Page 84 - 2003 SVALBARD, NORWAY

We were at the airport by about 1 PM, really just in time to see

our friends Rikki and Jack Swenson, the photographic guides on
our Galapagos trip, troop by to join the M/S Endeavour for the

upcoming voyage. It was good to see them and they looked eager
and ready to go on their own polar bear hunt.

Once back in Oslo, after a nice flight of just a couple of hours, we
checked into the Airport Radisson and found it quite comfortable

though strangely motionless. We were tickled at how quickly our
legs had become used to the rolling of the ship and we felt like we

were still on board even in the hotel.

Supper was at the airport pizza joint for a not too good slice of
strange pizza. Then we clung to our still rocking beds and fell

asleep after reading some. Next morning we had to be back in the
airport by 9 AM after a free breakfast buffet at the Radisson. The
hotel was just across a narrow street from the airport entrance so

it was very convenient. Our trip back to Newark was uneventful
and pleasant.

Someday, we will want to go north to the Ice Bears again, hoping

for better weather and closer encounters with that majestic and
beautiful Arctic animal! It’s wonderful to know that he is

protected there and is increasing in numbers because of the
protection. We will want to greet & photograph him again!