CFT Northern Lights - Tromso

Sunday 11 March

Some photos of the Eiderducks as we left Bodo.

Up at 6:30 for a beautiful sunrise photo.

Breakfast was followed by a lazy morning watching the world go by until our first presentation fo the day followed by our short Sunday service.

When we arrived in Tromso we boarded a bus for a tour. Our first stop was Polaria, a museum attached to the Polar Research Centre.

Again our visit was far too rushed before boarding the bus again to see more of Tromso.

We stopped briefly at the very modern Tromso Arctic Cathedral which is really just a parish church.

Back over the bridge to the city centre where we were dropped at the Tromso Cathedral to attend Choral Evensong.

Photo courtesy CFT

Photo courtesy CFT

This is a beautiful wooden church with large gallery on 3 sides and 2 organs. The choir was 15 strong and the minister was a young woman. It was a wonderfully peaceful service - a traditional anglican evensong.

A short walk brought us back on board in time for dinner then we spent a bit of time sorting out what was happening in the morning as the various outlines we have seem to be contradictory.

As we were going to sleep the ship developed a distinct roll in a broad fjord. Certainly not the calm seas we've had which are apparently most uncharacteristic.

At about 10pm we had the Northern Lights call from the captain. A bit more obvious than last night but very pale green. Unfortunately it was really too indistinct for a photo but Bjorn (one of the ship staff) did photograph it with his camera on special settings and in fact it was stunning. It seems that the eye does not see as much as the camera in this case.

Troll Fjord. Photo courtesy Hurtigruten

Tromso northern lights. Photo courtesy Bjorn, Hurtigruten.

CFT Northern Lights - Bodo

Saturday 10 March

Soon after 7 am we were out on deck to view the globe marking the arctic circle. The sea was a bit choppy earlier but quickly settled in the lee of yet more islands and rocks. Sunrise was beautiful.

At 7:15 am we crossed the Arctic Circle and this warranted a ceremony on the top deck.

There was an arctic crossing ceremony with a visit from Neptune (or whatever he is called in Norse).

At breakfast I met Beverley Moor who has recently retired from Maths at UTS.

The morning presentation talked about the freedom-to-roam law in Scandanavia which basically you can walk anywhere even if it is private land. You can even camp 2 nights as long as you are 150m from the house. Another thing we found out about was Simon Beck and his snow art. It is fascinating and all done with snow shoe foot prints.

We had an early lunch then on arrival at Bodo saw lots of Eider Ducks on the harbour. Barbara and I went for a coastal walk as our afternoon activity. This was magnificent except for my back-hip-leg of course. The water under the sand was frozen and there were even sections of frozen tidal foam.

Our walk took us across a Viking ship burial mound and some large areas of ice.

At the end of the walk we were served a cup of warm mjad tea, a tea made from some plant with salicilic acid (I needed that) and with honey added.

Back on the bus and to the ship just in time for departure. Our group had a sing along around the piano and were then ready to leave on our next activity.

Barbara and I booked for the Lofotr Viking Feast. This meant we had a long drive to the museum before a very rushed ceremony and a delicious feast of slow cooked lamb and vegetables. There were lots of toasts to various players and gods with mead and even a very quick circle dance before we were herded back on the bus.

I would have liked to have had a little more time to really look at the Viking hall we were in and the gift shop. Our trip back to the ship was another 50 minutes drive to the next port.

We quickly went to bed and luckily I got about an hour sleep before the captain announced the appearance of weak northern lights. I got up and had a look but I could not wake Barbara. The lights were really just pale whispers and as it was really cold I went back to bed and slept soundly.

CFT Northern Lights - Trondheim

Friday 9 March

Up early and into thermals for our shore visit in Trondheim. The forcast is -7 to -5C. After breakfast we boarded a bus for a tour of Trondheim city. First we were taken to a lookout and then through various streets.

Our next stop was the Nidaros Cathedral. What a magnificent cathedral with two organs - one baroque organ suspended in midair and one more modern organ that curves around under the rose window. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photos inside but the website has some fantastic views of the interior. But we were allowed to sing the doxology inside.

It was interesting that all the major churches were built next to one another in the same street - catholic, salvation army, synagogue and baptist and more.The cathedral is described as ecumenical but was built Roman Catholic then in the Reformation became Lutheran. It has had a chequered history like many very old churches.

Back to the ship and on our way again with of course another delicious smorgasbord lunch.

During the afternoon I spent time out on deck (until I froze) and in the viewing lounge catching up with writing and chatting to people. A game of dominos before dinner.

Photo courtesy CFT

During dinner a few of us saw a whale lazily swimming near the rocks but too far away and too dark to photograph. After dinner we had the repeat session of the Northern Lights video - The Northern Lights - a Magic Experience by Pal Brekke and Fredrik Broms. It is an extremely good video with beliefs, science and fantastic photography.

CFT Northern Lights - Hurtigruten Cruise - Alesund

There are two ways to follow our journey:
The web cam on the Hurtigruten Nordnorge website at https://www.hurtigruten.us/our-ships/ms-nordnorge/
The CFT facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CFTholidays/

Thursday 8 March

I had a lovely long uninterrupted sleep, the first since leaving home. The cruise so far has been like the Hawkesbury River on steriods - flat as a pancake with high mountains on either side. The ship and other Hurtigruten ships are also the local ferries and postal delivery service. Many people get on and off at each stop and just hope along the coast in small bursts.

Up and out to breakfast at 7am then up to level 7 to watch the view. We hit open sea for a while but luckily for me it is very calm so far with just a steady roll. Apparently this is not expected at this time of the year. There are actually plans to dig a 1.5km boat tunnel between two fjords so that this bit of open water is avoided.

My day was spent on board nurturing my back-hip-leg and just watching the incredible scenery we were passing. The gulf stream obviously moderates the temperature at water level where the snow disappears first but the tops of the mountains are very thick with snow.

We had a few presentations during the day about the shore excursions we are booked for and more that we can pay for.

Barbara went ashore at Alesund to wander on her own and take a few photos of the Art Nouveau buildings. Neither of us could stay awake for the 9:30pm presentation on the Northern Lights but then we heard an announcement that it would be repeated at 8pm tomorrow.