Eventually I was able to prepare and publish the picture gallery from our circumnavigation of Spitsbergen with the Schooner bark Antigua in July 2013. We spent three exciting but also relaxing weeks sailing along the coastlines of Spitsbergen, exploring the islands and shores through extended hikes, and watch the fauna and flora of the arctic.

The ice situation allowed us to reach 80N and to pass the Hinlopen Strait  between Spitsbergen and Nordaustland and reach the remotest areas of the archipelago. One highlight of the trip was the visit of a polar bear to our ship near the ‘Thousand Islands’ in the southeast. We were sitting at breakfast when the bear came swimming towards our ship and spent almost an hour curiously exploring this strange vessel and its tasty crew. Enjoy the pictures, panoramas, and movies!