Kongsfjorden
Our last day aboard National Geographic Explorer was a beautiful finish to an incredible week in the Arctic. After anchoring, Zodiacs were lowered and those that wishes were taken to the beach for walks at what we have named Stefan’s Garden after one of our most experienced naturalists that works with us in the polar regions. Kongsfjorden is a good sized multi-armed fjord system on the west coast of Spitsbergen Island. There are tidewater and valley glaciers at the head of each fjord. Our walks took us along the shore and towards one of the tidewater glaciers. Views of the sheer Precambrian metamorphic rock cliffs that are patched with colonies of kittwakes and other seabirds were marveled at as we carefully walked around the moss and flowerbeds. The intrepid long hikers enjoyed looking down from an elevation of 500 feet or so at those along the beach.
The wind had been building during the morning so the decision was made to move the ship into one of the smaller bays and close to one of the tidewater glaciers. In the sheltered end of the fjord and out of the wind the kayaks and Zodiacs were lowered once again. Spectacular vistas of cascading ice and rock from the glacier were enjoyed by those who went out. A quiet paddle was a perfect way to take in the sounds of calving ice and think about the memories created this week here in the Arctic.
