SVALBARD - a place that changed me forever. The experience of being so far North, disconnected from the rest of the world can teach you a lot of things. This August we went on a 10-day expedition with Secret Atlas on a small ship to explore some of the most remote and hostile environments on the planet. The remoteness of this place, the untouched nature, the endless glaciers, the abundance of wildlife and the feeling of being so small in the vastness of it all is what makes this place so special, but it also serves as a reminder of our impact on the planet and the effects our actions can have on this remote place and the wildlife that depends on it. Being on a small ship with only 10 other guests not only allowed us to explore and discover places that are inaccessible otherwise but also to have a much lower impact on such an environmentally sensitive place like the Arctic. The isolation from civilisation, technology and social media during the entire expedition, allowed us to disconnect and focus on truly being present in the moment and live it fully. The days were spent on deck, looking for wildlife, getting to know each other, doing zodiac cruises and hiking in some unbelievable areas and simply appreciating all the small things and the pristine nature that surrounded you.
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Denis Barbas
