Northwestern Spitsbergen
It may be nearing summer here in the northern hemisphere, but in the Arctic, it was definitely a wintry day. Unfettered, we started the day with a morning Zodiac cruise through blustery winds carrying icy precipitation.
By lunch we were surrounded by pack ice, and we watched as fresh snow settled on the sheets of shattered ice right outside the dining room's windows. Grateful for the comfortable shelter of the National Geographic Endeavour, we were able to appreciate our midday dessert of ice cream sundaes.
We filled the afternoon with reading, socializing (or in my case painting), and Brent Houston's presentation on the sea birds of the Arctic. Around 4:00 pm were once again summoned to break out our parkas and immerse ourselves in the lightly falling snow. This time, we gathered outside on the pool deck for "afternoon tea": Swedish style hot dogs and beer, served to us by the head chef. Later, Tom Smith recounted some of his experiences researching pinnipeds in the Canadian Arctic for over four decades: the brushes with polar bears; the time his skidoo broke down and he had to walk 80 miles to reach town; his relationships with the native people of the north.
After dining on Alaskan salmon, we eagerly gathered in the lounge to watch Paul Nicklen's photo presentation from recent travels to Svalbard. These photos, shot for the pages of National Geographic magazine, were accompanied by a slideshow of images taken behind the scenes. We discovered the less than glamorous realties of shooting on assignment – living in tents on icy shorelines for weeks at a time, patiently waiting hours on end for the perfect wildlife photo. In awe, we witnessed underwater shots of snarling leopard seals, narwhals crossing their tusks in synchronization, and polar bears devouring their meal. I think we all could agree that whatever discomforts he and his assistant, Shawn Powell, endured were well worth their efforts.
It may be nearing summer here in the northern hemisphere, but in the Arctic, it was definitely a wintry day. Unfettered, we started the day with a morning Zodiac cruise through blustery winds carrying icy precipitation.
By lunch we were surrounded by pack ice, and we watched as fresh snow settled on the sheets of shattered ice right outside the dining room's windows. Grateful for the comfortable shelter of the National Geographic Endeavour, we were able to appreciate our midday dessert of ice cream sundaes.
We filled the afternoon with reading, socializing (or in my case painting), and Brent Houston's presentation on the sea birds of the Arctic. Around 4:00 pm were once again summoned to break out our parkas and immerse ourselves in the lightly falling snow. This time, we gathered outside on the pool deck for "afternoon tea": Swedish style hot dogs and beer, served to us by the head chef. Later, Tom Smith recounted some of his experiences researching pinnipeds in the Canadian Arctic for over four decades: the brushes with polar bears; the time his skidoo broke down and he had to walk 80 miles to reach town; his relationships with the native people of the north.
After dining on Alaskan salmon, we eagerly gathered in the lounge to watch Paul Nicklen's photo presentation from recent travels to Svalbard. These photos, shot for the pages of National Geographic magazine, were accompanied by a slideshow of images taken behind the scenes. We discovered the less than glamorous realties of shooting on assignment – living in tents on icy shorelines for weeks at a time, patiently waiting hours on end for the perfect wildlife photo. In awe, we witnessed underwater shots of snarling leopard seals, narwhals crossing their tusks in synchronization, and polar bears devouring their meal. I think we all could agree that whatever discomforts he and his assistant, Shawn Powell, endured were well worth their efforts.
