Longyearbyen and Its Outskirts, Longyearbyen, Norway

We enjoyed a buffet breakfast at the hotel…mostly European style. We had to check out by 11, so we packed our bags and left them in the common area for Quark Expeditions to pick up while we took a “taxi” tour with 13 others. It was more like a shuttle bus tour. I’m thankful we were able to find a short and relaxing activity before boarding the ship for our circumnavigation around the island!

Our tour of Spitsbergen began with a drive through its main town, Longyearbyen. Our driver pointed out the the old mining barracks, the elementary school, the theater center, the university, an indoor pool, and the old and new hospitals. Who knew there were so many other things to see on one main road!

The old hospital is the only building in Longyearbyen with a basement and cooling system. All other buildings are lifted off the ground to keep from melting the permafrost (soil frozen for more than two years). The cooling system in the old hospital (now apartments) kept the permafrost from melting until it was turned off two years ago. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).