DAY TWO CROSSING THE GREENLAND SEA:

 DAY TWO CROSSING THE GREENLAND SEA: 

 

 

 

Current Position is 77° 0’ 45.7” N , 09° 40’45.8” E, Speed  8.448 kn, COG 237°, Wind 109° at 5.8 m/s. 

We have clearing skies that are teasing us. One minute we look to be clearing then the next not so much. 



 

TODAY'S PLAN: 

Wildlife Watch 0830-0930 Deck 8 - Observed the ever present Fulmar and surprised to have a Ruddy Turnstone on the deck. Unusual as it is a shore bird and we are no where near a shore.  There was some snow falling whilst out on deck. We also saw some little auks in the distance.

Photo Scavenger Hunt: 0900-1800 - we grabbed the list and will see what we can find. These events/activities do help one explore the ship. 

Mandatory AECO Briefing: 1115 How to responsibly visit the area where we will land. 

Lecture - A taste of Greenland - Explorer Bar at 1400-1445 Histories from the Wildest Kitchen in the World, on this sailing there will be a Chef’s Table dining based on regional Greenland offerings. 

 

WAFFLES AT 1500!!!

Lecture - Solar Eclipses- Cosmic Shadow Plays 1615 Explorer Bar. Most excellent information was presented in this lecture. There is a lot to a Solar Eclipse and some amazing patterns. 

Wildlife Watch - Deck 8 at 1700 We did not make this as we went to the Sextant presentation.

Workshop - 1700 Build Your Own Sextant - Science Center. Great information about navigation and how a sextant works. 


2015 - 2030 Plans for Today and Mandatory Small Expedition Boat Safety Briefing - Explorer Bar

Tiny Talk: The Sirius Patrol. The Cutest Patrol in the World - Explorer Bar at 2035. 

The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, whilst a Danish Special Operations Force, are incredibly diversified in mission and training. Operators have to be highly specialized in many different skills to account for the challenging conditions and varied obstacles that they may face. As of 2020, the unit has undertaken incredibly unforgiving missions for 70 years. As a result of this extensive experience, this unique unit is one of the most elite Special Forces. Indeed, it can be argued that the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol is the Jack of All Trades, and Master of All.


The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol (Slædepatruljen Sirius) is an elite Danish Special Operations unit.Operating in the brutal terrain of Northeast Greenland, they are the world's only military dog sled unit. They are tasked with enforcing Danish sovereignty and conducting long-range patrols in the world's largest national park. 

How They Operate
Size & Scope: The unit consists of only 12 men divided into six two-man teams. Together, they cover over 16,000 km of uninhabited Arctic wilderness each year. 
Extreme Conditions: Patrolling is conducted using heavy, powerful Greenlandic sled dogs pulling up to 400 kg of cargo. Temperatures can plunge below -50°C. 
Complete Isolation: Teams spend up to five consecutive months on the ice without any human contact, relying entirely on themselves for survival, dentistry, and equipment maintenance. 
Gear: Because they are completely on their own, they carry heavy-caliber weapons explicitly for protection against polar bears. 

Training & Selection
Rigorous Qualifying: Out of roughly 50 military applicants each year, only a small, select group is chosen for the intensive preparation school. 
Skill Sets: Selection isn't just about physical strength; candidates need practical skills (such as mechanics and carpentry) and psychological resilience to survive being isolated with one partner for months. Including Veterinarian skills.
Tour of Duty: Members commit to an uninterrupted 26-month tour of duty with zero visits home, internet, or cell phones. 

History
World War II Origins: Originally formed informally in 1941, the unit's primary mission was to find and report Nazi weather stations hidden in Greenland. 
The Cold War: The unit was officially made a permanent branch of the Danish Armed Forces in 1950 to secure Denmark's territorial claims amid rising tensions. 
Headquarters: Their main base of operations, Daneborg, is located on the east coast of Greenland, with summer satellite stations operating further south.





A DAY IN THE GREEN LAND SEA

 A DAY AT SEA: 

 

 

Current Position is 77°15’ 4.3” N , 06° 25’46.2” E, Speed  12.1 kn, COG 240°, Wind 51° at 9.4 m/s. 

We have fog and surface clouds, guessing visibility at 5 miles. Lifting a bit and now have a good horizon. 

I was up doing a walkabout the ship getting photos for the blog. 

Science Center: Deck 6 We have some big dog telescopes on board.  Lots of naturalist stuff. 




Explorer Lounge & Bar: Deck 5 Here is where we will gather for lectures and briefings. It is also our muster station. Here is the 24/7 coffee/tea station. 

 

                                 Closed Ships Store
 

Reception: Deck 5 



Ships Shop: Deck 5 This seems to be an open air shop, have not seen what is on the racks yet. I am guessing it will be open later today. They have things like clothing, optics, jewelry, packs, etc etc . 



Brygga Bistro: Here is a refrigerated cooler with grab and go items. These include salads, fruit, yogurt, cookies and sandwiches. Later in the day sandwiches and soups are offered when the dining room is not open. 



 

 

Aune: This is the main dining room

 

We are in an Arctic Superior room and are finding it to be very comfortable now that we are settled in and our gear stored. Our room could sleep 4 but that would be very tight in my estimation. I would like a bit more bathroom  counter surface. The shower is great. We have two large closets. One side is top to bottom shelves, and the other is for hanging clothes. There is a room safe. In the entry way are 4 hooks for your coats and zodiac life jackets. 

There is a small desk where one finds a coffee service and kettle. The other side of the bed is a night desk. Both are well equipped with ample outlets for charging. 

We do have a nice large window with a limited view. The curtain works well to keep the midnight sun out. 

NO ENTERTAINMENT!!! Yes kids there is no typical cruise entertainment, but here is what we have in store today. 

0915 Lecture: Overview of the Science and Education Program 

0930 - 1100 you can paint your water bottle to make it special. (One receives a really nice water bottle along with the expedition coat, and we also got HX Expedition Hats) 

1000 - 1100 Wildlife Watch on Deck 8 where we can get some fresh air and see what we can see. 

1115 - 1200 Open Science Center to take a deeper look into the ships naturalist collection and the Citizen Science Projects. 

1330 - 1530 is a time to exchange your Muck boots should they not fit. Muck boots are needed for Zodiac cruise and landings. 

1400 - 1445 Lecture on Photo Composition. Our photographer onboard is of the same philosophy as me - get as much right in the camera tisane on Post Processing. 


1515 - 1545 Discovery Session Binoculars 101. Learn how to use your binoculars. I am always surprised as many do not know how to properly use spynoculars. 

1530 - 1730 is another Wildlife Watch secession.


1600-1700 is another chance to paint your water bottle. 

1730 - 1800 is the Captains Welcome, time to meet the Officers and Expedition Team. The Captain is most enjoyable, quite the card.  We also have two culinary representatives from Greenland.  



Earlier during the Wildlife Watch I did see some White-beaked dolphins and the ever-present Fulmars. 

As the captain predicted the seas have progressed to about 3 meters and the wind is hitting the starboard side. 


2015 - 2030 Plans for Tomorrow, basically a daily briefing. 

2030 - 2100 Meet the Eclipse Experts. 

Rahul J. Venkatraman
Rahul's role is to help guests see what the naked eye can't. Using filtered telescopes, cameras, and video equipment, he'll reveal layers of detail in the sun's surface and atmosphere that most people never get to witness. He'll also teach guests how to capture the solar eclipse themselves, whether they're using professional kit or a phone.
By day, he's an aerospace engineer at NASA working on the Artemis missions, humanity's plan to return to the moon.

Dr Daisy Dobrijevic
Daisy's focus isn't just what you'll see, it's everything you'll sense. The light dimming. The temperature dropping. The moon's shadow racing toward the ship. A 360-degree sunset on the horizon. She'll walk guests through every stage of the experience, moment by moment, so nothing passes unnoticed.
She's Skywatching Editor at Space.com, with a PhD in plant physiology and a gift for making complex events feel immediate. She'll also explore why even cloudy skies can still deliver something unforgettable.

Dr Hans Zekl
Hans is a former astronomer who has witnessed nine total solar eclipses since the 1990s. He brings decades of practical observing experience and a knack for connecting the science to the story.
His talks explain how and why eclipses happen, why they're so rare, and how they've fascinated cultures across centuries. On deck, he'll lead safety briefings, guide guests on using telescopes and eclipse glasses, and offer hands-on help throughout the event.


Then I guess  we will get up and do it again, AMEN. 

 



 

OFF TO FIND A SHIP.

 

WE MUST FIND A SHIP:

We have very much enjoyed our stay here at the Funken Lodge. 

Awakening we find the skies are overcast and the clouds are wrapping the surrounding peaks. 

Our bags need to be out by our door at 0900. First some breakfast and then we need to check in for the ship here at the Funken Lodge at 0830. We are then free to go back and further explore Longyearbyen. Our lunch will be served here between 1300 and 1400. At 1600 a bus will take us to the ship. Well, that is the plan. 

 

 

As we were about to go and check in we spotted an Arctic Fox run past our window. Even though we scrambled to get a camera he was soon gone. It was kewl to see him. 

As they say the best laid plans can change as so they did. As we say in Iceland þetta reddast. There would be no one coming to our hotel from the ship to check us in, we could however check in on the ship or go to the Radisson Blu and check in there. We packed up our hand luggage and stored it with reception. 

When traveling on an Expedition Style Cruise one must totally be ready to go with the flow. þetta reddast.

 


We walked down to the Radisson Blu and checked in for our voyage. First is ye olde health questionnaire then you drop off your passport and receive a packet with your stateroom card and lanyard, a patch for our coat which designates our excursion group (we are in the Narwhal group), ships schedule (safety and meal times), notification of a Loyalty Program welcome cocktail (special for their 130 year).  

One of the expedition team greeted us saying “I recognize you”. I guess this is a good thing :). 

 

               Remember frozen pizza in Norway is a big thing.
 

As we had a coupon for a free hot drink at Cafe Huskies, off we went to enjoy a coffee. After our coffee we started our walk back to the Funken Lodge. 

We made a stop at a sporting goods shop and I found a a really KEWL hat. 

 

 

 

It is based on a Moomin character. The Moomins are a family of white, round fairy-tale trolls with large snouts who live in an idyllic house in Moomin Valley. Created by Swedish-speaking Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson, the beloved characters debuted in 1945 with the book The Moomins and the Great Flood. Jansson originally drew the prototype creature on an outhouse wall during a childhood philosophical argument with her brother. Today, they are a massive international cultural phenomenon spanning novels, comic strips, multiple animated series, merchandise, and theme parks. 

Depicted on my hat is Moomintroll. Moomintroll is kind and curious, a great lover of nature and a true friend. His life is full of excitement and adventure. Although he can be sensitive, anxious not to offend, and susceptible to being teased (especially by Little My…), Moomintroll is bold and courageous whenever it is required of him. He is inclined to look for the positives in any situation and embraces every experience that presents itself, making him a lot of fun! “Isn’t life exciting! Everything can change all of a sudden, and for no reason at all!”

We made an additional stop for more room treats, then one more stop for a free pin and Lynn found some dice for her Mahjong games (they have paw prints for dots). 


 
Meanwhile back at Funken Lodge, we retrieved our hand luggage and got a drink with the tokens we had received. Then caught up on the logbook and this Blog.  

We are in stateroom 626, we choose our stateroom usually based on a location near an exit or stairway as quick access is imperative for when the call goes out for a kewl critter sighting. 




While on the ship we basically have an open bar, this seems common on most expedition voyages. 

MS SPITSBERGEN:

The MS Spitsbergen is a specialized, ice strengthened polar expedition vessel. She was originally built in Portugal in 2009 as a passenger ferry named Atlântida, the ship was purchased by Hurtigruten in 2015 and underwent a massive dry dock reconstruction into an elite maneuvering explorer ship. Named after the largest island in Norway's Svalbard archipelago, it is specifically designed to navigate narrow fjords, polar waters, and remote coastlines.

Vessel Specifications
Length: 100 meters
Width: 18 meters (22 meters over bridge wings)
Speed: 14.5 knots cruise speed (17 knots maximum)
Propulsion: Diesel-electric drive system powered by 4 main engines
Passenger Capacity: Approximately 150 passengers depending on the route and configuration. We have learned our sailing will have about 125 passengers along with 80 crew.  
Cabins: 180 guest cabins 

Life Onboard
The ship prioritizes learning and direct environmental immersion over standard cruise entertainment, offering an intimate, Scandinavian-style atmosphere. 

The Science Center: A modern onboard hub equipped with microscopic research tools, where the expedition team hosts advanced geological and biological lectures.
Public Amenities: Features the Aune Main Restaurant (focused on authentic local cuisine), Brygga Bistro, the Explorer Bar and Lounge, a panoramic observation deck, a fitness room, a sauna, and outdoor hot tubs. 
Expedition Launch: Located on Deck 3, this staging area is built to rapidly deploy guests into heavy-duty Zodiac boats for close-range wilderness exploration. 
Cons (which I see as pros) - Minimal onboard commercial entertainment.  Con -  No live bands, musicians, or theater shows. Con - No traditional swimming pools or cinema facilities. 
Pros - Outstanding (“EXCELLENT” service, no speech). Maneuverable hull size can visit isolated ports. Focus is strictly educational rather than resort-style sailing. 
This will be our first time on MS Spitsbergen and I feel confident it will be on par with our other HX and Hurtigruten experiences.  

We were assigned Bus #1 to go to the port. Our ship was docked at the Coal Port. This is a working port where coal is shipped from. Now there is a dock there as the first time we sailed from the coal port we had Zodiacs to tender us to the ship. That was 2015. 

 
Once on the ship, we went straight to our room where our luggage had already been delivered. We started the unpacking process. As this is an older ship, the staterooms are a little bit tighter, but very functional, and will work great for us.

 

                                   Welcome treats

 

 

On HX Expedition sailings one receives a wind and waterproof shell made by Helly Hansen. As we already have these, we turned ours in and each received a 30 Euro room credit. 

I then got our ship board account set up and logged onto the onboard app. This app is used to keep one up to date on the ships activities. 

Then came the Safety Drill and straight to dinner. 

                                        Great Barf Bags 

                                  Bye Bye Svalbard

 

 

On the way to the dining room we went through the ships store and the Brygga Bistro. The bistro is open when Aune is closed. There is also a cooler with grab and go items such as fruit, salads, sandwiches etc when the restaurant is closed. 

 

 

 

                                     Great mango sorbet



Dinner tonight was a buffet with excellent selections. The main meat was lamb and haddock for the fish selection. The salad bar was jammed packed with choices as was the same for the desserts. 

 



After dinner we explored the outer decks. I am impressed with the amount of open deck space on Deck 8. 

Back to the room where we will watch the daily briefing, catch up on the Journal and Blog. 

 



I am sure I will be up early to sample the morning coffee station. 

A DAY IN LONGYEARBYEN AND A ELECTRIC BOAT CRUISE:

 

 

 

A DAY IN LONGYEARBYEN AND A ELECTRIC BOAT CRUISE: 

I am up nice and early and feel like I slept well. Lynn says she also slept well. 

After cleaning up and organizing stuff for the day I went to the reception area for a coffee. Had a nice chat with the front desk person. She said the locals are ready and looking forward to the Polar Nights. 

I will say I do like this property as the whole history is amazing. I really think a return trip in the winter might be interesting. I can only imagine the Aurora dancing here. 

They do have sweaters here, a good brand, classic style, and the price is good. :) 

        I like that more properties do the Green Stay Thing:

I did learn the mine (Nybyen) above the Funken Lodge is believed to be the home of the Norwegian Santa Clause. During the Christmas season the mine entrance is decorated with lights. 

I think our plan for the day is to amble about town until about 1400 (2:00) when we catch a bus to board the MS Bard. 
A very nice breakfast with excellent coffee and the view is great. 

                  A School Bread pastry is a must in Norway 

After breakfast we gathered ourselves together and started our walk into Longyearbyen. We were very early making a stop at Cafe Huskies, which had not opened. We then continued to the North Pole Expedition Museum. For me this is my favorite museum here in Longyearbyen. Yes, we were also to early to visit.  We walked back to Cafe Huskies for a coffee. 

 

I must say their pastries there are great as well as the coffee. 

We enjoyed the coffee and the company of the pups. 

My next objective is the Circle K for a hot dog. Well it is no longer a Circle K. 

 

They do have hotdogs and they are good, but not Iceland or Bergen or Tromso. 

In our past visits we have not really visited the Rubber Tomahawk Shops (souvenir shops). As we walked back to our lodging we did stop in several of said shops to  check out their wares. At the sporting goods store I got a Polar Bear multi tool key chain. 

We did stop at the grocery store and got some bulk candy and chips for the ship.  The bulk candy is fun with all the choices. We will not be visiting a port with a grocery until we land in Reykjavik. We do get one village visit in Greenland but have been advised not to purchase any staples as the are a valuable commodity in limited amounts. 

ICE BEARS EVERYWHERE:

 

 

 

 

We really like the Funken Lodge as it has a warm rustic appeal. The only down side is the return walk has a nice hill with a significant incline. 

Oh Look A Sweater! (At a very good price). SCORE!! I should mention things are expensive in Norway and even more so in Longyearbyen. A good wool hat might cost $70 USD, a wool sweater $300 and up, firearms are about double the cost of what one finds in the USA. 

We took a bit of time to get a drink and chill before we get picked up for a scenic fjord cruise on the MS Bard. 


MS Bard:

MS Bard was a significant step forward in Brim Explorer’s mission to create purposeful, low-impact experiences at sea.
Carrying up to 145 guests. Its inclined bow and raised main deck offer greater stability and seakeeping, making it well-suited for both open waters and longer voyages.
What distinguishes MS Bard is its advanced propulsion system — fully electric, powered by Brim Tech high-torque engines paired with 1700mm fixed-pitch propellers. This setup eliminates the need for a traditional gearbox, allowing for smoother operation, improved energy efficiency, and near-silent cruising.

Our trip took us to Billefjorden and the glacier front of Nordenskiöldbreen. The crossing across was a tad rough and rocky. 

                                                       The International Seed Vault

The MS Spitsbergen which we will board tomorrow. She is in port with no passsengers for the night and the crew is having a party. GOOD FOR THEM AS I KNOW THE WORK VERY HARD, well deserved.  

The engine and propellers are specially designed to minimize the noise and vibration. This not only takes us closer to nature; More importantly, the surrounding wildlife is less disturbed by our presence.

On the tour, we were served a vegetarian lentil veggie soup that’s very good. 

We had plenty of deck and seating as there were only 17 of us on board.