NordKapp

We could have taken an excursion from Hurtigruten to Nordkapp (North Cape) for NOK1150 per person but that would mean that several busloads of people would arrive at Nordkapp at the same time. Instead, I rented a Ford Focus from Nordkapp Bilservice for NOK950 for 4 hours. I found them online. They picked us up at the port then we went to their office which was actually a gas station. Signing the contract was quick and we were on our way even before the people taking an excursion boarded their buses.

It's easy to get to Nordkapp. There's essentially 1 road so it's hard to get lost. It's 34 km and 45 minutes from the port to Nordkapp. In the winter (Oct. 1 to Apr 30), you have to travel by convoy so you're probably better off taking the excursion from the ship or a bus from the TI in Honningsvag (NOK590). The convoy leaves at 11 am and noon and returns at 1 pm and 1:45 pm.

We found a herd of reindeer en route and were able to stop the car to take pictures. I was surprised that the reindeer were white.

Entry to Nordkapp. Entry fee is NOK260 per person ($32). Entry fee was included in the ship's excursion price and the price of the bus from the TI.

Nordkapp is located at 71 degrees 10 minutes 21 seconds.

The Globe--symbol of Nordkapp. It was erected in 1977. We got there 10 minutes before everyone else arrived so it was great to have the place to ourselves.

One busload arrived, followed by 3 more. The Globe was crawling with people.

King Oscar's Monument--Monument raised by King Oscar of Norway & Sweden to mark the outermost limit of the union.

Puffins can be found at a nearby island. These were part of a display at Nordkapp. It was my only chance to see a puffin. There was a birdwatching excursion from Hurtigruten to see puffins for NOK1250. The people who took the tour saw puffins but they were still too far away to get a good picture.

Thai Museum. It was odd to find a shrine to the Thai king at Nordkapp. Apparently, this was to commemorate the king's visit in 1907.

Mother & Child sculpture near the entrance.

Children of the World--monument designed in 1989 by 7 children from various parts of the world to symbolize collaboration, friendship, hope and happiness across all borders.

Nordkapp was thought to be the northernmost point of the European continent. Turns out that honor belongs to a spit of land visible from the cape.

Returning to the ship, we stopped at the gas station, filled the car with gas and were driven back to the port. Easy peasy.

2016 05 27