Latest news with #FridtjofNansen
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Tromsø, Norway: the Capital of the Arctic
Tromsø may be remote, located on a small island 344 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. But during the 19th century, visitors called it the Paris of the North. Finely dressed gentlemen strolled past grand townhouses. They owed their prosperity to the port, where merchant ships were loaded with fish, blubber and other wares. Nowadays you're more likely to see people in Tromsø wearing waterproof outdoor jackets. Hikers and skiers use the city as a base for exploring the region and climbing the mountains on the nearby island of Senja or in the Lyngen Alps, which reach heights of over 1,800 metres. Kayakers come to paddle through the Sommarøy archipelago. And during the peak winter season, tourists from all over the world, in particular East Asia, come to Tromsø to see the Northern Lights and whales, and to glide through the snow on dog sleds. What's Tromsø like outside of the winter season? It's a great destination for a city break - especially around mid-May, when the sun doesn't set and remains visible at night. Here are some recommendations for culture, gastronomy and outdoor activities: Culture: Tromsø's museums showcase the city's Arctic heritage The Polar Museum, located in a historic wooden house by Tromsø's harbour, may be rather stuffy and old-fashioned, but the photos, exhibits and anecdotes from Fridtjof Nansen's and Roald Amundsen's polar expeditions still fascinate to this day. The exhibition on the hunters who spent the winter on Svalbard and killed reindeer, seals, arctic foxes and polar bears spares no gory detail. The Polaria Arctic Experience Centre, located in a building modelled on ice floes, is much more than a museum. At the end of 2023, the exhibition was updated in line with recent findings on climate change. Displays include the teeth of a Greenland shark and a thecosomata or sea butterfly, whose calcified shell dissolves in the increasingly acidic sea. The panoramic cinema with a curved screen shows documentaries about the Northern Lights and the Svalbard archipelago. There is an open tank that's home to Northern species such as the spotted wolffish and halibut, while aquariums house starfish and translucent moon jellyfish. You can watch bearded seals and harbour seals as they hunt and pirouette through the green water. Feeding time is popular with the animals and visitors alike. Gastronomy: Nordic beer and computer games for afters Another landmark is Raketten Bar, the city's oldest kiosk located on Storgata, the main pedestrian street behind the harbour. Opened in 1911 by Margit Løkke, then 18, she sold newspapers, tobacco and fruit from the tiny pavilion for a quarter of a century. The kiosk survived a fire that burned down dozens of surrounding houses, as Siri Therese Lier, 51, a former tour guide and current owner of the Raketten Bar, explains. Lier wants to keep the famous snack stand exactly as it used to look. In the winter she sells 350 hot dogs on some days, with customers waiting in line for up to an hour. It's like the United Nations, Lier says. "People from all over the world come here and chat over food." Her bestseller is a reindeer and pork sausage, and there's also a vegan version. If you're feeling peckish, you can head to the tiny restaurant Burgr for great hamburgers with names like Super Mario and Bowser. One of the walls is covered with Nintendo and Atari video game posters, and on the Commodore 64 computer next to it, you can play an old game with a joystick. It's pure video game nostalgia for generation X and Y (millennials) in the Arctic. Tromsø is also home to some wonderful fish restaurants - you just have to be able to afford them. You can get a fish soup or fish and chips for a reasonable price at Dragøy, a restaurant inside Kystens Mathus, a modern addition to the Tromsø cityscape with a black facade. You can sit outside, directly at the water's edge. And if you're looking for a caffeine fix after your meal, stroll over to Kaffebønna, the city's oldest espresso café on the main square, Stortorget. If you fancy it, you can order a cinnamon bun from the adjoining bakery. From the outdoor tables you have a view of the harbour, the curved Tromsø Bridge and the Arctic Cathedral on the other side of the water. With its glass facade and white tiered roof, it's one of the city's most recognisable landmarks. You can also quench your thirst for beer. The Mack brewery, one of the northernmost in the world, was founded in 1877 by the German Ludwig Mack. At the Ølhallen pub next door, which features exposed brick walls and a vaulted wooden ceiling, historical photos on the walls and a stuffed polar bear, you can choose from 72 different beers. There are guided tours and brewing seminars which promise: "At the end of the course you'll know enough to be able to brew your own beer!" Outdoors: Hiking, paddling and a floating spa The best way to digest your meal and get a view of the city is to climb Tromsø's local mountain, Storsteinen. The 1,300 stone steps of the Sherpa trail take you to the mountain ledge, 421 metres above sea level. Alternatively, you can take the Fjellheisen cable car. Tromsø, the fjords and the mountain ranges on the horizon - you can see it all from the terrace of the mountain station. Follow the winding hills up the meadow slope and it's a half-hour walk to the next summit. Fløya mountain offers even more stunning views. At the top you're likely to meet mountain bikers who come up here to wind down after work. If you've worked up a sweat after your bike ride or hike, you might want to think twice about cooling off in Telegrafbukta (Telegraph Bay). Even in August, the warmest month of the year in Tromsø, the water in the popular bay in the southwest of the city never gets warmer than 10 degrees Celsius, and in May temperatures remain in the single digits. But the view of the bay, which you can reach by taking bus 33 or walking three kilometres from the city centre, is always beautiful. The water is clear, shimmering in turquoise. Beyond the fjord are the mountains, which are covered in snow all year round. You see students playing beach volleyball; Tromsø is the northernmost university town in the world. Families barbecue in the wooded area next to it. A visit during the period of the midnight sun, when the sun doesn't set between the May 20 and July 22, is an extra special experience. Everyone is full of energy and in party mode, cycling, hiking and going on picnics until late into the night. Or head out onto the fjord on the floating spa: On the former fishing boat "Vulkana" there is a sauna with a panorama window, a Turkish hammam with a cold pool and a wood-fired whirlpool on the deck. You can also book a midnight cruise that takes you through Tromsø's stunning fjords.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
X-rays, mushrooms and more: The science riding on SpaceX's Fram2 astronaut mission around Earth's poles
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A new mission from SpaceX will soon send humans over Earth's poles for the first time ever. Launching no earlier than Monday (March 31), the privately funded, four-day Fram2 mission has quite a few tasks to accomplish in a short timespan. The Fram2 crew will be the first people to observe the polar regions from low Earth orbit, and they'll work on experiments and projects designed to forward our understanding of long-duration spaceflight. The mission will also mark the first time that crews have used an X-ray machine on humans in orbit. The mission is named after the ocean-going vessel "Fram," which Norwegian explorers used to explore both the Arctic and Antarctic regions in the late 1800s and early 1900s. (In Norwegian, "fram" means forward or onward.) "With the same pioneering spirit as early polar explorers, we aim to bring back new data and knowledge to advance the long-term goals of space exploration," Fram2 commander Chun Wang said in a statement. Fram2 will conduct 22 different research experiments during its time in orbit. Here's a rundown of some of the most interesting ones. Related: Meet the astronauts of SpaceX's Fram2 mission, the 1st to fly over Earth's poles "SpaceXray" will capture the first X-ray images of humans in space. "Egress" will look into astronauts' ability to carry out tasks like getting a landing vehicle in a safe configuration, as well as exiting the lander. "Blood Flow Restriction" will examine how astronauts can maintain muscle and bone health on long space missions . "Mission MushVroom" will be the first study centered around growing mushrooms in space, investigating a potential food source for astronauts traveling to Mars. A study that collaborates with Oura Health will examine astronauts' sleep patterns before, during and after spaceflight. A study using a mobile MRI device will look into how spaceflight alters brain anatomy. An experiment that could laid diabetic astronauts by studying glucose regulation in space and changes that occur due to microgravity. A health study will analyze how microgravity and space radiation impact female reproductive hormones. Additional activities include studies on blood and bone health, as well as motion sickness. RELATED STORIES: — SpaceX to launch 4 people on historic Fram2 mission over Earth's poles in late 2024 — SpaceX Polaris Dawn astronauts perform historic 1st private spacewalk in orbit (video) — Inspiration4: The first all-civilian spaceflight on SpaceX Dragon The four-person Fram2 mission will launch on the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Resilience. It will be the fourth liftoff for Resilience. "Much like Fridtjof Nansen, who led a groundbreaking logistical operation during his historic Fram expedition in the 1800s, the science and research projects onboard will inform how we prepare for future missions, ultimately helping make space more accessible to us all," Wang said in the statement, which provides more details about the 22 Fram2 experiments.
Forbes
27-03-2025
- Forbes
Arksen 85 Is Built For The Ultimate Adventure
Arksen 85 is built to go anywhere Arksen When I was a little boy, one of my parents' friends asked me: 'What do you want to do when you grow up?' My answer? 'Go on adventures.' So simple. So pure. So honest. Luckily for me, that's exactly what happened. And the adventures continue in spite of the fact that the trips I take these days are lot more luxurious than the ones that informed and inspired my youth. As a result, I've been on every type of yacht ranging from the 40-footer we sailed from Newport, Rhode Island to Antigua, to exploring both the Arctic and the Antarctic onboard much bigger and more comfortable yachts. The Arisen 85 is custom built for adventure Arksen 85 In fact, I've been on pretty much ALL of the large 'adventure yachts' that have been built recently. But, I'm embarrassed to say, I've not covered the Arksen 85 (or any of the other products this innovative company builds), until now. So let's jump right in. First off, Arksen builds more than boats. In fact, the company's published mission statement explains it better than I could. 'Arksen was created to push the boundaries of adventure, delivering new opportunities for the next generation of explorers while simultaneously supporting ocean conservation. Our class-leading product range includes performance apparel, vessels and vehicles while our carefully curated experiences are designed for life's greatest journeys, from climbing Mount Everest to taking on the legendary Transat Ocean Race. The main deck of the Arisen 85 Arksen 'Inspired by the stories of great explorers from the past – Jacques Cousteau, Fridtjof Nansen, Thor Heyerdahl and Bill Tillman – we design for the curious, engineer for the extremes and build with a complete lack of compromise. Because it is in our most freewheeling, untethered and challenging moments that we feel most alive.' How's that for a mission statement? Sign me up! At first glance, all the products Arksen produce—full lines of fashionably rugged outwear, off-road-capable vehicles, and explorer yachts—may seem dissimilar. But, the opposite is actually the case. Each are designed and engineered to be the ultimate adventure tool. And that's certainly is the case with their Arksen 85 long-range explorer yacht. Arksen 85 underway Arksen Founder Jasper Smith developed Arksen's new breed of efficient, sustainable explorer yachts to be capable as well as comfortable. And since the company puts sustainability at the forefront of everything they stand for, the 85 is built with recycled material wherever possible and designed to operate with minimal environmental impact and maximum energy. As a result, the Arksen 85 is built of robust aluminum that will last for years. It will also be easy to maintain and repair. And it will be easy to recycle at the end of the vessel's long life too. The hull is also strong enough to operate safely in the ice-strewn waters of Greenland, or be able to dry out on a remote beach to do mid-voyage maintenance far from the nearest shipyard. Th Easter cabin on the Arksen 85 Arksen 85 Over three decks, the Arksen 85 offers a range of layouts. Each interior is designed to have uninterrupted sightlines that insure an intimate connection with the outdoors. The full-beam master suite can lie forward on the main deck, or aft on the lower deck with another three twin guest cabins plus optional crew cabins. According to the Arksen design team, 'Being able to escape the elements but still feel completely connected to the environment was a main consideration in the interior design and layout of the vessel.' The interior is also designed with the company's core values of functionality, beauty and sustainability to provide a calming, light, and airy ambience while using products that minimize damage to the environment where possible. Arksen also designs and makes adventure outerwear Arksen And since the Arksen 85 needs to provide comfort while having simple control of lighting and HVAC systems, entertainment controls, and safety features through comprehensive monitoring and alarm systems. Audio visual integrator ClearSphere deployed a Crestron control system and combined it with a range of third-party systems to create a complex and comprehensive integration for the luxury explorer yacht. the Arksen 85 is designed to go anywhere Arksen And if all that's not enough to ignite your unquenched thirst for adventure. Arksen also offers an innovative and inspired co-ownership program. It's designed to not only let members share ownership of an Arksen 85—Project Ocean—that's launching this summer. The community-first program also provides explorers with an opportunity to discover new places in new ways with exclusive access to curated, multi-year cruising itineraries around the globe. Simply put. When it comes to adventure, Arksen seems to have it all.
Forbes
21-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
What To Expect On HX Expedition Cruises After Hurtigruten Split
HX expedition ship 'Fram' will enjoy a major refurbishment as well as the new livery. Expedition cruises are trending. More travelers than ever before are swapping traditional ocean cruises for smaller, adventure-focused voyages that bring them face-to-face with some of the planet's most remote regions. One of the biggest names in this space is Hurtigruten, a brand synonymous with Norwegian coastal voyages and polar exploration. But in early 2025, the company's expedition cruise arm, HX, officially completed its split from Hurtigruten Norway, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for the brand, now fully focused on expedition cruises. So, what does this mean for travelers considering an HX voyage? From a fresh new look to major ship upgrades and ambitious growth plans, here's what to expect from HX Expeditions going forward. The decision to spin off HX Expeditions as a standalone brand was not taken lightly. For decades, Hurtigruten has been a leader in Norwegian coastal cruising and, more recently, expedition travel. However, the two arms of the business serve distinct markets—Hurtigruten's traditional operations focus on voyages along Norway's coastline and other Norway-focused products, while HX specializes in adventure-driven expedition cruises to the Arctic, Antarctica, and beyond. The new dark blue and sand livery of HX is a big departure from the previous bright red and black. With demand for expedition cruising growing, HX needed to establish its own identity. The separation allows HX to focus exclusively on expedition travel, ensuring clearer branding, a more distinct market position, and dedicated investments in its fleet and guest experience. HX continues to offer expedition itineraries to Norway, including winter voyages that explore the Lofoten Islands and Lyngen Alps in search of whales, seabirds, and the elusive Northern Lights. Meanwhile, Hurtigruten Norway will continue operating Norwegian coastal voyages with its cruise ferries decked out in the familiar red and black livery. One of the most visible changes is HX's new branding, which replaces the iconic Hurtigruten red and black with a modern color scheme of what HX calls indigo blue and sand. The new livery, said to be inspired by marine wildlife and polar landscapes, ensures HX stands apart from Hurtigruten Norway while still honoring its heritage brand. This rebrand extends beyond the ships themselves. Guests will notice redesigned materials, a refreshed website, and even new expedition jackets in HX's new signature blue rather than the previous bright red. As part of its independent growth strategy, HX Expeditions has announced a significant $7.5 million investment in upgrading two of its expedition vessels: MS Fram and MS Spitsbergen. Named after Fridtjof Nansen's legendary exploration vessel, Fram has long been a favorite among HX guests. The latest refurbishment includes a brand-new Science Center, renovated cabins, upgraded suites, and improvements to the Aune restaurant to elevate the dining experience. Guests on the revamped 'Spitsbergen' will enjoy enhanced comfort on cruises to Svalbard and other destinations in Arctic Europe. A ship that spends much of its time touring the Svalbard archipelago and other Arctic destinations such as Iceland and Greenland, Spitsbergen will also receive extensive upgrades. This includes a new Science Center, refreshed cabins, an updated bar, and the introduction of a bistro for more flexible all-day dining options. Accessibility improvements and enhanced interpreter setups will make onboard lectures and presentations more accessible to an international audience. These refurbishments will be completed shortly, ensuring that guests sailing later in 2025 will experience a more comfortable trip. It also brings two of the line's oldest ships more in line with the premium experience (and pricing) that HX aims to deliver as it moves forward as a standalone brand. By modernizing these two vessels, HX is not only enhancing comfort and functionality but also reinforcing its position in the market of high-end expedition cruises, where passengers expect premium service, expert-led exploration, and cutting-edge amenities. The HX rebrand isn't just cosmetic. With fresh investment backing from a consortium of financial partners, the company has secured approximately $150 million to support its future growth. Bookings for 2026 are already up 25%, according to the company. This capital injection will allow HX to explore new destinations beyond its core polar regions, with upcoming itineraries including South America and the Galápagos.
