Pyramiden as we approach the anchorage

looking back towards our ship

desolation

armed guards at the landing point - in case of polar bears

At certain times of year this settlement attracts the bears

the conveyors bring the coal down from the mines

we never found out what these buildings had been used for

monument at the entrance to the township

the Russian settlement, 1000 inhabitants at its peak

the sea birds have taken over the window sills

the northern most statue of Lenin

the recreation hall

very ornate staircases - everything was just abandoned

wall art

farewell to the settlement

a visit to the Nordenskiöld glacier

most of the pictures speak for themselves

the ice was groaning and creaking most if the time we were near it.

a tourist boat

the glacier is about 25 km (16 mi) long and 11 km (6.8 mi) wide

arriving at Longyearbyen capital of Svalbard, later that same day

the harbour

the aerial buckets transported coal from the mines to the dock

Svalbard poppy

posting box to Father Christmas !

overlooking the town

originally a mining town...

... the adiministration is trying to develop alternative sources of income

the northern most church in the world

the husky farm

apparently the dogs prefer to sleep outside all year around, Interestingly our guide was Australian

puppies

monuments to the miners

we didnt see any live polar bears !

winter transport parked up for the summer months

beware !

the mountains as we depart