Hurtigruten: Day 1 & 2

Friday, 23 January 2015

Ahoy there! We are now about the Finnmarken, heading to the far far north.   Our first night onboard was un-eventful, except for the unusually clear skies which allowed us to see the Northern Lights at about 11pm.  We were all fast asleep in our cabin when they announced the sighting over the PA and the resulting scramble for warm clothes, cameras & wits was comical.  Tonight we'll attempt to be more prepared before we go to bed!  In any case we are still so far south they weren't that spectactacular - hopefully we'll get clear skies further north as well.  

Today was sunny and beautiful again - the scenery is indescribable - the camera doesn't do it justice.At lunch time we had a 3 hour stop at Ålesund - a town known for fishing and, surprisingly, (given it feels like we are miles from anywhere) for it's Art Nouveau architecture.

 

 

With the promise of allowing the kids to spend the afternoon back on the boat doing whatever they wanted to (which in their case was watching back to back episodes of American Picker in the cabin), we force marched them the couple of kms up the hill behind the town.   Like Bergen, it was cold, but free of snow in most places.  According to the locals, it's pretty incredible weather and we shouldn't take it for granted. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Everything else on the boat is going well.  As I mentioned the views out the window are great although don't come out The kids love the buffet breakfast and lunches although we've just suffered through them hating everything they were served (no buffet) for dinner. Our waiter assured us we could ask for something simpler for kids on future nights. To be honest though, they'd survive without dinner at all given how good the other meals are (and so could we!).

 Argh - just had a northern lights alert - have to run outside…later..

norwaysummary
Random Photos Friday, 13 February 2015
Goodbye Drammen & Norway Friday, 13 February 2015
Putin the Norwegian Forest Cat Thursday, 12 February 2015
Goodbye Geilo Thursday, 12 February 2015
Ice Fishing - what's not to love.. Wednesday, 11 February 2015
Remains of the day Tuesday, 10 February 2015
Mountain Views Monday, 9 February 2015
uvær Monday, 9 February 2015
Melting.. Monday, 9 February 2015
Lessons Saturday, 7 February 2015
Ice Music Festival Day 2 Saturday, 7 February 2015
Wait for Meeeeeeeeee!!!!!! Saturday, 7 February 2015
Drammen to Geilo Friday, 6 February 2015
I can't believe it's come to this.. Thursday, 5 February 2015
We've come a long way.. Thursday, 5 February 2015
Mesnaelva Wednesday, 4 February 2015
Postcard Perfect Wednesday, 4 February 2015
Free days Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Point to Point Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Norwegian Forest Cat - Update 2 Monday, 2 February 2015
Ski-Every-Day team Monday, 2 February 2015
Kjelke Kjøring and Butt Racers Monday, 2 February 2015
Norwegian Forest Cat - update Sunday, 1 February 2015
Getting through the list.. Sunday, 1 February 2015
Forest Cats and Snow Dogs Sunday, 1 February 2015
Yes. We should all move to Lillehammer. Sunday, 1 February 2015
Lillehammer Day 2 Saturday, 31 January 2015
Hmmph Friday, 30 January 2015
Hurtigruten: Day 7 & goodbye Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Hearts and minds Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Hurtigruten: Shiplife Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Hurtigruten: Day 6 Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Hurtigruten: Day 5 Monday, 26 January 2015
Hurtigruten: Day 4 - part 2 Sunday, 25 January 2015
Hurtigruten: Day 4 - part 1 Sunday, 25 January 2015
Hurtigruten: Day 3 Friday, 23 January 2015
in our hearts and minds Friday, 23 January 2015
Hurtigruten: Day 1 & 2 Friday, 23 January 2015
Goodbye Bergen, hello Hurtigruten Thursday, 22 January 2015
Going Undercover.. Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Beautiful Bergen Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Norwegian Breakfasts Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Over the hills and far away Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Quick Update Monday, 19 January 2015
Ice Hockey! Monday, 19 January 2015
Ski trip #2 Monday, 19 January 2015
Handsome Norwegian Boys Monday, 19 January 2015
This is why.. Sunday, 18 January 2015
Ski Audit Saturday, 17 January 2015
Tourist Day Saturday, 17 January 2015
Snow Day Saturday, 17 January 2015
Thank you Oslo. Saturday, 17 January 2015
Plugged Wednesday, 14 January 2015