Honningsvåg, Bear Island and Svalbard

Posted on by Pete Schloss

Here are pictures from our visit to Honningsvåg, passage by Bear Island, and first sight of land at the southern tip of Svalbard Island. 

We arrived in Honningsvåg on Sunday, September 14th. It is 25 miles from North Cape, considered the northernmost point in Europe. Monday was an at sea day during which we passed Bear Island (pop. 9, a research station). We arrive today, Tuesday, in Longyearbyen (pop. 2,600) on Svalbard Island, the northernmost town in the world with a population greater than 1,000. We are currently 780 miles from the North Pole. 

Our approach to Honningsvåg
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There is evidence of human settlements in this area dating back 11,300 years, at the end of the last Ice age.
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Honningsvåg
In the Honningsvåg harbor.
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The church in Honningsvåg, Built in 1885 and replacing an older church, it is the only building left standing after the Nazi burnt earth evacuation in 1944
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These fellows came down from the mountain side to wander through town.
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The lighthouse is only 15 feet tall, the shortest one in Norway.
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The northernmost phone booth in Norway, perhaps the world. It is now a lending library.
Passing Bear Island
Bear Island
The southern coast of Svalbard Island at 5 AM.
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Peace Everyone. Pete. 

PS. Evening entertainment in the lounge is courtesy of Gill, a talented pianist and singer. He also has hair as amazing than Christine’s!

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