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Walrus sea mail #248717 08/07/17 09:16 AM
Joined: Mar 2004
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Ngaire Online OP
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New thread to post our adventures on Walrus.

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248718 08/07/17 10:30 AM
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Marc Offline
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Sitting in a wonderful cafe on the waterfront enjoying pizza and pasta. Fun morning running into Kim Alice Rachel George on HO HO bus. Great sculpture park. Looking forward to seeing everyone this afternoon.



Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248720 08/07/17 10:41 AM
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jbittle Offline
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If you have extra time in Longyearbyen, be sure to visit their excellent museum. It's a short walk from where the ship is docked.

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248723 08/07/17 01:12 PM
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RachelG Offline
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Kim, Alice, George, and I got on the HOHO bus this am, and who was sitting there but Marc and Arlene. We had a fun time visiting Vigeland park, then Kim, Alice, George, and I went to the huge new ski jump. Very interesting.

Jim, we went to that museum last time we were there. Silversea actually took us on an excursion there. It is very nice.

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248724 08/08/17 05:09 AM
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seadog Offline
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Monday in Oslo was a lot of fun. Vigeland park had a cool looking sun dial. George did a great job explaining it to some interested tourists.

[Linked Image]

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248725 08/08/17 05:11 AM
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seadog Offline
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I liked this clock in the marina.

[Linked Image]

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248726 08/08/17 05:23 AM
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seadog Offline
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Very cool to take the trek with George and Rachael up to the ski jump.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248727 08/08/17 05:35 AM
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seadog Offline
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See the ski jump between the giant heads?

[Linked Image]

More from the sculpture park:

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[Linked Image]

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248728 08/08/17 06:22 AM
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RachelG Offline
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Thanks for posting the pics, Kim.

Good news--Missy is completely recovered, so Jenny took her home yesterday.

I got up early this am for a walk around downtown Oslo. George slept. See everyone at the airport.

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248729 08/08/17 07:34 AM
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Ms Understood Offline
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Great news re Missy! Kim and alice, me and Jerry, Marcie, Marc and Arlene all trolled for dinner around the airport last night. There actually were quite a few options pre security so we grabbed some sandwiches etc and sat in the hotel lobby bar to dine. Not fancy but entirely satisfactory beginning to our adventure. This morning most of us opted for breakfast in the hotel. We saw Ngaire Ken June and Ralph in addition to Doug and Andi , Marcie and Tom, Kim and Alice. Missed you and George, Rachel. We gave a great group on this trip! Heading over for our charter flight to Longyearbyen and the Silver Explorer.
---------------------
Helen

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248730 08/14/17 08:35 AM
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Ngaire Online OP
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First day and first landing.
We were warned little or no internet. So I am writing and will post when and if we get internet.

We were in group one. We landed at an old whaling station that was on a sandy beach. The highlight was that a group of male Walrus had hauled out on the beach. About five Walrus were still in the water. The ones in the water were great. They were very close to the shore and at one point four of them came within about 40 feet of us. Amazing sighting.
Later that day we had binocular bear.

Second day
Polar bear on the second day was great. At 6.15 am we heard the announcement that there was a polar bear in the water swimming towards the ship. Jumped out of bed threw on clothes and went upstairs. This was a great sighting. The bear would swim and then climb on an ice flow. This was repeated two times. Very visible with the naked eye I would guess about 100 yards. He looked big. Ken got some great shots. The sea has been so calm. No wind. Today it was totally calm at times as we sailed through the ice flows. Really beautiful.

Tonight the group had dinner outside at hot rocks. A perfect night, no wind and now they have a canopy over the eating area. Wasn't cold at all. The food was great I am going back again for sure.


Just got internet more to follow.



Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248731 08/14/17 09:39 AM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Sorry did not keep up with the day by day reports. Highlights follow.

Monacobreen Glacier was fantastic. Gorgeous sunny day with no wind. We got quite close to the glacier and saw a bearded seal.

Some land excursions were very popular with light hikes.

Last day was July 14th Glacier. Half of the guests hiked up to stand on the Glacier and the other took a zodiac ride. Everyone loved the day. From the zodiac we saw puffins in two areas and we see reindeer quite close one old male had a massive rack. Then we went close to the Glacier and saw great pieces of ice. Another beautiful day The walkers looked like a winding line of red coming down the mountain.

Now we are at sea and have Internet for the day.


Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248732 08/14/17 11:21 AM
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Ken Offline
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Photos From WALRUS - Sorry for the delay, we just got internet today:

[Linked Image]
Flying into Longyearbyen.
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The Silver Explorer was waiting for us.
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And the Walrus were wating for us.
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Our second polar bear.
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Sniffing the air for food.

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248733 08/14/17 11:24 AM
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Ken Offline
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[Linked Image]
Then he looked right at me.
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[Linked Image]
Arctic Fox being buzzed by an Arctic Tern.
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He came to the rock in front of us.
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Arctic Tern.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248734 08/14/17 11:25 AM
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Ken Offline
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[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Very Foggy.
[Linked Image]
Bearded Seal.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248735 08/14/17 01:05 PM
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Betty K Offline
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I loved seeing these great photos ! Thanks!


Betty

[Linked Image from i4.photobucket.com]
Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248736 08/14/17 01:15 PM
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RachelG Offline
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As noted above, we didn't sail off the top of the world, just no Internet. I am posting some more pics on the cc site, don't know how to on this one.

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248737 08/14/17 01:15 PM
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KarenS Offline
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Beautiful pictures, especially the fox!


Karen

Live long and prosper
Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248738 08/14/17 02:13 PM
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Anna B. Offline
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Terrific photos! Love the animals and happy faces! I've been tracking your ship on the NOAA website which has been fun, although not as good as seamail!


Kathy
Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248740 08/14/17 09:17 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Another highlight for me on this cruise. Outstanding rack of lamb. I ordered a double order and then another double order. Could easily have eaten more. REALLY good. Plus a great clam chowder that was more like a bisque and a very good lemmon sorbet. I was a very happy camper.

Wind howling outside but not very rocky must be going in the right direction. Marc said the ice charts look good for Greenland so things are going well.

Lots of cards, scrabble, lectures and catching up on the internet today. One more day at sea and then Greenland.

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248743 08/14/17 09:26 PM
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seadog Offline
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Haven't had internet until today. Everyone is having a great time! These photos were taken with an iPhone and posted with an iPhone, so not the greatest. I just figure I'll get Ken's photos. But wanted to share some with the LCT family!

The 6:10 AM get up polar bear.

[Linked Image]

Marcie, Helen and Alice zodiac cruising:

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248744 08/15/17 10:37 AM
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Ken Offline
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14 July Glacier, Svalbard:

[Linked Image]
Atlantic Pufin.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
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Svalbard Reindeer.
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A hike to the glacier.
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Kim & Alice.
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Alice, Ken, Tom, Arlene, Marc, Ngaire, Marcie, Kim, Helen & Jerry.

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248745 08/15/17 07:01 PM
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seadog Offline
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We have been heading to Scorsby Sound for 2 days now and should arrive around 6 am Wednesday. I have heard we will probably not have internet again while there. The seas have been high and so we are rocking and rolling quite a lot. But the sun was out today and good to see.

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248748 08/18/17 12:48 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Quick post. Suddenly got internet may go away any second

Huge icebergs were fantastic and about 75 yards from a group of seven musk oxen with a baby included. Good weather. Life is good.

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248751 08/18/17 07:57 PM
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pkd Offline
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Fabulous pictures, fabulous trip! I love seeing the smiles of this happy group.


Priscilla
Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248752 08/20/17 12:09 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Been without internet for most of the time in Greenland. We have had fabulous days here with excellent weather. Temperatures in the 40's and for the most part sunny calm days.

The icebergs here are gigantic and in many stunning shapes. We went to an area with a big red island that created an incredible backdrop to many massive icebergs that were stranded all together. The water was calm and reflective as our zodiacs made our way to one iceberg and another, all stunning. That zodiac ride was awe inspiring.

Then that evening we were able to sail down a narrow fjord filled with icebergs. I thought we may have to turn back but we got through. Just a few days ago a ship could not get through. The ship got close to many big icebergs.

The goal the next day was musk oxen and the hikers took off on the trail of a herd. I decided not to partake in that exercise. They offered a zodiac ride so I got ready. Then I changed my mind and decided to stay onboard. So I changed back to regular clothes. Then they announced they found musk oxen right near the shore. I raced back to my cabin and changed at the speed of greased lightning. We were so close. I just wished ken had been there to take pictures. One man got a video of the baby nursing.

Leaving this area I think we experienced the most beautiful scenery. Hard to describe. Totally calm seas, like glass, icebergs in all forms, mountains, glaciers. Every moment was special. We ate dinner while watching nature at its finest.

The next morning when we thought we had seen it all the zodiac ride offered more icebergs but this time glistening in sun like they were covered in glitter. Just one more day to go in Greenland. No doubt the weather we had made this voyage. One perfect day after another. We were very blessed.






Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248753 08/20/17 12:16 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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This morning cannot be described. Figured at this stage I was iceberged out. WRONG. On the way out of Scoresby Sund we went through an area of pretty open water that was full of even bigger icebergs. Amazing shapes and some that looked like a jagged mountain range. We were there told these large pieces broke right off the Glacier in one giant piece from top to bottom. They explained why but I would never try to explain it. We need Marc for that.

Again on a bright sunny day with zero wind. Spectacular.

Too many adjectives in my posts I know, but how else can you describe what we have seen. Much larger and more interesting than the Antarctica icebergs.

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248757 08/21/17 03:23 PM
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Ken Offline
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We have internet back, so here we go:

[Linked Image]
Can you tell he's from Iceland.
[Linked Image]
Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland.
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The yellow house was bought by a British couple in 2007. They come twice a year.
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Saw these item in the grocery store.
[Linked Image]

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248758 08/21/17 03:38 PM
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Ken Offline
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[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Arctic Hare.

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248759 08/21/17 03:41 PM
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Ken Offline
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[Linked Image]
Musk Ox.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
See the hidden Mickey Mouse.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248760 08/21/17 05:04 PM
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Ken Offline
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Icebergs Galore:

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
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[Linked Image]
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[Linked Image]

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248761 08/21/17 05:11 PM
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Ken Offline
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[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
See the dog in the iceberg.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248762 08/21/17 09:19 PM
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Betty K Offline
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Ken, as usual, your photos are exquisite! Loved seeing them! Thanks!


Betty

[Linked Image from i4.photobucket.com]
Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #248764 08/22/17 01:44 PM
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Ken Offline
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Thanks Betty.

Here is a link to my photos from WALRUS: https://ngaire.smugmug.com/Arctic/WALRUS-Aug-08-2017/i-HkvXqP7

Re: Walrus sea mail [Re: Ken] #248771 08/24/17 12:02 AM
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Marc Offline
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We are home; had a wonderful trip with wonderful friends. Now, time to get through my last 39 days at work.




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