Hornsund, Spitsbergen
Today was our first day on board the National Geographic Explorer in Arctic Svalbard and what a full day of soaking in the beauty of this northern land! We started with whales just outside the windows to wake us up. We had headed offshore for a bit and found a concentration of feeding fin whales. Our fearless Expedition Leader, Tim Soper, gently let us know we should rush out on deck to have a chance to see the second largest animal on the planet feeding in these productive waters.
We also had the opportunity to see another baleen whale, a lone humpback whale, feeding in the same area. Captain Skog expertly maneuvered the ship and we had excellent views of this curious animal. At one point the whale swam right across the ship’s bow and we could feel its breath on our faces! Can you imagine that all of this happened before we finished our breakfast?
In the afternoon, we had the chance to go ashore and explore Hornsund. We saw an old trapper’s hut and were told about the human history of the area. We walked along the spongy tundra to discover a variety of surprisingly beautiful and oh so hardy wildflowers that carpet the landscape. We saw Arctic foxes patrolling along the steep cliffs full of nesting sea birds. It was a fantastic afternoon full of interesting discoveries. Who knows what kind of adventures tomorrow will bring?
