From Africa to Dubai: An Exhausting Journey of Resilience and Hope

After an exhausting journey from Africa to Dubai and then to Oslo, we have finally arrived at Oslo airport. Our hotel is just a short bus ride away, approximately 2 to 4 minutes. The weather is quite chilly, so we should take the bus to the hotel. This will undoubtedly be my most expensive bus ride, as the hotel is about 1 to 2 kilometers away, but the bus route extends it to around 4 to 5 kilometers. We paid 80 crores per person, which is roughly 8 or 9 dollars. Welcome to Norway!

Upon arrival, I greeted the staff and confirmed our reservation. The hotel room is impressively spacious, with two beds since my younger brother Anwar is accompanying me on this trip. He resides in Sweden, so I thought it would be a great idea to bring him along for some fun in this neighboring country. Although he is a bit shy, I plan to encourage him to step out and explore Oslo with me.

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the channel from Oslo, Norway! You might be curious about my journey from Africa to Norway. Recently, I attended a CES event in Jain, where several new features were announced for mobile phones. Remarkably, these features will be available within a couple of months. The organizers invited me, as an adventurous individual, to choose any location to test these new features. I decided to visit one of my favorite countries, Norway. While I have explored many areas here, there is one destination I have always wanted to see: Svalbard, a permanent settlement located in the far north near the North Pole, home to around 3,000 residents. I will share more about that later. For now, let's explore Oslo and discover some interesting sights, starting with the iconic Opera House.

The landmark building here is truly iconic. For any tourist visiting, this is an essential stop. Situated in the heart of Oslo, the area is quite walkable. Today is a holiday, and many establishments are closed. This is the Nobel Peace Center, where the Nobel Prize ceremony and similar events are held. We are fortunate to have Dr. Mansoor, a family friend, accompanying us today with his son, Yusuf, who is currently observing a fast. We will be leaving shortly as sunset approaches. Are you feeling excited? We are prepared for our flight to Longyearbyen—hopefully, I’m pronouncing that correctly. There are two airlines operating flights from here: SS and Norwegian. Welcome to Svalbard! The current temperature is minus 21 degrees Celsius, with a wind chill making it feel like minus 32. We are approximately 2050 kilometers from Oslo, where we boarded our flight. The journey was breathtaking, particularly the last 50-60 kilometers as we flew near the islands, showcasing peaks blanketed in fresh snow—truly stunning. We have just rented a car, as the cold makes it difficult to stay outside for more than a few minutes. Let’s get inside the car, and I’ll share more details there. Mr. Anwar is currently organizing his belongings. We’ve rented a KIA Sportage, which has seen better days with its numerous scratches, but it should serve us well for this adventure. Is it cold? Not really. There are only about 50 kilometers of roads in this region, and I’m uncertain if renting a car is entirely necessary. However, having a vehicle is essential for getting around, especially since public transportation is limited to buses between the airport and the city. If I need to film or fly a drone, I require a location where I can wait for optimal lighting.

If the weather is inclement and I find myself alone outdoors, I require a location where I can sit, activate the heating, and avoid freezing. Temperatures ranging from -20 to -25 degrees are extreme, particularly for someone like me, though it may not be as significant for a Norwegian. Caution is essential in such conditions, which is why we opted to rent a car, albeit at a considerable cost of approximately 130 to 135 USD per day. Our stay is for four days, and we have secured the vehicle for that duration.

We have checked into a charming and cozy accommodation known as the Coal Miners Cabin, named for the workers of the coal industry who once resided here. This cabin has since been transformed into a tourist hotel, complemented by a lovely restaurant where we can dine whenever hunger strikes. The view from our room is stunning, and despite the outdoor temperature plummeting to minus 30 degrees, the indoor heating allows for comfort in a T-shirt. We anticipate a pleasant stay in this delightful cabin, which cost us around 150 USD.

An important aspect of Svalbard that many may already be aware of is the unique day-night cycle here, where each lasts for six months. In reality, it is about four months of continuous darkness from mid-October to mid-February, during which the sun does not rise. Gradually, as the sun begins to rise, we experience 24 hours of daylight over the next two months. From mid-April for the following four months, the sun remains visible all day, with no sunset, due to the extreme northern location and the tilt of the Earth's axis.

Behind us lies the small town of Longyearbyen, home to around 3,000 residents. Today is a holiday, limiting our ability to explore the local culture and markets, but we have ample time ahead.

We are set to embark on this journey and will share our experiences with you. The temperature is frigid, and behind me lies the Arctic Ocean, covered by a layer of ice with fog slowly rising from its surface. The scenery is breathtaking, and the atmosphere here is truly one of a kind. To our right, a polar vessel is docked, as numerous expeditions launch from this point to explore the polar regions. I believe there is also a research facility nearby.

Today marks the day of our snowmobile adventure, and I am filled with both excitement and apprehension. The current temperature is minus 22 degrees Celsius, but it feels more like minus 30 degrees. In such cold conditions, we typically seek refuge in a car, but today we are bundled in multiple layers, including a wool layer I purchased locally. I am quite anxious about the cold, especially since I have yet to put on my gloves. After just two minutes outside, my hands are already beginning to feel numb.

We have a full day ahead of us, with plans to travel 90 kilometers to the east coast and then return the same distance. We are eager to see how the snowmobile performs and how we manage with it. We are prepared and waiting for our instructor's signal. The landscape is stunning, but the extreme temperatures present significant challenges. I am currently using a hand warmer to try to thaw my hands.

We have spotted some reindeer, a reminder that wildlife can be found even in such a harsh environment. However, the conditions are perilous; it is extremely cold, and visibility is poor due to the snow. We are uncertain if we can reach the east coast, as navigating through this terrain is difficult. We are traversing glaciers, where a misstep could lead to serious consequences. The temperature has dropped to around minus 23 to 24 degrees Celsius, but we will attempt to charge the snowmobile in these conditions.

You can observe that the battery is at 89% and charging. For the first time, Android features a 20W Mag Charge, allowing you to easily attach it to the back of your mobile device for additional power. Let's initiate the charging process again, which is quite convenient for extending battery life. However, I must mention that I am feeling quite cold at the moment. Our return journey was quite challenging, particularly due to the frigid Arctic winds. The windy conditions and the low temperatures made the 90 km ride take over two hours, which was extremely arduous. We managed to complete our journey with significant difficulty, and you can see some frostbite on my face. My brother has even more frostbite visible on his face. Show your face to the camera. Oh, it’s alright. There are also some frostbite marks on this side. The Infinix Note 40 Pro performed exceptionally well, even in these harsh temperatures, without any issues. Unfortunately, my drone's battery died, preventing me from flying it, and the Sony A7 IV had some operational challenges as well. Nevertheless, we endeavored to create the best video possible. I should mention that the phone comes with a 70W fast charger and a 15W charging pad. Currently, we are in the city center, which is bustling with commercial activities such as supermarkets and shopping malls. Despite being somewhat isolated, this area offers all the amenities one could need, including schools, colleges, universities, and hospitals, along with shopping options. The markets are open today since there was a holiday last week. Now, we will take you to the shopping area of Svalbard, where we need to purchase some items from the supermarkets. We will also provide you with information on the prices here. Svalbard operates as a tax-free zone, so I expect the prices to be comparable to or even lower than those in Norway. Let’s head inside. The shopping mall is located behind us, so let’s explore. On the right side, you will find the supermarkets, which offer top-quality products.

The tax rate in this region is 25% lower than that of mainland Norway, making it an attractive shopping destination. Additionally, you can find the world's leading brands available here. In this environment, it is essential to have high-quality equipment that you can rely on. Personally, if I hadn't done all my shopping already, I would have chosen to shop here, as I believe I would have spent less than I did elsewhere. Although I already own a considerable amount of equipment, I would advise anyone visiting to take advantage of the shopping opportunities available. Just be sure to plan your visit so that you don't miss out on the shopping malls, as they may be closed during your stay. Overall, the quality and pricing here are commendable. I initially had no intention of purchasing anything, but I found a hat that I really liked and decided to keep it for future travels. The price was reasonable, around 25 USD, which is a good deal for such quality—likely 100% wool. Let's proceed with the purchase and see if anything else catches my eye. As we approach the supermarket, you may notice a gun sign at the entrance. This is due to local regulations requiring visitors to carry a firearm when leaving the city, as polar bears inhabit the area. However, firearms are not permitted inside the store. Now, let's head inside and explore the size of this supermarket, which I believe is called COOP. This chain is prevalent throughout Norway and other Scandinavian countries. We were specifically looking for eggs, which we purchased here for approximately 48 crowns, translating to about 4-5 USD. Generally, prices in Norway tend to be high, but supermarket prices can be slightly lower than average.

Svalbard operates without a value-added tax, making our shopping experience here complete. It is important to note that Svalbard is a visa-free zone, despite being part of Norway. This means that individuals can live and work here without a visa. However, there is a significant consideration: due to Svalbard's extreme northern location, accessing it by sea is quite challenging. Therefore, travel must be conducted by air through Norway, as all flights to Svalbard originate from there. To enter Norway, a Schengen visa is required. Flights are primarily available from two major Norwegian cities: Oslo and Troms, though I am uncertain about other potential flight options.

The building behind me is not only significant to Svalbard but is also one of the most crucial structures globally. It houses the Global Seed Vault, where seeds from various crops around the world are stored. Established by the Norwegian government in 2008, this facility serves as a safeguard for agricultural biodiversity, allowing for the preservation of seeds in the event of natural disasters, wars, or crop diseases. Over a million seeds are stored here, with ownership retained by the countries or research institutions that deposit them, granting them future access.

For instance, during the conflict in Syria, a research institute lost the ability to maintain their seed samples. They later retrieved seeds from this vault to continue their agricultural efforts. The facility is kept at a temperature below minus 18 degrees Celsius year-round, ensuring the seeds remain viable. In the event of a temperature increase, power supply systems are in place to maintain the necessary conditions. The surrounding land is permafrost, which slows the growth process of the seeds, as permafrost refers to land that remains below zero degrees for at least two years.

We are unable to enter this area, and access is restricted to everyone. However, we can provide you with a view from the outside. We have returned to the airport after refueling the car. Despite only traveling approximately 50 to 70 kilometers, we consumed nearly 17.5 liters of fuel. This elevated fuel usage is likely attributed to the extremely cold weather conditions. On a positive note, fuel prices are relatively low, as we paid $1.40 per liter. You may notice the small spikes on the tires of the vehicles, which facilitate safe driving on icy roads. We made every effort to showcase this region for you, and we hope you enjoyed it. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.