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Escape the Heat (August ‘26)
  • Two to Travel
  • Ahmet Erkun
  • Two to Travel
  • Ahmet Erkun

Escape the Heat (August ‘26)

Our August getaway in search of cooler, more comfortable temperatures in Europe … from Norwegian Coastal towns to Baltic Sea ports. Leggi altro
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  • Escape the Heat (August ‘26)
    1Approaching Brønnøysund.
    1Approaching Brønnøysund.2The Brønnøysund sign ... marking the geographic center of Norway.585 miles (840 km) between north and south ... geographic center of Norway.The bridge that crosses to Lille Brønnøya.Pop of color at the park on Lille Brønnøya.The pedestrian bridge at the other end of Lille Brønnøya.Brønnøysund Church2Brønnøysund Church & Fishermen's MemorialFishermen's Memorial from 1859.Sailing out of Brønnøysund.Sailing out of Brønnøysund we pass the bridge that links to Lille Brønnøya.Bye bye Brønnøysund.3Torghatten is a unique landmark ... a mountain with a hole in it.

    SB Day 10: Brønnøysund

    17 agosto, Norvegia

    Today’s long stop — one hour and 15 minutes in Brønnøysund — was scheduled for 3:00p. By then, any hope for sunshine was gone.

    The small coastal town greeted us with a stiff wind, that occasionally carried rain drops with it. We didn’t let that deter us from going ashore. The locals were smarter … at home, at work, or in the mall … cozy and warm, protected from the wind.

    We went for a wander around town, following the waterfront. We passed the mall … though we did walk through it on the way back; strolled by the local pub, which used to be a barber as well as a bar at one time; found the Brønnøysund sign that marks the geographic center of Norway … Lindenes Lighthouse 585 miles (840 km) to the south; Nordkapp an equal distance to the north.

    Continuing from there, we crossed over to the park on Lille Brønnøya (Little Spring Island) … using the bridge that connects it to the rest of the town. Billed as a cultural hub and a place for festivals, the park was all but deserted today. So, we continued inland from there toward the church, which was consecrated in 1870. Alas, it was closed, so we had to be satisfied with wandering the grounds … where we found a memorial from 1859 to the fishermen from Brønnøysund who lost their lives at sea.

    We were hoping that we’d find a place for a quick bite on the way back, but nothing really grabbed our attention, and the ice cream shop was closed. So, we meandered back to the ship, arriving a few minutes before the all-aboard.

    Around 6:00p, we joined Andy and Wendy for dinner at our assigned table … but did have to beg leave later to go out on the bow on deck 6 forward when the cruise director advised that we would be making a quick detour for a glimpse of the hole in the center of Torghatten, a granite mountain that is 850 feet (258m) asl.

    The scientific explanation for the hole … it was carved out of the softer rock by glacial ice and water during the Scandinavian Ice Age.

    But what mountain with such a unique feature wouldn’t have a legend associated with it? 😄

    According to Norse folklore, the hole was made when a troll king shot an arrow to stop the beautiful girl he was trying to abduct from escaping his clutches. The king of Sømna threw his hat in the path of the arrow to stop it from hitting the girl … and the hat turned into the mountain with a hole … which explains the name … Torghatten = the hat of Torg.    Leggi altro

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  • Escape the Heat (August ‘26)
    Olga the robot carpet sweeper on her way to her charging point on m/s Havila Castor.
    Olga the robot carpet sweeper on her way to her charging point on m/s Havila Castor.

    SB Day 11: Stalking Olga

    18 agosto, Norvegia

    Mui’s an early bird.

    He gets up, gets dressed, and heads up to deck 6 to get a cup of coffee from the machine, check his newsfeed to catch up with the world.

    On m/s Havila Castor, he’s been visited by Olga every morning while he’s having his coffee.

    This morning, he decided to stalk her to see where she lives.

    Who is Olga? Well, you have to watch the video to find out.    Leggi altro

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  • Escape the Heat (August ‘26)
    The historic fortifications on Munkholmen Island ... this time with a bit of sunshine — Trondheim.
    The historic fortifications on Munkholmen Island ... this time with a bit of sunshine — Trondheim.The Toldkammer is the old customs house — Trondheim, Norway.1Mui being artistic with bikes lined up and ready for customers — Trondheim.Leiv Eiriksson led the way — Trondheim (see next photo for the plaque that explains it all) ...The plaque that explains Leiv Eiriksson's importance to Americans of Nordic heritage — Trondheim.

    SB Day 11: Trondheim

    18 agosto, Norvegia

    Last night was a bit rocky … probably the most motion we’ve felt at any point on this cruise, including the times when the vessel goes out to the open seas for a couple of hours.

    We had read that the timing of the long stops on the KB leg — Kirkenes to Bergen southbound — was not always optimum. That was definitely the case today when we stopped in Trondheim from 6:30a to 9:30a.

    Perhaps if we had not been to Trondheim before, I would have made an extra effort to go out for a while. But since that wasn’t the case, I decided to take it easy. Mui, already up and at ‘em for his morning coffee, went out to stretch his legs for a while, so I do have a few photos to share.    Leggi altro

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  • Escape the Heat (August ‘26)
    From Kirklandet with Nordlandet in the background — Kristiansund, Norway.
    From Kirklandet with Nordlandet in the background — Kristiansund, Norway.2Panorama of Nordlandet from Kirklandet — Kristiansund."Klippfiskkjerringa" honors the women who worked in the clipfish industry — Kristiansund.WWI and WWII Monument — Kristiansund."Sildegutten (Herring Boy)" commemorates when young boys sold herring door-to-door — Kristiansund.The Sundbåten ferry runs between the four islands — Kristiansund.Manhole cover in Kristiansund; 1742 is when city status was granted.Anchor of the Stella, a full-rigged ship that was wrecked in 1920 ... crew and pilot rescued.Floral pops of color on an overcast day — Kristiansund.Coat of Arms — river flowing between two cliffs to the sea; salmon swimming upstream — Kristiansund.The Nordsund Bridge connects Nordlandet (R) with Gomalandet — Kristiansund.Looking aft from the ship to Gomalandet — Kristiansund.In case you're not sure where you are, the big letters are there to remind you — Kristiansund.Closer look at Nordlandet as the ship heads out — Kristiansund.Nordlandet Church — Kristiansund.Colorful bathing cabins along the shoreline — Kristiansund.Leaving Kristiansund, we pass the Stavnes Lighthouse, first lit in 1874; decommissioned 1984.

    SB Day 11: Kristiansund

    18 agosto, Norvegia

    Not to be confused with Kristiansand, which is just east of the tip of Norway … quite a distance from where we are presently.

    Kristiansund was today’s second long stop … longish is probably more accurate since we had just 50 minutes to wander around before the all aboard at 5:20p.
    Since this would be our last stop before completing the voyage tomorrow in Bergen, we decided to go ashore to stretch our legs despite the cold wind and the spitting rain. That we spent our first time here — in 2019 — visiting the deserted fishing village on nearby Grip Island, with just a short time in the city itself was an added inducement for our decision.

    (Photos from Grip at this link … we highly recommend this day trip if the weather is good … https://findpenguins.com/8pccjefaitoru/footprin….)

    Leaving Kristiansund, we were once again in rough seas for a while. Nothing too worrisome, but noticeable.

    Before calling it a night, we checked in for tomorrow’s SAS flight from Bergen to Copenhagen, where we will spend a few days before continuing our ‘escape the August heat’ trip.    Leggi altro

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  • Escape the Heat (August ‘26)
    1While enjoying his coffee, Mui saw Insignia passing ... the ship on which we did two world cruises.
    1While enjoying his coffee, Mui saw Insignia passing ... the ship on which we did two world cruises.Scenery on the last leg to Bergen.Scenery on the last leg to Bergen.Scenery on the last leg to Bergen.Scenery on the last leg to Bergen.Scenery on the last leg to Bergen.Scenery on the last leg to Bergen.Scenery on the last leg to Bergen.Scenery on the last leg to Bergen.Scenery on the last leg to Bergen.Scenery on the last leg to Bergen.Scenery on the last leg to Bergen.Feels good to enjoy some time on the aft deck.Fish farm on the last leg to Bergen.Fish farm on the last leg to Bergen.Scenery on the last leg to Bergen.Scenery on the last leg to Bergen.Time to bid the Norwegian coast "ha det" ... Bergen is just around the corner now.

    SB Day 12: Bergen Bound

    19 agosto, Norvegia

    The last day of our voyage.

    Overnight, we stopped in Ålesund, Torvik, and Måløy. The short stops went unnoticed. But I can’t say the same about the motion of the ocean between Torvik and Måløy. That was very much felt.

    To travel between these two ports, ships have to go around the Stad Peninsula into the Stadhavet Sea. The open water here is considered particularly treacherous because this is where the currents of the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea meet. There are no islands of any size to offer protection from the sea conditions. Some historians even claim that the Vikings used to haul their vessels overland to bypass the waters in question.

    Norway has come up with alternative manhauling vessels. To avoid this stretch, a ship canal/tunnel is planned that will cut through the Stad Peninsula. When completed, it will be the largest such maritime tunnel, allowing vessels up to 16,000 gross tons to pass through it. The contract was apparently awarded earlier this summer. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and the canal/tunnel is scheduled to open in 2031. (More info here: https://tunnelbuilder.com/News/Norways-Stad-Shi….)

    Should be a soother ride. In the meantime, back to our day.

    We were at breakfast when we made the 15-minute stop in Florø at 8:15a. With nothing special planned for the rest of the day, we enjoyed a leisurely meal before returning to the cabin to finish packing.

    Even though we were not due to arrive in Bergen until 2:45p, we needed to vacate our cabin by 10:00a so that the crew could begin preparing for the northbound passengers who would be boarding once we disembarked. We met that deadline, placing our luggage in a designated area on our deck for the crew to move to the cargo area.

    The good news? We’d been promised great weather for this last day on the ship, and the promise was kept. So, in addition to the lounges, we had all the outdoor decks available to while away the time. We found a spot on deck 5 that gave us a place to enjoy the scenery when we were inside … and also leave our carry-on bags when we were outside or at lunch.

    With the gorgeous blue skies and sunshine, clicking the camera shutter was a pleasure, and the scenery was delightful.    Leggi altro

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  • Escape the Heat (August ‘26)
    Nordhordlandsbrua is both a cable-stayed and a floating pontoon bridge — Bergen, Norway
    Nordhordlandsbrua is both a cable-stayed and a floating pontoon bridge — Bergen, NorwayScenery on our way to the Jekteviksterminalen — Bergen, Norway.Scenery on our way to the Jekteviksterminalen — Bergen, Norway.Scenery on our way to the Jekteviksterminalen — Bergen, Norway.Scenery on our way to the Jekteviksterminalen — Bergen, Norway.Looks like a Viking ship is calling on Bergen today.This is the park we walked to at the tip of Nordnes Peninsula back on 7 August — Bergen.On the lower left is the Nordnes Sea Bath facility ... opened in 1910 — Bergen, Norway.Coastal scenery on the way to the Jekteviksterminalen — Bergen, Norway.In the background is the funicular we took up to the top of Mt Fløyen — Bergen, Norway.Upper Left: Fredriksberg Fortress (1666); Lower Right: the old sardine factory; now cultural center.L: Nøst (houses the fireboats); R: Jekteviksterminalen — Bergen, Norway.

    SB Day 12: Bergen Disembarkation

    19 agosto, Norvegia

    “Vort Hjerte veed, vort Øye seer,
    hvor godt og vakkert Norge er...”
    ~~ Henrik Wergeland; 1814; Norwegian Poet ~~

    (Our heart knows, our eye sees,
    How good and beautiful Norway is …)

    OK. Yes. I took these words from the Havila Kystruten brochure. It perfectly describes our sentiments about this trip — rain and overcast conditions notwithstanding.

    And so we arrived in Bergen … under conditions that were the total opposite of what they were when we embarked m/s Havila Castor on 8 August.

    Once the ship was tied up, the deck 5 gangway was deployed. Almost immediately, a stream of people began embarking the ship. It was literally like an invasion … in this case, by an army of cleaning staff coming aboard with vacuum cleaners, buckets, mops, and what have you to deep clean the public spaces. On none of our 65 cruises have we ever seen anything like it!

    We’d received instructions, which were repeated in a P/A announcement as we approached the terminal, that disembarkation would be done deck by deck. We were requested to wait for the appropriate announcement. And so we did.

    Well, if there were any announcements, we did not hear them … and we were right there in the deck 5 lobby. What ensued was a rather chaotic disembarkation. We waited for the crowd to dissipate. Around 3:00p, we had our ship cards scanned one last time before heading off the ship.

    The ground floor of the terminal was packed. At the far end were the northbound passengers waiting to check-in. At the foot of the escalator, where the conveyor belt for checked bags was in operation, were our shipmates, clamoring to get their luggage. I took the carry-on bags and went outside the terminal to wait while Mui waded into the crowd. It took him 15-20 minutes to come out with our two bags.

    Having compared the taxi fare from the terminal to the airport against the Havila transfer, we had booked the latter a few days ago. It was easy enough to find the bus, stow our luggage in the cargo compartment, and find seats for the ride. We had a bit of a wait for the rest of the transferees to show up, but we were in no hurry … we had several hours before our flight was scheduled to depart.

    And on that note … this segment of our ‘escape the August heat’ trip is now concluded.

    I had every intention of blogging the next segment — which will take us from Copenhagen to Helsinki, with stops in Germany, Sweden, and several Baltic countries. I’m afraid I am going to have to postpone that for now.

    So, I’ll just say ciao for now and see you all back in Bologna, Italy.    Leggi altro

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    Fine del viaggio
    29 agosto 2026