The vegetation around the island of Nordaustlandet is sparse, which is not surprising given that 80 percent of the island is made of ice. We try to make a landing at this abandoned site, but each time the fog rolls in. We don't stand a chance. It's almost as if the island doesn't want us to set foot here. Also, the wind is starting to pick up so we need a sheltered spot.

We look at the map and spot Firkantsbukta, which has both an intriguing name and a good location. As we enter the narrow bay, we realise that it is home to thousands of birds. What a gem of a bay! Inside the bay there are also huge icebergs.

Maja, the mate, remains calm and we glide elegantly into the bay. We anchor not far from a sandy beach where a lot of driftwood and timber has been washed ashore. What begins as a walk turns into a climb over large boulders. With the weather on our side, we want to get to the top. We have to concentrate, as the stones get bigger and our feet have to be placed carefully. Our eyes are fixed on the ground, which leads to surprise when a fox suddenly emerges from the rocks right in front of us.

And not just any fox, but actually a blue fox, which is rarer than the white version here in Svalbard. Feeling lucky, we fill our SD cards with far too many pictures and watch him disappear into the horizon. This was just the beginning. It turned out that he would follow us. I wonder if he has encountered humans before? He arches his back, yawns, and does a formidable job of posing on the rock directly in front of us, with the glacier in the background. His dark fur, almost black, is a great contrast to the rocky terrain he and we are walking on.

We say goodbye and continue towards the top. From here we can look down into the next bay.

The light on the horizon is now yellow and on board the M/S Stockholm they are already waiting for us. We are served a delicious meal and the conversation is at high speed. The day has just flown by!

Please note: We always follow strict wildlife guidelines to ensure that we do not cause any disturbance.

"I am really looking forward to returning to the Galapagos Islands. It's always difficult to have expectations for the Galapagos because the ecosystems both on land and at sea vary so much from year to year depending on El Nino and La Nina, among others. But in general, I expect many close encounters with animals both below and above the water surface. I'm looking forward to snorkeling with fur seals, colorful fish and maybe the occasional hammerhead shark. On land, I hope to spot some bird species that I haven’t seen yet. The Galápagos rail is one such bird."

Eight reasons to visit the Galapagos according to Martin:

1. Unique wildlife

Galapagos is known for its exceptional wildlife. There are species found nowhere else in the world, from giant tortoises and marine iguanas to blue-footed boobies and Darwin's finches.

2. Evolutionary history

The islands were the place where Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution by natural selection. Visiting the Galapagos offers the opportunity to see for yourself how different species have adapted differently on different islands.

3. Amazing snorkeling

Galapagos offers great opportunities for snorkeling and diving. Swimming with sharks, sea turtles and colorful fish is a memory for life.

4. Magnificent island scenery

The islands have a variety of impressive island landscapes, each with its own unique character. From volcanic black moonscapes, to white sandy beaches and lush cloud forest.

5. Conservation of nature

The Galapagos Islands are a World Heritage Site and an unique biosphere reserve. Visiting them gives you the opportunity to contribute to their conservation by supporting sustainable tourism.

6. Bird watching

For birdwatchers, the Galapagos is a dream destination. A variety of bird species can be found here, including albatrosses, petrels, frigate birds and finches.

7. Hiking and exploring

The islands have a network of hiking trails that allow you to explore their natural beauty and diverse ecosystems on foot.

8. Friendly people

In addition to the amazing wildlife, the local people of the Galapagos are hospitable and welcoming. Getting to know their culture and way of life can be an enriching experience.

A train that was used to transport coal from the mines down to the harbor was the first thing that met us on the walk through the village. 

As early as 1610, the British whaler Jonas Poole found coal in Kungsfjorden. But it was not until 1911 that exploitation began on a small scale, for a few summer weeks each year. When the operation was taken over in 1916 by Peter Brandal, from Ålesund, mining increased and the village got its current name, Ny Ålesund. 

During a period in the 1920s, it was from Ny Ålesund, the village closest to the North Pole, that several expeditions to the North Pole in various aircrafts began. Roald Amundsen attempted to fly to the North Pole in 1925 with two aircrafts, N24 and N25. But the two planes crash-landed on the ice and the expedition could have come to a tragic end. But after converting two planes into one and preparing a runway on the ice, they managed to fly back to New Ålesund.

But Amundsen did not give up. In 1926 he was back together with the Italian Nobile and the American Ellsworth for another attempt. Now with the help of an airship, Norway. On May 11, 1926 they took off from Ny Ålesund. On May 12 they passed the North Pole and on May 13 they landed happily in Teller, Alaska. 

The mast that was used to anchor the airship Norge still stands a little outside the village. These stories and a lot of other interesting things can be learned during a visit to the Ny Ålesund Museum. 

Across from the museum is the Kongsfjordsbutikken, where an ice cream after the museum visit was enjoyed, the clothing collection got some additions and postcards and stamps were purchased, so  greetings from the world's northernmost community could be sent. 

Today, Ny Ålesund is an international research village with over 20 different institutions from all over the world. The latest to join are India and China whose stations we passed on a walk through the village.

The Chinese station has two stone lions outside the door and according to hearsay they were shipped up in boxes labeled "Extremely Sensitive Research Equipment". The staff in Ny Ålesund naturally took it extremely carefully during the entire transport and at the same time wondered what it could be because it was incredibly heavy. They weren't too amused when it turned out to be "only" two stone lions. 

There is so much you didn't know and can learn on a trip like this. 

It is the first warm evening light, almost a sunset, that I have seen in a long time. The midnight sun has been shining the whole summer now. And today it shines on the mountain in Faksevågen.

When we anchor and turn off the engine, there is complete silence. At least for a moment. Until there is a deep exhalation that makes me shiver a little. I have made eye contact with a walrus. He is curious and a little shy. When he sees my surprised face, he gets scared and dives down again. Walruses are incredibly agile in the water, in an almost acrobatic way.

He shows a clear interest in our boat, the M/S Stockholm, and decides to make another exploration attempt. This time, however, he is not alone. Now both walruses are looking at us.

The next morning I enjoy a good cup of coffee out on deck. The walruses are still there. What a nice meeting we have had with them. Slowly we now sail out of the fjord. Today, the sea is calm and we set course for one of the largest bird cliffs we have here on the eastern side of Svalbard, which is home to no less than 60,000 breeding pairs of Brünnich's guillemots.

After 15 August, you can drive closer to the mountain. Captain Magnus elegantly maneuvers the ship past the rocks. There is a chaos of birds flying around frantically. I hear the sound of a young bird and then I see it! He is sitting on the rock and both we and the fox are eagerly waiting for him to jump. But apparently not today.

Nature up here follows its own rhythm, which can be very inspiring. Some of us take a final polar plunge and we all agree that it has been a good day.

Please note: We always follow strict wildlife guidelines to ensure that we do not cause any disturbance.

Small groups – close encounters

Travelling on a small expedition ship offers a more relaxed atmosphere, greater focus on the destination and more time ashore, compared to travelling on board a larger ship. Imagine, viewing a seal on an ice floe in a group of 10 - 50 passengers, or to do so in a group of 200 - 500 passengers. 

Unique trips & flexible routes

No two trips to Svalbard are the same and that's the charm of being on an expedition cruise. There are many extraordinary places in Svalbard and the captain and expedition leader will do their outmost to maximize your great polar adventure.

Less waiting – more to explore

Travelling in a small group allows us to maximize the time spent ashore and the quality time for each guest “out in nature”. We can quickly get into the Zodiacs (rubber boats) and head out on excursions. On our 12-passenger ships we have two Zodiacs and on the 51-passenger M/S Quest we have five.

Homely atmosphere

On board all our small expedition ships, there is a relaxed and homely atmosphere. There is space for all passengers in the lounge, on deck and in the dining room.

Get closer to nature

There are few places on earth where you are so reminded of the smallness of man and greatness of nature as in Svalbard. Perhaps you'll never be as disconnected from civilization, digital devices and everyday life as you are here. Exploring the remote wilderness of the Artic in a small group is one of the most exclusive nature experiences you will ever have.