Day 2 - 10th August.

 Day 2. 

Day 2. Woke up about 6.30, got up, sorted bits out, semi packed, went for breakfast around 7. Nice buffet, bacon, eggs, ham, cheese etc. got a taxi ordered to the airport pits with collection at 10.45 so that we could check our luggage out at 11, before lunch at 11.30 which was beef, roast pots etc. 

The coach came for us at 12.45 for our ‘tour’. Our first stop was the Radison to collect the other guests, then the polar bear sign, as we had already visited we birded while the others took photos. Then it was on to the Barents camp site where we had a talk about the sled dogs, petted them, then went into a building for a talk on Polar Bears accompanied by a hot blackcurrant drink and pancake with blackcurrant jam. Then it was on to the museum where we looked at some of the history of Svalbard and the various animals, including Polar Bear, Arctic fox and various seals, before going to the quayside to board at about 4pm. We checked in, collected our keys and complimentary souvenir card and found our rooms. 😳😳😳 they were minute!!!

We settled in, trying to sort out how on earth we could fit ourselves into the tiny berths. Then we went up on deck for an introduction to our guides and our safety briefings. The ever present Fulmar were everywhere in both light and dark plumages.

As we sailed out of Adventfjorden we got our first look at the Arctic scenery. We passed evidence of past mining at Grummant and then sailed north across the Isfjord. We sailed past the Alkhornet cliffs which were quieter than expected but still had lots of birds in the distance. As we sailed across the fjord there were several sightings of Fin Whale dotted about. 

We headed to Ymerbukte for dinner, which was delicious, and then headed out of Isfjord towards the open sea and the north. After dinner we stayed up on deck until about 11before turning in.