27 Jul 2017

SOE: Perfect weather and Curious Walruses

With a new team of expedition staff and passengers aboard, we set out on our first Across the Top of the World Expedition for the 2017 season on Monday and what a start we have had! The weather has been amazing so far, the blue skies and flat oceans have given us a wonderful start to this expedition. The perfect conditions assisted us on our Zodiac cruise of the bird cliffs before an unforgettable day around Yttygran Island. We started with a morning landing at Whale Bone Alley, to help with our understanding of the history of this part of the Arctic. After an insightful morning, we boarded the Zodiacs and enjoyed a cruise with close sightings of grey whales, before we came across approximately 400 walruses in the water for a truly mesmirising encounter that will stay with us for many years. It is hard to put into words what an incredible experience it was, to be surrounded by so many curious creatures, but hopefully the photos taken will do it justice!

We soaked in natural hot pools at Gilmymil where we were warmly welcomed by local fisherman Ivan and his family. We've also had an introduction to warm Arctic hospitality with a full morning of cultural activities with the Chukchi people at Lavrentiya, and now we are heading towards Cape Dezhnev, the most north-eastern point of the Eurasian continent.