PolarQuest’s amazing guides are blogging from our Arctic expeditions in Svalbard trough out the season. Please read about M/S Quest’s travellers and their day, witnessing both mighty glaciers and bearded seals in Kongsfjorden 31st of May.
We were waking up to the sight of the small village Ny-Ålesund, the northern-most permanent settlement in the world. The weather was beautiful and after breakfast we explored the village and got to learn some more about the history of the settlement and the events that have formed it. This Arctic outpost has a rich history of grand plans for riches and fame. The earliest attempts for coal mining and other minerals were made here, and later this was the center for the glorious and heroic expeditions aiming for the North Pole, for example Roald Amundsen’s crossing of the pole with the airship Norge.
After lunch we cruised further into the stunning fjord and closer to the mighty Kongsvegen glacier. Blue ice from the glacier was floating all around us in the water when we launched the Zodiacs. Later we made a landing on the side of the Ossian Sars-mountain and some of us hiked up to the top while others explored the shoreline and had a closer look at the amazing Kittiwake colony. In the fjord next to the mountain we even had a young bearded seal on the ice, but we cannot stay, we have to get back to the ship to have some rest and prepare ourselves for tomorrow’s adventures!
Please note: Depending on the lens used for a photo or video shot an animal may appear to be closer than it is. We always follow strict wildlife guidelines to ensure that we do not cause any disturbance.