Well, just like buses, we waited four days for a Polar Bear to come along and then there were two, at least! Because of the early morning start, the afternoon was starting to look somewhat languid, so having had our obligatory Bloody Mary, my Swedish friend Ann and I, had just ordered lunch when, yes, you have guessed it, the Bear Watch alarm went off again! Two bears had been spotted in different locations ( they are solitary animals, always alone, unless a nursing mother) nearby, so get the wet gear, jump into the Zodiacs and we will find tbe Bears! How utterly amazing! Some of my gear was still wet from morning, but what the hell, a bear doesn’t come around too often, do suffer tbe damp and off I go. There is now a hierarchy being established in the Zodiacs with the camera fanatics grabbing tbe best spots ( out of 10!) However they reckoned without Mrs D. and her strong Swedish pal. We too had figured out the optimum place and that’s where we were sitting!
High waves and wind for the first time, meant a hairy ride on tbe boat to secure a spot off shore in front of this beautiful Bear, who was mooching around and not doing a lot. To see over 150 people in 12 boats moored at a respectful distance, with long lens camera, video recorders or just sitting with binoculars to look at this amazing g animal in its natural habitat was humbling. He could be seen, just, with the naked eye, but some great pictures were taken with high definition cameras. I did get wonderful views of him through binoculars and feel very privileged to have witnessed such a rare occourance.
So couple of hours behind schedule, , we are now on our way to Bjornfjorden in Northern Spitsbergen. More to report tomorrow, depending on Internet connection, which is getting worse, and u know what, it doesn’t bother me! In this environment, phones, Internet and the news have become very incidental!!!
Answering the call to the Artic 