Early morning fog in Liefdefjorden (which means Love Fjord) at Monaco Glacier. It was so incredibly quiet and serene.After breakfast buffet, we went out exploring in the Rib Boats. Liefdefjorden, Monaco Glacier.Lots to study on the glacial edges while on a Rib Boat cruise — such interesting formations and layers of ice. Liefdefjorden, Monaco Glacier.On adjacent Woodfjorden, we had another shore expedition with our guides. Why is this called Wood Fjord when you see no forests? But see those logs on the beach……They were used to construct the Mushamna Cabin–a trapper cabin built more sturdy than most in around 1997. Trees logged in the Siberian Taiga are floated down rivers, but some get out of control and–instead of reaching their destination–end up in the Arctic Ocean. The ocean currents bring this drift wood to the coast of Svalbard where the storms wash them on shore.We liked the custom lounge chairs to catch some Midnight Sun! Beyond is the anti-bear storage on stilts and a Flintstone type of cart with wooden wheels. There’s also a sauna building, an outhouse, and a sled. Mushamna Cabin would be a nice place to hang out.And you have these views of Woodfjorden–lying beyond where we explored.And in the other direction is where we walked from our ship. Woodfjorden,Mushamna CabinNorth 80-degrees Crossing! GPS image from our Locus App. Download free map of region and use off line – we tracked the route as we sailed, as well as our on shore hikes.This is what the sea looked like at the North 80-degrees crossing. Can you believe how calm it is? Beautiful lighting – around 9PM in the evening. We’re only 690 miles (1,100 km) from the North Pole.We had a Champagne Celebration with everyone on deck. We were also very close to Moffen Island, where walrus could be watched with the binoculars.
One Reply to “79 and 80 Degrees North Latitude, Mini-Cruise”
The views are exceptional and it is definitely peaceful…maybe it was the perfect time to be there and explore being sooo close to the North Pole!!
The views are exceptional and it is definitely peaceful…maybe it was the perfect time to be there and explore being sooo close to the North Pole!!