Cruising Day 4!

06-06: Early this morning we crossed the Arctic Circle, around 7a. We weren’t dressed and outside, but we had a good view of the marker from our window. From now on, for the trip north we will not see the sun set. We are truly living the Midnight Sun theme! Our first stop today was in Ornes. We were there less than 10 minutes. We were supposed to be there the full 10 minutes but the duty was done and we left. They unloaded a few items with a forklift and 2 or 3 people got onboard. It was a pretty town with a population of 1,650.

It is fairly nice weather in the 50s but on the outside decks there is wind and it is very cold. We went to deck 8 outside to listen to what we thought was a lecture. Actually, it wasn’t. There was a contest about who would guess the exact second we would cross the Arctic Circle and here they announced the winner. Some honor - but NO. They gave her a little Havila flag and then put a huge ladle of ice and water down her back. They offered anyone who followed suit a free drink – NO way! It was so cold with the wind I was surprised anyone would want to do this. However, most people were loosening their jackets and prepping for the cold ahead. We headed back to the cabin. Most of our day was following the maps and enjoying the scenery while playing cards!

Cruising Day 3!

06-05: We are in Trondheim today. None of the tours looked interesting so, we took a walk into town. Leiv Eiriksson greeted us in the form of a statue. We hoped we would find the town. We never did find the town! We were in a harbor area and it seemed to be mostly office buildings. After we got back, I talked to a couple other ladies and they walked on and never found town either. The one person who said they did find town didn't find much there, a cathedral and something else that I don't remember. Anyway, it was a nice walk. And we have enjoyed the scenery ever since then. Watching the change of the mountains from high peaks and shale-like places to rounded places like the Dolomites. There are a lot of wind machines, or windmills. We thought we would be out into the open sea by now. However, just when we think we are headed there, there is another set of mountains. We played cards most of the afternoon sitting by a huge window for fantastic views. We had an early dinner. We skipped lunch because we ate a big breakfast. My dinner was delicious, Stuart had the veal and it was not very good. It seems a lot of the food is not hot when served. Some is even room temperature. It must be the Norway style. The fish dishes I have had, have been very good. It was another early night for us. We seem exhausted right after dinner!

Cruising Day 2!

06-04: We got up early enough to have breakfast. Our day was spent mostly up the Geiranger Fjord. It was absolutely beautiful with many lovely sights and waterfalls. There are a lot of remote homes and you just wonder how they survive there. Is there electricity? Is there drinking water? Where do you get groceries? We have a meeting every night around six on deck 8 with information. I think I will try to find out some of the answers there. My favorite site of the day was the Seven Sisters Waterfall. We found a great seat to watch the scenery go by as we played 5 Crowns. Meals were fine. The beef they serve is not tender at all, and all is cooked to medium temperature, which doesn’t help. Food is not served very hot either. Fish soup and the fish were both tasty. It is 57-60F but comfortable with sunshine most of the day. A few clouds and a sprinkles, but not much. We are still tired from the time change – 9 hours ahead of “home” time – so bed early again tonight. 

Boarding Day 1 for Havila

06-03: I really didn’t want to get out of bed today! Stuart was up, showered, and ready before I even got up. We had a nice breakfast and then back to our room to ready our suitcase for the next lap of the journey. We will leave the suitcases at the hotel while we explore the area around the hotel and before we head to the Havila ship for our voyage up north. It is a fantastic view from our hotel room. This area is called Bryggen Historical area right near the harbor. 

We had more than a one hour wait standing in line to get on board, that was brutal. The cabins are not ready yet. We had a glass of wine and waited in the cafe until they were ready. We are very tired still adjusting to the time change. Dinner was nice and we chatted with a couple of sisters from Australia and New Zealand. After dinner, we unpacked only what we needed to go to bed. And I think it was only 8:30p. It was an exhausting day, but I saw a lot of new things. Stuart has been here before.

We had more than a one hour wait standing in line to get on board, that was brutal. The cabins are not ready yet. We had a glass of wine and waited in the cafe until they were ready. We are very tired still adjusting to the time change. Dinner was nice and we chatted with a couple of sisters from Australia and New Zealand. After dinner, we unpacked only what we needed to go to bed. And I think it was only 8:30p. It was an exhausting day, but I saw a lot of new things. Stuart has been here before.