Burgerbukta west

Burgerbukta is a textbook example of a glacially carved U-shaped valley. To the north, the Pajerlbreen glacier descends from the steep mountains and feeds directly into the murky ocean. Pajerlbreen has been monitored closely, and in the last 24 years, it has retreated around three kilometres. This was roughly the same distance as Seabourn Venture was to the glacier face-an unfathomable thought!

The Expedition Team took guests out in the Zodiacs, cruising from the east side of the fjord towards the glacier and witnessing some fantastic geological formations. The rocks date from the Devonian to the early Triassic period, meaning they have seen the evolution of fish, trees, reptiles and early mammals.

As well as rocks and ice, there was also wildlife. Common Guillemots, or as the Americans refer to them, Common Murres, dotted the waters. This species can dive to extraordinary depths to hunt for food, sometimes as deep as 180 metres. A flock of opportunistic Black-legged Kittiwakes crowded around the wash of the ship's thrusters, taking their daily pickings from the upwelling waters. Among them was a Glaucous Gull and some Northern Fulmars.

The final surprise came at the end of the Zodiac cruise when a pod of beluga whales stealthily made their way across the western edge of the fjord. A few lucky guests could see them from the decks and balconies

Text by Sabine Henry, photos by Sabine Henry and Alexander Nemeth.Read more