Kirkenes

We awoke to glorious sunshine once again. We were berthed in the port of Vadso, the last port northbound prior to Kirkenes. As we ate our breakfast we passed stunning scenery. We noticed 2 or 3 dolphins (or porpoises - hard to tell from a distance) and large lumps of ice floating in the sea. Apparently the gulf stream does not reach this far, meaning that the sea is considerably colder. The forecast for today was a high of minus 8 and a min of minus 15. Several layers of clothing were going to be necessary when we venture off the ship. As soon as we had docked at Kirkenes we disembarked and headed for a coach heading for a snow hotel. What an excursion this turned out to be!! The tour guide gave an interesting commentary as we drove through the snowy streets and uphill to reach the hotel. Before entering the hotel we visited the huskies. Many of the dogs were hitched up to sleighs ready to take groups of people for rides through the snowy terrain. Others were fastened to their kennels and were excited to see all of the people on trips. 7 or 8 sleighs pulled off, and as the last one left the dogs left behind howled and howled. Apparently the dogs really enjoy being active and running in the snow pulling sledges. Presumably those left behind will get their chance later in the day. We spent an hour or so investigating the inside of the snow hotel. We have never seen anything like it before. Temperatures inside were set at minus 4!!!! 13 bedrooms in total, each with a different theme. The bedframes, bedside tables and headboards were all carved out of ice. The walls and ceilings made from snow. How anyone sleeps in these temperatures bewilders us. In the bar area we were served a fruit drink. After visiting all of the bedrooms and the hotel reception we were given a reindeer sausage and another hot fruity drink in the restaurant area of the snow hotel. Before we boarded the coach back we visited reindeer who were living in a field behind the hotel. The males shed their antlers before winter but females retain theirs. This is because the females are usually pregnant over winter, and the antlers enable them to battle their way through undergrowth and reach more food. The coach returned us to the ship just in time for our departure. Now heading back the way we came - a 5 day trip back to Bergen. The menu on board has now changed to the Arctic menu. For lunch we had the choice of reindeer broth, fried char, smoked herring sandwich amongst other things. We eat 3 or 4 small dishes (a bit like Norwegian tapas). All very tasty.Read more