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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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May 13, 2014 04:00 PM Easternmost and northernmost cities?
Days are long in the Arctic. We have sunset at 11 pm... Yesterday in the evenning we docked at Vardo - little fishing settlement at the entrance from the bay to the Barents Sea. Strong sun was shining giving great photo opportunity when we passed little fishing port. But Vardo is worth to recommend for the other reason. In 1737 Norway built here a little stronghold which is well preserved till now. And till now it is the easternmost city of Norway. It is 10 minutes walk from the dock to the wall, canons and original builldings in the fort courtyard. Everythinng in colors and bright sun! I spent there so much time that later I was running to the dock and boarded "Lofoten" as last passenger after they blowed the horn. :)
Today, sailing south in the strong wind and snow (yes, thick snow on May 14th!) we reached Hammerfest - quite large city. They describe themselves as "the northernmost city in the world" Hmmm.. I visited few towns in the far north. Longyearbyern, Tiksi, Grise Fjord. Barrow in Alaska has probably the best chance to be on the top of the list. Hammerfest is larger then any of this places (more then 10 000 inhabitants) so if we will use this criteria they are right... :)
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May 12, 2014 04:00 PM Arctic - 10 kms from Russian border...
The north ocean was rocky last night - we were sailing on the open ocean (in fact -Barents Sea), not protected by the islands. But in the morning I saw through the cabin window a huge bay and only small waves.
At the southern end of this bay lies Kirkenes - little town (5000 inhabitants) often described as "the end of Norway". It is only 10 kms from the town to the Russian border. Streets and shops here have their names also in Russian alphabet. Once, being in Russian Murmansk I saw public minibuses going to Kirkenes. There must me a lot of traffic through this border.
There is not much to see in Kirkenes: church, war shelter, War Mother monument in the market and thanksgiving monument to the soviet soldiers who liberated Kirkenes in 1944. But the feeling to be somewhere at the end of... is unusual.
Kirkenes is our turning point: in the afternoon "Lofoten" will start the return journey south - to Bergen, visiting during the daytime ports visited at night during first leg. The crew say that so far we were very lucky regarding the weather. I do hope that it will be sunny when we will come to Lofoten Islands...
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May 11, 2014 04:00 PM To the Nordkapp!
The northernmost point of Europe lies on the Norwegian island of Mageroya connected to the mainland by tunnel and bridges. In the morning we docked in the little port of Honnigswag, which lies on Mageroya, so there was no need to use the tunnel. From the port it is still more then 30 kms to the Cap in the beautiful and harsh scenery of the Arctic. At this time Mageroya is still almost completly covered by snow. Bus is going there from the port (490 krones for round trip). Surprise: I found that the young lady driving us to the Cape is from Gdansk. Her name is Monika!
On the way to the Cape we made a stop at Sami indigenous people camp to see reindeers and national costumes. Then affter 20 minutes drive we reached 300m high cliff. This was Nordkapp! Weather was good so I am bringing nice pictures under the "globe" monument...
Then, heading east on the open ocean we got high waves and our old ship was rocking... In the late afternoon we passed Nordkyn cape - the northernmost place on European Continent. No monument there...
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May 10, 2014 04:00 PM Sunday in Norwegian Arctic
The advantage of travel with Hurtigruten (they translate it as Coastal Express) is that the ship always docks in the center of the town so you do not waste your time for transfers. Ships are sailing on time. And you have from 15 min to 6 hours to explore each of 34 ports on our route to Kirkenes.
Today in the morning we were sailing at the bottom of picturesque mountains. More and more snow of them and it is much cooler then yesterday.
In the afternoon on the horizon I saw a high bridge spanning both sides of the fiord. This was famous Tromso Bridge - more then 1020 m long.
On the continental side of the bridge they built a modern Arctic Cathedral - one of the landmarks of the city. They charge 40 NOK for entry. Close to this place you will find cable car who ca take you for hefty 200 kronen to the top ofvthe snowy mountain for the view of thd city and whole fiord... They have Polaria museum wih aquarium and Polar Museet dedicated to the early days of Tromso, whale, seals- and polar bear hunters etc... Nice day. I pray for a clear weather for tomorrow, expecting that I will see Nord Cap.
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May 09, 2014 04:00 PM Crossing the Arctic Circle one more time...
At 7.11am I crossed Arctic Circle again... On little rocky islet I saw a monument - little globe. The ship blowed the horn. A lady from Germany won the contest and get the diploma from Neptune on the open deck. Then she was first in the line to get Arctic baptising - a big spoon of icy cold water under her collar... Brrr... But the newbies has around a great scenery of high islands and snowy peaks to have their pictures with Neptune...
At 12 pm we entered Bodo harbor. Bodo is second town in Norwegian North. We had 2,5 hours to explore the city (that's enough if you are well organized). There is contemporary cathedral, Bodin church and Aviation Museum to see
In the afternoon we were heading to the high "wall" of Lofoten Islands - famous for its beauty. Most of the passengers take there a tour to attend "Viking feast" , sorry - not me, because the tours are here very expensive (as is everything in Norway). So I will explore the site again by foot...
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May 08, 2014 04:00 PM Trondheim -what a cathedral!
There is one more reason to love "Lofoten" - free wi-fi internet connection from the ship lounge. Preparing for this journey I was reading that all Hurtigruten ships have internet except old "Lofoten". So it is update and very pleasant surprise.
Today we woke up in Trondheim - large city with 170000 inhabitants. Trondhieim was founded in 967 by Vikings.
There is gothic cathedral. Great cathedral comparable to those in France! Everybody knows about about Notre Dame but who knows about Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim? Built from 1070 onward it surprised me with huge size and ornate decoration. Do not miss it when in Norway!
Right at the cathedral there is old bishop's palace to see. I also climbed the hill to Kristiansten Fortres for the aerial view of the city. Trondheim is alsounique beause many preserved wooden houses. You will see them along the river and in atmospheric Bakklandet quarter.
We departed from Trondheim at 12. Two hours later we passed the most beautiful Norwegian lighthouse located on the little rocky islet.
And now we are saling onward north, I sit in the lounde enjoying the coastal views through the windows, and I write this for you... Long live the internet!
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May 07, 2014 04:00 PM "Lofoten" - the great oldtimer...
Our ship was scheduled to depart from Bergen yesterday at 10.30 in the evening. After check-in we boarded "Lofoten" at 6 pm. I like this ship from first step on the deck -it is old-fashion and very cozy. I made a good choice of the cabin - let you know that 303 has two lower berth and a regular window. Other cabins of the lowest D cathegory has upper and lower berth and a pothole only or no window at all!
We sailed out enjoying harbor light of Bergen.
Today in the morning after wake up I recognized that the sun is shining and we are sailing in the beautiful scenery of fiord, rocky islands and snow capped mountains. Great journey!
In the afternoon we docked 3 hours in Alesund - little, lovely fishing town. I climbed the hill overlooking the town (418 steps) for the great view. It was great!
In the evening there will be another short stop in Molde...
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May 06, 2014 04:00 PM New journey: Trough the Arctic Circle
One more interesting journey! This time, I am not going so far - only to the Norwegian fjords that once I already watched (up to Geiranger) from the mainland.
And now I'm going to admire them from the ship.
Hurtigruten shipping line sends daily from Bergen one ship, which sails north - through the Arctic Circle - up to Kirkenes at the Russian border visiting on the way the islands, fjords, ports. Then it sails back along the same route to Bergen sailing during the day these episodes, which on the way north passed by night. I will go on the old ship "Lofoten", who reminds me of the ferry boat "Columbia", which many years ago I was sailing to Alaska with my son Adam.
"Lofoten" is 50 years old. It is housing in the cabins only 150 passengers. Please keep your fingers crossed for the good weather on the Norwegian coast - I want to bring you nice pictures!
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May 01, 2014 04:00 PM Tulips in my Wojtkowka...
I had enough time for change of the plane in Munich airport -
if you are arriving from EU and departing again to EU you do not go again through the security control - just walking from gate to gate. And at the gates they offer unlimited coffee and tea in self-service stands... I prefere Munich to Frankfurt as a transit point!
It was late evening when I landed in Gdansk. One more interesting voyage is over!
On the next morning I was already in my Wojtkowka, enjoying tulips in blossom, forget-me-nots and other spring flowers... What a view! I just returned from the rich world of tropical flowers but those ones are always closer to my heart :). Cherry trees are also in blossom - all white now, and apple trees will be flourished soon. I hope to enjoy their beauty before I will pack my backpack again. :) Crazy, isn't it?...
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Apr 29, 2014 04:00 PM Welcome to Lisbon!
Congratulations to our Polish captain Arkadiusz Branka! We arrived to Lisbon even before scheduled time. Nobody will miss the flight... I had a great pleasure to listen to the comments of the other passenges: Viva capitan Polaco! Captain Branka came to say me goodbye and to give me the interesting magazine so I will have an interesting lecture during my long flight home.
Lisbon in the sunny morning looks spectacular. Just after sunrise we found ourselves on the Tag river, passing historic Belem Tower and high bridge of Lisbon. At 10 am I disembarked at Rocha passenger terminal. Taxi drivers were waiting outside, but I preffered to walk 30 minutes to the nearest subway station - Sodre. Subway ticket to the airport costs only 1.40 euro, but you must pay extra 0,50 for the magnetic card. Why?
It took me 1.5 hour to the airport with line change on Alameda station.
Lisbon airport offers 30 minutes of free wi-fi connection. I hope that Lufthansa flight will be on time...
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