Cruising through Fuglefjorden, Norway in Svalbard

Cruising Through the Icebergs of Fuglefjorden Spitsbergen

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One of my biggest regrets while living in Denmark was never making it to up here—simply put, it was far out of my student budget at the time; Norway is many things, but cheap isn’t one of them—and I’m glad the wait was worth it: This will truly stand out as one of my greatest adventures to date, and sailing through the fjords of Fuglefjorden was an incredible last outing.

I’ll give you more specifics about Svalbard and what I was doing there next week, but for now enjoy these icy shots to cool you off during the hot summer days.

While aboard the MS Expedition, we took many zodiac tours of different parts of the Arctic Circle. This surging glacier at Fuglefjorden was one of my favorites. It wasn’t quite as cold as it may look—for the most part, the mercury hovered around 40—but the air was so crisp and clean, it was actually refreshing.

If you few the chunks of floating ice up close, the bubbles the glacier creates are quite visible. They make a snap, crackle, pop! sound as you float by, not at all unlike one giant bowl of Rice Krispies.

Here’s what a piece looks like up close and personal.

I love how afar, the icebergs appear aqua. They’re not really—that’s quite evident when you pick up remnants—that’s just the blue beams reflecting from it.

A line of polar bear paw prints crisscrossed their way across the snowy terrain. As seemed to be the theme of the trip, we often glimpsed polar prints but never could quite locate the owner.

Then, we spotted a lump on the horizon. Could it be the King of the Arctic himself? Our guide hoped not; I crossed my fingers yes.

Alas! it was but a lounging walrus. Still, he’s pretty darn cute.

For more dispatches from Svalbard, go here:

COMMENTS
  • July 31, 2009

    Fantastic! The depth of field in photo #2 sort of knocked my socks off.

    Safe travels home…

  • July 31, 2009

    I’m loving these views, from a warm place. So glad you got to explore more there. The glacial ice is very cool looking, in more ways than one. Look forward to more of this adventure upon your return home.

  • July 31, 2009

    After weeks of triple-digit heat, this girl in Texas thanks you, from the bottom of her heart, but pictures involving cold water and ice. Thank you!

  • July 31, 2009

    So beautiful! And no abominable snowmen.:)

  • July 31, 2009

    What beautiful pictures, lucky you. It’s 112 degrees here today. Hot, hot, hot…

  • July 31, 2009

    beautiful, beautiful shots! Cant wait to hear more!

  • July 31, 2009

    Amazing photos! I SO want to see some glaciers on day!

  • July 31, 2009

    So beautiful! And I second TUWABVB…the summer is so hot (in Arizona) that seeing all of that ice is refreshing!

  • July 31, 2009
    joan van velsor

    fabulous photos! I leaned my face up close to the screen and felt the cooling breeze….yum

  • July 31, 2009

    Gorgeous photos as always!!! Glad you had such an incredible time. Definitely going to add Norway & Finland to my list of places to visit SOON. Have a safe journey home darling.

  • July 31, 2009

    ACK! I can barely stand to look at these jaw-dropping photos. As KL knows, I am HURTIGRUTEN’S BIGGEST FAN. I had to write about the Norwegian cruise line for work and fell in love with the idea of cruising Norway.

    And then you had to be all “Alas, it’s a walrus.” A WALRUS?! That’s so awesome.

    Okay, I can’t wait till the full post about this. I’m on pins and needles.

  • July 31, 2009

    What a wonderful place! I love the 4th photo. It has a very unique perspective.

  • July 31, 2009

    Wow, so beautiful!

  • August 1, 2009

    I’m not a big fan of cold, but this just looks so refreshing! What a great unique look at this part of the world!

  • August 1, 2009

    I’m reading this with a tan and spending the week on the beach with the kids. heh heh. not quite ready for winter yet

  • August 1, 2009

    We seriously considered Norway for a trip once…but a job layoff scotched those plans. Hopefully we’ll make it there someday because everyone I’ve ever heard from that visited loved it.

  • August 1, 2009

    just gorgeous! WOW! the air seems so crisp and clear. thank you for sharing this with us!

  • August 2, 2009

    WOW!

    (Note to self: learn to use fancy camera)

  • August 2, 2009
    k

    Oooh, these are making me so want to go back to Norway! I felt like I saw and did so much there, but there is so much I missed. I’m curious to hear what you thought about Svalbard. We had a long talk about it with a Norwegian couple at on of the hiking huts we stayed at.

  • August 2, 2009

    Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s all I can say!

  • August 3, 2009

    hey girl! thanks for the comments on my site. The food in Norway wasn’t all that good, huh? Maybe Joie is right – white and bland. Anyway, try the almond bread – so easy and so delish. A picture from a 3rd grade geography book of Norway’s fjords has stuck in my head all these years; Norway ranks high in my bucket list. Your photography is fantastic and has allowed me to live my dream journey there. And yes, it’s been hot here. 40 degrees surrounded by that kind of icy beauty, is very refreshing! — Tammie aka Twitter: thesolowriter (just to make it easier putting all the names together – I should have done a better job on the branding thing upfront – can’t think of everything!) Have a great week!

  • August 4, 2009

    Awesome(okay, I just turned into my teen cousin there!).
    Love, love, love the pics.

  • August 12, 2009
    Andrew

    I loved that you went swimming near the ice! Good for you! And beautiful pictures. I’m terribly jealous!

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