Svalbard travel tips from BBC Earth
JOBURG – Are you tough enough to survive in the northernmost habitation in the world, Svalbard?
We find out from BBC Earth if Svalbard islands, the northernmost inhabited area situated between Norway and the North Pole, is the right place for Johannesburg city slickers to visit.
Kirsty Hanson, executive producer and commissioning editor for BBC Worldwide, particularly for BBC Earth, gave City Buzz the lowdown on travelling to Svalbard islands. “I think it’s really amazing and awe-inspiring and like nowhere you’ve ever been before.”
Hanson did, indeed, fall in love with the destination during her short time there while her team filmed for the upcoming BBC series, Ice Town: Life on the Edge, and she detailed some of the experiences you might have there that are unlike any other.
These are just some of the experiences that you could look forward to:
- Human hibernation: “I visited during the ‘polar night’ which is 24 hours of darkness, and I just thought it would be darkish but it was pitch black. The town just kind of hibernates during that time and spends that time seeing friends and being indoors, and then, when it’s light, they’re all very industrious and work like mad.
- Gun usage: “You can’t go out of town without a gun. You can’t just go for a walk because there are polar bears.”
- Polar bear visits: “They [inhabitants of the islands] love being in touch with nature and the planet. A polar bear came to the edge of town and they had to call the emergency services to dart it with a tranquiliser and airlift it out of town.”
- A little less shopping: “Two characters who are followed on the journey of their lives on Svalbard want to live where it’s a little less busy. They think that the town [where they live] with four shops and 20 houses is too busy.”
“It’s something completely different. There are not very many places like this left on the planet and being there is just exhilarating,” Hanson said.
If that sounds like your cup of tea make sure not to miss Ice Town: Life on the Edge on BBC Earth, airing on 28 August, and keep an eye on City Buzz to find out more about the exciting show.
