Some internet it will not last I hope this time Ken can get some pictures out. He will post them in the order we took them if it works.

Continuation August 6, 2010.

Got back from a GREAT walrus sighting and have some "on and off" internet. Ken will try to post some pictures that may or may not work. It keeps losing the signal.

I continue the saga of ARCTIC

We were in the first group to leave for the landing to see walrus on a beautifully sunny day with no wind and totally calm seas. We were not disappointed. Walrus can be like elephant seals in Antarctica. They just lay there like blobs. Today we had a couple that were active, well active relative to discussing walrus activity on land. One big walrus in the front was constantly scratching, sitting up and looking at us and rolling around. I am sure many have some great shots.

Ralph’s grandson Brayden is an absolute doll who I would take on any trip any time and know that everyone would enjoy having him along. He seems more like a 20 year old than a 12 year old. He is engaging the expedition staff and getting so much out of the trip. He tries new things at dinner (unusual for a 12 year old) and is a master at pooch. Brayden is a pleasure to be around. Ralph took a great shot of him today at the walrus sighting talking to an expedition team member who had a gun over his shoulder.

Shortly after the second group arrived on shore the polar bear lookouts spotted two polar bears coming from different directions towards the group and the fog started rolling in at the same time. A major fast exit from the land as everyone grabbed a life vest and boarded the zodiacs. All made is safely back from the shore and I hear from some in the group this was handled extremely well by crew and passengers. The Captain came on the PA congratulating the passengers for the fast and efficient evacuation from the beach.

Then we have a break for cocktails and dinner with Anne and Gary as they celebrate their anniversary. The menu included specially ordered lobster tails and a filet mignon with morel mushroom sauce. Just as we are finishing dinner we arrive at the next major event of the day. The longest glacier in the northern hemisphere approximately 180 kilometers of water frontage. Right outside the dining room window we pass incredibly close to a big iceberg. We leave our coffee and run for the open bridge.

Arriving at the glacier we are quite awestruck. The glacier is in glistening sunlight and there are totally calm seas. This is an ice edge of probably about 60 feet high and you can see the ice shelf stretching as far back as you can see. What was really unique is the waterfalls off this glacier something I have never seen before. This is truly stunning scenery. The edge of the glacier twists and turns and the ship follows the path of the glacier. So hard to go to bed and leave this s so I am typing this as we look out our window at this incredible scenery. Tomorrow POLAR bear watch. We are so BUSY all the time.


August 7, 2010
WHAT A MORNING! Polar Bear Heaven

We sailed very close to the glacier around 6.30 am this morning. Wonderful scenery, then at 8.30 am the PA came on that they had seen three bears on shore. We were in the first group out on the zodiacs this morning and initially we saw the bears but they were all laying down and doing very little. One was on the snow and one was on the rocks. At about the same time they both starting stirring and lifting their heads. One started walking and we could see him well in the binoculars but not that well without them. He was raiding the arctic turns nests and the birds were going crazy. We moved around the area and watched these bears for about 30 minutes and just as we were coming back in we saw two bears together moving over the rocks. We followed the bears with our zodiac and then it really got exciting. One of the bears head was spotted at the top of the rocks. The bear started to walk down to the water. He made his way very slowly and the cameras were going crazy. He came right to the waters edge and looked like he may get in the water to come and visit a nice food source - us. We were so close to the bear you did not need binoculars to see his massive feet and claws. We had the expedition leader in our zodiac and he told all the zodiacs to start backing away. It was an incredible sighting. Cannot imagine it can get better than that. We saw either 5 or 6 polar bears this morning but the one that put on a show for us will never be forgotten.