Nordstjernen: Barentsburg and Magdalenefjorden

Day one: Sailing out Isfjorden, passing Grumant and Fuglefjella.




Nordstjernen moored in Barentsburg.


Ascending Barentsburg. 220 steps.

Entertainment by the locals.



Day two: in Magdalenefjorden, not particularly good weather, but spectacular anyway. Also lots of snow and ice.


Going to the shore in tenderboats.


And here we are, a huge crowd of tourists, mostly French, plus some Germans and Scandinavians.


On Gravneset in Magdalenafjorden, there are many remains from the 15th and 16th century, left by whalers of many nationalities. Around 1623 the British had a whaling station here called Trinity Harbour. This particular spot is the most visited on Svalbard, and there are strict regulations about where you can walk and so forth.

On our visit, the 130 graves and other remains were completely covered by snow, so there weren´t much to look at.


Except the bathers, of course. Who´s this then?


Oh yes. Me.
There were 4 from the crew that had decided to go for a swim, and I sort of jumped in too.


Quiet life onboard afterwards - we were 14 altogether, minus William, Birgit and I on this picture.


I´ll sort out more photos to show soon - and on them I promise there´ll be wildlife...