USA to Norway

02-06-24

Kirkenes

After a hearty breakfast and lunch we left Tony and Judy’s for the trip into Louisville Airport and our flights to Norway. Bit of a milk run with flights from Louisville to Chicago to Rejkavik, Iceland, to Oslo and finally to Kirkenes, far Northern Norway. A very full day of travel and a change of time zones. We arrived into Kirkenes around 8 pm but our bags are still in Iceland. (P:- We know the location of our bags as they have “Apple Tags” on them, they proved very useful for lost baggage location). Oh well hope they turn up tomorrow. Helen and Ian greet us as we arrive at the hotel and once we have our room sorted we head to the dining room for a late dinner before a quick walk outside before turning in for the night.

Our body clocks are haywire after the long flights so our nights rest wasn’t great (P:-Judith concerned her luggage would be lonely in Iceland probably didn’t help her sleeping)! We are up to meet Helen and Ian for breakfast at 6.30am for a 7.30 am departure in our hire car. We have a day to see as much as we can before the rain sets in this afternoon. We head south to the Ovre Pasvik National Park Headquarters. Here we watch a film about the Park, its closeness to Russia and Finland and the beauty it contains. We don’t have time to go there as it’s still 1 1/2 hours drive to the entrance and then requires some walking. Maybe another time. The drive south went through some agricultural land, small villages and along the Pasvik River. The Russian Norwegian border runs through the middle of the river in places along this road with border markers on both sides of the river. (P:- We even managed to see a Border Patrol boat motoring up the river. Not sure if Norwegian or Russian).

Once back in town we stop at the Museum to see the WW11 exhibit. Kirkenes was one of the most bombed cities during the war and only 13 houses remained after the war was over. A very good and interesting exhibit. I preferred the room that was being set up with a quilt exhibition/sale. Spoke to the lady hanging the quilts who was also the designer/maker. Some very lovely quilts.

After driving back to Kirkenes to grab some lunch and book a table for dinner tonight we drive out the road northeast to Grense Jakobselv a small town with a gorgeous church and lovely beach. The church King Oscar 11 Chapel is about 500 metres from the Russian border, was built in 1869, and seats 72 people.

Only one of us was game enough to brave the water and it wasn’t Helen, Philip or I. Besides it was raining and quite cool. Seat heaters worked a trick to warm the body after what Ian said was a “very nice swim”. The road out to this point was quite diverse passing through the outskirts of town and winding over the hills still patchy with snow, past numerous lakes and rivers. The further we went the more ice was on the lakes and as we discovered later it was thick enough that when a fist sized rock was thrown onto it (by the “boys” in our group) the rock just skidded along the top. Along the way we spotted reindeer and a moose. Returning to the Hotel we are hopeful that our luggage may be there but our hopes were dashed when we checked and it was still sitting in Oslo, one step closer than Iceland. After speaking to the Airports staff they think it MAY turn up tomorrow morning, if not it will be the next day. Philip and Ian return our rental car to the drop off point near the Hurtigruten terminal (P:-Hertz instructions were leave the Volvo in the public’s car park unlocked with keys in drivers door pocket they will collect later). and walk back to the hotel, then it’s dinner and an early night.

04-06-24

Starting Journey South

Our first job this morning is to visit the Sports and Outdoor store just up the road to get a few things in case our bags don’t arrive today before we depart. Jackets, socks, thermal are top of the list. Around 11 am we leave the hotel to go to the Hurtigruten Terminal where we board the Richard With for our trip down the coast of Norway. Departure time is 12.30. As we come out of our cabin just as we pull away from the berth our bags appear at reception. Staff says to me “close, it was very close” apparently they arrived just as the gangway was being closed. At least we have them. (P:- And another bag and more “ essential” clothing so we didn’t have to wear the same clothes on the cruise for the next week)! Now to enjoy our voyage.

First up is our safety briefing and then a lovely buffet lunch. Shortly after we stop at Vardo, where we have 50 minutes ashore. It’s a quick walk up to the fortress and along the waterfront before it’s back to the ship and off again. Vardo is the eastern most town in Norway with a population just under 2000 people. The largest industry is fishing and fish processing. Many of the buildings along the waterfront have nesting Kitiwakes on their roofs and windowsills. The smell is awful and it’s very noisy. (P:- I got no smellability and evidently am told I am “Half Deaf” so I just thought it was pleasantly interesting).

Once we leave Vardo we head out into open sea which is lovely and calm and shortly after whales are spotted. Orcas and Humpbacks and they are everywhere you look. Spouts are seen all around us in the distance and many breaking the surface as we pass them. Tails and fins are spotted and make the afternoon pass quickly. Numerous bird species are also spotted.

Dinner in the dining room includes herring, reindeer sausage and steak and raspberry mousse or Russian Honey Cake. All was delicious. After dinner we have another quick stop at Batsfjord. Just 30 minutes, but we are off for a quick walk up to the small boat, dock and back just to stretch the legs. This little village is situated on Batsfjord, an inlet from the Barents Sea. Batsfjord is one of the biggest fishing ports in this area with around 10 000 boats visiting per year. (P:- Hate to be a fish everywhere is a fishing port)!