Day 5, Hurtigruten

After we left Trollfjord, we went to sleep. The ship called at Stockmarknes at 1 am, stopping for just 15 minutes. Next port of call was Sortland at 2:45 am, another 15-minute stop. At 4:15 am, the ship arrived at Risoyhamn for another 15- minute stop.

There was 1 1/4 hour stop at Harstad but we didn't get off the ship because it was too early. The ship arrived at 6:45 am and left at 8 am.

View of Harstad from the ship. It used to be known for herrings but today, it has become the headquarters for oil exploration.

Trondenes Kirke is the little white building with a red roof. It is the northernmost medieval church in Norway.

At 11:15 am, we arrived at Finnsnes. It was a 30-minute stop.

Gisund Bridge, which links Norways 2nd largest island Senja to the mainland.

More gorgeous scenery en route to Tromso

2016 05 26

Thursday Night Dinner

Here's this week's Thursday Night Dinner at Flavor Bistro. You get 4 courses with wine pairings for $24.95

Tortino Di Granchio--Sautéed Dungeness Crab Cake Garnished with Basil Aioli & Crispy Shoestring Sweet Potatoes, paired with 2014 Alexander Valley Vineyards Chardonnay, Wetzel Family Estate 

Quaglia Arrosto--Pan Roasted Quail Served in Cannellini Bean Ragù Flavored with Oven Roasted Toy Box Tomatoes, Zucchini & Sweet Basil in Sugo D'Aglio, paired with 2014 Bonny Doon Vineyard Clos De Gilroy Grenache, Monterey

Agnello Alla Griglia--Grilled Lavender-Marinated Lamb Loin Chop Garnished with Slow Cooked Peperonata & Creamy Black Olive Polenta Topped with Herb Gremolata, paired with 2013 North by Northwest Wines Cabernet-Syrah Red Blend, Columbia Valley

Crostata Di Pesca--"Peach Pie" Garnished with Toasted Almond-Mascarpone Cream, paired with 2015 Centorri Moscato di Pavia I.G.T., Italy

2016 08 18

Trollfjord

After we left Svolvaer, we journeyed into Trollfjord an hour later. It is 2 km long and only 100 m wide at its mouth. It was now 11 pm but we still had enough light.

Fortunately, I could see it all from our cabin.

The fjord had numerous waterfalls.

We journeyed up the fjord

to the narrow mouth. The captain turned the boat around 540 degrees so those on both sides of the ship could see the end of the fjord.

2016 05 25

Svolvaer

After dinner, we arrived in Svolvaer at 9 pm. This is the center of the Lofoten Islands. We were docked for an hour.

Svolvaer is an adorable town and some people got off the ship and spent a night. We just got off and walked around for 45 minutes.

The mountains were majestic.

Fishermen's cabins, which have been converted into tourist cabins, can be found all over town.

Goat Mountain with it's 2 horns 1.5 m apart. People have been known to jump between the 2 horns.

Some people spent the time in port at the Magic Ice. There were ice sculptures, as well as bars, tables and chairs made of ice. Supposedly, you were given a parka and gloves but they were not enough to keep you warm. Cost of admission was NOK165 (roughly $20) and it included a shot of their signature drink in an ice glass.

As we left port, there were racks of cod drying. Svolvaer is known for cod and all things related to cod--cod fishing, fish processing and boat traffic.

Statue of the Fisherman's Wife as she waits for his safe return.

2016 05 25

Another Dinner on Hurtigruten

Back on board, we attended a lecture on "How the Fjords Were Formed," then dinner was a 3-course sit-down meal.

Beet & Barley Risotto with Cheese from Aaland Gard in Lofoten

Cod and Norwegian Chorizo. Not sure what the green side was.

Nyr from Grondalen Gard with Chocolate Cake and Berry Compote. The Nyr is a fresh cheese from an organic farm with just 19 cows.

During dinner, this was the view from the dining room.

2016 05 25

Bodo & Saltstraumen

We arrived in Bodo at 12:30 pm. There were 2 excursions offered in Bodo: a RIB safari (on zodiacs) to Saltstraumen (NOK1050) or a bus to Saltstraumen (NOK425). Saltstraumen is the strongest tidal current in the world. We were only in Bodo for 2 1/2 hours so we opted to take the bus tour rather than risk missing the ship if we went on our own.

The Norwegian Royal Yacht was docked in Bodo. It wasn't terribly impressive.

On the way out of town, we passed Bodo Cathedral, which was built in 1956.

We arrived at Saltstraumen just before high tide and the currents were just okay. The bus parks near the water but the best view is from the bridge. Sit on the right side of the bus so you have the best view of the currents.

While at Saltstraumen, we ran into the RIB safari. I think we had the better view.

Here's a video of the currents at its best:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci-uwzFIsgE



2016 05 25

Crossing the Arctic Circle

The Arctic Circle is the northernmost of the 5 major latitude circles that mark maps of the earth. At the Arctic Circle, the sun can remain above or below the horizon for 24 hours, hence the term "land of the midnight sun."

Although the Arctic Circle is an invisible border, there is a globe on Vikingen Island that marks it.

When you cross the Arctic Circle, there is a ceremony to celebrate the crossing. It's a chilly ceremony--ice water is poured down your back.

Hestmann Island on the Arctic Circle. 

After crossing the Arctic Circle, our next port of call was Ornes. We were only there for 15 minutes.

Ornes is a beautiful little village with spectacular mountain scenery.

2016 05 25