In the morning, guests enjoyed kayaking in calm water near the Wahlenberg Fjord of the Northeast Island. Nearby, a walrus fed at the bottom, surfacing every few minutes to catch a breath before diving again.
In the afternoon, a landing was offered with strenuous, moderate, and casual hikes on Torellneset. Guests hiked across a series of raised beaches that extended several kilometers in every direction. About 30 m above the shoreline, a few weathered whale bones were found. Apparently, they were at least 1000 years old. When we returned to the landing site, we found it was blocked by moving sea ice. It required a bit of time and skill to find a way in the labyrinth of moving ice.
The day was not yet over. After cocktail hour, recap, a briefing for tomorrow, and another delicious dinner, a Zodiac cruise was offered at the famous Alkefjellet Cliff. This cliff hosts one of the world’s most impressive seabird colonies, where more than 150,000 birds can be observed. It is home to the largest colony of thick-billed murres in Svalbard. The weather was very calm and the cliff’s reflection in the water was disturbed only by the landing and taking off of literally thousands of birds.
