It is 0230 local time, and we are working our way into the fjord complex which is home to Ny Alesund. Low cloud and intermittent fog creates a forlorn look to the landscape.

Being on the north side of 79 degrees of latitude we were startled to see this satellite dish. The combination of the location, weather, and background gives this area an unwordly feel. Think of a frozen planet in the Star Wars parlance and you have the scene set.

The harbor is tiny. Protection is partial – from the north and east and south – and created by an L-shaped breakwater. In terms of docking difficulty this is a strong 10 – there is no room for operator error.

Main Street in Ny Alesund. How about the set from Clint Eastwood’s film High Plains Drifter ? Ny Alesund is actually a former coal mine now used as a polar research station. In summer nine countries are represented with around 150 scientists and their retainers. In winter 10 to 15 hardy souls are in attendance.

Water temperature in the fjord is amazingly warm right now.

Which is a good thing because there is a lot of diving going on.

Almost all the outboards were Yamaha. When we asked why the answer was the usual “because they are the most reliable.” These folks are getting ready for a short trip. Note that everyone has on a dry suit. The young lady in the stern looks like she is wondering what she is doing here (or maybe she had a hard night at the one bar here).

The town is a mix of modern and historic architecture.

With fox and reindeer in attendance.

This is also polar bear territory. Although the locals do not go armed in town, nobody ventures outside the immediate area without weapons.

A modern 30-06 rifle with a red dot sight, faster to use than iron sights. The guide showing us this weapon was forced to kill a charging bear at a distance of 13 feet (four meters) last year.

They also carry these heavy flare pistols to try and deter the bears.

The highest latitude post office in the world!

There are small areas of these lovely arctic succulents almost everywhere.

It is hard to describe how lovely these look on a bleak day.

We are all snapping away; between ourselves and Joe 3000+ photos in Svalbard so far.

Amongst the nations present is China.

No doubt the Chinese are concerned about the environment. This trash was alongside their facility.

Everywhere else looks neat and tidy.

Tomorrow we are off on our polar bear hunt.