7/26/2023

Last, But Not Least...

On behalf of the Incredible GREEN TEAM...

A letter to Carlos:

Dear Carlos:

Our second trip together was amazing from the moment you emailed me that we would reconnect on another expedition. I was over the moon; knowing what we would experience together would be exceptional. 

I will never forget your warmth, concern for others, and support. 

You always went the extra mile for us, taking memorable videos and photos, especially during the Antarctica and Arctic Circle polar plunges.

You answered our crazy questions, calmly reviewed instructions multiple times, cheered us on when we struggled, and gave us fantastic hugs when needed. 

We can never imagine the amount of time you and the other trip leaders spent dealing with the logistics of this incredible adventure so that we could move smoothly from one mode of transportation to another. 

This trip freed my laughter, warmed my heart, and enriched my being, and I thank you for that.

Love, 

Barb

July 7, 2023

Back to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Oslo Norway

Temp: 36-38°F, cloudy, 24-hour Midnight Sun.

ha det (goodbye in Norwegian)

Alex, Barb, and Malcolm

Patricia and Barb

Carlos, Barb, and Laura

Dewi, Yuli, and Niluh 

Lakesha

Pablo

Sara, Barb, and Kosmos

The Polar Bear and Reindeer at the Longyearbyen Radisson

And the Circle K's Northernmost purveyor 

of Pringles and Diet Coke.

And goodbye to all the walruses...

Especially those procreating.

The wrinkled.

 The old.

And the lonely.

 

 July 5 and 6, 2023

Captain's Choice

Temp: 36-38°F, cloudy, 24-hour Midnight Sun.

As you can see from our two female expedition members tasked with locating polar bears entering our perimeter, it seemed much warmer than the 30s (probably because we still had to wear the parkas and life fests while hiking).

Herb and Barb at the Texas Bar

Laura, Barb, and Carlos

July 04, 2023 

Sea Ice Above the 80° Parallel

Temp: 31-37°F, overcast, 24-hour Midnight Sun

Finally! The Polar Bear and Polar Plunge!

Needed a longer lens for a more precise shot.

This is the best I could do.

On July 04, 2023, Barb Totaro, Shel, and Barb Yuki "Plunged in the Polar waters of the Arctic Ocean above 80°30.0 North during the Arctic Voyage July 04, 2023, of the M.V. World Traveller."

The video can be found on my Facebook page (Barb Totaro). Too many megabytes for a blog link.

Waiting to walk the plank with my peeps below.

Photo courtesy of Herb Yuki (with wife, Barb, directing)

Vodka toast after the hot tub.

We're freezing and 

Carlos asked for an interview.

Our reaction?

You must be joking...

Our day concluded with a BBQ buffet dinner overlooking the beautiful Bjornsbreen in the Bjornsfjord, followed by an "Evening with Elvis" with Cruise Director Simon Candish.

 July 3, 2023 (continued again) 

Czavnesodden/Gullybukta, Magdalenefjorden

Temp: 30-31°F, cloudy, 24-hour Midnight Sun

Tall Glaciers and Ice Floes

Arctic Skua

 July 3, 2023 (continued) 

Czavnesodden/Gullybukta, Magdalenefjorden

Temp: 30-31°F, cloudy, 24-hour Midnight Sun

More Walruses

One thing we missed seeing from afar until we cropped and enlarged the photo...no wonder the "Big Guy" in charge of the haul out was exhausted.

July 3, 2023 

Czavnesodden/Gullybukta, Magdalenefjorden

Temp: 30-31°F, cloudy, 24-hour Midnight Sun  

Pablo covered up so much that we had no idea who was piloting our Zodiac at Gullybukta, the southern bay of Magdalenefjorden. (I loved his vision for a group photo with his reflective protector.) 

Gravneset (Grave headland) is surrounded by majestic mountains, tall glaciers, and magnificent nature in one of the most beautiful fjords in Svalbard. The remains of 4 blubber ovens or furnaces, and a graveyard containing about 130 graves dating from the 17th to late 18th century, have been found.

Arctic Tern

(above and below)

Arctic Skua