TO THE MS MAUD

 TROMSO AND BOARDING THE MS MAUD:

We actually slept till 0800. We had a very nice breakfast at the Quality Hotel Saga. We then packed our bags and stored them at the hotel and struck out for the Troll Museum. 

Most things inTromso open at 1000, so no rush at all this morning. We enjoyed the troll museum, learning about the troll of Norway. 

Before we knew it it was almost 1300 so we went back to the hotel and gathered our bags for a 2 block walk to the MS Maud. 

Our stateroom was ready so we dropped our bags and explored the ship to get our bearings.

First we got at temperature check and dropped off our health forms. Next was getting stateroom keys and photos. Then we received our expedition parkas and crampons for icy conditions.

We went to reception and provided a credit card and inquired about a room upgrade. Later we learned our room is the size of a suite so decided to forego an upgrade. 

We had a lite lunch of a great fish sandwich. Lynn had a fantastic Cloudberry Milkshake. 



More exploring was in order and we checked out the Science Lab and the History Corner. Great chats with the staff, I can not wait for their presentations.

Then there was the mandatory safety drill where we learned about the exposure suits. Our muster point is the Explorer Bar on Deck 8. 

We got signed up for our excursions for the week and set up our room phone to receive announcement for any northern light activity. 

Then a most excellent dinner, with NO EXCELLENT SPEECH. Some will understand. I had a roast pumpkin and veg starter, and for our main I had a  great crusted veal and Lynn had pan seared cod. We shared our table with some new friends from the states. Great conversation was had with like minded travel folks. 

I will also say a nice selection of wine is included with ones meal. 



We have only been onboard about 8 hours and and very very very impressed with every aspect. 

I will get some room photos and ship photos together as the week progresses. 

Next up is a talk on tomorrows activities, followed by a Captain’s reception, followed by a “Tiny Talk” on the Northern Fulmar 

- BUT - 

NORTHERN LIGHTS HAVE BEEN SIGHTED!



Back inside to meet the expedition staff and the Captain. Then we were briefed on the events of tomorrow. Then what they call a tiny talk (short presentation) on the Northern Fulmer and it’s relationship to plastics in the Arctic Oceans. 


 

 

 

 

Lets Go To Tromso for a Hot Dog:

 Lets Go To Tromso for a Hot Dog:

We were up and made coffee in the room, along with a pastry we purchased the day before  at Tesco. We loaded our bags on a trolly and made the very very short walk to Heathrow  Terminal 2 and straight away to the SAS check in desk. 



Through security and straight to the Lufthansa Lounge. At the lounge, a Full Half English was offered as there were no mushrooms that I could find. Regardless, the offerings were nice. 



After a bit, we were off to our gate for the first leg to Oslo. Uneventful flight and arrived a bit early. This was good as we had to clear immigration/passport control, customs, and security, and make our way from gate F52 to  gate A10 in about 60 minutes. We did make it with a bit of time to spare, but not much. 



While boarding the plane the flight attendant asked us where we were from and we responded Wyoming in the states. He says it’s cold there so why are you going to cold Northern Norway. We both laughed. 

 



This fight was uneventful and the same flight attendant asked if we wanted some chocolate with our coffee. Well yes as who turns down chocolate. He brought us a “KVIKK LUNSJ” bar. This is best described as a very very very good chocolate wafer bar like a Kit Kat. 

As we flew to Tromso we noted the skies were dark at 1530 (3:30pm).  Tomorrow is the last day for a sunrise and sun set here in Tromso, with about 23 minutes of sunshine. After today the Sun will not rise or set on our horizon.

It seemed to take a long time for the bags to arrive and after they were gathered we grabbed a cab to our Hotel the Quality Hotel Saga. Cost was 175 NOK or about $17 ish USD. 

The Quality Hotel Saga is a very plain hotel with everything we need, thus perfect for us. Breakfast is included and we will report on that tomorrow. 



We rearranged our packs and struck out on our quest to find Raketten Bar & Pølse. Yes a reindeer hot dog with all the fixings they had to offer. Dressed akin to the Icelandic lamb hotdogs. I found them to be flavorful with a slight smokey taste. I rate them right up there with the Iceland hotdogs but not better. As the hot dog stand is just that, an outdoor stand, they provided two fire pits surrounded with benches covered with reindeer hides.

 



We next found what I call a rubber tomahawk shop “think tourist trinkets etc” and bought a keychain of a Viking Ship to use as a Christmas ornament.

Then off to find Mack - the northernmost brewery in the world located at 69 Degrees North. Here, this family owned brewery has been brewing since 1877 and has 50 beers on tap. 



This warm inviting brew pub is often referred to as the city center where locals and visitors come to meet. A most enjoyable place. 



 

Then we walked back to our hotel via a route taking us down to the waterfront. 

Now we will call it a day as we board our ship in the early afternoon tomorrow. After we check in to the Hurtigruten MS MAUD we may venture off for the Tromso Christmas tree lighting and Christmas  Market.  

Streets of Tromso:

 

The QUest for the Northern Lights Via London

 Denver to London:

After dropping The Boys at Puppy Camp, we made our way to the Ramada near the Denver Airport. Here we spent the night awaiting our flight to London the following day. We like going down a day early, especially during winter, to avoid any winter weather road conditions.



Following our pattern, we arrived very early to a near empty airport. We got quickly through security and in the club room.

 

Flight over the pond was nice as we had upgraded with miles to Polaris Class. 

Arrived at Heathrow (LHR), which was not as busy as we have experienced in the past. 



When we booked this trip, our flight from LHR to Tromso (TOS) was to have departed at 0630ish. So, for the first time, we booked at room at the Hilton Garden located at LHR Terminal 2, an easy walk across the land bridge. 

Checked in and the Room was ready, Happy Campers we are. Dropped off our bags and I did some laundry. 

This is a nice and very convenient location for a layover stay.  

 

Then we went into London to meet up with a friend who we have not seen in a while. Our meeting place was Mr. Foggs Tavern, a fun whimsical pub. If in London on a Thursday night they have a rollicking singalong.  

Fun catching up with our friend. He had plans to go to the Winter Wonderland at Hyde park, yet we did have a good meetup. I am not mentioning his name here to protect his innocence LOL. 



We finished our drinks and walked over to Covent Gardens to see some of the Christmas decorations. 

It was time for us to grab a bite, so we stopped in the White Swan Pub and had a most excellent steak and ale pie.

Then a quick stop at a Tesco Express for some breakfast fare for the next morning before our onward flight. 

Piccadilly line back to LHR and type this up while my eyes are still open. 

I must say I very much enjoy London and will be thinking of a return trip in the spring of 2023.  

Time for some sleep and get on this time zone, and repack for the flights tomorrow.

CHASING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS:

 CHASING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS: 

Expedition Cruise for the Northern Lights to Dover

We will be chasing the Northern Lights on this trip with hopes of getting some good photos. 

The journey will take us to London, overnight there, then fly to Tromso, Norway, via Oslo. 

In Tromso we will be boarding the MS Maud, a Hurtigruten Expedition ship. From Tromso we sail north to the North Cape at N71’ Lat. Then we sail South to the wonderful port of Dover UK. Spending just a bit of time in Dover and London before heading home.

The northern lights are an atmospheric phenomenon that's regarded by some as the Holy Grail of night skywatching.
The northern lights, or the aurora borealis, are beautiful dancing waves of light that have captivated people for millennia. But for all its beauty, this spectacular light show in essence is a rather violent event.

Energized particles from our sun slam into Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph, they enter our planet's magnetic field which protects us from this onslaught.
The Earth’s magnetic filed redirects the particles toward the poles — there are southern lights, too, this dramatic process transforms into a an amazing atmospheric phenomenon which is beautiful and amazing. Early Polar Expeditions recorded magnetic data. 

Some history of the northern lights

Though it was Italian astronomer Galileo who coined the name "aurora borealis" in 1619 — after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek god of the north wind, Boreas. The earliest record of the northern lights is in a cave painting in France.  

People around the world have marveled at the Aurora, with myths about the dancing lights. One North American Inuit legend suggests that the northern lights are spirits playing ball with a walrus head, while the Vikings thought the phenomenon was light reflecting off the armor of the Valkyrie, the supernatural maidens who brought warriors into the afterlife. 

Of special note to me is the legend of the Silver Harness. On the Winter Solstice our sledge dogs who have passed receive their Silver Harness - "It is when we all run together, each of us wearing a silver harness. We run when it is dark, faster and faster we go till we take off! We race into the sky, past the stars and the moon itself. The light from the stars shines and twinkles upon our silver harnesses sending flashes and streams of light all over the sky!"

Early astronomers also mentioned the northern lights in their records. A royal astronomer under Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar II inscribed his report of the phenomenon on a tablet dated to 567 B.C., for example, while a Chinese report from 193 B.C. also notes the aurora.  

The science behind the northern lights wasn't theorized until the turn of the 20th century. Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland proposed that electrons emitted from sunspots produced the atmospheric lights after being guided toward the poles by the earth’s magnetic field.  The theory would eventually prove correct, but not until long after Birkeland's 1917 death. Remember the early Antarctic and Arctic expeditions recorded magnetic data. 

Kp is an index to represent the planetary geomagnetic activity. The name originates from “planetarische Kennziffer” (German for planetary index). It has 10 main levels, numbered from 0 (no geomagnetic activity) to 9 (extreme geomagnetic activity).  We have experienced the Aurora with a KP of 2-3 in Iceland. 



General Camera Settings for Photographing
Northern Lights
Use a wide lens
Lens focus to infinity.
• Evaluative or matrix metering mode.
• Aperture at 2.8 or 4 - the lowest number as your lens can go.
• Exposure at 15 seconds for slower auroras and 10 seconds for faster ones. Adjust as needed.
• Set ISO at 1600 to start with and experiment.
Set custom white balance to Kelvin value around 3000

Let’s hope the Norse Gods give us clear skies.

Balloon Fiesta Wrap Up

 AIBF Wrap up: 



 

Well kids Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (AIBF) 50th is in the books and despite the weather it was AMAZING. Actually, the weather sorta made it amazing. Yes rain and wind canceled some events. 

Sadly Americas Challenge was one event the weather effected. Glows were also canceled. Yet skies cleared and Mass ascensions happened, Dawn Patrol flew, concerts were held, wood was carved with chainsaws, great food was served. Yes a good time was had by all. 

With these memories it is time to start planning for 2023. I think these next few years will be well attended. There were many first time attendees at AIBF for the 50th. These folks were bit by the Ballooning Bug, and will be back. Yes, back in hopes of better weather and to see more and stay longer. 

That said my advice is as follows:

#1 is start planning NOW!  Lodging is filling up. For you with an RV - 2023 RV reservations will go on sale January 11, 2023 at 9:00am Mountain time. These go quickly, yes very very quickly. Some RV lots sell out in minutes.

One may want to consider traveling with a group, either RV or Tour Company. There are advantages to this. 

We like the RV experience as you don’t have to drive when there. The traffic can get crazy. 

After you get your lodging squared away, think about becoming a Navigator. A navigator is a volunteer and the backbone of AIBF. There are many different positions to be filled, from RV hosts, Pilot registration, Bike Valet, and just too many positions to mention. There are some great benefits, if you work a specific # of shifts, (I think it is 5), the benefits may include: admission, a kewl warm coat, T-shirt and much more. Navigators are treated well. 

Another thing one should consider is being a part of a chase crew. No experience necessary and you will learn a great deal about ballooning, from laying out, cold and hot inflation, and the chasing the balloons flight, landing and packing up. A great fun experience, new friends will be made as well as great memories. You will be bitten by the Balloon Bug for which thankfully there is no vaccine.  

Next you will start noticing Balloon events in your area and attending them. 


So if AIBF is in your list of things to experience, start planning NOW!!.  Start with https://balloonfiesta.com and feel free to contact me with questions.  



AMERICAS CHALLENGE GAS BALLOON RACE

 

This year field is set for the 25th America's Challenge gas balloon distance event. Eight teams representing 5 countries are making preliminary preparations to participate in this prestige event. 

Lifting off from a common launch site on Balloon Fiesta Park, the idea is to fly further than any other team. If they do, they win! The 25th America's Challenge is scheduled to launch at 6 pm on Saturday, October 1, 2022, with inflation starting a few hours before.

One can follow the progress of the race via the AIBF website or other applications. 

 

 

AIBF Dawn Patrol

 AIBF Dawn Patrol: 



 

 

The Dawn Patrol began at Balloon Fiesta in 1978, when two California balloonists developed position lighting systems that allowed them to fly at night. Dawn Patrol pilots take off in the dark and fly until it is light enough to see landing sites.

Fellow balloonists appreciate the Dawn Patrol because they can watch the balloons and get an early idea of wind speeds and directions at different altitudes.

On mass ascension days, about a dozen Dawn Patrol balloons perform the Dawn Patrol Show, a choreographed inflation and launch set to music that has been part of the Balloon Fiesta since 1996. Dawn Patrol inflation begins, weather permitting, at about 5:45 AM, with launch around 6:00 AM.