Page 13 - Seniorstoday June 2024 Issue

Under the expert guidance of Captain If the weather remained favourable, our
Roger, our vessel navigated along the
glacier front for hours, affording us the
opportunity to marvel at the sheer majesty
of the waterfalls and the surrounding
landscape. Each cascade, some with such
force that they seemed to shake the very
earth beneath us, captivated my senses and
left an indelible impression upon my soul.
As I gazed upon this natural wonder, I was
deeply moved by the beauty and power of
the Arctic wilderness. I believe it is a place
where the forces of nature reign supreme
and this thought left me in complete awe.
Brasvellbreen
Polar Bear – Reclining on the Beach
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #60 | JUNE 2024
next destination beckoned from a distance
of 354 kilometres: Kvitoya, an island
known for its rugged beauty and rich
wildlife. The journey from the Svalbard
Archipelago is often fraught with rough
seas and challenging conditions. However,
fortune smiled upon us as we experienced
smooth sailing throughout the entirety of
our voyage, both to the island and back.
Kvitoya, is situated at approximately 80
degrees North and a mere 870 kilometres
from the geographic North Pole. But
Kvitoya’s allure extends beyond its
charismatic megafauna. The island is
surrounded by a rich tapestry of marine
biodiversity, with whale species making
regular migrations through the Arctic
waters that lap at its shores.
The morning greeted us with a brilliant
display of sunshine so intense that it
momentarily blinded our sight, making
it challenging to scout the shoreline as
planned. Our original intention was to
make a landing at Andrée Neset, yet
mindful of the potential danger of polar
bears, we opted for a zodiac cruise instead.
It turned out to be a wise decision, for as
soon as we reached the shore, our keen
eyes spotted a polar bear reclining lazily
on the beach. To our amazement, further
exploration revealed not just one, but a
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