Longyearbyen Svalbard

We set sail from Honningstag and headed for Svalbard Thursday evening.  Friday morning we passed Bear Island.  It was a pretty site as we approached and the captain slowed the ship so we could get pictures and enjoy the view.  It was a very sunny day for a change and many people enjoyed sitting outside or walking the deck six track.

We arrived in Longyearbyen around noon after cruising up and down several fjords.  The clouds and fog had moved back in so the views were not great.  Longyearbyen was settled by Jon Longyear early in 1900’s as a coal mining town and there is still some mining today, although that may end soon.  The population of the town is around 2,500 with about 500 others spread out on the island along with 3,000 polar bears on the whole island and probably more snowmobiles than people.

After a walk through the museum, we learned a bit about dog sledding and got to pet the dogs before enjoying a cup of hot coffee and learning about polar bears.  We are not allowed to wonder just anywhere without a polar bear guard who totes flares and a rifle just in case one shows up.  No sightings today.

Polar bears are the largest predator mammal on earth and are only found at or above the Arctic Circle.  They can weigh up to 900 lbs, with paws 12 cm across.  Females mate in March but will not implant the egg until she’s has enough fat to support her and the cub(s) usually in November with the cubs born late December.  They will exit the den in March and the cubs will stay with mom for 2.5 years.