Since we’ve been on the Danube, three days, all of our cruising has taken place at night. Today, however, we enjoyed the river’s beautiful scenery in the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
EXPLORE!
A Day in Vienna
The History of Vienna
Vienna, originally a Celtic settlement, was subject to attacks and Barbarian invasion that reduced the town to ruins by the early 5th Century. By the 10th century, the German Babenberg Dynasty acquired Vienna and in the 13th century Vienna fell under control of the Habsburg.
Today, Austria’s capital is home to 1.9 million people. Despite Vienna’s large size, its city center, located inside the Ringstrasse, is easily walkable.
LET’s GO
An Afternoon in Bratislava
History of Bratislava
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, was founded by the Celts in the 2nd century BC. Being close to the Austria Hungarian border, Bratislava was subject to many power struggles. Bratislava served as capital of Hungary from 1574-1784 during the Ottoman rule before the Austro-Hungary Monarchy reigned.
In the early 1900’s the Czechs and Slovaks declared the creation of Czechoslovakia and Bratislava became a part of this country. After World War II, Czechoslovakia fell under communist rule. The new country Slovakia was created in 1993.
Bratislava, with a population of 450,00, is Slovakia’s largest city. It occupies both banks of the Danube River. The city’s lovely Old Town, that is easily walkable, is on the north side of the river.
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Blue Whales in the Arctic
We had one last night on the ship and were told we were in a good place for whale watching. A wake up call came over the loud speaker around 2 am; “I’m sorry to disturb, but there are three large whales on the starboard side of the ship.”
I thought to myself, I wish they announced what type of whale, as I didn’t want to get up for a humpback to view in the distance when I have snorkeled with them in the Silver Banks.
A little while later, we heard over the loud speaker, “We believe these are blue whales.”
TAKE A LOOK
Harbor Seal Circled Our Kayaks
What a great final paddle for our trip! After having the kayaks shuttled to the coastline, we loaded up and headed into the fjord. David and I took singles for the last outing. After being in a double, I found the single to be a little less stable and more rocky.
The landscape around the area was absolutely spectacular. To our left, an old fishing cabin was perched on the point while kittiwakes dotted the pebble beach until we neared. The sea was still until we reached a receding glacier. The wind coming off the icy slope blew us toward the middle of the rippling bay. I found myself snapping a photo and then paddling on the right side to bring myself closer to shore.
GO FOR A PADDLE
Historical Relics in Southwestern Spitsbergen
Morning Hike in the Bellsund Area of Southwest Spitsbergen
Today we explored the Bellsund Area in Southwest Spitsbergen. A landing was offered to us this morning. It was the first time we didn’t have to separate into specific hiking groups as the guides stood watch for polar bears while we were allowed to wander along the perimeter of the peninsula freely. It was a welcome change to be able to explore on our own.
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Little Auks and Incredible Iceberg Activity
Today was the summer solstice. Due to leap year, the summer solstice actually falls a day earlier. This morning we signed up for the hike in Isbjørnhamna as it was the only chance we would have to see nesting little auks. We chose to be in the group of “fast” walkers along with at least 20 other people. It would be our first chance to cover some ground while we were in the Arctic.
Isbjørnhamna
We started along the beach and soon followed a single track trail. I think this was the first time we even walked on a trail. There are two points of view about trails in the Arctic. One is to mess up one small portion of the land by creating a trail and a trace. As such the rest of the terrain is protected. The other is to spread out and walk so that a trail is never created and no trace is left, but a larger area of tundra is trampled. I don’t really know what is best, but I preferred the trail.
HIKE AND KAYAK
Beautiful Birds and Interesting Icebergs!
Two days ago we tried to enter a passage that was blocked by ice. This morning, our expedition leader, hoping for better conditions, decided to try again. We were in luck. The winds and currents had broken the ice into large pieces. The captain of our ship carefully moved forward. We could hear the bow scrape the ice as we headed southwest.
While we stood outside on the deck admiring the beauty, we scanned the ice floes for wildlife. We spotted a walrus and lots of dirty ice that looked like seals to our hopeful minds until we came close enough to see that was not so.
EXPLORE
Great Day of Kayaking!
The weather has finally improved. It was good enough for kayaking. We enjoyed a lovely outing in Faksevagen this morning as we paddled against a light headwind as we followed the coast out of the fiord. Sea birds and reindeer peppered the rocky coastline until we turned past the point.
GO PADDLING!
Kvitøya…An Island Rarely Visited
Today we traveled to Andreenesset, Kvitøya or White Island. 99% of the island is covered by an icecap. The island is usually inaccessible due to dense drift ice which remains most of the summer months, but today, in rocky seas we were able to visit, the bay anyway. The fog kept us from landing as polar bears are hard to spot in such conditions. The large swells made for a bouncy zodiac tour. Regardless, between the waves we were able to spot swimming walruses. There were at least eight in the bunch. The curious fellows popped their heads up above the water’s surface as we neared.
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