En Route Jan Mayen

I'm aboard MS Fram from Hurtigruten - departed from Iceland yesterday and scheduled to reach one of the most isolated islands on Earth; Jan Mayen tomorrow afternoon.

Harpa - inside the new Icelandic Opera

The new Opera in Reykjavik is a splendid creation of glass. Inside - light is spilling in all facets. This new building is worthy of Gardar Hólm - the world famous (imaginary) opeara star of Halldór Laxness.

Beluga Boats

On a recent visit in Fleur de Lyshamna in Van Keulenfjorden in Spitsbergen we visited the site of what once was a Beluga fishery adventure. These fisheries were ecologically insustainable and luckily it ended before the population of this magnificent High Arctic whale were were depleted. Today you can experience Beluga in the fjords of Spitsbergen. They come swimming in groups along the shores. If you're lucky they twist their head (unique feature for the species) and takes a look at you.

Polar Bear with cubs

This is probably the image I've taken that has been used more than any other. I met this single-mother family at Wilhelmøya, East Spitsbergen in 2006.

Frigg

Frigg Jørgensen is the General Secretary of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO). Last week I had the pleasure of working with her on an expedition in Svalbard. Frigg is striving for sustainability in expedition cruise tourism to the Arctic - she makes herself heard by ears far into the hallways of public administration and she's a terrific advocate for Arctic Tourism performed in a sensible manner.

Polar Bear Watch

I did an expedition in Svalbard last week - this image is of Tore, one of our excellent Polar Bear-watches.

The Arctic Awakening

I am taking part in the development of the new Spring Concept of Hurtigruten. We have deceided to call it The Arctic Awakening as the core ideas is life; in the oceans, in the air, and in the coastal communities. They are all thriving as energy returns with the sun after a long and darkish winter.


Cod Tounge cutting on deck in Kjøllefjord.


The Church in Nesseby, Varanger, Finnmark, Norway.


Lecture on deck about life in the ocean.


Meeting northbound Hurtigrute off the northernmost tip of the Lyngen Peninsula; Lyngstuva. Here we meet MS Midnatsol.


Serving super-fresh Arctic Lyngen Shrimps, in Lyngen - delivered to the ship by the fishing boat.

A Sami Experience

Between Kjøllefjord and Mehamn, on the Nordkinn Peninsula, Hurtigruten offers a great visit to the Sami family Utsi. The family matriark; Ellinor talks about life as a reindeer herder and challenges for the Sami indigenous peoples.


I travelled with these two; Mikael and Vebjørn. They are Arctic heroes.

Tony

Had a fabulous few days of hiking across the mountains of West McDonnels NP, NT, Australia with Tony Dorr. We used to work together as Zodiac drivers in Antarctica back in the days. Tony is super.

Skihytta in Lyngen

This is a great, short stroll on the mountain skiis. If you like, continue towards the higher peaks; Goalsevarre or Rørnestinden.

Jon the Fisherman

Not exactly what Jon (Sumner) gets on the hook in Darwin, NT, Australia where he comes from. Jon is a super fisherman and one of the kindest persons I have ever met. He visited Norway twice in half a year and I had the pleasure of spending lots of time with him.

Ptarmigan at the North Cape

Only some 200 meters from where eveyone gathers to have their picture taken I met this guy. This meeting gave me a much stronger experience. This is a Rock Ptarmigan - a true Arctic species.

Skiing at Rotenvikfjellet, Lyngen, Norway

Great conditions on the mountain these days!

Hunting the Light with MS Richard With

Sailed from Kirkenes to Sandnessjøen with the Hurtigruten vessel; MS Richard With. Had a great light, was hunting the light with my camera.

The Arctic Circle

This is what it looks like as seen from aboard a Hurtigruten vessel sailing southbound along the Norwegian coast.

Urban Tunélls Klezmerband

I shot some images for the band and the concert arranger last week. Fantastic music and a great live band!

Ptarmigan hunting in Svalbard

This image is taken on a hunting trip to Svalbard. The scene is in Adventdalen.