Thread: Sunset above the Arctic circle

Woodbe,
I assume you sailed on the Hurtigruten? I made that trip in February 2001 and instantly fell in love with the place. Truly amazing place, wonderful people and the most incredible scenery. Did you get to see the Northern Lights? If I had the money, I would be out the door so quick I would probably forget to turn the computer off and cancel the paper.

Ray,

Indeed. We sailed Kirkenes in the north down to Bergen on one of the newer ships (MS Midnatsol). Northern lights turned up on the second night aboard. We gotta go back

woodbe.

I went both ways as the round trip. I was on board the MS Vesteralen. I was really well looked after by the crew. I booked at short notice and took the cheapest option I could, somewhere below the water line and between the engines and the sewerage plant was the cabin I picked. On checking in, I was greeted by Troon, the purser i guess is the only english title for him, and he told me that they had moved me from my chosen cabin to a cabin above the water line, porthole view and no extra charge. I was the object of some curiosity amongst the crew and other passengers because they were absolutely amazed that someone came so far to visit Norway. I certainly won the "furthest distance travelled to Bergen" award that trip.
As I said, I would go again in a second, next time I would go either mid summer or more likely, mid winter their time. I would probably break the trip up as well, rather than do the 12 days/nights non stop.

Cool. We took a vote, and we decided that next time, we would go in winter. We'd also spend more time around Kikenes, visit the Russian border and do lots of the frontier-type stuff they offer up there.

The crew were great, although they didn't give us an upgrade We had 2 cabins, one for the boys to sleep in, and one with a bit more room and facilities. Expensive business though...

Replying to my own post

Can anyone view this little slideshow I made of a few of the images of that region?

http://bellavist.com/blog/?p=74

woodbe.

great slideshow,Woodbe.I'M jealous

Thanks for sharing that, Woodbe - most impressive...as is your blog - once again! I've saved the link so I can show our kids!

Cheers,
Jill

Hmmm... when I first came up to live in the Frozen North I was actually looking forward to seeing the long winter nights, months of snow etc :eek:

That was more than ten years ago now. Now that another winter is starting I am looking forward to spring already. Anyone else who has experienced the bum-numbing rigidity of a car driving seat frozen solid at -50 C will doubtless know what I mean...

"Zetorpilot"

Originally Posted by woodbe

Replying to my own post

Can anyone view this little slideshow I made of a few of the images of that region?

http://bellavist.com/blog/?p=74

woodbe.

G'day Woodbe,

Beautiful shots you've taken there.

Hey, thanks for all the comments, I've been unable to visit for a bit, and now it's hot!

Zetorpilot, I can't imagine a car seat at -50c. It's pushing +39c here today...