Mastodawn

Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 25, 2023

Recently realised a decades long dream to sail the length of the Norwegian coast, visiting the fjords aboard one of the #Hurtigruten ships, the #MSNordnorge.

My trip got off to a bit of a rough start when a cancelled flight meant that I was unable to join the ship in Bergen, missing Geraingerfjord, and then the airline lost my luggage; so I wasn't in the best of moods when I boarded in Aalesund on day 2. Despite this, it was ultimately a fantastic voyage, largely thanks to an amazing, friendly and helpful crew, who showed great kindness.

#Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 25, 2023

Awoke to bright sunshine on day 3 of the journey along the Norwegian coast. Docked in Trondheim for 3 hours after breakfast and enjoyed a pleasant walk, photographing the brightly painted wooden buildings.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 25, 2023

Even on a cruise, there's still time for a bit of botany! Found Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) growing as a #PavementPlant at the dock.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge
#WildFlowerHour #BloomScrolling

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 26, 2023

Sailing past the globe shaped monument on the island of Vikingen, on the morning of day 4, the ship marked the moment that we crossed the Arctic Circle into the Land of the Midnight Sun with a blast on the horn.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 26, 2023

Later that morning we were paid a visit by Aegir (or Hler), the Norse God of the Sea.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 26, 2023

After crossing the Arctic Circle, the uninitiated are treated to a ceremony that involves a baptism of ice. While it was optional for passengers, who received no more than a ladle-full of ice poured down their backs, the new crew got the full treatment! Glad it was a warm day.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #ArcticCircle #Travel

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 27, 2023

While the ship was docked at Bodø, I took the excursion to Saltstraummen, a small strait that boasts one of the world's strongest currents. Catch it at the right time and it can be truly spectacular. Our visit was dependent on the ship's schedule, but it was still a sight to marvel at.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 27, 2023

From Bodø, we sailed to the Lofoton Islands, docking at Svolvær for about an hour. As we departed at around 10:30pm, a rainbow appeared just outside the harbour, behind the statue of Fiskerkona (the Fisherman's Wife), waving goodbye to the departing boats.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 27, 2023

Although we had missed the Midnight Sun by a few days, it didn't drop far below the horizon, so it was still light as we entered Trollfjord at midnight.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 27, 2023

The #Hurtigruten ships that sail up and down the Norwegian coast are working ships, providing a ferry service (there were noticeably more people using this service after Bodø, where the train line ends) and carrying cargo.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 27, 2023

In between the longer stops (once or twice a day), there were many shorter ones to enable cargo to be loaded and unloaded, and ferry passengers to embark and disembark. While needing to stay nearby, there were still opportunities for a bit more botany.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #WildflowerHour #Bloomscrolling

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 28, 2023

Tromsø was our main port of call on day 5. After a bit of a wander, I stumbled on the Troll museum and spent an enjoyable half hour or so learning about some of Norway's infamous inhabitants.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #TrollMuseum #Travel

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Kathy Chandler 🌻

The food aboard was amazing. My favourite was the reindeer stew.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 28, 2023

Lunch botany! My favourite pudding was flavoured with the flowers of Meadowsweet.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #WildflowerHour #BloomScrolling

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 28, 2023

Our journey this far north was filled with vistas of mountains, U-shaped and hanging valleys, and glaciers.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 29, 2023

Stepping out onto the upper stern deck on the morning of day 6, you might have thought we were experiencing an alien visitation, but these saucer shaped clouds (Altocumulus lenticularis) form when air moves over a topographic barrier, encountered often in this mountainous environment.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Clouds #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 29, 2023

Later that morning I took the excursion to North Cape, where a globe-shaped monument marks the northernmost point in Europe - well, nearly. There is another point slightly further north, but it isn't accessible by road.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 29, 2023

Very excited to find Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) flowers at North Cape. Although they are found in the north of Britain, this is the first time that I have encountered them.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Wildflowerhour #BloomScrolling #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 29, 2023

Heading back to the ship by bus, we encountered several reindeer.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Reindeer

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 30, 2023

Later that day we sailed past Finnkirka, where erosion has carved a church-like structure from the rocks.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 30, 2023

We were treated to a particularly spectacular sunset that evening (10pm).

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 30, 2023

Ships passing in the night. With a number of #Hurtigruten ships travelling up and down the coast of #Norway each day, there is plenty of opportunity to give a wave to passengers heading in the opposite direction. As we dropped off cargo at Berlevåg, the MS Richard With arrived and waited for us to make room for them to dock. Passengers lined the decks of both ships to shout and wave as we passed, with each ship competing to have the last blast on the horn.

#MSNordnorge #Norway #Travel

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Sep 1, 2023

Oops, I've accidentally forked the thread! If you can't see post 23/40, then go back to 21/40 and tap to see the replies.

Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 30, 2023

On day 7 we reached the furthest port from Bergen, mooring up just outside the town of Kirkenes, which lies close to the Russian border. Rather than going into the town, I decided to explore the nearby small island of Prestøya, linked to the mainland by a causeway. Walking to the southern end, I found a nature trail along the edge of a bay.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway #Nature

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 30, 2023

Prestøya is popular with bird watchers. 120 species have been recorded there, including the Common Ringed Plover that I spotted.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway #Nature

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 30, 2023

I also found Marsh Cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris) and Birch Bolete.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway #Nature #WildflowerHour #BloomScrolling

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 30, 2023

I then climbed the small hill on the north of the island for a better view of the ship and town.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 30, 2023

It was a surprisingly warm day, given that we were so far north. Arriving back at the ship before most of the other passengers, I decided to hop into one of the hot tubs at the stern of the ship and enjoy the view in comfort.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 31, 2023

Heading south again, the weather turned on day 8, so it was a wet welcome to Hammerfest that morning.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 31, 2023

Still, it made for some impressive scenery, as clouds rolled down the slopes and spilled onto the surface of the sea.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 31, 2023

On the morning of day 9, we navigated the Risøyrenna, a narrow channel that had been dredged between the islands of Hinnøya and Andøya. Once safely on the other side, we were informed that low water meant there had only been a metre of water below the ship in places.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 31, 2023

A short stop at Stokmarknes allowed just enough time to race around the Hurtigruten Museum, where a retired #Hurtigruten ship, the DS Finnmarken, has been encased in glass, like a giant 'ship in a bottle'. It was interesting to see how passengers used to travel. Very glad that passengers no longer have to share communal bathrooms!

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 31, 2023

That afternoon a small boat, the MS Orca, came alongside our ship and some of us transferred across, while still at sea, to enjoy a sea eagle safari. It had to be the highlight of my trip, with (according to the crew of the Orca) 56 eagles sighted, although I'm fairly sure some would have been the same eagle! The crew said it was the most sightings that they had had this season.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway #Nature

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 31, 2023

The excursion included a visit to Trollfjord, so it was a great opportunity to photograph the #MSNordnorge as it followed us in.

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway

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Kathy Chandler 🌻Aug 31, 2023

More eagles ...

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #Norway #Nature

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Lydia Schoch Aug 28, 2023

@DrKathyChandler It looks delicious!