CRUISING THE SCENIC NORWEGIAN COAST:

Today we enjoyed a day at sea, cruising the coast of Norway. We sailed past light houses, fish farms, and viewed some ocean bird life. The seas were calm and as we are on a small ship the channels we sailed through seemed very narrow.



We attended lectures on Weather Observation Data Reporting, and watching wildlife.

This was a very relaxing day. 



 

 

 

 

A DAY AMONGST THE FISHING VILLAGES OF REINE, NORWAY

 A DAY AMONGST THE FISHING VILLAGES OF REINE, NORWAY

 

REINE, NORWAY

An early breakfast was in order as there were buses available to take us to the fishing village of A. Yes just A, pronounced as OH! 

“A” is a classic coastal fishing village.

 From this village men in small boats would go to sea to fish. The fish were the processed by sun drying and the livers were processed into Cod Liver Oil. 



We were able to visit several of the shops and ship buildings. One was used to process the Cod Liver Oil, one was a typical household, and one was a shop for nets another fishing gear and ship repair. 



When we returned to the ship we SAW THE SUN. It had been 6 days since we had seen the SUN!!!



Next was a zodiac ride around the fishing harbor, past the classic stilted red buildings and cod drying racks with snow capped mountains in the background.

 

 

Back to the ship for the sunset and then it was dark by 3:30. 

Now we are catching up on some lectures we had missed. These are recorded so the can be viewed in our room on the TV. 
Tonight's lecture will be “Northern Lights - Can We Really Predict  Them?”. 

Later tonight will be the Arctic Circle Crossing as we learn about tomorrow. It will be a Day At Sea. 

 

At about 2115hrs (9:15) we crossed the Arctic Circle headed south. Across Norway the circle is marked with a series of globes.  

We did observe the Northern Lights off  the ships stern as we sailed South.

 

A DAY IN TORSKEN, SENJA, NORWAY:

 A DAY IN TORSKEN, SENJA, NORWAY:

TROLL WEATHER was noted as we awoke and I made my way to coffee. TROLL WEATHER - The skies are overcast, there is a mist falling and a fog has filled the fjord. 



 

We dropped anchor near the town of Torsken. The town has a population of about 250 people. Thus our arrival doubled the population. 

Our activity today is “A Taste of Senja”. Here in Torsken, cod fishing is the main business along with salmon farming. 



We tendered in and did a walkabout before our activity, finding the local church and grocery. This is a very nice little village. 



At the taste of Senja, we tried a locally brewed light beer, and tasted smoked salmon on flat bread, dried cod, and brown cheese on a waffle with raspberry jam. 

I was surprised I really liked the dried cod. It is simply air dried, and some would say it has the texture of wood, Hence, it is best consumed with beer. It has a nice mild taste and would make a nice hiking snack as it is very high in protein. 

Lynn likes the brown cheese. Brown cheese is not really a cheese as it is made from the byproducts of cheese making. The whey is mixed and boiled with sugar, cream, and butter. This produces a caramel like product. Tastes like a caramel cream cheese. We went to the local grocery and purchased some.

The local pub was having an advent night and the ship was invited. It was a nice mixing of passengers and local folks. There was warm spiced wine and hot dogs. (Yes they were good) I was able to purchase some dried cod to take home and have a locally brewed beer. It was a warm friendly evening. 

Troll Weather is obscuring this Northern Lights tonight so sleep is welcome. 

 

Two Days in Alta Norway

 

 

Two Days in Alta Norway

Alta Norway 

We awoke and made our way to coffee. While having early coffee an announcement came over the Ships PA system telling us we would be passing through some ice. We soon heard the familiar sound of ice scrapping the hull.

After breakfast we took a shuttle bus to the Northern Lights Cathedral. This cathedral construction project started in early 2000. The design of the building has been compared to a submarine as well as a cinnamon roll. 

It is the parish church for the city of Alta Norway. It serves two primary purposes. First, it is a church. Second as an attraction for visitors to Alta.
Alta is known as the Capital of the Northern Lights. Alta was given this title due to its association with Northern Lights research. It was in Alta the first Northern Lights Observatory was established. 

In the Cathedral’s lower floor there is a well done display telling of Northern Lights history to the present day. There is also an excellent movie showing images of the Northern Lights. 

After this visit we got on our shuttle bus with the intent of proceeding to the Alta City Museum. 

The bus took us back to the ship, so we decided to stay at the ship catching up on projects etc.
 


We walked about the deck taking some scenic photos in the twilight before having lunch. 

As the sun never gets above the horizon it is soon dark. Yes, it is strange and makes me sleepy. 

Next up was a presentation about the Norse Gods. This was a great review for me. 



AN ANNOUNCEMENT THE AURORA CAN BE OBSERVED: bundled up and cameras in tow we are out on deck 9 for a few photos.  

This was the followed by a Q&A session on the Northern Lights, presented by the onboard astrophysicist. She enlightened us on many bits of technical information in an understandable delivery. I will say I have a greater understanding of the Northern Lights as a result of her presentations. 

Then was a most enjoyable dinner with some fellow travelers from the UK. They had been on the dog sledding excursion and reported that it was informative and fun.



We are finding the passengers to be rather like minded in a quest for knowledge as well as being well traveled. 

Last session for the night was called “Strange but True”. This was tidbits about Norway and the life in Norway. Such as: Self propelled lawn mowers are common (think Roomba for the lawn). Here moose are called elk, so this may explain why many years ago a park visitor at Grand Teton asked me “when to the Elk turn into Moose?”. Tacos are a popular food in Norway and are usually served on Friday. So here in Norway it is Taco Friday, and Tacos will on the Friday menu. 



About 0100 hrs there was a call for weak Northern Lights, which this time we decided to sleep thru.

Alta Day 2:
I was up early and made my way up to deck 9 for early coffee. Checking for Aurora and yes they were there but very very weak as they just appeared to be clouds. 



Breakfast and then we were ready to head out for the day. The plan was to take the shuttle bus to the Alta Museum, but there was a change in the bus routes and schedule. So we simply took the bus to the City Center. We walked about a bit to observe the daily life. 

We popped into a grocery store to check out the items which were available. We bought a Mango Fanta and some chocolates. 



Then we found the discount outdoor ware clothing. I bought Lynn some hiking pants and a fleece top for her birthday. 

Then we bused back to the ship. 

Kewl areas on the ship are the science center and the History corner. 

Today was an open session at the history corner. Here a great conversation was had about the great Norwegian polar explorer’s, my brain is full with more info and more books to add to the reading list.

This was a one on one experience where the staff gave me personal lecture. Much good discussion ensued affirming my knowledge, and confirming my studies were not in vain.

 
Next we attended the mandatory Expedition Boat Briefing, which covered the zodiac boarding procedures and life jacket use. 

Then a lecture on the Maud ships and queen Maud (remember, we are on the MS Maud).

As we were finishing our dinner the call for the Northern Lights came across on the ships PA. 

Away we went to dress for the cold and grab the camera gear. The Astrophysicist Rebecca said these were some of the best she has seen entire life. Now some sleep before the next NL Call.

NL are the penguins of the Arctic , in that….. oh I have enough aurora photos…… oh look the Northern lights click ,click, click ,200 clicks later… oh look they have changed more clicks.


 




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!!!!