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.
Fantastic! The depth of field in photo #2 sort of knocked my socks off.
Safe travels home…
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.
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!
So beautiful! And no abominable snowmen.:)
What beautiful pictures, lucky you. It’s 112 degrees here today. Hot, hot, hot…
beautiful, beautiful shots! Cant wait to hear more!
Amazing photos! I SO want to see some glaciers on day!
So beautiful! And I second TUWABVB…the summer is so hot (in Arizona) that seeing all of that ice is refreshing!
fabulous photos! I leaned my face up close to the screen and felt the cooling breeze….yum
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.
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.
What a wonderful place! I love the 4th photo. It has a very unique perspective.
Wow, so beautiful!
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!
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
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.
just gorgeous! WOW! the air seems so crisp and clear. thank you for sharing this with us!
WOW!
(Note to self: learn to use fancy camera)
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.
Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s all I can say!
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!
Awesome(okay, I just turned into my teen cousin there!).
Love, love, love the pics.
I loved that you went swimming near the ice! Good for you! And beautiful pictures. I’m terribly jealous!