank you Robin!
Svalbad ("Cold Coasts") is made up of an archipelago of islands measuring 63,000 square kilometres. Nearly 65 per cent of the surface of Svalbard consists of protected areas, including 3 nature reserves, 6 national parks, 15 bird sanctuaries and 1 geotopical protected area. It is a natural haven for polar bears, seals, walrus and all manner of Arctic wildlife. Also Norway's largest glacier "Austfonna" is in Svalbad and it is the world's third-largest icecap after Antarctic and Greenland with a glacier front of 200 kilometres.
There is so much to do in this part of the world, in Summertime, which is the peak tourist season, the animals are out and about and it is an dream destination for those wanting an exceptional natural experience. Other activities include hiking, skiing, dog sledding and kayaking among icebergs, watching seals bask themselves in the warm sunshine. Not to mention the wonderful Northern Lights which blaze through the evening skies.
Wintertime offers opportunities for longer ski and dog sledding trips as well as snowmobiling safaris. There is also mountaineering and ice climbing for the daredevils and those not put off by the minimal temperatures.
Longyearbyen is the main port of call and is the is the seat of local government and Norway's main administrative centre on Svalbard. It is a small colourful community that has developed from being a typical village town into a modern community with different kinds of businesses and industries, and with a wide range of cultural activities and opportunities.
It is worth visiting the gallery, museum and the remains of the coal mines in the area. A visit to the entrance of "Mine no. 2b" is highly recommended and is rumoured to be the mine where Santa Claus lives!
As accommodation is minimal in the area, cruising to Svalbad remains one of the most popular ways to visit the region. On a ship such as the Silver Explorer, on one of Silversea's Arctic Expedition cruises, your every whim is catered for and you can relax while cruising past glaciers and icebergs on your quest to find the mighty polar bear.
This trip has just been entered on my list of one of the places I simply must visit and things I must do before I die. Consider it on the top of my travel "bucket list". It looks simply amazing and talking to Robin and hearing of her experiences both in the Arctic and Antarctic with Silversea Cruises makes my feet itch.
I have posted more of her wonderful pictures on my facebook webpage. If you are interested please log on to have a look and be inspired by the absolute beauty of this part of the world. Enjoy!
www.facebook.com/#!/SandySirianni