Date: 9th July
Latitude & longitude: 78.15°N, 12.55°E
Wind speed: 14 knots
Wind direction: W
Barometer:  1010 hPa
Air temperature: 5°C
Sea temperature: 4°C

Total polar bear count: 9!

We woke early today feeling a little bit sad because it was to be our last day on board the Greg Mortimer! Breakfast was a quiet affair but we all perked up when the first Zodiac cruise for the day was announced. No matter how often we cruised around in those Zodiacs, it was impossible to get bored – the Arctic sights always offered something new to amaze and delight us.

Today, we cruised to a large glacier in an area called St Jonsfjord. Once again, we were in awe of the massive scale of the glacier before us. As we drifted through the growlers and bergy bits, we were lucky enough to spot a seal playing in the waters! Growlers and bergy bits are the scientific names for the different sizes of icebergs. Icebergs break off from the glacier in an event known as ‘calving’ and they vary in shape and size. If they are less than 1 metre high and 5 metres long, they are called growlers, and if they are 1 – 5 metres high and 5 – 15 metres long they are called bergy bits.

In the afternoon we were able to make one final landing and a hike on Steinpynten – there were no bears in sight! Steinpynten is a spot just near the entrance to Forlandet National Park, which is known for the world’s most northerly population of stone seals and the world’s northernmost breeding population of guillemots. The terrain on Steinpynten is a barren tundra of mostly rocks and some sparse grass and flowers. It was a crisp and cool day and though we were sad it would be our last Arctic Adventure, we were fortunate to have great weather once more to enjoy it.

Back on the ship, we met up in the lecture room for final drinks and a farewell from the Captain, and Aurora Expeditions showed us all the amazing photos we had all taken, compiled in a beautiful slideshow they had created for us. They handed out some fun certificates – one for ‘SOAR’ – the Society of Arctic Rowers, and one for ‘SOAP’ – the Society of Arctic Plungers! The plungers also got a free t-shirt – ‘I survived the polar plunge!’

Dinner tonight was a sombre event as we all came to terms with the adventure coming to an end. Tomorrow we would be disembarking early and flying back to Oslo for one more night before heading home to Sydney.

See you tomorrow and thanks for reading!

Love from the A Team 

Tanya, Gavin, Richard & Graeme