The Greatest High Arctic Town in the World! Longyearbyen (Svalbard) - A Cultural Travel Guide
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- Опубликовано: 17 июл 2023
- At over 78 degrees north, Longyearbyen is the last substantial settlement before the North Pole and the main administrative centre of the Svalbard archipelago. Once a tough mining town, it is now a centre for scientific research as well as a prime tourism destination. It provides a home to over 50 nationalities, taking advantage of the visa free rules enshrined in the Svalbard Treaty. Most of the conveniences of a modern Norwegian town are present, but with the significant added pressure of a location in a polar bear environment and the hardship of 84 days of darkness in winter.
In this film I am indebted to the contribution of Katie Herlingshaw and also the kindness of Stuart Thomson in providing added photography.
What is Longyearbyen like?
Who can live in Longyearbyen?
Where is Longyearbyen?
What to see in Longyearbyen?
What is the best cafe in Longyearbyen?
Answers to all these questions and more!
Filmed July 2023
Jonathan Wheeler
www.travelobscurer.com
@TravelObscurer
Music licensed through Artist --
Experience Sonder by Flint
Big Black Bull by Sam Lux
Another great documentary. I don't know why I am attracted to remote places. Ended up living in New Zealand...but often still feel the pull of the likes of Iceland, Greenland and Scandinavia..
You should check cecilia blomdahls channel! She lives in longyearbyen and uploads regular video's about her life there!
I totally agree. I think I can live here, although I miss trees and grass. Crowded hot southern cities have no appeal for me. I left my heart in Alaska. If only I can turn the clock back!
Me too 😊
It may be because some of us wish to escape the present world
Same. I want a sail boat so i can visit all the islands of the pacific. I wish i could have been born in the age of exploration and mapped out the most remote and desolate areas of the world
These hidden gems are not meant for everyone ❤
I went to Longyearbyen in the summer of 2018. I totally agree with what you said; the town really grows on you, and you feel as though you live through a totally unique and unadulterated experience that'll stay with you forever. Also surprisingly easy to get there, with flights from Oslo departing regularly. Went to see Pyramiden too. Hope to go back some day.
Well ..... If somebody goes there to live for always....what about the home then ?
great video.i lived upp ther for 16 years. miss the place every day.
Even in latitudes like Ireland you can experience longer day during summer, 10 pm its still like afternoon, the early sunrises, omg I really dont like short nights, winter on the other hand, i always liked the night coziness and stillness, I think id like that up there more than constant daylight
Loving the Middlesborough/Svalbard hybrid accent.
Thanks for the background on Longyearbyen. I will be visiting (on a cruise) in summer 2025. I am really excited to go. I feel like I would handle the total darkness much better than the total daylight that happens there too.
I visited in 2014, to train on snowmobiles and sleds. What an absolutely fantastic trip, totally awesome place to be. I even put a plan in place to move my manufacturing operation from Scotland to Svalbard for perhaps a year. The plan was solid..! But I decided to Retire the next year. By then my Grandson had arrived in the world so it kinda sowed the the seed. Instead..? I returned to Quasi Military Parachuting (Round Canopy) and that kinda kept me busy culminating in an awesome year in 2019. But I've always regretted not Living, albeit temporarily in Svalbard 😊
Here in Tromsø we only have 74 days of total darkness. But the worst bit is actually the 74 days of non-stop sun at the other side of the year.. It like never leaves, it just bobs around up there, screaming at you.
I admit that I'd find that really difficult too (especially as an insomniac) but I wouldn't cope with the endless darkness.
There is always those artificial suns some people install in their office to get a bit of the correct wavelenght of light, they did some research on it. Certain lights like fluorecent and flickering ones cause maybe more disturbance to the cicadian rythm and the mental fitness of people than the absence of the sun itself. But everyone is different. I've worked nights for 20 years now and love it during night. I also got thick blitz-curtains to block out the sun when I sleep :)
In 92 I waited 1 week in Tromso before taking the MS Norsel to Svalbad, i camped rough left of the church near a football ground. Spent 18 days in Svalbad before getting the ship back. Great to keep a diary. Greeting from Austrslia😅
LOL, great description, I think I would find both extremes uncomfortable.
I was in tromso and up in last 7 days.. you dont see the sun all the time because of the weather condition but you experience the endless day.. its impressive.. i lived without night in last 7 days of my life..
Excellent info. touring clip. 👍🕊️
I'm still reading a small book about the place and it's a plus to watch this visual addition.
Thank you :)
I've watched a lot, really a lot of videos about Svalbard, but I found yours to be kind of special, even if I can't point exactly what it is. I liked it very much.
Thank you. Hope you like my other films too.
This is the most detailed look at a fascinating place I have seen. I shall never visit, but you have given a real insight into what it is like to visit and live so far north. I'm glad you touched on the politics as well as that tells us something is going on beyond the 'postcard' views and personal stories.
Thank you. It means a lot to receive such positive feedback. Yes, local politics are rarely touched on in travelogues but even in developed countries such as Norway there are issues in play that I feel are worth mentioning.
Well, there is much better youtube videos than this about living at svalbard. But i guess it was okey…
A lousy 10 1/2-minute video. If you feel like you can do better, why don’t you take a shot at it?
Hello There - I just caught this video, because I'm a BIG fan of Cecelia Blomdahl . . . and while I've SO enjoyed her personal stories, I don't recall the historical details which you presented in this video!?! THANKS for the additional info. {Have you met Cecilia, Christopher & Grimm???} Amazing place. . . but WAY TOO cold for me!! I've lived (mostly) in California since 1951~~ 🥶😺🤩😎
Glad you enjoyed the film - I think Cecilia and I have very different styles. I did reach out but she was unable to meet up. Way too cold for me too!
Another fan of Cecelia here. I do recall videos where she discussed the history of Svalbard. I would love to visit, and I researched cruises this year, but they were too expensive. I went to Iceland instead, and enjoyed the midnight sun!
same here, nice to get a different perspective.
Traveling to evaluate in a few hours from now. I will only be in Longyearbyen for a short time but this provides great insiggt. Thanks for posting
Beautiful. Also keep in mind they have just as many(if not more) days of constant daylight in the summer, which would be much harder for me.
Thank you. I would struggle with the constant daylight too - but nowhere near as much as the darkness!
Longyearbyen is at the top of my travel bucket list. I could see myself living there. The midnight sun would get old, but I think Polar night and bitterly cold temps would suit me well. Great video.
What an interesting vid you made here! Thank you very much, and greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱, TW.
Thanks. Greetings from Scotland.
Thanks. Greetings from Scotland.
I just ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ great documentary
Thank you!!
Not only does Svalbard experience 80 plus days of darkness, they also experience a time of year of continuous daylight 24 hours a day. It would be interesting to experience both extremes to determine which one is more tolerable. It would depend on the person I would think. Since I am a night person, I would probably like 24 hours of darkness over daylight!
This. I’m a night owl. I feel like I would handle 24 hours of darkness much better than 24 hours of daylight.
I was in a place with 24/7 light for a month. It wasn't bad. I just lost awareness on the time of day. But once I understood I needed to sleep I slept.
I live in Iceland, and have lived for 30 years (all my life). We have the same thing here. For me it's not a big deal I'm very used to it, so I'm pretty confident that I could handle it if I would ever go there 😊
@@katalinbalazs8671Iceland sounds so awesome, I dream of these places but I’m stuck in Michigan. You should feel unique getting to live in Iceland.
Michigan looks fantastic though@@shawnrichardson5527
I am planning to visit Longyearbyen next January. Been planning since 2 years lol but this time I'm gonna make it.
It's going to be cold and dark in January!!
@@TravelObscurer exactly! That's why I'm going!! To experience the absolute brilliant Polar Night and if lucky, the blue arctic light
Very good place ❤❤
Actually this place feels very desirable to me in this restless world. Enjoyed very much this documentary.
Thank you. Yes, I understand what you mean. It is a haven.
Really intrigued by the woman he interviewed. When she first spoke she had a distinct Norwegian accent but after she had listened to the interviewer speak some more (with flat English accent) her responses started to take on her natural North East (Geordie) accent once more. Amazing how people go "native" and return again quickly in their speech.
Yes, I noticed that when we were speaking. It's curious how it's natural to adopt the accent of those around you over time. I find it most noticeable when Brits live in the US for a few years.
The dog parking sign! 🤣
I was pleasantly surprised to see the huge supermarket, that must make life so much more comfortable as long as you can afford the things you need of course ! But I guess the foreigners are mostly scientists & researchers on decent salaries so not an issue for them. There must be a constant shipping of goods to this place too. However I think keeping the inside temps to a healthy level & comfort level must be a priority. Hopefully they can all get heating supplies easily - I can't imagine how ghastly it would be to lose the electricity supply there in winter ! Not somewhere I will be visiting, but good luck to all who do !
Its amazing that the English girl has acquired a Norwegian accent when speaking English.
Yeah, at first thought she was from Germany
And then it seemed like she fluctuate between a somewhat German accent, and an English accent
If you really want to know what life on Svalbard means, follow the vlog of Cecilia Blomdal. She lives on Svalbard for more than 8 years and she let you see what it means to live there. www.youtube.com/@CeciliaBlomdahl
I think Svalbard should have at least one forest or trees spread out, nearby Longyearbyen or the warmer southern coast. The trees that have proven to be resistant to Svalbard's cold weather are in the Arboretum Groenlandicum (forest park on Greenland), certain Larches, Spruces and in particular Siberian Pine (and also Siberian Fir?). If the Svalbard soil is not enough then soil can be imported from elsewhere with well growing grasses (Kentucky Bluegrass?). Also herbivores of the tundra can be imported like arctic hare, lemming, squirrels, icelandic horses etc, they help the vegetation and are fun to have. Keep predators at a minimum and avoid hunting in this area.
A fascinating idea.
The growing of trees has less to do with how cold it gets at its coldest, and more to do with how cold it is at its warmest. Svalbard, like a lot of the arctic, simply doesn't have a growing season that is warm enough for trees to grow.
Can't they use huge surrounding reflective mirrors around the area where they want more sun rays to fall on forest? And use geiser or underground heat pump to warm up the forest to make it more habitable?@Truse
Beautiful the Greatest high artic town amazing mountains research raders flights runways homes shopping complex
I become tired of the heat in Florida in the summer, so if I travel there as a tourist from Norway, well being in longyearbyen. Count against the 90 days I’m allowed in Europe Sch. zone. ?
I know they count Norway when you fly from Oslo for example.
I enjoyed your video how it showed a variety of different topics not only a short synopsis of the history, but also the inside of the museum, the dogs, etc.
I wish it had Hot Springs like Iceland but maybe saunas
As your passport gets stamped out and back into Norway's Schengen zone I'm guessing that time spent in Svalbard wouldn't count.
@@TravelObscurer Thanks for your quick informative answer
So this is what HEAVEN Looks like ❤
Who is the aurora researcher, and where is she from?
I love to live the
I need to move there. I love darkness. Tired of the Maui year round sunshine, drought, no rain, and fires.
9 months of the year a hard winter and the remainder a very bad summer.
When you put it like that... it does sound really unappealing.
Thanks for very nice and informative video,when it was recorded?pls make a video which shows how to get there n where to stay and what is the cost of visiting there.
It was filmed this month. Flights to Longyearbyen go from Oslo and Tromsø (SAS and Norwegian). I suggest researching Tripadvisor for the various accommodation options. Costs will vary depending on the season.
Great video, im doing an environmental science degree, do you think i could gain employment in svalbard with it?
Thanks. Yes, definitely a possibility I would think. Make enquiries at the university Good luck.
These scenes making me thinking about life purpose of life what we want of this life and the end of my life😓😓😓😓😓
Absolutely could, hate summers and sunny days
I want to live there and my family but we dont have enough money. I live in a tropical country very humid that's why i love snow
WARNING
Due to the frequency of human-bear encounters,
the B.C. Fish and Wildlife Branch is advising hikers
hunters, fishermen and any persons that use the
out of doors in a recreational or work related
function to take exira precautions while in the field.
We advise the outdoorsman to wear littie nolsy bells
on clothing so as to give advance warning to any
bears that might be close by so you don't take them
by surprise.
We also advise anyone using the out-ol-doors to
carry "Pepper Spray" with him in case of an
encounter with a bear.
Outdoorsmen should also be on the watch for fresh
bear activity, and be able to tell the difference
between black bear feces and grizzly bear feces.
Black bear feces is smaller and contains lots of berries
and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear shit has bells in il and
smalls like pepper.
Nice one!
Founded by Boston Banker John Longyear who set up the Artic Coal Company in 1899
Where do i sign up?
It is tempting isn't it? In a weird way.
Jonathan wheeler sounds like micheal Rosen
I'll take that as a compliment.
American management and foreign laborers. Sounds familiar lol
Probably the most whacky place I've ever visited..... its awesome.
I want to one job , love from india 😍 my dream place
Great video. Just lose the background music, it can be really distracting. What a cool place. I've been following Cecilia Blomdahl for a while now, she does amazing videos on living in Svalbard. This was a great insight and another's perspective on it. Bravo.
I am from Thailand , Do you like Thailand ? Welcome to Bangkok Thailand
Yes, been to Bangkok twice and loved it. look forward to returning one day!
Thank you very much sir, I wish you best of luck with more beautiful video content educating more public abt travel history . I’m new n striving hard to maintain inviting for more subscribers to my YT channel . Good luck anyway !
so you start the vid by making us aware that ThE iSlAnD is WaRmInG up and then showcase the occupation flags at 3:51, heck. to think i wanted to visit this island one day. think my money is better spent elsewhere. thanks for the revelation!
Th important question is are there single women there?
That’s the weirdest Middlesbrough accent I’ve ever heard
You've never heard Middlesbrough with a Norwegian twang before?🙂
@@TravelObscurer nope 😂
Wonderful program but I'm getting increasingly sick of hearing climate change in so many programs. If it weren't for climate change, north America would be under a mile of ice. So it's been going on for far longer then humans have been involved.
Rapid man made climate change (where mankind can effect the outcome) is an entirely different thing.
@@TravelObscurer alrighty then,,,,,,,,, I find it extremely hard to believe in something when the goalposts keep being changed. You just go ahead and follow that Pied Piper, but I have my own brain.
Horrible weather to live
Brother jonathon
you have given us a complete and nice and value able information
Keep it up May God succed you love from pakistan
Thank you! I will be filming in Pakistan in October. My first visit to your wonderful country. I can't wait!