With the realization of how close we were to the end of our voyage we started to think about our expectations of Svalbard.

I speak often with Sylvia who is actually sailing back home.

She is an Arctic guide and has been living in Longyearbyen, the largest settlement of Svalbard, for some time now.

I asked her about the town, the people and the food. We chatted about the way of life. What is the preferred mode of transportation on the island? Are polar bears really dangerous? All of this was new to me and the other 99 per cent of us onboard. As you can imagine our minds were filled with curiosity and wonder, we felt like we are in a whole new world.

I asked Sylvia why she fell in love with the Svalbard region. but as we approached the mouth of the fjord my question was quickly answered.

It was absolutely breathtaking. The mountain tops were dusted with snow. The sky a peach colored orange with soft glows of pink. The ocean was crystal clear, flat and pristine. It was absolutely picturesque.

When we anchored in the fjord, I was speechless.

I had Googled pictures before I came, but the reality was so much more outstanding than I had expected. It was a small village, perfectly nestled between the peaks of the mountains above.

With the drop of the anchor I was finally able to jump in our dinghy and touch land again.

I walked 15 minutes from the ship into town to meet the locals and had the first real cup of joe in what felt like a decade.

I started to understand the profound respect that the locals have for the land and the elements. I began to realize why someone would choose this quaint yet stunning life. Although it may be challenging at times, I could understand the rewards of living here.

As I look back on this adventure, can I say my expectations were met? Absolutely, but they were also blown so far out of the water that I will remember this trip for the rest of my life.

Many travelers will fly to Svalbard to experience the beauty of the region, but not many can say they traveled there by tall ship.

If someone asked me to do this trip again, I would without a doubt respond with, ‘Where, when and how soon can we go?’ This trip reassured me as to why I chose to live the life of a seafarer. It gave me the confidence and self-reassurance to pursue anything. At moments, sure I was scared and exhausted, but I lived through it and I learned from it.

The sea is what has connected the world. The daring are the ones who choose to face it head on.

Olivia Ferguson is a seafarer based on Canada's West Coast. You can contact her by email at [email protected].