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- Apr 4, 2024, 6:12 PM
- ☁️ -4 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- NorwayFinnmarkHammerfestVegenSalsvatnet70°39’49” N 23°41’5” E
Hammerfest furthest City North
April 4 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ -4 °C
Some time ago we watched a series set in Norway where there was reference to the Sami people. I have therefore been interested to know more.These are the indigenous inhabitants of Norway. Technically, however, they lived across Northern Europe and when the borders of countries were defined their land became part of Sweden, Finland, Russia and Norway. Today we got to learn a little bit more about the Sami people, the history, culture and language. Very much like our Australian Aborigines the Sami people moved between the seasons. In the winter they lived higher up in the snow and in the summer they came down to the coast. This was to provide food for the reindeer herds that they managed. They also face problems when the expectation was that they would be integrated with the people of Norway rather than live as they always had. They lost their language and culture along the way.
As we leave the ship we see a bear carved in ice placed near the bus just for our benefit, a nice touch. Hammerfest is the most northern city in the world. Unsurprisingly it is freezing cold around -5 when we leave the ship. The city has suffered quite a lot over the decades having been destroyed by war, severe weather and fire. Each time it has been rebuilt.
The Sami camp is just above the city. We are taken into a traditional house that would typically sleep everyone in the family and we were told about the history and culture of the people around a fire in the center of the building. The house reminded me very much of a yurt, round structure with a hole in the top to let the smoke out. The floor was covered with sticks which were then covered with reindeer skin. The family would live in here including cooking and sleeping.
We are taken to a lookout for a view over the city. It is a great place to see the town, our ship, the sea, and the mountains beyond. A local guide tells us that she has been up here several times and has never actually seen the he view because it is usually too cloudy or foggy to see anything. We have been so lucky.
As we sail out of the fiords whales are spotted. Our expert is really excited, on the horizon dozens of blows from the whales can be seen, she thinks they are fin whales and are feeding. One fin whale comes close to the ship, I can see it's dorsal fin and back really well.Read more
Traveler It all looks fantastic!
Traveler I remember thinking the same thing when we had the lecture on the Sami when we did the norther lights in 2019. glad you are having such glorious weather.
So peaceful and pollution free [Adrienne Reid]