Longyearbyen,Svalbard.

It’s official,you have now visited the world’s most northernmost city in the world! Now we are at 78 degrees north .Don’t worry, I did get you a mug to prove it. You can add that to your list of achievements. Did you put your certificate away.? So what is it like here in Longyearbyen? The people are friendly and come from lots of different countries (51 at least) but there is a predominance of Norwegian. Norway is the owner of Svalbard but the area has a council. Foreigners are not allowed to vote which has caused a certain angst.

The town is a mixture of housing . Originally it was a coal mining town and there is evidence everywhere of its past.  

Imagine having to climb up the hill in the middle of winter in the old day. Mining initially would look be in cramped conditions like the poor man on his back. Tourism and education now are the main employment. The original houses have gable roofs. Some were destroyed by an avalanche (barriers now in place) and by fire so there is a housing shortage just like everywhere else.

 

Need to go shopping or some retail therapy. You can find it all in the shopping centre.

 

   The supermarket covers everything 2500 people might need. All the basics plus stuff to help you in long 24 hour daylight and 24 hour dark periods. …..and it really is light for 24 hours. We made the mistake of not closing the blackout blind.

I thought the museum was great especially since it is the only way we will see Arctic foxes, seals and the other wildlife….stuffed. I didn’t bring a gun so we will have to stay in the polar bear safe zone. The reindeer have the same idea.

Mike forgot his gun so has stopped at the sign. It is the end of the human protected area……polar bears are waiting just ahead…

Originally trappers and miners lived in simple wooden huts. These would have been cold without insulation and only coal heaters for warmth.In the Museum , is a collection of personal items they used that have been preserved in the permafrost. It certainly showed you had to be strong to survive.

 

You can still hunt for one week in summer. The restriction is you have to go on foot or by boat as no vehicle can go on the tundra in summer. You then have to carry your kill out. I think this would put a damper on most people unless they were super keen. A gun against a polar bear is sometimes an unfair match. One bullet may not be enough( they have thick coats and heads) or the cartridge may stick either ways you are dinner!

To ensure the future of plant biodiversity and survival, Norway has set up a seed bank. The seeds from all countries are stored in a vault underground.  

The tundra is just starting to change to autumn colours. Here is the some of the statues and art around the town.

  Sea day tomorrow. You can relax ready for a busy day in the next port.