I will keep this post short. We arrived here on Svalbard in the main village of Longyearbyen. We were all surprised by how many people fly up here daily, the 737 was almost full! What a long day of travel we had, including an 8 hour layover in Oslo. Most of us got out to enjoy the city, seeing Paliament and Frogner Park that is filled with sculptor from Vigeland of the early 1900s.
The weather here is cold (surprise, surprise). We were expecting to be able to retrieve our luggage in Oslo because of the 8 hour layover, which I planned for by wearing sandals on the plane with intentions of changing into shoes or boots before the final leg of our trip. When that didn't happen, getting off a plane in shorts and flip flops in just above freezing temperatures was quite the wake up call! I was much better prepared today, but the wind howls quite strongly through the valley. Hopefully I can upload some pictures by tomorrow, the landscape really is incredible, and I'm not sure that even pictures can do it justice. There is very little vegetation, and the slopes are incredibly steep.
Tomorrow we have safety training, rifles and flare guns, as well as cold water immersion. Apparently that is when they put us in thick waterproof suites of a sort, boat out into the ocean and make us jump off. Can't wait (until that is over with!).
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Hey Dave... Glad you made it safe and sound. I'm not surprised that you got a rude awakening when you got off the plane! Have fun with the rifles and flare guns.Dont get eaten by a Polar Bear as I expect to see some cool pictures! Besides I'm kinda used to having you around. :)
ReplyDeleteThe sculptors must have looked really cool in Frogner Park. Their not as old as the ones we saw in Italy though. Can't wait to hear more from the Arctic. Have a great time and learn lot's of cool stuff!
Kimmie
Hey David, Glad to hear that you finally arrived safe and sound. Hope the flight was smooth and that you slept. I'm glad that you were able to see some of Oslo during your lay over, hope you took lots of pics.
ReplyDeleteIt must of been cool to land at midnight and still have daylight. Hope you and the crew are well rested now, you have lots of busy days ahead.
Have fun training but be careful not to shoot your foot off. Only kidding LOL.
Try not to harass the wildlife (Polar Bears). Have a great time David, you are beginning your wonderful journey. Enjoy.
Be safe and warm and we look forward to your next blog.
Love Mom & Dad
Dave! Your link is up on the WATD website. I did that tonight while I was at work! I think you will like it. Glad to hear that you are safe and atleast enjoying your time.
ReplyDeleteI hope the sunburn is good..
-Steve
Hi Dave! Thanks for sharing this unique experience with us! I'm looking forward to seeing some science in action once the polar bear situation is taken care of. Watch where you're pointing that thing...
ReplyDelete-Billy