Big Adventure

toukokuuta 2018 - joulukuuta 2031
  • K and A's road trip
Nykyinen
Travels in a motorhome
This blog is written to remind us where we have been and what we have done
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  • K and A's road trip
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  • Norja Norja
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  • Kristiansund

    29. maaliskuuta 2024, Norja ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    The major town being visited today is Kristiansund, some many miles south from our breakfast location which was the harbour at Trondheim.
    The stop over at Kristiansund was for just an hour, so we opted to remain on board.
    On our way south Syd spotted the gas refinery on the mainland where he worked for a week over 30 years ago.
    The ship navigated narrow passageways through the islands prior to hitting open water on the approach to Kristiansund.
    The previous day's Phase 10 game was completed, and we enjoyed another game of Barbu in the bar/lounge as we passed by the beautiful scenery.
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  • Bronnoysund

    28. maaliskuuta 2024, Norja ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    The outside temperatures were getting warmer as we continued southbound. With not as much ice and snow on the hill sides the landscape appeared less dramatic as we weaved our way through the islands along this coast. In the morning we passed across the Arctic Circle once again.
    At Bronnoysund the ship docked for a couple of hours,and we were able to stretch our legs in the town. We found only one small shop open for business, as Norway shuts down to celebrate Easter.
    In the evening the crew set up a game of Easter Bingo in the bar/lounge which the boys reluctantly joined in. The staff were dressed as chickens and us oldies had difficulty keeping up with the number calls, which were done in three languages. Karen won the full house, main prize, and we are now proud owners of a Havila flag signed by the captain.
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  • Lofoten Islands

    27. maaliskuuta 2024, Norja ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C

    We had high expectations for today, as we knew the ship was sailing into a particularly beautiful part of the coastline. Our breakfast stop was at Harstad, where upon leaving, the ship blasted the foghorn three times. The ship's captain lives in the town and was telling his mates that he was on his way.
    A flying stop at Risoyhamn, before we hit the Ss's of Sortland, Stokmarknes, Svolvaer in the evening and Stamsund overnight. Stokmarknes is the location of the headquarters of Hurtigruiten, where the business started and where they have their museum. The stopover was for an hour - we took the opportunity for a quick walk in the snow.
    The journey was all we expected on a bright sunny day, islands linked by bridges and ferries, a narrow passage (Raftsund) between Lofoten Island and its neighbour. Sea eagles in the air near Trollfjord and little settlements tucked into the hillsides, surrounded by snow covered mountains and trees. Marvellous.
    The boys enjoyed a visit to Lotopils, a micro brewery, where they learned a little bit about the art of brewing up here, care of the founder and owner of the enterprise. They got to sample 7 of the pils and ales brewed on the premises which were very nice - the IPA being the favourite.
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  • Hammerfest

    26. maaliskuuta 2024, Norja ⋅ ☀️ -6 °C

    Continuing our journey - our primary stop today was the most northerly city of Hammerfest, but first there was a quick stop at Havoysund, where one person joined the vessel and three people disembarked - to be greeted by family.
    At Hammerfes we had a quick jaunt around the bay to stretch our legs, and to replenish the tonic water supplies.
    We then moved on to stop off at Oksfjord, a remote community tucked away down a deep fjiord the lady announcer advised that her home was hereabouts, and as we left, she advised that her village was tucked up an even more remote fjord, surrounded by high mountains (1200m) and with a glacier a little further up the inlet. Apparently, in the summer months, with no night-time, sleep does not feature too strongly-parties can start at any time of the day.
    There was an early evening stop at Skervoy and overnight at Tromso and Finnsnes.
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  • Kirkenes

    25. maaliskuuta 2024, Norja ⋅ ☁️ -8 °C

    Some more photos from Kirkenes - the church on the headland.
    Leaving Kirkenes in the afternoon, the southbound journey promised daylight visits to the majority of ports visited in the dark on the northbound journey.
    Our first stop was Vardo, where an impressive radar station is perched above the town, followed by Batsfjord at twilight. Mehamn, Kjollerfjord and Honningsvag were visited overnight.
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  • Kirkenes

    25. maaliskuuta 2024, Norja ⋅ ☁️ -11 °C

    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.Lue lisää

  • Honningsvag

    24. maaliskuuta 2024, Norja ⋅ 🌬 -5 °C

    We were geared up for a midnight wake-up to see the Northern Lights, but it did not happen. Clearly, the sky clouded over a bit too much.
    The voyage commenced northbound, and we passed through beautiful sounds once again, with snow laden cliffs cascading down to the waterline on either side of us. We continue to see isolated houses dotted here and there on the mountain sides. Unbelievable that people live so far north. It would not suit us with winter lasting 6 to 7 months here and bitterly cold temperatures. Temperatures inside the ship are toasty. We covered up considerably to venture outside with our camera as the -5 deg C air temperature apparently would feel like -11 degrees C with the wind chill.
    The ship docked at Honningsvag, the port that serves the vehicle transfers to see the Northern Cape.
    We strapped on our snow spikes and had a wander around the town and port side area - all very quaint and colourful. The harbour was full of small fishing vessels berthed up for the Easter break. The only shop open (it being a Sunday) was the Christmas shop. We had a good look around the 2 floors of goodies and bought a couple of wooden decorations to take home. The town looked very pretty in the sunlight.
    In the afternoon Jo and Karen attended the talk on board about the Sami people. An interesting briefing, informing us of the history and culture of the Samis. Their customs, religion and languages are now recognised constitutionally throughout Scandanavia.
    With the skies clear and predicted overnight temperature of -16 deg C, we expect that the Northern Lights may put up a show tonight.
    We were not disappointed. Just before 9pm we were informed that indeed the northern lights had appeared. Everyone rushed up to deck 9 and ventured outside to gaze at the night sky. It was bitterly cold - bbrrrr! The lights were amazing, just as we had imagined. Impossible to capture on camera, but we enjoyed the experience despite the temperatures outside.
    Leaving port in late afternoon we stopped off briefly at Kjollefjord in the daylight, and overnight at Mehamn, Berlevag, Batsfjord and Vardo.
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  • Tromso

    23. maaliskuuta 2024, Norja ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C

    Waking up to clear skies, we wound our way through narrow passages and sounds. The landscape, covered in snow and ice was looking ruggedly beautiful. We passed by remote villages by the fjords, hugging the strip of land next to the sea. The ship stopped off at Finnsnes to drop off or pick up passengers, many of whom were returning to family to celebrate the Easter break.
    At Tromso, we disembarked to join an excursion. 15 of us piled into a mini bus, and we were taken up to the top of the island to a snow-covered parkland. We had enrolled on a snow- shoe walk, and our charming guide took us through the forest park, stopping off at intervals so we could take in the views and learn a little bit more about the town.
    The walk ended with a small campfire with warming beverage and nibbles, but not before we all had the opportunity to try our hand at tobogganing. The locals made it look so easy, which we were unable to emulate. We found ourselves spinning in a complete circle as we sped down the hill. It was great fun, though - and must have been quite amusing for anybody looking on.
    In early evening we set off to, visit the ports at Skjervoy, Oksfjord, Hammerfest and Havoysund.
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  • Bodo - day 4

    22. maaliskuuta 2024, Norja ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

    Upon waking we looked out of our cabin window as we sailed past mountains covered in snow. We soon received an announcement to inform us that we would shortly be crossing the Arctic circle, which we did whilst sitting at breakfast. There is a metal globe on an island in the sea marking the position of this. However, we discovered that, apparently the Arctic circle moves 15 metres north each year - all due to the pull of the moon. The morning was spent at sea as we journeyed towards Bodo, our next stopping off place. We passed through snow-covered fjords - all very beautiful. Jo and Karen attended the Arctic circle ceremony. This involved a cupful of ice being poured down people's backs, followed by a drink of "pure vitamins" (a mix of chilli, lemon and grapefruit juice - quite revolting!).
    The ship meandered through the small passageways, which hug the coastline, giving us great views of the countryside with its smattering of local communities. At Ornes, the final stop prior to Bodo, a number of people disembarked the ship. We had planned on disembarking at Bodo to take a walk around the town. However the rain upon our arrival there put us off, and we opted to stay on board. We visited the bar for cocktails for the girls and beers for the men. We played cards (Barbu and Phase 10) - great fun.
    The night-time stop overs were in and around the Lofoten Islands, apparently a particularly beautiful part of the journey, Stamsund, Svolvaer, Stokmarknes, Sortland, Risoyhamn and just prior to breakfast Harstad..
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