Reflection #8

This particular photographer simply cannot walk past a mirrored window without taking the lens cap off and pressing the shutter release. Behind, you can see Longyearbyen housing and the disused wooden pylons of the old coal carrying cablecar.

Yacht

University

The University Centre in Svalbard, Longyearbyen

(NB this photo was taken at 1 o'clock in the morning)

Road

There is only about 50km of road in and around Longyearbyen. This one runs along Adventdalen and up to Breinosa where the University's Northern Lights research centre is located. You can see its two dishes at the snowline, pointing up at the sky.

Graveyard #2

Although there is a graveyard, dying is not permitted in Longyearbyen!

In fact, this small settlement does not have enough facilities for the elderly or long-term sick. Anyone unfortunate enough to break the "no dying" rule will find that their remains have to be shipped back to the mainland (400 miles) for burial. This is because it was discovered that the permafrost on Svalbard does not allow for adequate decomposition of bodies. The crosses in this photo are marking graves that are all more than 70 years old.

Hiorthfjellet #2

Church #5

Longyearbyen

The church had the feeling of being a community gathering place as well as a place of worship, and came complete with its own polar bear.

Longyearbyen #3

"Town centre"

Arctic

Julenissegruva

This is the abandoned coal mine 2b, known as "Julenissegruva" or "Santa Claus Mine", which is located on the mountainside above Longyearbyen. On Svalbard such cultural monuments are not restored or dismantled, but simply left to "die in beauty". Removing artefacts, or any other actions that may interfere with the natural decay of such sites, is strictly prohibited.

The birdcliff

This lush green seems incongruous in the Arctic landscape but these cliffs are well fertilised by the nesting birds above.

Barentsburg again

The coal mine in Barentsburg is still being worked, but only to provide coal for the small Rusian community here.

Svalbard #2

Aerial view

Polar bears

Clearly, polar bears do live on Svalbard, and are taken quite seriously!

Polar Girl

Aboard the boat "Polar Girl" looking for polar bears, but there are none to be seen.

Barentsburg

Barentsburg is a now-mostly-abandoned Russian mining settlement on Svalbard. Only 450 people still live here, probably to maintain Russia's strategic presence in the Arctic.

Longyearbyen #2

Colourful housing in Longyearbyen

Svalbard

Aerial view

Kittiwakes

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