Ny Alesund is a small settlement that
initially started as a mining town and later become a research town. Year round there is people in town, although
the number of residents is variable during the summer months might be 150 inhabitants,
while during the winter months it might reach 10 to 15 persons. There is a small hotel, Post office, two mini
museums and a souvenir shop, on the daily life most people run in bicycles and
if they have to go to the outer parts of town they carry a gun and sometimes
dogs.
This settlement gained fame during the
1920’s, this fame was through the dramatic flights attempts to reach the North
Pole. Among the individuals that came to
this settlement were Richard Bird, Roald Amundsen, Lincoln Ellsworth, and
Umberto Nobile to name some. All of
these persons were trying to reach the North Pole by either flying boats or
airships. There is much to talk on the theme but we have no space here to do so,
but check on board for lectures on the topic. The airship mast from were some
of this expeditions departed still there a bit moved by the permafrost but
still in good shape.
