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

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#WildFlowerHour #BloomScrolling

3/40

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.

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4/40

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

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5/40

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

6/40

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

7/40

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

8/40

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

9/40

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

10/40

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

11/40

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

12/40

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

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel

13/40

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

#Hurtigruten #MSNordnorge #Travel #WildflowerHour #BloomScrolling

14/40