Well, here is the place. Alternatively, here:

Here we go. 20 hours by train from the nearest international airport + 2 hours by car. Quite some middle of nowhere.

Nature here is practically untouched hence the animal world is rich both under water and on the surface. Although on the map the White Sea looks more like an oversized gulf, it is in fact a real sea with its unique complex of marine and land life. Every year the seals who come here from as far as Greenland give birth to their offsprings, zillions of birds occupy uninhabited islands, occasionally beluha whales (wrongfully called beluga whale in English; beluga is a different marine animal) can be also seen in these waters.

Desolate shores of the White Sea and numerous uninhabited islands are incredibly picturesque. Steep rocky banks are intermitted with woody plains (taiga).

Climate-wise, the White Sea is an uneasy place. It doesn’t enjoy long periods of stable weather (which is so similar to what we are used to in our part of the world). February average over the sea is about –15 C with occasional rises to –6 C and drops to –30 C and below. Water stays at about –0.5 C on the surface and –2 C in the depth. Salinity is a bit lower than that in the North Ocean, somewhat about 27.5… 28 per mille. Tides are regular twice a day, tidal speed up to 4 m/s.

So, will we have to dive unattended? Will we be just on our own with no help or assistance? Oh no.

Arctic Circle Dive Center.

OK, let's come in but please don't forget to immediately shut the door behind your back - it's 20 below zero outside, huhhh.

First, upstairs - leave your gear in the bedrooms.

Hungry? 2 dining rooms are downstairs.

Now, time to tell all the polar bears around we have arrived.

Please bring along red lanterns and all possible room and outdoors decoration for a proper Chunjie celebration - the DC will provide us with firecrackers but we should help them in making the place look festive.

Should you prefer a celebration in an a bit less traditional way - also possible...

Time to go under ice. Briefing!

Off to dive.

Ready?

Go.

Mind your head.

Please don't be too long.

Otherwise your latte gets cold.

In an unlikely event you drop anything in the water, the Divemaster is right there to help:

Also happy to be your buddy.

Well, well, well.

Every night you have an option of Russian banya, Japanese furo or both. Free.

:)