After a long day in the field, all anyone wants is a warm shower and a delicious meal before getting a good night's sleep in preparation for the next day in the field. Staying here at Isfjord Radio on Kapp Linne we are spoiled with these accommodations. Of course Al and Mike will make comments about what it was like in the 80's when they had primitive living and working conditions, and we remind them that thankfully it is no longer the 80's!In 1932 Isfjord Radio existed as a lighthouse and in 1933 the first building, a radio station, was erected on the property. During World War II the old station, which is where Svalbard REU has their work stations, was built, ruined, and then in 1946 was rebuilt. When it was rebuilt it was equipped with telephone service, radio broadcast equipment, a light house, and weather station and later a radar beacon for ships. In 1971 Kapp Linne received its first television broadcast from the mainland, which was then relayed to Longyearbyen. This was the same time when there were 12 people living here year around, although not too much longer after that the necessity for the facilities at Isfjord Radio diminished. In 1997 Telenor, the communications company that owned the buildings here started a hotel for the winter snow mobile season. In the year 2005, Telenor sold the facilities to a Longyearbyen coal mining company called Kullkompani AS who maintained the facilities as a hotel. As of January 2008 Basecamp Explorer added Isfjord Radio to its list of destinations and this place is now essentially a year around hotel with 42 beds, closing only in the dark of winter (mid October to mid-March). Those interested in exploring will also find this place to be an oasis at the end of a long day.
Isfjord Radio was a originally a radio station.
Welcoming us here is the team of Haakon & Eva Naarstad, Trine Flaatten, and Jackie Vlietstra. Our hosts are Haakon and Eva who come from 13 years of experience running a lodge in a national park in Norway. Haakon began his career as a forest ranger and while in the position became familiar with the lodges and the people in the park and after his position as a ranger ended, he and Eva applied for the position as lodge hosts. In a typical 7 month season with a staff of 18 employees they entertained between 10,000 and 12,000 guests equaling between 150 and 230guests/night! On some evenings they needed 3 separate seating's for dinner since the dining room only held 84 people at one time. The position at the lodge ended in October 2007 and the position with Basecamp Explorer opened on Isfjord Radio in January 2008. They are a perfect fit for the position given their experience and their love of nature, and they feel privileged and fortunate to live and work here. They both enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at Isfjord Radio, but agree that there are still the same challenges as there were at the national park lodge all the scale of the challenges is much less. During their months off, they head back to their home on the mainland to take care of business there. When asked about what the guests are most surprised about when they arrive at Isfjord Radio Haakon said they are so shocked to see a luxury hotel after a long day on a snow mobile.
Haakon is a co- host at Isfjord Radio
Eva is a co-host at Isfjord Radio
Trine joined Haakon and Eva early in February and here she shares and/or splits the daily tasks with Eva. On any given day we will see her smiling face either greeting us at breakfast or when we return for dinner. Before arriving at Isfjord Radio she gained hotel experience while living and working in Oslo Norway. She heard about the opportunity to work here and immediately said yes to it. Trina has only gone back to the mainland once this season for about a month and will remain here until the end of the season. When she isn't busy with all she does around the station, she enjoys being outside training the dogs, hiking, exercising to stay in shape for her other activities, going on long snow mobile trips, and dog sledding. During the winter season when Isfjord Radio is closed, Trine plans to work as a glacier guide near Oslo, and then plans on returning to Isfjord Radio in February for the new season.
Trine Flaatten is an employess at Isfjord Radio
For those of you who think we are not eating enough, rest assured that with the delicious spread Jackie puts on the table, we are not wasting away! Jackie is our talented chef who arrives at 7AM to begin her day by setting out a Norwegian style breakfast of champions that includes items such as cereals, yogurt, cold cuts, breads, crackers, herring, mackerel, liver paste, and smoked salmon paste in a tube, and a couple of hot items. Polish this off with delicious coffee, juice, tea, and milk, and we are energized for the day! Our lunches are created from the items in the breakfast buffet and then placed in a plastic container to avoid having smashed sandwiches for lunch! Greeting us at 7PM is the enticing aroma of a flavorful dinner bound to satisfy our hunger created from a long day in the field. Jackie has always enjoyed cooking, and her talents as a chef were further developed when she was asked by friends and co-workers to cook for a crowd. She and a friend began a catering business without even owning a car, making grocery shopping a challenge. After a year she began cooking for TV and movie crews and did this for about 15 years. Approximately 9 years ago she came through the vicinity of Isfjord Radio while cooking for the crew of the movie "When the Light Comes" which was filmed on board the Dutch ship Northern Lights. She was the chef for this ship again for an 8 week cruise around the Azores. Upon returning to the TV and movie sets she received a message that Isfjord Radio was looking for a chef. She called them back and is now here until August 23rd before heading home to the Netherlands. Her preference is warmth and sun, and would like to return again next summer to enjoy the 24 hours of light.
Jackie is our chef and is spoiling us with delicious food.
When asked about the challenges of cooking at Isfjord Radio Jackie mentioned the difficulty in getting fresh food. Food is shipped here from either Holland or Tromso, Norway by boat or plane and then picked up in Longyearbyen. Think about what this means for a dozen eggs; about half make it! In the case of milk, fruits, and vegetables, careful planning is needed to ensure it all lasts until the next shipment of food arrives. There is a walk-in refrigerator and freezer in the basement of the main building that keeps the food items as fresh as possible until needed. What Jackie enjoys the most about her job is that every day is different, it is fun, and she has the best view in the house out the kitchen window looking out to the open tundra where the reindeer and fox sneak about during the day and night.
The freezer helps with the fact that fresh food is difficult to come by at Isfjord Radio
Haakon, Eva, Jackie, and Trina work as a team to make sure everything runs smoothly and seamlessly, and we are grateful for all their warm hospitality during our stay.
The oldest building here at Isfjord Radio
Question of the day: What types of foods are good for fueling the body for field work?