KIRKENES WALKABOUT

 Kirkenes Norway 

                            Sunrise and Sunset all in one
 



This morning finds us sailing towards Kirkenes. The Temp is 0 Centigrade  and the wind is 25knots off the bow and our current heading is 234’. 

We should arrive in Kirkenes at 0900 and will be there for about 3 hours. We may see some ice as we arrive. 



This is the furthest point to which we will be sailing as when we leave here we will be sailing back to Bergen. 

Kirkenes gets its name from a church built on a peninsula. We are only 7km from Russia. 

During WWII, Kirkenes housed 300,000 nazi troops given its proximity to the Russian border. Because of this concentration of troops Kirkenes was the second most bombed location in WWII. (Only behind Malta) During the bombings the residents would take shelter in a vast cavern system under the city.  

                                            A bit of snow here


Today the population of Kirkenes is about 3500. 

Until recently the border with Russia was fairly open. But with the Ukraine conflict the border was closed. In Kirkenes the nearby Russian’s would shop in Kirkenes for Champaign and baby diapers. (France prohibits the sale of Champaign to Russia) 

One highlight in Kirkenes is the Northernmost roundabout.

Kirkenes is also noted for its king crab. Here crab will be purchased to be served in the ship’s Kysten restaurant. Yes we have a reservation.

We did a nice walkabout in Kirkenes. We covered a bit over three miles and did not stop and buy anything. We did stop at one souvenir shop near the port. 

Northern Most Roundabout.

Yes the houses do look rather the same here in Kirkenes. This is because when the city was rebuilt, the houses came in pre fabricated from Sweden. IKEA Style

CRAB IS KING 

                                        Liberation Monument

                                          Speed Slow (zone)



Here are some thoughts on the Hurtigruten Ferry Line. #1- we like it, #2 Very good and informative lectures, #3 nice small ships, #4 Great Food and service. Would we do this again - YES WE WOULD! We feel we need to experience this in a different season.

Need to Know Stuff: #1 Your ports of call are usually in an industrial area and you will need to walk to the town centers, or cab. #2 I feel the excursions are expensive. #3 Drinks onboard are not included like on the Expedition Voyages. A beer is about $14.00, as alcohol is heavy taxed in Norway. #4 the upscale dining is an uncharge and well worth it. (Drinks are not included). 

Yet when all is said and done, we really like Hurtigruten.