Svalbard reindeer

Svalbard: day 1
The Svalbard reindeer are not domesticated but this one seemed happy to wander along near the village. I sat watching him for awhile and he seemed very content and came close to me a few times.

A fabulous first day. After breakfast we walked into the village and bought some clothes, hats, gloves etc as our bags have still not turned up. It took us much longer than the suggested 20 mins as we saw Reindeer, Snow Buntings and Barnacle Geese. We passed the local school, complete with an anti polar bear fence and lots of other interesting things to see. Around us we could also see relics of the village’s mining past (only one mine in operation now).

After lunch we were picked up for our ebike ride. Fantastic trip around the outskirts of the village and then a bit further. We were a group of five plus our guide and his rifle. When we left the village he stopped to load his gun ready in case we encountered a polar bear. It was fascinating to hear all about local customs and other general facts. No one can be buried on Svalbard so seriously ill people are flown to the mainland as are pregnant women when they enter their final month. Only people who work are allowed to live here; if you retire then you need to move back to the mainland. The majority of people who live here stay for 2-3 years then move back to the mainland.

Bad weather is expected tomorrow and the wind was already picking up as we returned from the bike ride. I have added some more photos from today in the extras, including the green building which is where we are staying.