I feel lucky to have gotten the opportunity
to join the M/S Fram, as a trainee, on her expedition from Longyearbyen on
Svalbard to Bergen on mainland Norway. Being new on this vessel, and having
grown up in the flat Netherlands, I feel grateful to participate in the many
logistical processes on board, work together with inspiring colleagues, interact
with our lovely guests from all around the world, and visit all these beautiful
places on Svalbard and along the Norwegian coast. Blue glaciers and ice bergs, rugged
mountains, breathtaking fjords, dancing Northern Lights and majestic creatures
like the polar bear, fin whales and eagles: this expedition has it all.
Today’s landing took place at the village
of Oppeid, on the island of Hamarøy in Northern Norway. Hamarøy is best known
for being home to Knut Hamsun (1859-1952), a famous Norwegian author, who was
awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920. In Oppeid, the guests got the
opportunity to visit the Hamsun Centre, devoted to Hamsun’s life and writing, and
famous for its architecture.
Landings (going on shore) provide a very
nice opportunity to stretch your legs, explore and interact with nature from a
different perspective. While our guests were enjoying the architecture and
scenery, Expedition Team members Stian and Thomas – who together with me, for
reasons we can only speculate on, go under the nick-name “Backstreet Boys”,
given to us by the crew and rapidly adopted by the passengers – took a little
group of enthusiasts on an extended hike to a hill top. From here, they enjoyed
some very scenic views.
I was invited to join our Danish (living on
Greenland) kayak guide Jimmy as second guide and of course I said yes. Together
with nine guests, we made a three hour long easy-going paddling excursion along
the shore, following the inlets and bays around Hamarøy. The guests were
paddling in pairs in tandem kayaks. After they had figured out how to
coordinate the paddling and steering, I noticed how silent the group became. We
didn’t say much. We didn’t think much. We just enjoyed the beauty around us and
interacted with nature. Noticed the bright autumn colors of the forest on
shore. Felt the clear cold Arctic water running through our fingers. Pointed at
starfish and other small creatures on the sea bottom. Sensed the absence of
noise. Ate delicious chocolate while resting on a desolate beach in a small
bay. We simply seized the moment, without any concerns or distractions. That
must be one of the highest commodities in our modern society. After the trip,
the guests thanked Jimmy and me for the trip. But we hadn’t done much more than
let nature speak for itself.
Back at what after just a week already
feels like home, the M/S Fram set its “sails” for Kjerringøy, a small
peninsula, to enjoy white sand beaches and sharp mountain peaks plunging
straight into the sea. And I was ready to create and share another memorable
nature experience. Being an Expedition Team member is a tough job, but somebody
has to do it.
