We boarded a few boats during our time in Norway. First, we were cruising along the western coast of Norway on the ferry/postal ship, the Hurtigruten.
The Hurtigruten
We also took a number of ferries as part of our road trips. It’s just a natural and reliable way of life, and transportation, in the area where we were.
The electric ferries carry big loads.
On the ferry…you can get out of your car and stay out on the deck or sit inside.
And, we took two more intimate rides in a boat that Heine and Kari have at their cottage. It seats six comfortably, and they graciously took us for rides on the Norwegian sea.
Going for a boat ride.
A fun place to be!
I love the water. I love being on it, or beside it. This was a special treat.
The scenery was stunning.
The scenery was breathtaking.
The scenery was colorful.
The scenery was pastoral.
On one trip we docked in a town called Fitjar, where Kari grew up.
Enjoying ice cream in Fitter.
We disembarked and found ice cream treats, before getting back on the boat to continue our fabulous ride.
The scenery included many styles of boathouses along the sea shore…
and hilly and rocky shorelines.
What a pleasure it was to be on the water, taking in a different perspective of this absolutely, beautiful country.
Ever since I heard of the Hurtigruten years ago, I have always wanted to take this postal/ferry working ship along the coast of Norway. I’m so glad Gary made it happen, and I was pleasantly surprised at how nice and comfortable the ship turned out to be.
This is the Hurtigruten arriving in Tromsø at midnight.
We met a fun couple the first day, well… actually the first night. We boarded the Hurtigruten at 12:30 in the morning – but it was light out so who knew?
We got into an elevator that held four people and luggage, that took us to a small foyer with locked doors so we had to take the elevator back up again. There was another couple from Norway in the elevator with us. We laughed about the elevator ride, and then, when we saw them later, we started talking and spent time together on board.
The postal flag on the back of the Hurtigruten.
Comfortable lounge chairs to sit and watch the world go by.
A nice lounge area.
The ship made many stops, but very few for any length of time, so we only got off the boat twice for an hour each time during our three nights on board. The food buffets were fabulous, and the view from the dining area – great. Our cabin was tiny, but we were only in it to sleep.
Our view from the dining room in the back of the ship.
Boat docks along the shore at one stop.
We sailed through the fabulous Lofoten Islands, which are known as one of the most stunning areas of Norway. Majestic mountains, fjords, and fishing villages dotted the coastlines.
Our ship entered the narrow passage to the Troll Fjord and it was gorgeous. We went to end of this small fjord and turned around. Again, we were blessed with a beautiful, sunny day.
Entering the Troll Fjord, a very narrow fjord, but very wide in beauty!
Along the Troll Fjord.
Also along the Troll Fjord.
As we crossed the Arctic Circle at 66*33’ N there was a special observance. We gathered on a deck and the crew pointed out an Arctic Circle marker on a rock, to indicate the latitude/longitude, as we passed by.
The Arctic Circle marker on an island in the sea.
They also offered us some oil on a commemorative spoon. I didn’t quite understand what was happening, but I got in line anyways, to get the teaspoon. Later I asked what it was I swallowed on the spoon, and found out it was cod liver oil! Fisherman, and many people above the circle, used to take cod liver oil daily (and some may still) as it is a good source of Vitamin D, and it is said to bring you a good and healthy life.
11:16pm…south of the Arctic Circle.
The only entertainment on board was the stunning views of the Norwegian coastline…and that was all we needed. We spent many hours enjoying the scenery.
We disembarked the Nordkapp/Hurtrigruten in Trondheim, anticipating more adventures.
It’s been two weeks since celebrating America’s Independence Day, the 4th of July. Although we didn’t get to see any fireworks in the night sky, Gary and I were welcomed to Bergen, Norway on the 4th of July with an American flag waving for us, in the reception area of the Bergen airport. A few of my second cousins met us at the airport to welcome us to Norway. What a great way to be greeted on the 4th of July. It was better than fireworks.
Warm greetings from the Norwegians, for Gary and I.
So happy to be here!
When we first arrived in Norway, a week prior to meeting up with the relatives, we flew directly up to Tromsø, a city 200 miles above the Arctic Circle…the land of the midnight sun. And we were witnesses to that sun that did not set…I saw the sun at 2 am one morning when I woke up.
The midnight sun, from our hotel room window, 2:16 am.
After two days in Tromsø, we boarded the Hurtigruten, a Norwegian coastal ferry and postal service boat that travels along the Western Coast of Norway, making many stops along the way. We had reserved a cabin on it for three nights…and it was amazing. We were delighted and surprised to realize it was more than a working ship, but very much a comfortable, not extravagant, ship with wonderful buffets at mealtime, and relaxing chairs next to large windows overlooking the magnificent beauty of the Norwegian coast. We liked the size…not too big…and the only entertainment was the breathtaking sea and scenery, and that was enough.
We were on the Hurtigruten, Nordkapp.
We disembarked the ship in Trondheim, where we spent the next two nights at a hotel. We walked around the city for two days, plus had a needed, relaxing rain afternoon.
Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.
Trondheim is the city where St. Olaf College performs choir concerts in the majestic Nidaros Cathedral. I’ve heard about this cathedral for years while working at St. Olaf. It was fun to finally see it….and when we purchased tickets…we learned the young woman behind the counter had been to St. Olaf College singing with her Norwegian women’s choir.
I don’t understand the question mark on Bergen’s airport identification sign.
Then… we flew to Bergen, where we began the second half of our trip with my wonderful, amazing Norwegian relatives, who treated us like royalty. We spent the next nine days with them and it was over-the-top wonderful!
From the airplane, along the mountainous coast of Norway.
From the airplane…along the western coast of Norway.
Norway, a country of 5 million people, is a stunningly, beautiful country with mountains, fjords, pristine shorelines, and breathtaking natural beauty. It is clean with friendly, warm and welcoming people.
In the coming days I will be posting blogs about this amazing odyssey. I will struggle with what photos to share…I took many!
