Our updates from the day before are still not complete as Captain Martin and expedition leader Doug surprise us with one more “activity.” Out of Hinlopenstretet, National Geographic Orion takes an unexpected detour to the stunning 170km-long front of Austfonna: the third largest ice cap on earth. And the fog rises just as we approach the 60-foot ice cliff allowing us to speechlessly admire the waterfalls shooting out of the front.
But our surprises are not over and it is 3:00 a.m. when it was announced that not one, not two but 7 polar bears are sighted on land. Probably a big kill has occurred and the smell attracted all the nearby bears into the bay at Freemansundet. Everyone is armed with binoculars to search for the bears spread out around the beach and on the mountainside. What a feeling to spot that many polar bears all at once! Even some polar foxes are spotted in the area.
Later, we arrive to Russebukta, which surprises us with sunshine and summer-like temperatures. Vegetation and wildlife is abundant as we spot reindeer, arctic foxes, barnacle geese and snow buntings with chicks. Oops, I almost forgot – we even spotted another polar bear! The expedition team is always aware and all the bear movements are carefully monitored by our Norwegian polar bear guards to be sure that we’re in the safest areas.
After the morning excitement we have a new activity waiting for us onboard and ready to cool down our spirits: the polar plunge is ready at the Marina Deck! Nineteen brave guests dive fearless in 4 degree Celsius waters as the crowd cheers and applauds.
And as we cruise away from Spitsbergen and along Hopen we get the final surprise of the day! Fin wales approach National Geographic Orion and seem to wave goodbye to us!
