30 Aug 2017
SHO: Bound for Franz Josef Land
Our second Northern Sea Route Expedition departed Murmansk on the evening of the 29th August bound for Franz Joseph Land. The crew and staff had enjoyed a “day off” in Murmansk before welcoming our new expeditioners.
The Port is the focal point of this city, the city literally built around the Port. We were tied up at the Passenger terminal, which is near the city centre.
We were also very close to the “Lenin” the first ever nuclear powered icebreaker. It was launched in 1959 and retired in 1989 and is now a museum. Some of us managed to organise a guided tour of the vessel (even though it was officially closed for the day) which was very enlightening and informative. Icebreakers feature a lot in the history of the Northern Sea Route so it was great to see and experience one, albeit an older one, first hand.
We expect to arrive Franz Joseph land on 1st September, the weather map is good and we are looking forward to a great crossing.
_big.jpg "The Lenin Icebreaker Murmansk")
©Heritage Expeditions
29 Aug 2017
An element of déjà vu prevailed this morning as we returned south to Pitchy Bazaar. As the bird cliffs came in sight to the south, so too did the whi…READ MORE
29 Aug 2017
Herald Island lies some 35 nautical miles to the east of Wrangel Island. It’s believed to have the highest density of polar bear dens per square kilo…READ MORE
27 Aug 2017
The ship was anchored just off the bird cliffs of Pitchy Bazaar, when the early risers reached the bridge. Sunshine bathed the ridgeline, highlightin…READ MORE
