Rachel comes from the Netherlands, where she previously worked as a laboratory technician in genetic modification and as a research technician monitoring emissions from a steel plant. But sometimes life takes unexpected turns and in Rachel’s case, love brought her all the way to Svalbard.

After arriving in the High Arctic, she began studying Computer Science, and before long Basecamp Explorer welcomed her into the reception team at Basecamp Hotel.

Rachel enjoys heading out on cabin trips and exploring the landscape by snowmobile. Spotting a reindeer on the tundra still makes her smile every time. When the snow begins to soften in spring, she happily revisits a childhood dream: Building the perfect snowman in the Arctic.

These days she is also curious to learn more about the science behind one of Svalbard’s greatest spectacles: The northern lights.

The vast majority call Thawinan Anny. She is 36 years old and originally comes from Thailand. Anny has lived on Svalbard since 2005, which means that she has lived almost half of her life in the Arctic. And she loves it!

– Svalbard is very different to the country I was born in, this is like my second home. I have a good life here, and really appreciate the cold and beautiful landscape. Every time the northern lights dance across the sky, I feel an inner excitement and joy, and I hide the fascinating sunsets as photographic memories, says Anny.

On 1 February 2022, Anny started as a breakfast chef at Basecamp Hotel. She is interested in cooking and baking, and now she uses her interest in her job.

– This is a new start to my working career, I meet many new people and am proud to be part of Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen, says Anny.

After seven years in Oslo, Herlaug (29) was ready for new adventures far away from the big city. It was primarily her partner’s job in Svalbard that lured her north, but it is nature, the fresh arctic air and the fantastic mountains that are contributing reasons why Herlaug still wants to live in the Arctic. Her previous career as a nurse in Oslo has been replaced by completely different tasks at 78⁰ nord.

Herlaug worked at the reception at the Basecamp Hotel for a year, and was eager to give the guests a feeling of coming “home” after a long day on expeditions, full of impressions. Now we have the pleasure of having Herlaug with us as a finance and administration employee.

Herlaug loves being out in nature, and likes to go on mountain trips after work. She is often observed at Varden, which is one of the nearest mountain peaks outside Longyearbyen. Coziness is important to Herlaug, and there is a lot of coziness in a good cup of coffee and some chocolate. She likes to enjoy both in the sun on the balcony, on a trip in the mountains or at home on the sofa.

– The mountains here are magical! They cannot be explained – they must be experienced. Especially in autumn, which is perhaps my favorite season in Svalbard, says Herlaug.

Dara moved from Thailand to Svalbard in 2010. Since 2014, she has been an invaluable help to us at both Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel on Kapp Linné and Basecamp Hotel in Longyearbyen.

At Isfjord Radio, she goes by the name “Mama Dara” for the staff who work there. Everyone loves Dara’s Thai food. You meet Dara smiling in the halls, and you like to see her serving breakfast in the hotel.

Dara is very happy to be in Svalbard, and thrives both on a snowmobile and out in the wilderness at Kapp Linné.

We call her Ek, while friends and family call her ‘Mod ex’, ‘Ex’ or ‘Mod’ It means ant in Thai, and that says a lot about our diligent colleague.

Ek came to Longyearbyen from Bangkok in 2008. She has a degree in accounting from Thailand. Now she works to keep the Basecamp Hotel clean and tidy, and to take good care of the guests.

At the hotel, you will meet her when she is cleaning rooms or serving breakfast. She also helps out at Isfjord Radio.
Ek has many interests, both sports, sewing, dancing, yoga, photography, literature, shopping and holiday travel.
In the autumn, Ek likes to go mushrooming in the arctic wilderness with his friends.

– Svalbard is a bit too cold for me, but it is safe here! says smiling Ek.

Named Nanthiya, but colleagues at Basecamp call her Nana.

Nana moved from Thailand to Svalbard in 2023, and has since worked at Basecamp Hotel in the cleaning team.

You meet her in the breakfast service at Basecamp Hotel, and she makes sure that the room is ready when you arrive at the hotel.

Nana thrives in the cold climate on Svalbard, and she is at her best when she is out in nature. Although the contrasts from her homeland are as great as possible.

She gets along well with her colleagues, and is a positive and fun colleague.

Thea is perhaps our most passionate supporter of Svalbard. She’s often moved to tears when guests return from their adventures with stars in their eyes, captivated by the Arctic wilderness.

Born in 1993, Thea grew up in the picturesque village of Balestrand in the Sognefjord, where she was always close to tourists visiting the family’s hotel. Now, she brings that same generous spirit and wealth of experience to Basecamp Hotel, ensuring every guest feels welcomed and cared for.

Her first visit to Svalbard was in 2015 during a work stay, and she left with a deep desire to return. In August 2024, Thea came back to her favorite island, this time with a bit more baggage—her husband, two children, and their dog, Herman.

“Here, we live the dream of a family life free from time constraints. Scheduled activities have been replaced by adventures in nature, always just outside our door. With thermoses of coffee and cocoa, we explore mountains, rivers, glaciers, and fjords—searching for fossils or simply discovering new shades of color in the landscape,” Thea shares.

Brimming with energy, Thea is dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences for everyone around her. When she’s not exploring the Arctic or working, she loves gathering family and friends for home-cooked meals. Or she’s cleaning! But she can also unwind by enjoying an episode of the Norwegian series “Der ingen skulle tru at nokon kunne bu”, particularly the one from Sogn and Svalbard.

As Thea fondly quotes Steinar Rorgemoen, “There is room for several lives in one life.” She adds, “It resonates deeply. Right now, my family and I are living an incomparably beautiful Svalbard life.”

Shane’s 26 year long life has come with some serious contrasts. Born in the Philippines, she moved to Svalbard at just 10 years old, trading a warm life of flip-flops and t-shirts for sub-zero temperatures and woolen layers at 78 degrees north.

“At first, adjusting to such a different place, with the cold and a new language, was challenging. But through school, I was introduced to ski trips, hunting, and the beauty of the Arctic. Now, Longyearbyen and the polar landscape feel like 100 percent home,” Shane shares. “Svalbard means so much to me that I had to come ‘home’ after studying on the mainland.”

Living in Longyearbyen, Shane feels incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by nature daily, whether she’s out hiking or simply relaxing on her couch. “The wilderness is always present,” she says. “I also love the seasons here; it’s hard to pick a favorite, but the dark season has a special charm. As Christmas approaches, I cozy up with candles, a cup of cocoa, and some knitwear.”

Winter is another highlight for Shane, with its returning light and the buzz of snowmobiles venturing across the tundra and glaciers. During this time, she enjoys cabin trips with family and friends, snowshoeing, or relaxing by a campfire—fully immersed in the grandeur of the Arctic wilderness.

Originally from the Chartreuse Regional Nature Park in the French pre-Alps, Fanny grew up surrounded by mountains, fresh air and a deep curiosity for people and places.

Fanny holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, with studies in anthropology, sociology and political science. During her exchange year in Montréal, she experienced her first –40°C snowstorm. A moment that, instead of scaring her off, sparked something unmistakably Arctic in her.

After Covid, like many restless souls, she packed her life into a van and travelled across Europe through workaways, exploring as much as possible. Norway quickly stole her heart. She spent her first summer guiding cruise-ship tours between Tromsø and Lofoten, then returned for a winter season in a dogyard in Tromsø. One winter became two, and stories from Svalbard began to captivate her imagination.

In her own words: “Who doesn’t want to get stuck in a snowstorm and flip a snowmobile coming back from a ski trip? Sounds fun!”
That spirit, curious, bold and wonderfully unafraid, eventually brought her to us in 2025.

Today, Fanny contributes wherever she is needed.
You may meet her at Isfjord Radio, Basecamp Hotel, or in the company of our beloved dogs at Trapper’s Station. Always with high energy, a warm smile, and outstanding customer service as her top priority.

Fanny’s Svalbard favourite: the ever-changing Arctic light; the way it paints new colours across familiar landscapes, transforming scenes you thought you already knew.