Is there another link? I just see four pictures but no text, I’d love to read what you wrote.

The whole thread: https://nitter.net/elamje/status/1677013676635611146

For anyone who wants to make a twitter>nitter redirect automatic via browser extension:

https://libredirect.github.io/

If you do visit, definitely make time to see the Russian coal mining settlements in Barentsburg and Pyramiden. From the Lenin statues to the communist artwork to the gym equipment, they serve as almost untouched time capsules of the Soviet era.

Had a smaller private boat for our trip to pyramiden, but the wind got strong and whipped up large waves on the return trip so had to go back to Pyramiden when we got to more open sea. Luckily we were able to get a ride on a larger tourist boat crewed by Philippines. The Russians working in Pyramiden were taking a helicopter the next day as they were closing for the season. Trip back took like 5 hours, most of the tourists spent the trip on the floor puking in bags while we walked over them to order beer from the bar and talk to the Philippine crew.

Here's a NYT article with lots of photos:

>Glimpses of a Soviet Ghost Town on an Arctic Norwegian Isle

>On the remote archipelago of Svalbard, a decaying settlement offers visitors an intimate look at the not-so-distant past.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/17/travel/pyramiden-svalbard...

(archived: https://archive.is/YXb14)

There's polar bears on Svalbard, don't they eat reindeer?