As expedition leader Bud announced another sunny morning, National Geographic Explorer anchored just by the innermost shore of Nordfjorden. This is one of the entrances to Svartisen National Park. Svartisen means “black ice” and comprises the second largest icecap on Norway mainland.
The conditions for adventuring were just fabulous. Some guests went bushwacking, at first along a meltwater river and then zig-zagging through a dense birch forest. Just as the hikers came out of the forest, a rock ptarmigan hen was spotted. The bird exposed itself nicely amongst grasses and willows, so everyone with a telephoto lens had a great chance to get some good shots. This hike turned around just underneath the edge of Svartisen icecap. Big snowpatches showed that there must have been a lot of snow in the area this last winter.
Another group of hikers rock-scrambled uphill to a magnificent viewpoint overlooking the inner parts of the fjord. These hikers returned in time to go kayaking or join a Zodiac cruise. Kayaks gliding over the calm waters could be spotted below sweeping granite cliffs.
After lunch we cruised out of this stunningly beautiful fjord, heading for Træna, which is a large island just on the Arctic Circle. As we sailed, Geoff Daniels – our Global Perspectives Guest Speaker - gave a fascinating presentation of Nat Geo Wild, which is National Geographic’s TV-channel for wildlife. He showed clips from a number of productions and also explained how their films are being produced.
We docked at Træna just around dinner time. After dinner most of the guests went ashore for a late evening stroll. This charming little fishing village holds an Arctic Circle monument formed like a globe. Some of the guests took selfies in front of the monument, or had someone else taking the picture. Many guests also went into an old wooden church. The evening temperature had dropped, so the option of a hot glögg and ginger cookies was a perfect ending of another great day.
