Dark Season Blues Festival

The World's Northern Most Blues Festival was once again hosted here in Longyearbyen earlier in October (http://www.svalbardblues.com/en/).  The event ran over four days with concerts taking place at UNIS, Kroa, Barents pub, Svalbar, Karlsberger pub amongst others and Huset (the old culture house).  I only went on the Friday evening to Kroa as it was quite expensive (well for a typical student budget anyway) to attend.  The music was really good and there was a very nice chilled atmosphere.

If there are any students reading this whom are considering attending UNIS in the coming years I would fully recommend volunteering at the festival, perks include free entry to all concerts and a free t-shirt (I know that this is enough of an incentive for most)!  Information will become available at UNIS giving you plenty of chance to sign up!  I certainly regretted not volunteering :(

ICEBREAKER Party 2011

Last weekend UNIS played host to what was claimed to be the "Greatest Party" ever to reach Svalbard (reliable source, 2011).  The 2011 Icebreaker is designed to get everybody mixing and making new friends whilst of course have a good time with the cheapest beers on Svalbard and a very tasty three course meal.  This years theme was everything marine.  There were some interesting outfits including disposed rubbish, algae sp. and surprise surprise there were a few pirates in attendance too!

First snow 27-09-11

Only a few days before the start of October and already we’ve had our first covering of snow on the ground and surrounding mountains!  Feels very much like it should be Christmas soon.

Field excursions to Barentsburg and Pyramiden

The ‘Pollution in the Arctic’ module that I am taking at UNIS included trips to both Pyramiden (completely deserted Russian settlement) and Barentsburg (very small population of approximately 250 Russians and Ukrainians).  Both places have an interesting history which instead of 'copying' and 'pasting' from Wikipedia I suggest you take a look at these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barentsburg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramiden

Both trips were about two hours away from Longyearbyen by boat, which at times got very interesting when faced with unsettled seas! Barentsburg and Pyramiden were very similar in terms of architecture and the facilities such as theatres and sports centres that they had.  Pyramiden however differed in that the town as a whole was more worn with neglect and also damaged from a severe flood in 2005. 

The first five photos were taken in Barentsburg and the rest are from Pyramiden.  I hope that these images give you an insight into these settlements as they are today and perhaps as they would have been as thriving settlements not too many years ago.

We were accompanied by a film crew who were making a documentary on UNIS students and what it is like to study in the Arctic.

Flood damage from 2005.  The football grounds now form part of the modified river flow running directly through the town.

Remains of demolished industrial buildings in the foreground and the coal mine in the background.  Some may question why Pyramiden was evacuated so abruptly yet there was enough time to destroy evidence of its industrious past.

Hut constructed entirely of beer bottles from the Soviet era.

Ghostly pictures of a building that was possibly associated with the mining activities in Pyramiden.

Filling in the blanks: First impressions

The first few days here I remember were particularly grey and cold, meeting my typical expectations of the Arctic.  The weather however improved, temperatures reading around 12 degrees celsius with bright sunshine and blue skies for a couple of weeks!  

As someone who gets very excited over snow back home in Wales or in Scotland (uni home)  I was very encouraged to see vehicles such as the one below.  Not incuded in these images however are the many many snowmobiles that are scattered all around the town and in Nybyen (location of the student accommodation, old mine workers barracks).  Apparently there are many more snowmobiles here than there are residents!

My time on Svalbard so far...

I arrived on Svalbard on the 11th August and was greeted by the Arctic's midnight sun (24hr daylight), which was a bit peculiar when stepping off the plane at around 23:00!  Since then I have had a great time here that has involved a number of activities and given me many experiences, most of which I'll try and fill you in with given that there has been an absence (explainable) of blog posts over the past month or so!

The image here is of an amazing cake that my sister made for myself and Kirsteen before we left for Svalbard.    It was a shame that we didn't have time to finish it ourselves before we left, although I think that might have been part of the plan!!!

Welcome to my ‘Arctic Blog’!  My name is Paul and at 20 years old I am about to commence the third year of my undergraduate Marine Science BSc (Hons) degree with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), taught by the Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS).  I am however, through an opportunity created by SAMS/UHI about to begin my third year of study 78^o 13’N at the University Centre of Svalbard (UNIS).  Whilst this blog is open for anyone to read it will serve two distinct purposes; offering an insight into my day-to-day life away from home but also just as importantly in performing as a tool for which future students wishing to study at UNIS can use offering where I can information and tips learnt through experience that could be of use.