A lover of languages and history and a budding adventure traveler, Tuur Hermans recently joined an Oceanwide Expeditions trip into the wilds of Svalbard, leaving his home in Belgium far behind, and stepping into a world of glaciers, jagged, snow-swept peaks, and pack ice stretching toward a hazy horizon. We caught up with him to hear his thoughts on what makes travel so special, and what he looks for in the experiences he seeks out around the world, along with his time with Oceanwide at the ends of the Earth.
"Rarely will I have a specific goal in mind when I set out. I just know every time I go, adventure will find me."
The lure of adventure travel
Like many other Oceanwide Expeditions guests, Tuur is a keen proponent of adventure travel, seeking authentic experiences often far from the beaten path. "I specifically want to avoid big tourist traps. I hate being part of “the masses” in famous places, so I like less-known places and sights. Usually, any place a tourist surprises a local, I’ll enjoy being there!"
Sometimes, the best part of the adventure is having to find your own way, to be resourceful and seek the experience. Tuur agrees. "The adventure to me comes from being surprised where I end up," he says. "In cities, I’ll just start walking in a random direction to find people to talk to and things to do."
Tuur has crossed Ukraine from west to east by train, visiting Chernobyl along the way, journeyed to Georgia, remote Indonesian islands, and through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan by horse. "Don't forget practising kung-fu in a Shaolin temple in China, or journeying around Malaysia!" he reminds me.
"This Svalbard trip was a different kind of adventure as I didn’t decide the itinerary, but at the same time, there was no guarantee of anything. There is something humbling about being in a place where nature still reigns supreme and where the harsh, unpredictable conditions influence every decision made."
By their nature, adventures in the polar regions are dynamic and subject to change. Elements such as the weather, ice conditions, and even emerging wildlife encounters can mean changes to an itinerary or a rescheduling of planned activities. "This time, being flexible and letting myself be surprised by where we would go was part of the adventure!"
Picture by Tuur Hermans
Seeking stories & experience as a solo traveler
For Tuur, the pursuit of authentic experiences drives his choices when traveling. "My mom actually gave me a book for my birthday, just after my Svalbard trip, a Lonely Planet book on the idea of wanderlust," he says. "It sums things up quite well in regard to just giving yourself reasons to go somewhere and experience something new. But my main goal is to come back with stories and memories. Rarely will I have a specific aim in mind when I set out. I just know every time I go, adventure will find me."
"It sounds corny, but my grandmother, 94 and still sharp as a knife, loves to see my photos and hear my stories from around the world. The same goes for my parents; they used to travel a lot but don't anymore, so sharing my experiences with them brings so much joy. In turn, that makes the whole adventure feel even more meaningful to me."
The Oceanwide Experience is all about providing something authentic, where adventure defines each day and discovery and learning drive a strong onboard communal spirit. The guest makeup of an Oceanwide trip is a real mix, from family groups and couples to travel communities and, like Tuur, solo travelers.
"Some of my travels I did solo, others with a friend or a small group. I thoroughly enjoy the solo aspect as it forces you out of your comfort zone if you want to socialize," says Tuur. "Despite being a solo traveler when I first booked with Oceanwide, I ended up feeling part of a close-knit community. All the passengers are there for the same reason: Arctic exploration and adventure!"
The camaraderie of the ship is infectious, without being overwhelming or forcing people to interact if they prefer a more solo experience. In part, this comes from the guests, but the expedition team forms a major aspect of the sense of togetherness - part of the core of the Oceanwide Experience. "I mean, the crew and expedition team, who, after all their experiences, are still giddy and enthusiastic, is a real recipe for success!" says Tuur. "There’s something about the vast nothingness and wilderness around that bonds people in a way I hadn’t really expected. I’ve personally made a bunch of new friends, talked with dozens of folks about their lives and travels, and shared my own experiences. I’m sure some of that will stick with me as inspiration for future travels."
Picture by Tuur Hermans
The Dramatic Beauty of Svalbard
Aboard m/v Ortelius, Tuur ventured along the western and northern coastline of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. Reaching as far north as 81° N in the mazy world of the pack ice, and exploring iconic locations such as Liefdefjorden, Monacobreen, Ytre Norskøya, Smeerenburg, and Magdalenefjorden.
"It really is the edge of the world, literally and figuratively! It’s like stepping into a different world. The raw, rugged nature really feels untouched. Towering glaciers, sharp, jagged mountains, vast ice sheets, in summer, a sky that never goes dark, and the at times stark scarcity of life and colors. No kidding - I sent my mom a picture when I was there, and she replied, 'Beautiful, but could you send it again in color?'"
Wildlife is a big draw of any trip to the Arctic, with many guests eager to catch a glimpse of the mighty king of the Arctic. "Seeing a polar bear in the wild is a major highlight. It’s something I never thought possible. We also saw a blue whale on day one already, encountered walruses up close, and saw plenty of birds and other whale species!"
The sounds of the Arctic only add to the experience. When you step off the boat, you’ll only hear the wind rushing and the snow or rocks crunching under your feet. "It's just awesome in the original sense of the word," says Tuur. "Without wanting to sound too dramatic, being a guest in such an inhospitable environment tickled a primal part of my soul."
"To see the vast ice sheets, jagged mountains, massive glaciers, and the sparse but beautiful wildlife was an amazing experience to take home. I’m used to life, plants and animals, civilization, being everywhere. So being in such a relatively desolate location, yet pristine and unspoiled, really made me appreciate both life at home and the raw beauty of the Arctic."
Picture by Tuur Hermans
Going above and beyond for the guest experience
Guest experience is core to the Oceanwide approach of authentic polar expedition cruises. Whether cruising by Zodiac, hiking across tundra or toward viewpoints, spotting wildlife from the bridge or taking part in insightful lectures on board, the goal is to fully immerse guests in the polar world, while educating and sharing lifelong passions. This wasn't lost on Tuur. "The expedition exceeded my expectations in every way," he says. "The sense of adventure was palpable from the moment we set off, and from the moment I met the expedition crew at the docks, I felt I was in good hands. Everything was organized, with safety being the number one priority the entire trip."
The onboard teams of each vessel create the guest experience, comprising the expedition teams, hotel staff, and vessel crews that make polar dreams a reality and elevate the Oceanwide experience above the rest. "They are truly passionate about the Arctic, and you could feel that energy in every interaction," agrees Tuur. "Some even brought along their personal collections of historic artifacts, eager to share the fascinating stories behind each piece! They kept us engaged in a very casual setting while at the same time showing us to be conscious of where we were."
For many guests, the concept of an expedition cruise is unknown, and they are unsure what to expect. The hotel team aims to make the onboard experience as comfortable, inviting, and memorable as possible, from the housekeeping service, restaurant and dining service, bar service, and every interaction in the passageways or throughout the ship. "It was the first time I had a multi-day trip on a ship, but I had very little trouble living on board. The absolutely amazing food and service helped a lot! Hats off to the kitchen crew & restaurant team - they were truly amazing."
Tuur's time in the Arctic may have drawn to an end, but it is safe to say that the polar bug has caught him, and the lure of the Arctic is already drawing him back. "I'd absolutely return to the Arctic, or visit Antarctica, and would love to do it with Oceanwide. I’m personally fascinated by Jan Mayen and Bear Island, so I’d love to swing by those places. I’d quite like to see a trip that follows Willem Barentsz’ voyages in the north, specifically Svalbard and Novaya Zemlya. It would be great to one day be able to visit Franz Josef Land!"
Soon enough, Tuur may find himself hiking among the ancient landscapes of Greenland, exploring the farthest reaches of the Weddell Sea, or the wildlife-rich shores of South Georgia. For now, though, he has his sights on exploring Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and trekking/roadtripping through the Balkans.
However long it takes, once heard, the call of the ends of the Earth must always be answered.
Main image by Tuur Hermans
