Follow travel- and nature photographer Michel Hammann on his trails around the globe
Svalbard / Spitsbergen (Norway)
The lonely archipelago Spitsbergen ("Svalbard" in Norwegian) is located halfway between the North Cape and the North Pole.
Cold, remote and most of the year covered with ice and snow. This is how this vast region is best described.
Follow us on our journey* from the North Cape to the area where deep fjords and majestic glaciers dominate the landscape.
During the polar summer, the 24 hours of daylight offers us great photo- and film opportunities!
Daybreak in Spitsbergen
The Costa Neo Romantica anchored in Magdalena Fjord, Spitsbergen.
When the morning fog parts to reveal the beauty that is Magdalenafjord, it is truly an eye-opening experience. Located on the northwest coast of the island Spitsbergen (Norway), Magdalena Fjord sits about 600 nautical miles from the frosty North Pole. Its crystal clear waters reflect the ebony shades of the rugged snow-peaked mountains nearby, which stand in stark contrast to the blue-tinged glaciers skimming off into the sea. From far away the glacier may appear smooth, but as our ship comes closer, we notice jagged and cavernous surfaces at the water’s edge, formed from years of flowing through the mountanins.
Stepping out of the tenderboat onto a small beach in the middle of miles and miles of Svalbard’s wilderness is a very special feelling. You walk around, take many shots and try to slow time. You want the experience to last as long as possible. But then, all too soon, it’s over.
Our ranger annouces, “OK, everybody back in the boat, please!"
Within 15 minutes we are back on our ship, but no truly the same. You know you have seen something, experienced something, something relatively few people will ever have the privilige of enjoying.
Prepared for an Arctic photoshoot in Spitsbergen
Officers of the Costa Neo Romantica face to face with the huge glaciers.
This 180° panorama picture of Magdalena Fjord was generated in Photoshop Elements from 5 single shots, photographed with Nikon D5000.
Spitsbergen is still in the ice age. Glaciers cover 60% of the land and the ice can be up to 600 metres thick. There are more than 2,100 glaciers in Svalbard.