The day began a bit blustery with light rain as we approached Vega Island, the largest island in Vegaøyan (Vega Archipelago) consisting of over 6,000 islands. Since 2004, Vega Island has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its historical harvest and use of eider down, Vega Island has been occupied by humans since the Stone Age and today has a little over 2200 inhabitants. The weather improved as the morning progressed which made the several outings we had planned all the more pleasant for our guests. Activities included hiking, historical walks, and nature-based excursions, all of which ended at the relatively new World Heritage Center situated right on the water. There we took in the museum displays and experienced a traditional Norwegian waffle tea service, which was a real highlight. By mid-afternoon we set sail for our next destination.
6/13/2024
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National Geographic Endurance
Fjortende Julibukta and Lilliehöökbreen
Our last day in Svalbard began with a wintery feeling. National Geographic Endurance sailed towards the entrance of Krossfjorden while it was gently snowing. Our morning destination was 14th of July Bay. This was our last outing in Spitsbergen and we could not have picked a better spot to end our unforgettable voyage. The landing area was covered with spring flowers which painted the otherwise barren looking landscape with green, white, and purple colors. Svalbard reindeers were contently grazing in the outskirts of the steep cliffs, enjoying the place also known as “hanging gardens.” Thousands of kittiwakes were loudly soaring above us. Occasionally a fight would break out between a kittiwake and an Arctic skua, who clearly was not very welcomed in the nesting site of the gulls. A Zodiac cruise also offered us great wildlife encounters. The shoreline was a popular nesting place for the guillemots, eider ducks, and the Atlantic puffins. After lunch, Captain Oliver positioned our vessel in front of another spectacular sight, Lillehöök Glacier. After an hour-long cruise, we reluctantly bid farewell to Krossfjorden and made our way towards Longyearbyen.
