Wednesday, 4^th August, 2010

Ny Ålesund, Kongsfjorden &

14th July Glacier, Krossfjorden

Svalbard (meaning: land with the cold coast) is the name given to

the archipelago, of which Spitsbergen (meaning: pointed mountains)

is the main island. This group of islands is located between

74^o and 81 ^o North and 10 ^o and 35 ^o East, and covers an area

of 61,022 sq km. At Longyearbyen, the ‘midnight’ sun shines for

127 days, and the polar night brings darkness for 112 days.

0600

Early morning tea, coffee and pastries are available in the Lounge/Bar

0630

Wake-up call

0700

Breakfast is served in the Dining Room

0800

Decks 3 & 5: Please join Woody for a MANDATORY Landing Guidelines and Polar Bear Safety Briefing in the Presentation Room

Deck 4: Please join Anniefor a MANDATORY Zodiac Safety Briefing in the Bar/Lounge

0915

Deck 4: Please join Woody for a MANDATORY Landing Guidelines and Polar Bear Safety Briefing in the Presentation Room

Decks 3 & 5: Please join Anniefor a MANDATORY Zodiac Safety Briefing in the Bar/Lounge

1100

We hope to land at Ny Ålesund in Kongsfjorden

Kongsfjorden, originally known as King’s Bay, is a 24km-long fjord in which Ny Ålesund is located. In 1925, Roald Amundsen attempted to fly to the North Pole from Ny Ålesund in two Dornier-Wal flying boats. In 1926 he successfully flew an airship, Norge, over the pole to Alaska with Umberto Nobile and Lincoln Ellsworth. Amundsen subsequently disappeared while searching for Nobile, who was attempting to reach the pole again in 1928. This is the northernmost non-military community, originally established as a coal mining village, but the mine was closed in 1962 following a second major disaster (21 lives were lost). The buildings are now used to accommodate a thriving international science community, undertaking research in many areas including seismology, atmospherics, glaciology and climate change.

1330

Lunch is served in the Dining Room

1500

We hope to zodiac cruise at 14^th July Glacier (Fjortende Julibukta) in Krossfjorden

This 16 km-long glacier, named for the French National Day, provides an opportunity for spectacular zodiac cruising. The steep mountains overlooking the bay on the northern side provide an ideal habitat for thousands of kittiwakes, their calling providing an incessant hum in the background. Breeding Brünnich’s guillemots line the cliffs rising out from the water and puffins may also be seen. The guano-enriched tundra at the base of the kittiwake colony provides rich vegetation for reindeer and geese. We intend to cruise along the shoreline and view the impressive glacial front.

1630

Afternoon tea is served in the Lounge

Later

We hope to ship cruise in Möllerfjorden

Located at the northern end of Krossfjorden, this picturesque fjord extends for 9km. The high walls of the surrounding mountains reach heights of over 1,000m. Our late afternoon’s ship cruise offers a scenic conclusion to our first full day on the Vavilov.

1830

Maxwelcomes you to the Bar for Happy Hour

1930

Dinner is served in the Dining Room

2100

Bar Talk: A fine tradition on the Vavilov is the evening’s bar talk. These are light-hearted, brief and always entertaining! This evening, please join Woody for “Maritime Superstitions”