Crossing the Arctic Circle

Woke up to some different landscape this morning. It’s definitely cooler although still now rain. That may change the next few days.

We crossed the Arctic Circle at 8:55:19 so I was about half an hour out.
We also passed the Havila Capella before the Arctic Circle. I’ll be catching that boat to Tromso at the end of the week.

At 10:30 they had the Arctic Circle ceremony where we were visited by the Norse god of sea, wind and wealth - Njord
Those that chose (ie not me) could be “baptised” by having ice/water tipped down the back of their shirt. Quite a few participated. The last two were 2 new staff members who had the remainder of the ice water tipped over them.

I packed up and checked out of my room. We reached Bodø about 1pm. I’d signed up to do a bus ride to the Saltstraumen, the world’s strongest maelstrom. These whirlpools are caused by water being forced through the 150m narrow strait either on its way to or from the ocean.
They weren’t that spectacular but still an interesting phenomenon.

Back on the boat we were about an hour leaving Bodø due to refueling.
We had the daily briefing which focused on the stockfish industry in the Lofoten islands.
I’m experiencing a bit of FOMO as they are starting to talk about the places I won’t visit as my Havila experience ends in Tromso rather than the end of the line in Kirkenes. I can’t do everything though and I think I’ve found a good balance.

Writing this on the boat. I get off at 9:20pm (if we make up the time) then need to find my accommodation. Czytaj więcej