It was a bracing 3*C as we started sailing up the Fjord to Longyearbyen
It is easy to see the remains of the former coal mining operation
As a large number of the mountains on the way in were just plan flattened on top with some veins of coal still visible from the side
It wasn’t that far from the harbour to town. Town being about 2000 souls with the main industry of polar region research followed closely by tourism involving about 30,000 visitors a year.
The town itself was almost completely rebuilt in the 1970s when the coal industry failed and the Norwegian government elected to change it from an almost completely “mans” company town to a normal family complete location to include schools and a health care facility.
We wandered around, saw the small but excellent Svabald Museum, found coffee but were unable to get wifi.
Made it back to the ship with plenty of time to spare.
And yes, the water is cold here as well.
After all, what would you expect at 79* North anyway?
Wow. Beautiful. Brrrr.