Leaving the pack ice now, can't tell you how exhilarating it was to stand in the prow and watch as the ship smashes into the ice, camera clicking like mad. All around the ship is endless ice, you can't help but think about early explorers and how brave (or mad) they were. The endless day is a bit weird and takes some getting used to, but as the weather has been so dry and sunny (unusual to have so many days in a row with no rain we are told). We go for extra landings at any time of the day or night as there is no night!! Yes, very odd but we have blackout blinds in the cabin so this helps with the sleep.....
For birders we have seen (amongst others...) red phalarope, Arctic Skua, long tail skua, great skua, pink footed geese, eider duck, glaucoma gull, kittiwake, arctic tern, guillemots, little auks and ivory gulls. Yes, there are a few (very serious) birders on board but they are great for spotting stuff whilst the rest of us stay in the warm..
The peace and beauty of this place is so precious, I am definitely in love with this pristine wilderness and glaciers have to be my absolute favourite. To watch them calving from a small rubber zodiac in the freezing cold, with the mini tsunami coming towards you is a sight to see......
Our first bear....
Midnight sun as we move through the pack ice
View from the prow-pack ice all around us
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