
Svalbard is “Treaty Country”, and governed by Norway. You need a passport as you are leaving the Schengen when you go there.
I used to live in the northernmost town in the world. Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Living at 78 degrees north, means that you have to deal with midnight sun for 4 months, and the total absence of sunlight for 2 months, called Polar Night, when the sun is 6 degrees or more below the horizon all the time. I did not mind the dark season at all – I actually enjoyed it. But – of course it was a great pleasure when the light started to return, first in the form of a short period every day with this intense blue light, and later with actual daylight.

Sun diagram of Longyearbyen – showing the seasons of the sun. Until I find the English version, the Noregian one just has to do.
As Longyearbyen is situated in a North-facing valley, the first sunrays actually shining onto the mountain north of the bay was always a welcomed sight. For every day the sun would reach further and further down the side of the mountain. Then it would creep across the iced bay and noticeably approach the town more for each day.

Sun shining on Hiorthfjell, not yet reaching town.
The day when the sun shines on the location where the stairs to the old hospital used to be in town (the building long since demolished) – that is the official “sun day” in Longyearbyen- March 8th. All the kids are dressed up in yellow hats and collars resembling the sun or sun rays – and they gather around the stairs where the sun is to shine upon and they sing for the sun’s return. Good times!
The whole week when the sun is returning is turned into a giant sun festival. There are concerts, plays, vernissages, choir-café and all kinds of cultural events taking place on all the venues in town. It is great fun! And there is something to suit any age and any interest.

The Kid showing great taste in snowmobiles – chosing mine over his dad’s.
And then you also have “Ta Sjangsen” (“Take the Chance”, directly translated) which takes place on the foot of the mountain directly north of Longyearbyen. This is a fun contest where teams make sledges that they decorate, and the aim is to get down the hill the fastest, and there are also prizes for the best decorated sledge. Great fun!
It was at this event – the “Take the Chance” – where the ol’ hubby had planned a spectacular arrival. A formidable entrance. A great opening Line.
You see, snowmobiles are common. There are in fact more registered snowmobiles in Longyearbyen than there are residents. At “Take the Chance” the preferred mode of transport is to go by snowmobile. The ol’ hubby had gotten his hot, little hands on a different belted, snow going vehicle – some sort of a car, or small pick-up truck if you prefer. Let’s call it a “snow car”!

The Kid thought the “snow car” was funny.
We got into all our bundles of clothes that are quite necessary – it is still very cold even though the sun is about to return, and got ourselves seated in the “snow car”. Down through the town towards the bay went with no hick ups. Also crossing the ice on the bay. No probs. A bit bumpy on the beach on the north side of the bay, but we still got ashore with no probs. Yea, we were looking good!

The orange one has less seats and more loading space then the red one.
The ol’ hubby had planned a somewhat late arrival – and he wanted to make an elegant turn and park at the end of the front row of snowmobiles that were already neatly parked – next to the other weirdo “snow car” that were in town. We started driving up the small hill that would take us to the planned parking spot.

Two examples of “snow cars” – the orange one was ol’ hubby’s toy.
And that is when the “snow car” decided to have the personality of a spoiled, hormonal teenager. The ol’ hubby tried to reason with it – but as everyone who has ever met a teenager knows – his attempts did not bear fruit. Old Mamasan found this whole situation to be unbearably embarrassing.

The Kid retrieving his skis.
Old Mamasan – being of somewhat sound mind – quickly grabbed the Kid and jumped out of the “snow car”. I spent the next hour pretending not to know the ol’ hubby, and to have absolutely nothing to do with the “snow car”. Yup- I imposed an embargo on him, of sorts.

Not the best weather this day – so lots of clothes was necessary.
With the help of a friend, the ol’ hubby got the snow car running again, and as it was a really long walk home, and both the Kid and I were starting to get a bit cold – I decided it was time to lift the embargo and get into the “snow car” for the return to town.
Besides – Longyearbyen is a town where everybody know everybody, so the whole pretending not to know ol’ hubby was useless.
Would you like to see more of this breathtaking scenery and know more about life in the Northernmost town in the world? Click on the links below:
Reblogged this on folie à plusieurs and commented:
Thank you . Fascinating!
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Very informative post for us living close to the equator. Enjoyed reading.
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Thank you very much!
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😄😄😄
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This was so interesting, I had to use the google maps to see where this place really was. thank you for sharing such an amazing place
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Thank you for your kind comment! It’s a fab place fer sure 🙂 I miss it greatly, I lived there for 8 years.
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Were you born there or just went for purposes?
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I just went there for the adventure – and stayed 😜
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wow, what a way to take on life
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Interesting read, thanks a lot for sharing.
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Thank you for your kind comment!
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You’re welcome.
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i never knew the sunlight returned with a blue hue, that was amazing to read, your boy is really adorable in all the photos, he has a very merry smile.
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Awe thank you! Yes the blue light is amazing! As is my son’s smile theehee
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Wow, the farthest north I’ve been was visiting Oslo! These stories about living on Svalbard are great! And I want one of those snow-cars pretty badly. 🙂
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Hehe unless you actually LIKE standing with your head under the hood trying to get that darn maschine to run – I’d recommend a snowmobile instead. Faster, more manuverable and way way way more fun!
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Pretending not to know the mister sounds like something I would do too! haha!
Thanks for sharing about a place that is so different than anywhere I’ve ever lived. I would love to see pictures of the town too!
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Hehe here in Copenhagen I can get away with pretending not to know my family 🙂
There will be pics from town, but it has changed quite a bit in the 10 years that have passed since I lived there 🙂
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Great stuff
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Thank you 🙂
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Olive, these are amazing things that you speak about to me, down here in Australia. My experience is that last year we had frequent snowfalls – 3 occasions and on one such we had perhaps 30 cm on the roof of our house and a few patches lingering on the ground ofr a coupel of weeks.
Let alone your descriptions of the experience of light where you are.
It is quite amazing and wonderful that you can share it. Thanks You. Frank
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Thank you so much!
Yes the blogosphere is amazing in the way it allows us to share experiences from very diffrent conditions throughout the world!
Wonder if I could cope in Australia with all the nasty creepy crawlies trying to kill ya…
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