Way up North

[Rod]

I’ve crossed the Arctic circle a few times now, Alaska and Norway. But I reckon that I’ll be lucky to get higher than this.

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[canalrifle]

How’s it look to the South?

[Vaughan]

That's up there!

[Rod]

How’s it look to the South?

That's up there!

Yeah it sure is.. I was hoping to hit 80 but it wasn’t to be.

Funny thing is that down here if you get down to 50 degrees South you are a long way down. My best effort down here is about 47 ….which is near the bottom of Stewart Island NZ.

Antarctica is on the bucket list.

Rod

[Rod]

Some photos from Svalbard. Didn’t see any polar bears, but the reindeer were plentiful.

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[Rod]

They take the bear situation pretty seriously.

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[Gamsjagd]

We watch this lady's videos. She is Swedish.

https://www.ceciliablomdahl.com/



Yoga pants wearing fit millenial. She is just average looking enough that your wife will be interested, and you won't get in trouble for watching it.

We are going to Svalbard next year. On our list for sure.

[Gamsjagd]

It looks like they have pretty cool swag there. The t-shirt and hat game in Nunavuut was pretty bad. But in Svalbard they seem to get that write Svalbard and putting a polar bear on it is worth something for tourist.

Are you on a cruise or did you fly there?

[Vaughan]

The wife was there this time last year and saw several bears - from boats. Very cool. Wouldn't want to see one up close and personal ....

[Rod]

It looks like they have pretty cool swag there. The t-shirt and hat game in Nunavuut was pretty bad. But in Svalbard they seem to get that write Svalbard and putting a polar bear on it is worth something for tourist.

Are you on a cruise or did you fly there?

Travelling with Hurtigruten, ship has about 300 passengers and is carrying freight. So I guess a small cruise boat. Most passengers were tourists.

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Rod

[Rod]

Wife and I did a similar trip with Hurtigruten a few years ago. Bergen to Kirkness return. Stopped at about 42 ports in 12 days. Most of the trip you’re almost within spitting distance of shore. This trip was similar, stuck to the coast, in sheltered waters, except for the run from Europe up to Spitsbergen. On the way up the sea was mirror smooth. Coming back you knew you were in the Arctic. But we were seriously close to land for the most part.

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[Rod]

This photo is of Bear Island. About half way from Tromso to Longyearbyen .

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[Jonjm]

Interesting looking country! Thanks for sharing.

[analog_peninsula]

When I see a reference to Bear Island, I always think of the old Alistair MacLean novels.

[canalrifle]

Could use some cooler weather down here.