Hi Frothers!

I hope you had a great Easter weekend!

Here in the Arctic, we keep working away with the exploration diving and scientific program. We are making the most of the amazing water clarity as it will not last: the absence of snow on the sea ice is an issue for what we do here. Snow is the sunglasses of the seaice. Without snow, a massive amount of the sunlight goes through the thick ice, and planktonic & algae growth happens a lot faster and easier that usual, deteriorating the water clarity. Instead of pure crystal clear water, with a white/blue overhead of ice, you can see now a lot particles in suspension in the water, and the ceiling become green(ish), as if grass was growing upside down on the ice. We need snow to slow this growth process down, but in the meantime, we need to explore as much as we can. Long days, and busy ones too.

BUT, we get eye candy at night: some pole dancers, better known as the Northern Lights. They move around, they dance fast, and then slow…They light up the sky in all colours and shapes. A natural wonder that leaves you speechless when you experience it for the first time.

Throw in a frozen sea, some rocky mountains, and the absence of light pollution: you get the most amazing show that your eyes can see.

And the best part: it’s free and totally organic (I know we like ‘’organic’’ in the Eastern Suburbs:)).

The nights are getting shorter, so our chances to see our pole dancers are getting slimmer. Off to a scout outside to check it out before going to bed.

I know 1 thing though: I will never complain again that it is ‘’cold’’ in Sydney. Never ever.

Cheers,
Franck

For more of my polar adventures on instagram: @franckgazzola