Thialda Straat

Region: Arctic

Destinations: Svalbard

In our childhood when my sister and I were living in Africa near the equator we were often dreaming of visiting, talking about and making drawings of Spitsbergen. Our father then made us a promise to bring us once he was retired. He kept the promis! Not knowing what to expect, we only had our 40 years old childhood-dreams, it was above all expectations. This Oceanwide trip affected me [and my father and my sister] with the Arctic-virus. I really fell in love with Spitsbergen, the Ortelius, the lovely energising crew, the rides in the Zodiacs, the playing Polar bears, the curious walrusses, the many birds, the pack-ice, the reindeers, all the different colours...overwhelming. After 3 days, still dizzy by land-sickness, I feel 'home-sick' and I will come back one day bringing my son. The whole experience was a poem!

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