While we were tied to the ice, some went for a stroll to experience sea-ice for the first time. It was sleeting lightly, so some of the pics have drops of rain visible on them.
The MS Stockholm tied up alongside the floe.
Going for a stroll.
I took some photos of the navigation screen to show where we were.
The evening meal consisted of a crab salad starter with cod in prawn sauce for the main.
As we were tied to the ice, the ship drifted about 22 miles further North. We had seen 7 Polar Bears on the ice this day, along with Harp Seals, which I never managed to get photos of as they were too wary. We set sail again in the morning and headed Southeast, out of the ice and into thick fog. Eventually arriving off Karl XII Island where the zodiac was lowered into the water and we cruised around the island. We did not land as there were at least 5 Bears roaming around and it would have been too risky with the island being so small.
Eider Ducks swam along the coastline with their young. Kittiwakes and Guillemots were nesting on the higher cliffs and Glaucous Gulls flew around patrolling for unwary birds.
I forgot to post photos of the Glaucous Gulls that we saw in better weather the day before, so I'll use them here so you can see what they look like. The weather was too bad to get any of the ones around this island.
Karl XII Island.
One of the 5 Bears present there.
As we rounded the island, the local Walrus pod came over to inspect us. They were very inquisitive and some came really close to the zodiac.
Dinner that evening was humus starter with curry for the main. The pounds were piling on.
Overnight, we sailed for Cape Leigh Smith where our next little adventure would begin.......
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