We were on a Southern heading now, the expedition however was not over here. In the later afternoon the ship turned towards a side fjord – the Mokka Fjord – … a great opportunity for a further shore landing. Zodiacs were readied, the expedition team secured the area and soon we were on firm ground again.

With this landing we set foot on Axel Heiberg Island (79°30’33.7″N 87°22’32.5″W) and as such were (supposedly) the first cruise ship shore party on this island ever.

We were welcomed by a plain, which was covered in tracks from about any animal around – from snow bunny and musk ox to wolf and polar bear.

A further surprise was waiting for us further up the hill in a (nearly) dry riverbed, looking down it almost felt like a little version of Zion NP.

A busy expedition day did come to its end – and we were up to a well deserved dinner in the restaurant.