So long, Scandinavia

 Our last activity on our last day on Svalbard, which was our last Scandinavian destination, was a tour of Mine 3. This layer of coal (its origin: an ancient forest blanketing this area, compressed with time and pressure into its carbon basics) is the reason Svalbard was first settled by humans in the early 1900’s. Such an interesting way to wrap up our (too-short) time in this singular, beautiful place.

Tonight we fly back to Oslo, and tomorrow, on to the States. I have no idea when and where my next travel/contract adventure will be, but whenever it happens I’ll see you here!

Bjørndalen

 An AMAZING day hike, one to remember!

Walruses on the shore…

 …walruses in the surf!

“You picked the windiest day of the whole summer for this trip, but we will try, I don’t know…” said our boat pilot when picking us up this morning. 

After capturing some photos and watching a few of these big boys roll themselves off the shore into the waves to root around for a mussel snack, I definitely barfed from bobbing around in the water. The trip home against a headwind wasn’t pretty either. 

Totally worth it. 

Billefjord to Nordenskiöld glacier

 Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow!

We also toured the mostly abandoned, former Russian mining town in Pyramidan. This place is wild!

Made it to Longyearbyen!

 The last stop on this epic Scandinavian adventure is the Arctic islands wonderland of Svalbard. Today we were just in town. We’re excited to get out into nature on some activities but for now it was nice to get a sense of Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost settlement that has an airport with scheduled public flights. We’re slightly further north here (78 degrees and change) than McMurdo is south, which boggles me a little.

A perfect Faroes goodbye

 And hopes I can return again someday. 

The Lake above the sea

 

Kalsoy Island

 Also, James Bond died here?

Wind and rain and beauty

 

It’s all so epic I don’t know which photos to post.

 I mean, a nasty wind and rain set in by late afternoon, but still!

Faroe Islands

 An abrupt and jaw-dropping change of scenery. 

If we can keep finding little spots of sunshine around these islands, it’s gonna be five completely epic days. Day 1 sure was. 

Copenhagen

 Most of the fam has headed home and it’s just me and Momsie continuing off into the wild islands of Scandinavia. But first, we made a necessary transit through Copenhagen into a whirlwind, 24-hour visit since my mom had never been. LOVELY. 

This city is too cool.

 I was very sad to say goodbye to Stockholm today. It’s pretty fantastic here. It even said goodbye to us via rainbow. 

Archipelago in the mist

 The day was rainy but the Stockholm Archipelago was still enchanting by boat. And then the day brightened. 

Gone Viking

 A tour today of the heart of Swedish Viking culture, including Sigtuna and Uppsala!

Stockholm by storm

 Today: a food tour (for sustenance), the Vasa Museum (for culture), the ABBA Museum (for silly joy), of course a few random rain showers (for good measure), and miles of tracks all around the city!

Hello Sweden!

 Will be coming to you from Stockholm all week!

So long for now, Norway

 It’s been an epic 2.5 weeks here, and now it’s time to check out a new spot. Our last day in the “North Way” left us with more beautiful memories, though….

Back in Bergen…

 …and appreciating that the rain kept itself at bay during our walking tour of the city and ride up the funicular for the fabulous view!

Ålesund