We had lunch while at anchor and started getting ready for the afternoon excursion. We got into the suits and off we went towards Skrikholmane where there were at least 50 odd walrus hauled out on the low lying islets.

After cruising in the slow swell we arrived at the islands. The animals were of every size and age, seemingly a female group. There were young of varying ages without any tusks. The light was beautiful and made the walrus glow in the sunlight. The mothers were lying at the water ’ s edge with their young and as elegant as only a walrus can be they went in and out of the water.

Please note: Depending on the lens used for a photo or video shot an animal may appear to be closer than it is. We always follow strict wildlife guidelines to ensure that we do not cause any disturbance.

My view to the west was once occupied by Eric the red. A Viking of note. As history has recorded, the first to settle here, and to name this green land.

Of those who travelled with him, not many men and women survived the journey. A few of their animals did. Animals to provide food – meat and milk. Wool for clothing. The origins of a herd that would last four centuries until their masters returned to the land from which they came.

A small ship brought me here – along with a dozen or so friendly souls. A ship not much larger than which Eric sailed in. Our ship, however, has the benefit of a modern engine, a steel hull that can withstand ice and a crew to care for us.

Our morning smells of garlic and steamed rice. Philippine scents. We fish, catch cod for lunch and pass by rich farmland full of sheep and dairy where, in the north, we saw only tundra and fireweed. Evidence of reindeer and musk ox. Little more. Of the people that were here before the Norsemen came, more later. To be brief about the first settlers would be disrespectful. Their lives demand libraries, not blogs. And yet, I will write of them in time. Their world – centuries of adapting to a world where ice is the norm.

Their ocean gives evidence of life in abundance. Fins in their hundreds. Blowing in the soft late evening light as gulls and skua abound. Their world, changing more rapidly than we can imagine, only serves to alarm us to our presence and our effects.

We are witness to this change, and as such, we are fortunate indeed to be in this place – a place to which we will return and to which we will bring others to tell the story of this green land.

Strolling through the tundra on shore at Gjertsenodden we compared it to a national forest, the ground was covered with Mountain Avens, Moss Campion, mosses and lichens. And Reindeerscat. We didn’t have to look long before we spotted the offenders...As we stood quietly watching and taking photographs, the small group of reindeers came closer and closer. With next to no enemy, they are very relaxed and sometimes curious.It was wonderful to watch them graze every Moss Campion clean of their pink flowers, like lawn movers, as they peacefully walked past us.

Please note: Depending on the lens used for a photo or video shot an animal may appear to be closer than it is. We always follow strict wildlife guidelines to ensure that we do not cause any disturbance.

Doug Allan, in his 30 - year filming career, he's worked for BBC, Discovery, National Geographic and many others, filming for series like The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Life, Frozen Planet, Ocean Giants and Operation Iceberg.

We were lucky and honored to go on a trip with this legend, taking him to new places in Svalbard, but also to places he has many memories of. For example, Texas Bar, a well - known place on Svalbard where Doug spent several weeks in the hut, to film the seals close to Monaco Breen. Around the hut and on the zodiac cruise he would tell his stories about his time there, only the Alcohol bottles that ’ s one of the features of Texas Bar hut where not there when he stayed ;)

In addition to the knowledge and experience that Doug brings, he inspires many guests on board. When the weather doesn't cooperate, Doug jumps up to give a lecture or show one of his films . With Doug's personal and fascinating stories with a Scottish accent that accompany the images, he knows how to captivate all guests. From diving in Arctic waters to working and living in Antarctica for years. The stories are endless, but perhaps the most frequently asked question is "how did you start as a cameraman specializing in underwater videography in arctic waters?"

During the various lectures that Doug gives , he explains little by little what it is like to be in his shoes, and how he has become the Cameraman behind the beautiful images of the documentaries that we all know . And may have inspired many guests to go on a trip to the Arctic with PolarQuest.

Not only during lectures, Doug knows how to captivate us with his inspiring stories, he also finds the time to mingle with the guests and, where requested, give tips and tricks during, for example, the Zodiac cruises or a walk.

A trip you'll never forget as a guest, but certainly not as a guide either.

Please note: Depending on the lens used for a photo or video shot an animal may appear to be closer than it is. We always follow strict wildlife guidelines to ensure that we do not cause any disturbance.

Nordaustlandet is known for its stark, almost otherworldly terrain. As we set off on our hike, the land initially appears desolate, with vast stretches of rocky, barren ground. Yet, amid this seemingly inhospitable environment, resilient and colorful flowers make a daring appearance. These hardy blooms, defying the harsh conditions, create patches of color that dot the landscape like nature's own confetti. It's a reminder that even in the most unforgiving places, life finds a way to thrive.

Our path soon brings us to the edge of a glacier, a massive river of ice that transforms the landscape. The glacier is a colossal, frozen force that shapes everything around it. Walking alongside it, we are struck by its sheer scale and the raw power it represents.

This glacier is not just a static feature; it’s an evolving part of the environment. We follow alongside it where it meets the land. The temperature drops noticeably as we get closer, and the air is filled with the crisp, clean scent of ice.

Continuing our hike, we eventually find ourselves at the glacier's terminus, where it meets the ocean. Here, the ice transitions into the sea, creating a surreal and breathtaking seascape. The icy waters teem with floating icebergs, each a different shade of blue, creating a scene of stunning beauty.

The sight is both awe-inspiring and humbling. As we stand at the glacier's edge, we are reminded of the incredible forces at play in this remote part of the world. The glacier and ocean together create a dynamic environment, constantly reshaping the landscape.

Reflecting on the Journey

Our hike on Nordaustlandet is more than just a journey through a remote part of the world; it's an exploration of nature's resilience and power. From the hardy flowers that dare to bloom in the Arctic desert to the glacier that sculpts the land and sea, every step offers a new perspective on the beauty and majesty of this unique environment.

Nordaustlandet, with its stark beauty and dramatic landscapes, offers a hiking experience like no other. It’s a place where the forces of nature are on full display, inviting us to witness and appreciate the raw, unspoiled beauty of the Arctic wilderness.

Please note: Depending on the lens used for a photo or video shot an animal may appear to be closer than it is. We always follow strict wildlife guidelines to ensure that we do not cause any disturbance.