Overnight we retraced our route through the many islands and by passing Tromsø to the Lofoten Islands. The light of the morning sun was spectacular as we were en route to the port of Svolvaer. Prior to docking we turned off the Raftsund Straight near the island of Austvagoy to enter the Trollfjord which narrows …
At 06:40, after travelling southeast from Bear Island, we passed beneath the cliffs known as the North Cape at 71.10N and at sea level, the village of Knivskjelodden, which is the actual most northerly point of Europe. But, if and when giant cruise ships arrive, this small place would not cope. Following an early breakfast, …
Upon our arrival at Bear Island at 07:45 we were awakened by the opening of the landing stage doors on Deck 3. We were at 74N 19E. However, the dense fog and the sizeable swell was beyond the limits of any landing operation. So, this was abandoned, and we were on our way southeastwards to …
At 77N and 15E we awoke in Horn Sound and the former settlement of Burgerbukta claimed by travellers as one of the most spectacular scenic areas of the west coast of the archipelago. We arrive on a flat sea and surrounded by fog which by the end of breakfast was lifting. From the cabin in …
At 07:35 we were awakened by the stern thrusters putting the ship in position for landings. We were in Bell Sound 77N 14E with a view of Damesmorenen which is the terminal moraine of the glacier. Geologists suggest that this is one of the few moraines that dates from the period between the end of …
We entered the Isfjorden, 78N 13E, at 08:27 with snow down the slopes of the mountains to just short of sea level. Svalbard (Spitsbergen) is one of Europe’s last wilderness areas (about the size of Scotland) and is the home to more polar bears than people. It is also as close as one can get …
At 08:25 our navigation system showed us to be in the Norwegian Sea (part of the Atlantic Ocean) at 72N 19E with a heading of 355⁰ towards Spitsbergen. Located midway between the archipelago and Norway is Bjonoya (Bear Island) the home to a weather station and radio navigation systems as well as to giant colonies …
At 07:45 we docked in Tromsø for the day, after refuelling out of port, and docked east of the bridge which was a first for us. Here we are 400km north of the Arctic Circle and are surrounded by fjords and mountains displaying autumnal colours across the forested slopes. In earlier times the city was …
We arrived in Finnsnes, 68N 17E, under cloudy skies with some light persistent rain but conditions improved by 10:00. Autumnal colours are now more apparent as we have entered the northernmost area of the country. Having crossed to the island of Senja and used tunnels through the sharp, teeth-shaped mountains we crossed the island itself. …
At 08:00 we were at 66⁰N 12⁰E just short of the Arctic Circle so with a quick donning of jackets we were out to celebrate once more! The Arctic Circle (66.33N) is used by geographers to define the Arctic. Everything north of here is within that zone, and it is also the southernmost extent of …