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West Australian
4 days ago
- West Australian
Bear essentials of exploring the Arctic
12.30am, Monday June 9, 2025: 'Good evening, it's the Captain.' It's the wake-up call I was praying to get, about an hour after our arrival at the edge of the Arctic pack ice north of Svalbard. It follows a pre-midnight visit to the Captain's open bridge where I notice our location co-ordinates on a small screen: 80 degrees 49.71' N / 8 degrees 52.86' E — just 1000km or so from the North Pole. 'We have located a polar bear on the ice, portside of the ship. It's quite beautiful,' Capt. Stanislas Devorsine calls down the PA system. I'm aboard Ponant ship Le Lyrial on a seven-day Arctic expedition voyage threading the western flank of the Norwegian territory of Svalbard. The King of the Arctic has made an appearance, emerging from the polar desert in a scene akin to a rock star entering the stage. It's an ungodly hour, but who's to know under the constant Midnight Sun. The King's (or Queen's) impromptu visit demands all the fuss of a regal celebrity. So out comes the camera and a leap into the cold from my private perch of Suite 608, which is fortuitously portside and offering uninterrupted views of the bear. I estimate we are a few hundred metres away, but the marine mammal's beige fur and robust stature against the pure white drift ice makes it easy to spot. The bear trundles and hops between platforms of pack ice towards the ship, momentarily rolling about on the ice belly-up, waving its giant paws about. It glances our way a few times, and later swims towards us, I'm later told because it's one of the 'curious' types. It's where I finally see the incredible prowess of a polar bear in the wild. Sleep deprived, I can now add polar bear spotting to 24-hour sunlight as reasons for my messed up circadian rhythm two and bit days into the voyage. But while the Midnight Sun takes some getting used to it also means 24/7 access to endless spectacular landscapes dominated by mountainous terrain, ice and fjords. The Fjords and Glaciers of Spitsbergen itinerary starts with an early Saturday morning croissant and coffee at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris before a four-hour charter flight to Svalbard capital, Longyearbyen. It's all part of the cruise package and the first interactions with the 150 other passengers on the Ponant cruise. Longyearbyen is the northernmost settlement in the world with easy access by ship or plane. The town of about 2500 residents fans out from Adventfjord valley in Spitsbergen, the biggest of seven islands of Svalbard. After arriving here there's a group lunch at a charming 1951 inn called Huset, a short distance from the town centre at the foot of a towering mountain. Timber headframes strung along the cliff face are relics of the town's foundation coal mines, developed by namesake American entrepreneur John Munro Longyear in the early 20th century. A casual afternoon bus tour of snowy Longyearbyen ends at the pier where Le Lyrial's hoodie-clad cruise director Ilaria Antinori greets us for our 4pm boarding as cold wind gusts cut through. An Arctic welcome could barely have been better scripted. After a polite 'bonjour monsieur' and super-fast check-in I'm escorted to Suite 608 — my personal 37sqm of butler-serviced luxury aboard Le Lyrial. Waiting for me is a bottle of champagne in an ice box on a beautifully arranged table with canapes and a fruit bowl in front of a big, plush couch. The Privilege Suite includes a separate lounge and bedroom, with a television in each, and a supremely comfy king-size bed. There's a huge bathroom with separate shower, toilet and bath, and lots of wardrobe space for all my heavy gear. Sliding bay windows from floor to ceiling in both rooms open out to a 12sqm balcony, where I can watch the endless parade of rugged mountain scenery. Forward to day two and the packed itinerary is about to switch up a gear, with an update from the Captain ahead of today's first excursion. Capt. Stanislas is alongside expedition leader Alexandre Faurre in the theatre to explain a big change to the itinerary. The original course was to the south-west of the archipelago. But winds have whipped up in that area so Capt. Stanislas has made the call to track north from Longyearbyen. The plan covers the north-west's fjords, then traversing the edge of the pack ice north of Svalbard outside Norway's 12-mile maritime boundary. It's where conditions are looking favourable to explore and, hopefully, spot wildlife over the coming days. It's an insight into the meticulous planning and adaptive decision-making of polar navigation veteran Capt. Stanislas, and his expedition team as we'll also see again later. Alex then introduces his 16-member expedition team of passionate naturalists and scientists. Among them are qualified experts in biology, geology, glaciers, plants and animals. It's just the type of company to help this curious adventurer make sense of it all out in the field and back on board, where they present the enrichment program of lectures and excursion debriefs scheduled daily. This is where we delve deeper into the areas we sail and explore. Meanwhile, we've arrived in Krossfjorden — a 30km-long branching fjord in the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park — and it's looking splendid flanked by mountains with spiky tops and chiselled facades, drenched in thick snow. The gentle pace of the ship allows time to process the beauty and immensity of the glacial landscape. Around to the left a short time later we enter Lilliehookfjorden and stop in front of its namesake, Lilliehookbreen — one of the biggest glaciers in this part of Spitsbergen. Sadly, though, like many of Svalbard's 2600 glaciers, it is retreating at an alarming rate from the effects of climate change. Its awesome structure reveals recent ice calving with its light blue, gnarly frontage, while iced-up mountains on the horizon reflect off the fjord's mirror-glass water. Together, in the low-light, I'm immersed in a kind of fantasy world enveloped in mystique, deep in the Arctic wilderness. After the mandatory safety scouting, the expedition team have declared the pretty bayside area of Signehamna, a short sail back down the fjord, safe to explore. So, from the Marina landing area aft of the ship it's an easy step onto the Zodiac for our first expedition foray. Today, naturalist Francesca is in charge of the short ride to the landing spot on the fjord's western banks. It's the first 'wet landing' in my full snow-trekking regalia. Sticking to the rules to protect the fragile tundra, I trace the red flags and follow a long line of red parkas in front of me. As I trudge up a steep hill I'm sinking in knee-deep icy sludge. It's a grind. Then a glance back from the top of the rise reveals an incredible patchwork of scenery. Under the muted light of dark grey clouds filtering the Midnight Sun there are rocky outcrops; the Lilliehookbreen glacier and the sharp lines of mountain tops in the distance. The lake below ripples from Zodiacs to-ing and fro-ing from the ship. Further on I meet up with naturalist guide Axel who's keeping watch for polar bears, gun strapped around his right shoulder — the law requires it for safety reasons. I'm intrigued with metal artefacts strewn over a small area around him, including four bullets in a partitioned disc. He tells me the objects are remnants of a weather station camp set up by the Germans during World War II. Further on there are large drums part-buried in snow, most likely in which they stored fuel for the camp, and other buried debris. Signehamna is the first close-up of the rich cultural heritage of Svalbard, despite the absence of an Indigenous population. Another is during a hike at picturesque Gravnesodden the following morning when I come across a timber frame-mounted plaque marking 'graves and blubber cookeries' located in a fenced-off area. The remnants reference Svalbard's prolific role in whaling in the 1600s. The dynamic glacier front is a highlight of the late afternoon Zodiac excursion at Smeerenburgbreen, in the Bjornfjorden — a remote area of sweeping glaciers in Svalbard's north-western corner; where ice calves in quick succession and crashes into the icy-soup water, followed by thunderous cracks. After busy but fun days exploring in the elements it's nice to step back aboard to some home-style comforts. Deck three's main lounge is the ship's re-entry point and where you get spoilt most days by executive chef Sylvain Lecuyer and his galley team. They present a delightful array of gourmet afternoon tea treats — a different theme each day — like today's salmon gravlax tasting plate with five strips of melt-in-the-mouth cured fish. Other afternoons showcase caviar on fresh pancake; and pavlova with fresh fruit. The lounge area also has an all-hours bar and seating by big side windows. Day five starts with a stop at the walrus colony at Moffen Island on the archipelago's northern tip, then a scheduled stop at Narreneset where Capt. Stanislas has declared hiking off limits — earlier reconnaissance has identified bears in the area. During a chat later he tells me: 'Sometimes . . . you have to say 'no'. It's my duty to bring back everybody in port. So you need experience to be able to make a call . . . when you're experienced, the calls are easy.' So, it's back on a Zodiac for a casual tour of foggy Raudfjorden, where we glimpse fresh polar bear tracks (but no bears) on the ice above the striated sedimentary rock as we pass. The next morning's visit to the tiny settlement of Ny-Alesund, is a personal favourite for its trove of historical symbols of human tragedy and triumph. It's also a place you can brag about being in the world's northernmost town, museum or post office. It was originally established as a coal mining community in 1916. But after multiple fatal accidents and 76 deaths, the Kings Bay mines were permanently shut down in 1963. The settlement's heritage is very well preserved in three museums, including its excellent main museum. Wandering its dusted paths the town feels like an open-air museum, frozen in time since I first visited two years ago. As I wind my way around the old red and yellow timber workers quarters and establishments like the Nordpol Hotellet, I pass through a mysterious area housing some of the 20-odd international research institutions based here. My fascination with the exploits of legendary Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and others who together, form an indelible part of this town's backstory has me heading straight for the century-old relic called Amundsen's mast, on the town's outskirts. The 35m iron tower marks the spot Amundsen's airship Norge N1 was moored before he and his crew took off in May 11, 1926, on their 5300km continuous flight to the North Pole — a successful mission that had never before been accomplished. 'Honouring a glorious achievement of human endeavour', a plaque pinned to the mast reads. I take a moment to reflect, reimagining scenes at this historic time on the very ground I'm standing on, and the brave men who took on the missions. A reindeer wanders past along the lake close by — it's just how it is here. Ny-Alesund today is regarded as the world's most advanced high Arctic research station, involving scientists from 10 countries engaged in and collaborating in environmental monitoring. As we thread the archipelago's maze of waterways, I'm relishing the mix of Zodiac, hiking and walking excursions that are suitable for most ages and affords close-ups of local wildlife. Like at the twin glaciers at Kongsvegen-Kronebreen — about an hour's sailing inland from Ny-Alesund — where a lone seal with a big orange face lies on a flat chunk of ice looking nonchalant at all the attention from the passing parade of Zodiac boats. The 2015-launched Le Lyrial is classic boutique luxury with a dash of French flair. But it's also a well-specced expedition small ship, polar rated to sail in ice less than a year old and up to about 30cm deep. One of four Sisterships in Ponant's fleet, it has a passenger capacity of just 264 plus crew with an easy-to-navigate layout. Stylish interiors are splashed with hues of blue and white throughout, and there's striking artwork like the suspended sculptural piece cascading two decks mid-ship. Among the onboard amenities are a spa with a full range of treatments; a library with board games and computers; and a heated pool on a spacious deck with alfresco dining, when weather permits, of course. The multipurpose theatre has ample seating for a packed program of presentations about local wildlife and its other natural features, and related films. Other public spaces like the lounge areas and restaurants are intimate and invite convivial interactions. The panorama forward of the ship from the Observation Lounge is obstructed by communications equipment, but otherwise it's a lovely spot to sit and chill late afternoon, or socialise after dinner. I am one of 41 English speakers aboard among a passenger cohort that is mostly French-speaking, 55-plus couples and small groups, with a smattering of solo travellers. All presentations and announcements are delivered in both languages. 'Smart casual' is the general feel around the ship and at meal times, apart from two formal Captain's gala dinners. Service is personal, efficient and genuine with top marks to the attentive restaurant staff who went out of their way to satisfy my cafe-grade espresso habit. The mainly Western-Mediterranean cuisine has daily-changing menus and is an excellent standard overall. I particularly enjoy the Bordier cheese buffet which is a regular feature at bistro Le Celeste, and the specialty stations at the more casual La Comete. Alcoholic beverages like the superb Burgundy pinot noir, are included. True to Ponant's heritage there's a wide choice of premium French wines, and an international selection, available to purchase. When the day is done it's a pleasure retreating 'home' to my deck six suite with its warm, neutral tones and pops of blue. And with a butler as caring and attentive as June, I can tell the transition back to 'real life' won't be easy. Fresh water bottles are replenished often and a new arrangement of bite-size treats are there for my return. I also have a desk and electrical plugs from which to work. Complimentary 24-hour room service and free, unlimited wi-fi are standard services across all cabin categories, which range in size from 18sqm to the 55sqm Owner's Suite. The voyage is tailed with exceptional 'warm' sunny weather for our last stop in Skansbukta and a hike up the rocky, tundra-clad mountain overlooking shimmering Billefjorden. As I stop to appreciate the impossible beauty here I'm reminded that whilst seeing a polar bear in the wild is 'mission accomplished', it doesn't define a fulfilling voyage of discovery, learning and new friendships. + Michael Ferrante was a guest of Ponant. They have not influenced this story, or read it before publication. Fjords and Glaciers of Spitsbergen Spitsbergen to Spitsbergen, 7 nights There are multiple departures in June & July 2026-27. Priced from $13,320 per person, which includes the 30 per cent Ponant Bonus. There is a free solo supplement for single use of a double cabin, depending on availability and stateroom category. Excursions, meals, charter flights return Paris, transfers and parka are included in the fare.
Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Charlie Puth started a hate train because I refused to sleep with him': Bella Thorne opens up about her short-lived romance with the singer
Singer Charlie Puth has always had a dating history that somehow lands in the headlines. But all that seemed to cool down when he married Brooke Sansone, a longtime family friend he started dating in 2022. That was until one of his exes just reignited the messy drama. Actor Bella Thorne is now claiming that the We Don't Talk Anymore singer turned on her after she refused to sleep with him, and then 'lied to the entire world' about her. Bella and Puth had a short-lived thing before it blew up, with Puth accusing her of cheating. And now fans think Jade Thirlwall's shady comment about never collaborating with Puth again makes a lot more sense. It all started when a fan page posted a quote from singer Jade Thirlwall (ex-Little Mix) saying she'd 'never collaborate' with Charlie. Hours later, Thorne took to the comment section and wrote, 'Yeah I mean .. he lied to the entire world about me and started a hate train. All because I wouldn't … do the deed with him.' The Midnight Sun star called out the singer for turning the internet against her back in 2016, accusing her of still being with ex Tyler Posey while pursuing him. In a now-deleted tweet, Puth had written, 'I can't believe what I'm reading. No one should have their heart messed with like this, and I'm not going to be in the middle of it.' Also read: 'Desperate' Brad Pitt sees glimmer of hope as one kid keeps his last name; begs for 'one final shot' amid Angelina Jolie feud Bella and Charlie were briefly linked in December 2016 and lasted till 2017. They were seen together at Jingle Ball in Miami, where he serenaded her onstage. Later, the photographers even caught them kissing. But they never officially confirmed a relationship. The relationship lasted for months, and one day, Charlie posted a bunch of angry tweets accusing the Teen Wolf actor of not breaking up with her ex before seeing him. He didn't use her name directly, but apologised to Posey and wrote stuff like: 'I don't know Tyler personally, but I know he shouldn't be treated this way,' he wrote. 'She told me she was not with him anymore. This is all news to me.' Also read: Charlie Puth, Brooke Sansone tie the knot in Montecito after year-long engagement Moments later, Throne clapped back, saying she and Posey had already broken up weeks earlier and that she wasn't dating Charlie either. The actor went on to claim that the singer likely saw an old interview about her and Posey, got emotional, and instead of texting her like a normal person, he decided to post it online. 'Charlie and I AREN'T DATING. We are friends. He saw an old article and got butthurt and didn't ask me, just posted it.' Then in 2017, Thorne opened up about her side of the story on The Jenny McCarthy Show. She said she was left heartbroken and wrecked after her split with Posey, and that's when Puth slid into the picture and her DM. According to her, they only caught up a few times, movies, dinners, and she genuinely thought he was super talented. She respected him. Then came the Jingle Ball invite, and that's how the photos hit the internet. But after that, it all went south. Charlie saw an old article, didn't bother checking the date, and jumped to conclusions, assuming she was two-timing. Thorne is now engaged to film producer Mark Emms, while Charlie is married to his longtime friend Brooke Sansone.
San Francisco Chronicle
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco gallery offers meditative escape through woven textile landscapes
Talk about art can often resemble the way people talk about wine — jargon-heavy, pretentious, a swirl of adjectives attributed to nebulous concepts that obscure rather than clarify. But just as you can enjoy a glass of wine without visiting a vineyard to learn about terroir, you can appreciate Margo Wolowiec's newest textile works without parsing lofty descriptions. My advice: don't overthink it and drink up the art. 'Margo Wolowiec: Midnight Sun,' the Detroit artist's third solo show at Jessica Silverman, fills the San Francisco gallery with 12 woven circular textile landscapes. Several horizontal strips of juxtaposed images of landscapes, flowers and insects make up each composition. The effect is similar to a photomontage, though the technique is more tactile. To create these image-based textiles, Wolowiec begins by printing a digital photograph onto loose threads combed out horizontally. Using a sublimation dye process, the ink bonds to the fibers and stains the polyester threads. Wolowiec then rotates the threads so the printed side is visible and weaves them by hand on a loom. During weaving, Wolowiec can manipulate the image to distort it for an effect that renders the images slightly hazy, like glimpses of memories you can't quite piece together. 'I wanted this show to be so very meditative,' Wolowiec told the Chronicle, explaining she chose imagery of parts of the natural world 'that need conservation or are vulnerable or changing due to climate change or human intervention.' Though a few people at the gallery use the word 'portals' to describe Wolowiec's works, it's really the surface that captures your attention. Woven and textured, the textiles suggest running your hands over them. The vertical undyed warp threads are visibly white, standing out in contrast with the printed digital image. There are also Japanese silver-leafed threads and crinkly mylar emergency blankets, sourced from disaster preparedness kits, that catch the light in a way that creates an unphotographable shimmer. Her works aren't openings to an alternate planet; they're invitations to stay present here. As a metaphor for a world Wolowiec sees as interconnected, her medium of weaving is unparalleled. Wolowiec, born in Detroit in 1985, earned a BFA in 2007 from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. In 2013, she earned an MFA from the California College of the Arts in San Francisco, through which she met gallery owner Jessica Silverman, also an alumna of the school. Silverman sees the work as originating in the artist's interest in environment, changing landscape and the 'degradation of and catastrophic kind of pollution in certain areas of the world.' She emphasized, however, that 'this show is not starting from a negative place.' 'It's more about ecological renewal,' Silverman explained, noting the use of silver and indigo, antimicrobial materials, refer to healing. The phrase 'Midnight Sun' comes from the arctic phenomenon also known as polar day, when the sun neither sets nor rises but appears to move across the sky horizontally. In the show's title piece, the natural event is visualized by six suns that dot the middle of three landscape strips. The top portion features a larger incandescent sun setting, while below is a snowy mountainscape. This is Wolowiec's first show entirely of round works. Because looms typically produce rectangular weavings, her larger 80-inch pieces feature a vertical seam — a result of her loom's width which limits how wide each section can be woven. Kathryn Wade, senior director at Jessica Silverman, sees the circular format as symbolic of natural cycles: the earth, the moon, the sun, seeds. The show's description, written by Sarah Thornton (a writer married to Silverman), links the circles to the Italian Renaissance tondo, a round format not traditionally used for landscapes. But Wolowiec offers a more personal meaning; she sees the circle related to birth and 'a lack of a beginning and an end.'
Forbes
01-07-2025
- Forbes
The Most Unforgettable Way To See The Midnight Sun This Summer
The view over island of Traena under the Midnight Sun. getty There are few moments in life that make you feel entirely untethered from time. Standing on a quiet beach in Northern Norway, the sea shimmering, the sky on fire, and the clock ticking well past midnight — that's one of them. The sun is still up. It hasn't so much dipped as it has paused, suspended in a long, golden exhale over the Arctic landscape. For a traveler seeking something more than just a destination, this is the moment. The most unforgettable way to see the Midnight Sun this summer isn't just to look at it — it's to live inside it. The Midnight Sun is one of the Earth's rarest and most poetic natural phenomena. It happens each summer above the Arctic Circle — which, in Norway, begins just north of Mo i Rana — when the planet's tilt allows the sun to remain visible for 24 hours a day. From late May through July, the sun simply refuses to set. In some places, like Svalbard, it doesn't dip below the horizon for months. There's no dusk. No darkness. Just an extended dream sequence lit in gold. While many come for the Instagrammable vistas, the Midnight Sun is so much more than just a visual spectacle. It's an experience that shifts your whole sense of time, light, and even sleep. Locals often think of it as nature's reward for enduring the long, cold winter — after months of darkness, the return of the sun feels like life coming back. And with it, everything changes. You find yourself hiking at midnight, paddling through glowing fjords in the early hours, or sitting by a bonfire until 3 a.m. without even realizing it. You're not trying to squeeze more into the day — the day just never ends. The best places to see the Midnight Sun stretch like a golden arc across Norway's north. Tromsø is a popular entry point — cosmopolitan yet wild, with its endless summer light, Arctic museums, and the annual Midnight Sun Marathon. Just beyond it lies Senja, a rugged, fairytale island of sharp peaks and serene bays, ideal for slow, meditative exploration. Then there's the Lofoten Islands, where fishermen's cabins are reborn as design-forward lodges, and Icelandic horses carry riders along beaches washed in amber light. Further afield, the Vesterålen Islands offer a quieter escape. Whale watching, kayaking in untouched fjords, even overnighting in a remote lighthouse suite — this is where you go when you want the Arctic unplugged. And for those willing to go to the edge of the world — quite literally — Svalbard delivers months of daylight, icy treks, and a startling sense of space and stillness. What elevates the experience from beautiful to unforgettable is how you access it. Companies like Up Norway, a specialist in tailor-made journeys builds Midnight Sun itineraries designed to immerse you in the phenomenon. Think guided glacier hikes at midnight, wine on the dock of your rorbu as seabirds cry overhead, or sweating it out in a sauna before diving into a glowing fjord. So if this summer is the one for something different, something deeper, follow the light north. The sun is waiting — and it won't be setting anytime soon.
IOL News
01-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- IOL News
Embrace the chill: Scandinavian secrets to joyful winters for South Africans
As winter grips South Africa, discover how those in some of the world's coldest places thrive amid the chill with masterful strategies and a joyful mindset. Image: Instagram. As winter takes hold in South Africa, many of us find ourselves dreaming of warmer days. However, for those living in some of the coldest cities in the world, such as Finland, Greenland, and Iceland, bitter temperatures can drop to a staggering -20°C. Yet, these winter warriors seem to thrive, using practical strategies and a positive mindset to combat the chill. Perhaps we in South Africa could learn a thing or two from their approach to winter. In Scandinavia, the summer months offer long days filled with sunshine, where the sun dips below the horizon as late as midnight in the northern realms of Sweden and Norway, a phenomenon captivatingly dubbed the "Midnight Sun". Contrarily, the winter months can be harsh, shrouding certain areas in near darkness, with only about 6 precious hours of daylight. But beneath that frosty exterior lies a community that has mastered the art of winter living. Here's how: Creating a cosy sanctuary One of the hallmarks of Scandinavian life is the concept of 'hygge', a Danish term that embodies a sense of comfort, warmth and togetherness. Homes are transformed into sanctuaries adorned with candles, warm drinks and woolen blankets. It's also common to find saunas in many households. Locals at an outdoor pool which is kept at a warm 94 degrees all winter long. Image: Instagram. These cosy indoor spaces offer relief from the cold. Embracing the chill Scandinavians are also known for their enthusiasm for outdoor activities, turning the bitter cold into an opportunity for adventure. Skiing and sledding become not just leisure activities but integral parts of life in the snowy months. Mastering the art of layering Layering is the name of the game. Scandinavian residents often rely on high-quality wool, thermal wear and essential accessories such as hats, scarves and gloves, to shield themselves from the frigid elements. This deliberate approach to dressing ensures warmth and also encourages mobility and comfort. Hygge, a Danish quality of 'coziness and comfortable conviviality,' is making inroads with an international audience. Image: Instagram. A positive mindset But perhaps the most powerful weapon against the cold is the Scandinavian attitude itself. By accepting winter as a natural part of life and shifting their focus to enjoying it, they cultivate resilience and a sense of belonging. Instead of complaining the cold, they find joy in the excitement of sledding down a hill, the warmth of a steaming cup of cocoa, or the enchanting beauty of the Northern Lights illuminating the darkened sky. As the winter chill descends upon South Africa, perhaps it's time to take a few pages from the Scandinavian playbook. By embracing the cold with open arms, crafting warm and inviting indoor spaces, donning the right layers, and considering outdoor activities as joyful moments rather than tiring tasks, we can all find warmth and happiness in even the chilliest of seasons.
