The midnight sun appeared from behind a cloud and lit up the tundra in a golden hue, with the snowcapped mountains of East Fjord providing a dramatic backdrop. At the shore edge the mother bear emerged from the water, closely followed by her pair of two-year-old cubs. We had just witnessed an in-water hunt for a resting harbour seal. We had watched communication between the mother and cubs, the latter falling back a distance behind their mum while she attempted to catch the seal.
The bears had been swimming for over two hours. The seal lived to see another day. Our group on the Zodiac was ecstatic! I checked my watch; it was 3am. This was our first night on board.
The polar regions have held the same mystic allure as the oceans and rainforest do for me.
The wilderness and nature were always appealing to me when I was growing up in the countryside in the west of Scotland. Gifting myself the trip of a lifetime to experience the High Arctic was just the tonic for reaching my 45th year. Because of the pandemic, my 2020 plans were moved to 2021 and then to 2022.
Thankfully this year, in July, the 12-day expedition booked through Natural World Safaris (naturalworldsafaris.com) took place.
Svalbard was the destination. It is an archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole that has been governed by Norway since the Svalbard treaty in 1920.
It was initiated due to disputes in the mining industry and the need for a legal framework to manage t them. Situated at a latitude of 74 to 80 degrees north, this land is approximately 60 per cent covered by glaciers and home to majestic arctic wildlife, scenery and, to my surprise, some very interesting human history.
My primary objective was to see the bears.
The polar bear has become a symbol for global warming - an emotive topic that I'll come back to later. Little did I know how much I would really appreciate what else this rugged land would offer.
This story is from the November 2022 edition of Prestige Malaysia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2022 edition of Prestige Malaysia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE ART OF THE GRAIN
Awarded the title of Master Blender for the fifth year in a row, Stephanie McLeod's meteoric success in the whisky industry has opened doors for women keen to study the art of the grain.
VIEW BEYOND THE RACES
For Richard Mille, life in the fast lane is more than just performance-driven machines, it's a profound appreciation for excellence in various forms.
THE HEART OF THE MATTER
Discover the driving forces behind Bulgari's success with Regional Managing Director Jeffrey Hang, as he shares his perspectives on the brand's philosophy and direction.
CHRONO CHRONICLES
In this month's watch world round-up, we take a closer look at some slender watchmaking, pop culture phenomena, and a new dial on an old favourite.
HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO
With Master Perfumer Aurelien Guichard in the driver's seat for the Burberry Hero Parfum and Adam Driver as the face, how can the scent be anything but memorable?
DANCING TO HER OWN TUNE
Ballerina Marion Barbeau perfectly distills the elegance of Roger Vivier's latest collection.
A MIGHTY ROAR
PRESTIGE gets up close and person with artist Jacky Tsai on his recent collaboration with Shanghai Tang, Auspicious Dragon, merging modern style with Chinese heritage, celebrating art and fashion.
SUMMER CODED
Get inspired by these diverse array of trends, with these latest fashion picks for April and rejuvenate your wardrobe.
THE BEAT GOES ON
Face of the Malaysian music scene in the '90s, Dato' Sheila Majid, shares her memories as Queen of Jazz-as her daughter, Kayda Aziz, steps out of the shadow into her own limelight.
BLOOMING BEAUTIFUL
An extremely rare flower lies at the heart of Clarins' most luxurious and restorative face cream to date, promising a complexion that's softer, firmer, and more luminous.