Postcard from the Far North
The good news is we’re off on our adventure, and the better news is that I’ve seen a polar bear. She just looked like a vanilla-colored speck through my binoculars, but I saw her! She’d just taken down a reindeer and was focused on the task of filling her tummy. Luckily, this ship is also equipped with high powered viewing scopes we can all use to see distant things.
I’m wearing two sets of wool long johns, a fleece outer layer, two pairs of thick wool socks, a balaclava, a cashmere scarf, a cozy hat, and waterproof down mittens with thin glove liners. The cruise line supplied every passenger with this ultra-cozy parka and waterproof boots. It is a bit tough to walk in all this paraphernalia, but we’re toasty warm.
Polar Bears are awe-inspiring creatures but also some pretty scary animals. Before they load us into the zodiacs to go ashore, several members of the expedition crew have already scouted the area to be sure there are no polar bears in the area. They stake out a perimeter that we have to stay inside of and have look-outs stationed at the edge who are equipped with riffles.
A passenger asked why they don’t use rubber bullets, and we were told the government requires them to use real bullets. The goal is to see the bears but not impact their habitat or threaten their lives.
While they were scouting an area for us to come ashore yesterday, one of the scouting zodiacs got attacked by a huge Walrus, so the ship has moved on to a new location where we can spot more wildlife.
It’s daylight 24/7 up here in Svalbard, Northernmost Norway. So, while many of you were treated to a fabulous viewing of the Northern Lights, we saw nothing of it.
That’s it for my minimal wifi ability today!
Thanks for reading!
What an amazing adventure and so wonderful that your daughter is there to share it with you!
This adventure was her idea!!
As much as I find your trip exciting/intereting/freezing, I wanted to open your bright & comfy outfit but it wouldn’t open for me….Am I doing something wrong?
Stay warm!
Do you mean from the email?
The Bright and Comfy outfit at the beginning of this post. The red patterned tee, red slacks, white tennies, and especially the string bag.
That’s in the email. It this the one? https://liketk.it/4FGPE
Jennifer, have been following you for awhile but this is my first time commenting. It looks like quite an adventure! Didn’t realize until i saw the pictures that your daughter was going too. She just did one not too long ago so she probably talked you into doing it. lol You all look like you’re having a wonderful time. Enjoy!! Thanks for taking the time out to connect with us but relax and we will be here when you return. Thanks.
Sandy R.
She did and had such a great time that she talked us into this one.
Awesome! You do look adorable in your layers! Enjoy every mmrnent of this amazing adventure!
Congratulations! What a great trip. And yes you all look fabulous! Enjoy.
Cristi
It’s so unique. What an adventure!!
What an adventure! I seethe armed man standing behind and to the left of you. Polar bears are huge predators and not cuddly except to their young. Be safe out there in the Arctic cold. I watch for you every day. Thanks for the wonderful smiling pictures!
They are the largest land predator and quite magnificent to see.
What an amazing experience! Thanks for sharing 😊
is the parka equipped with a flotation device? I see the chest harness and can’t help but wonder?
No. We wear a flotation device over the parka.
This is an adventure you will never forget! All your garb reminds me of little kids that fall down in their snowsuits and can’t get up!! So don’t fall down! Have fun 😊
We sound like kids when we walk too! It’s funny.
Sounds so exciting! And you guys are having an awesome time! Thank you for sharing. Please keep posting this is so fun to see.
There is a popular blogger in Svalbard named Cecilia Blomdahl. Any chance you two crossed paths? We even saw the Northern lights in my little town of Lincoln! Looks like an incredible time there, enjoy every drop.
My daughter follows her. We were only in the town for 90 minutes before we boarded the ship by zodiac.
So happy you are enjoying such a fascinating trip! Thank you for sharing the adventure! You look quite cute in all the garb.
I feel like a 4 year old stuffed into my snowsuit 🤣
Wow, looks terrific Jennifer.
What company/cruise line did you utilize ?
We are on Quark
Still looking stylish! What an amazing adventure, glad you are seeing the wildlife in their native habitat. Such a different part of the world.
I’m really glad we came
What amazing adventure and wildlife sightings you have had! I tend to think of polar bears as “cuddly and cute” but your sighting was a reality check. Such a cool trip you are all on! Thank you so much for the update; that was very sweet of you to do for us! Please keep enjoying every moment and I know you will! Lol that you wanted the blue parka! You look stylish and chic as always! Have fun and thanks again!
It’s a great trip!!
How awesome! It looks like a wonderful trip!
What do you think of the food? When we lived there I thought that the bread and cheese was incredible.
I’m loving all the smoked salmon! The food is terrific.
Yes! Smoked salmon!
I shared your post with my husband who is a geologist and did field work in Svalbard many years ago. It inspired him to want to go back, we were wondering if you would be willing to share the name of the company you are cruising with.
We are on Quark! Highly recommended.
It sounds like a life changing adventure. Polar bears, walruses, sub temps oh my☺️ The Aurora will be back. No worries about that. Keep safe and warm and glad you have this precious time with your family.
We are soaking it in!!
Wow awesome you are so lucky to experience such an adventure. You all have big happy
beaming smiles and that says it all. Enjoy the rest of your journey, I’m sure you will.
Thank you for taking time to send us a post. X
It’s such a great trip!!
It’s kind of a weird thought that when you go to see wildlife, you are endangering their lives. And, yes, blue would have been a great color for you, LOL.
The team is being very, very careful to not go anywhere near polar bears.
Wow Jennifer, what an adventure! Looks like you are keeping warm and still staying stylish, LOL!
I did ask if they had my parka in blue. They laughed.
Sounds like the trip of a lifetime! Thank you for sharing your adventure with us. Have fun!
It is certainly a bucket list trip. Amazing!