Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway, March 27th, 2025
The fierce sub-zero temperatures were a thing of last week (only -11C) but there was a heavy dollop of snow two days ago and again overnight so the conditions are perfect for winter photos.
Hard to believe one of the closest civilised places to this is Putin’s naval base in Murmansk.
The sun has been visible over the mountain now for two and a half weeks – the town celebrates it every year – and there’s a fair chunk of daylight with the nights pulling out faster than Big John Holmes. I guess the locals are looking forward to the big thaw and an influx of tourists for the midnight sun.
Surrounded by nothing and on a road to nowhere – the only way to get to the Russian mining outpost of Barentsburg is via snowmobile or boat. I was advised not to go walkabout because a couple of polar bears have been seen on the road towards the mountain. I don’t fancy re-inacting a scene out of The Revenant.
Explored most of the town on foot now and a few cafes and watering holes, the polar museum and met the famous white huskies in Huskies cafe.
Delightful pasta served in Svalbar and Karlsburger pub is fantastic. Themed on the former coal mining industry, it serves myriads of drinks from across the planet. It’s open until 2am!
The tale that you get your passport stamped with a polar bear stamp and date for 50Kr. at the local post office is now myth. They have stopped it sadly.
Northern Lights, the world seed storage facility and a nearby disused coal mine are on the agenda but I’ll give the night-time snowmobile trek a miss.
