Visiting the North Cape Hall or Nordkapphallen Day 6 of our Hurtigruten cruise and our coach from Honningsvåg drops us off at the North Cape Hall or Nordkapphallen, a visitor centre with very modern facilities. The North Cape Hall was built inside the mountain and from here you have a panoramic view of the coast. The North Cape globe monument can also be seen from here, if you aren't able to walk to the monument. Nordkapphallen Facilities There is an information office, souvenir shop and … [Read more...]
Kjeungskjær Lighthouse – One of the Most Beautiful
December 27, 2009 by
Hurtigruten Cruise: Kjeungskjær is One of the Most Distinctive Lighthouses: Two hours forty minutes after our cruise departs Trondheim, we come across Kjeungskjær Lighthouse which is located on a small rock beyond Ørlandet. This lighthouse, or "fyr" in Norwegian, is considered to be one of the most beautiful ones along the Norwegian coast and having seen a few we agree that Kjeungskjær is the most distinctive. An interesting fact passed on by our cruise director is that the last … [Read more...]
Back in Trondheim on Boxing Day
December 27, 2009 by
Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Voyage: Stranded in Trondheim... but for Three Hours Only: Day 12: Trondheim - Kristiansund - Molde - Ålesund. At 6.30 a.m. the ship arrives into Trondheim where you are able to visit the 12th Century Nidaros Cathedral, Norway's largest medieval church. After a few hours in Trondheim the ship will depart Trondheim at 10:00 am and continue its journey, sailing out through the beautiful Trondheimsfjord, past the islands of Grip and Hitra with large herds of … [Read more...]
Merry Christmas from Norway – God Jul
December 26, 2009 by
Christmas in Norway: It is a White Christmas: Day 11: Sandnessjøen - Brønnøysund - Rørvik. Today, you have the option to go on an excursion to the Petter Dass Museum and Alstahaug. Please see your cruise director to book if you are interested. Enjoy a special Christmas Day Brunch served in the restaurant during the day. Depart Sandnessjøen at 1:30 pm today. This is the day of mountains, passing peaks like Rodoyloven, Hestmannen (the Horseman), Lekamo and, De Syv Sostre (the … [Read more...]
Crossing the Arctic Circle at 66°33' North
December 25, 2009 by
Crossing into the Land of the Midnight Sun: Travel in Norway has many highlight moments and crossing the Arctic Circle is one of them. This imaginary geographic border circles the earth at 66°33' north and marks the border with the Land of the Midnight Sun. When one crosses the Arctic Circle on a northbound Hurtigruten cruise in summer, you're entering into the Land of the Midnight Sun and similarly when you we cross it on the southbound journey, you leave the southernmost point at which … [Read more...]
Northern Lights – We See the Lights!
December 25, 2009 by
On a Mission to See the Northern Lights: It's 2:30 a.m. when the phone rings. It's the Reception informing us that the Northern Lights have been sighted. Half asleep, I'm not sure if I'm hearing correctly or if this a practical joke? By this stage of our return Hurtigruten cruise, I was beginning to give up hope of seeing the Northern Lights. The person on the phone confirms that it's a sighting so we jump into our clothing, grab our cameras and head out to the back of the ship. It's the … [Read more...]
Christmas Eve in Sandnessjøen
December 25, 2009 by
Stopping in Sandnessjøen for Christmas Eve Celebrations: Day 10: Bodø - Ørnes - Nesna - Sandnessjøen. After leaving Ørnes, the voyage continues through exciting and colourful waters, sailing through narrow straits bordered by lush farmland along the shores of Helgeland. Nearly every peak of the towering mountains in the background is associated with a local legend.Crossing the Arctic Circle you will arrive in Sandnessjoen at 12:15 pm, the ancient seat of a Viking Chieftain. Here the … [Read more...]
Svolvær – Capital of the Lofoten Islands
December 24, 2009 by
A Gateway for Tourism on the Lofoten Islands: Day 9: Tromsø - Finnsnes - Harstad - Risoyhamn - Sortland - Stokmarknes - Svolvær - Stamsund. Today traditional Norwegian "Julegrot" - Christmas porridge will be served and in the bar. Find the almond in the porridge and you win a prize! Together with fellow passengers and crew you will decorate the Christmas tree. A coffee and cake buffet will also be available at the bar.Arrive Harstad at 8.00 a.m. where you have the opportunity to … [Read more...]
Hammerfest, Kingdom of the Polar Bears
December 23, 2009 by
Hurtigruten Norwegian Cruise -Southbound Journey: Day 8: Mehamn - Kjøllefjord - Honningsvåg - Havøysund - Hammerfest - Øksfjord - Skjervøy - Tromsø. A brief call is made in Havøysund before arriving in Hammerfest at 11.15 a.m. You are now in the northernmost town in the world - Hammerfest is the first town in Norway to get electric street lights! Whilst in Hammerfest you might want to see St Michael's Church, which has a shining stained glass painting as an altar background and … [Read more...]
Kirkenes – the End of the Journey for Some
December 22, 2009 by
Kirkenes, a Town Near the Russian Border: Day 7: Båtsfjord - Vardø - Vadsø - Kirkenes - Vardø - Båtsfjord - Berlevåg. The ship sails into Kirkenes where you will have the opportunity to go ashore. You may wish to participate in a shore excursion from Kirkenes to Storskog the Norwegian/Russian border station or you could participate in the 'Barents Safari' (15.12 to 05.05), an excursion by snowmobile. At 12.45 p.m. the ship departs Kirkenes and starts the second half of its … [Read more...]