Monday 24 November 2008
exams amongst other stuff ...
Once again I have neglected my blog :'(
I have been so busy with (lack of) revision since I have exams this week and next week. I really hate exams, and think it's really silly that I need to hand in my term essay two days before my first exam.
In the last 13 days (thanks for pointing that out Pete!) I have actually been up to a few things... as I am limited on time I will just add photos and add a few comments.
Same view, different day
A few weeks ago (!) I spent the night in an ice cave, or more precisly the Larsbreen moraine cave. Outside was about -18C but inside was probably -5C or so ... so not too cold.
View of Nybyen from Larsbeen glacier
Entrance to moraine cave, and the lovely scooter suits
It got quite narrow at some points ...
Random chamber, and cool ice crystals on roof
We spent the night near the entrance where it was the flattest. Note how we are sleeping on ice
We put 20 candles around us, it was really magical
Then a few days later we went up to the disused mine 2b (see photos from July see what I mean) - it's just the entrace of an old mine found on the slope of a mountain near Nybyen. Anyways, the point was that this guy in my class, Eivind, decided to show a movie inside of it. So we all brought our sleeping bags and down jackets. I was surprised at how many people turned up - around 60 perhaps? It was so cold outside (and inside too), but I was stuck in the middle of so many people that it was fine. The photo really doesn't show you what it was like
Watching a movie in -20C
And then finally, last week, I went to visit a proper coal mine. But when I say proper I really mean it! I can't even explain it, and we weren't allowed any cameras inside. I can't believe how lucky we were because tourists are not allowed, and our teacher had to ask permission twice before we were allowed. As I am running out of time, I will simply copy and past what I wrote on Pete's wall.
"pete oh my god. you have no idea how amazing it was. i cant even explain, but
it was a proper proper mine. dark, cold, lots of coal, very low tunnels. it was
crazy. the roof was just over a metre high, and we 5 km into the mountain. one
of the miners drove us in this vehicle that was like 90cm high barely and we all
inside like sardine. and he was driving so fast, in these dark tunnels and i
could just see the roof just inches away from me. and then they showed us the
end, where they were actually drilling. and we even saw some footprint they
found on the roof, belonging to some ancient mamal (50Mya). We werent allowed to
take any photos because any spark could cause an explosion, so my story doesnt
stand up to it. but oh my god it was like the rollercoaster ride of my life."
Coming out of Mine 7 ^^
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2 comments:
Hello,
I came by your blog. I am interested to take a trip to Longyearbyen to see Northern Lights and Polar bears. How often is the aurora visible now? When was the last time you saw? Is December a good time??
Do the Polar bears wander into the city? or do you have to go far to see them?? Thanks in advance
hey
the aurora is actually really low this year (its at a minimum), and i have only seen them 3 times or so (they did come out last night but i didnt see them). its not very common to see bears, even with a tourist group.
polar bears could wander into town, but its more than likely that some1 will spot it and call the sysselmannen office.
bears can be all over the place, but most of them are found at the east coast (scooter trip away).
right now there isnt enough snow for long scooter trips, and its also completly pitch black all day ... so no chance of seing them + females are hibernating.
the best time is the spring (march/april/may), when the sun come up again ... but then you prob wont get the chance to see the northern lights!
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