After our day in Kirkennes we flew to Oslo, spent the night and flew out very early back to Alesund for a two-day family whirlwind. Gustav picked us up at the airport and drove us around to neighboring islands and the small settlement and the church where our Grandpa Ole was baptized. We also saw […]
May 22 – Ending the Cruise
Leaving the Hurtigruten and our day in Kirkenes. We hugged our friends goodbye and spent the day in Kirkenes, the most northern town in Norway. Our tour guide who drove us to two border points explained that the Russians came in and drove out the Germans, thus saving Kirkenes from complete destruction (WWII, obviously). The […]
May 21 – Sami and the Reindeer
We seriously considered taking a city bus up to the North Cape; the Northernmost point in Norway, but we decided to take the official excursion bus to ensure a timely return to the boat. I’m glad we did. We got some good information from the tour guide on the Sami families in the area and […]
May 20 – The Arctic is Warm
Here is the big news about being in the Arctic. The weather is warm! We see people in shorts and sundresses in Tromso the official “Gateway to the Arctic.” The waitstaff on the ship say this is very unusual; it is still quite chilly this time of year. Of course, we bundle up when we’re […]
May 19 – We’re in the Arctic now
The views and scenery are getting more picturesque and fairy-tale like the more we head north. We had a fun, action-filled day. We took a rib-boat to see the Saltstraumen near Boden where we were docked for 3 hours. I have a 5 minute video of our experience but this link also explains it. We […]
May 18 – Visit with our cousin in Trondheim
On May 18 the city is quiet, much like the 5th of July in the States.This is especially true when the big holiday falls on a Friday. Today our cousin Torhild picked us up at the dock in Trondheim and took us to see the big cathedral and to her home for lunch. We’re in […]
May 17 – Gratulerer Med dagen
We’re beyond thrilled to have spent the day in Alesund with Gustav Flisnes, mom’s cousin. He took us for a walk around town and gave us a great history lesson. On May 17, Norway’s Constitution Day, people dress in traditional costume – Bunad and come to the parade in town. The parade was at 10am […]
May 16 – Our Day in Bergen and the Hurtigruten
We landed in Bergen yesterday and found it to be an incredible flurry of activity; more tourists than at any other time of the year – Syttende Mai is the big holiday. We are so excited to be in Alesund for May 17. We’ll be greeted at the port by Gustav and have coffee and […]
May 15 – Flam to Bergen
The weather has been sunny and warm which makes for a pleasant traveling experience and beautiful pictures. We left Flam today and continued our “Norway in a Nutshell” excursion on a ferry called Future of the Fjords. It’s a new, all electric catamaran ferry that is quiet, creates no wake and matches the calm feeling […]
May 14 – Oslo to Flam
I saved a mantra learned when my kids were each 3 years old; “I’m not tired”! Say it several times throughout the day and you’ll believe it and internalize. That is what I did today. Di did too. There is something about day three that brings you to your knees in so many situations; after […]