THE NORTH CAPE

 HONNINGSVAG 11/28/22 

The North Cape:

At about 0200 we get the call “The Northern Lights are out”. Quickly dress and up to deck 9. We were out about an hour getting some photos. Back to the room when they died down at about 0300. 

I was up a bit before 0600, cleaned up and got some photos backed up. Coffee was on at 0630 and breakfast soon followed. I had porridge, beans, a tomato, and a bacon sandwich. 



The first talk of the day was on the Sami people, they are the indigenous people of Norway. We learned of the symbols and other beliefs. They are reindeer herders and there are several sub groups of the Sami defined by where they live. 



Then we boarded a bus and were off to the North Cape at 71 degrees North. This is the northern most part of Europe. Actually the furthest north point is 1.4KM away, but who is counting, close enough. 

While the sun did not rise or set, there was a perpetual  state of sunrise/sunset. The visitors center is well done talking about the history of the North Cape.

When we returned to the ship we had a quick lunch and the went for a walkabout town. We learned that as Northern Norway during WWII was occupied by the German Army, Germany had used this area for storage of supplies due to the area being a remote location.  When the Germans started to lose control of the area, a withdrawal order was given and a scorched earth policy was implemented. The church in  Honningsvag was the only building not destroyed.

BAMSE THE HERO SEA DOG:

When King Haakon had to escape from Norway in 1940, the ship’s dog, Bamse, was on guard on the minesweeper HMS Thorodd, one of the 13 Norwegian naval vessels that escorted Norway’s king to years of exile.

There are many stories of his actions, saving crew members, providing comfort and more. (Need to find the book Sea Dog Bamse: World War II Canine Hero.) 

Returning to the ship, the next lecture was about whales, followed by a Northern Lights Camera Settings. Both were filled with great info.

2100 hrs the call for the lights!!!!