Wednesday 17th September Overnight we travelled across several fjords to reach Harstad. As we write we are weaving our way in between the islands that form the Lofoten Wall to the small port of Risoyhamn. Just before the port we sailed through the Risoyrenna, a 3 mile long, 100 metres wide and 7 metres deep, …
Tuesday 16th September This morning at 03:30 a.m. we left the ship for a coach journey of some 3 hours across the taiga and later the tundra to the North Cape. As dawn broke we saw the magnificent colours of the the tundra ground cover and the scattered lakes reflecting the night and early morning …
Monday 15th September While repairs are being made to the ship we have had an opportunity to explore the Rock Art of Alta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the largest known collection of rock carvings in Northern Europe made by the indigenous hunter-gatherer people of around 6200 – 2000 years ago. These carvings …
Sunday 14th September During the night we entered open sea (Barents Sea) and experienced a ‘perfect storm’. The high pressure over Europe and the high pressure over the Arctic squeezed the approaching low pressure from the Atlantic creating strong winds, high seas and meteorological confusion that results in swirling water, and during the night 29 …
Saturday 13th September Overnight we travelled northwards in between the Lofoten Islands. This wall of volcanic rock has been cut by the ice and the sea into mountainous and rocky islands. Our ship called in several ports and threaded its way to the open sea at Harstad. Our last call in the Lofoten Islands will …
Friday 12th September Overnight we called in some smaller towns for just a few minutes collecting cargo. In the early morning we crossed the Arctic Circle (63.33 N) and continued to our first stop at Ãrnes having crossed another part of open sea. Our journey continued passed uninhabited islands and glaciers to arrive in Bodo …
Thursday 11th September We awoke to the ship docking alongside the southbound Hurtigruten in Trondheim. This is the largest city in this region of Norway at 62 degrees north. An exploration enabled us to find the ancient cathedral and the wharves and warehouses from the fish trade. At 12 noon we set sail to continue …
Wednesday 10th September Overnight we progressed through fjords and the open sea called the Stadhavet. This is where the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea meet. A headland here is often called “a clenched fist against the sea” and “full storm at Stad” is a meteorological warning in Norway. It can be a dangerous place …
Tuesday 9th September Most of the day was spent touring Bergen. An overview of the city is to be had from Floyen, which is reached by a funicular and cable railway (the longest of its type in Europe) known as Floibanen. From the summit the ancient and modern cities and harbours can be seen. …
Monday 8th September We flew from Manchester via Copenhagen to Bergen in Norway where we are sightseeing before tomorrow’s embarkation and departure of the Hurtigruten postal ship. Upon arrival we headed for Bryggen – the 16th century harbour of Bergen. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of houses and within each domestic …