Hi Again!
On Sunday we had a day at sea. On Sundays when the ship is “at sea”, Regent shifts to a Sunday Brunch (instead of breakfast and lunch). We slept in and had a feast — then slept some more that afternoon….sad that it was a pretty day and we were not in a port to take advantage.
There was a celebration on Sunday as we crossed the Arctic Circle. We enjoyed a Arctic Crossing tradition and had our noses painted blue (blue, I guess, for cold). Then we posed with Neptune and Friends, Nordic Style….
When we arrived at our northernmost destination about 155 miles of the Arctic Circle — Harstad — on Monday. (That’s pronounced like hashtag, except with a d on the end. I wasn’t going to figure that out ever! The weather was truly amazing. We had chosen a tour of a museum and a church. The museum was only moderately interesting — the parts about WWII. The Russians installed a number of outposts to protect the shore from the Germans; however, the Germans overran them and killed a huge number of the natives. Our guide told us that Germans were not welcome in that city until about 25 years ago — the bitterness lingered.
The prisoner cards from the Norwegians imprisoned by the occupying Germans during WWII.
An example of an old farmhouse with the grass roof.
Next to it was a church built in medieval time and it houses a beautiful triptych. The cemetery was also fun to look at….as were the views!!
The most amazing part of that day was the afternoon. After lunch back on the ship, John and I put on our bathing suits and sat by the pool. The sun is hot even in the Arctic Circle. We both went into the hot tub but afterward I walked in the pool for awhile….
Then more food — dinner that night!!!
Then we headed back toward the south — to Bodo. Another amazing day awaited us. You must remember that it was supposed to rain EVERY DAY!!!! It was now Tuesday, August 13th. The town was not so famous, but there was a very pretty church and a nice walking street in town.
However, the highlight of the day was our first RIB adventure (that stands for rubber inflatable boat). It was awesome!!! There were two “best” parts. The first was an incredible rock formation that had some of the most beautiful designs I had ever seen.
The second highlight was the going to see the Saltstraumen Maelstroms and whirlpools….and passing a sea eagle on the way! This is one of the strongest currents in the world and is caused by the merging of two fjords. Lots of folks were standing on the banks watching as we ventured next to and into one of the whirlpools. So much fun!!! We walked away afterward feeling so exhilarated!!!!!
In flight:
That night in the Italian restaurant, both John and Bryan ordered the veal parmesan. We laughed when it came at its size; however, both guys polished it off!!!! And my taste of it was delicious.
Wednesday was our second sea day. These were our only pictures!!
In Alesund on Thusday, August 15thwe began the day with an unspectacular walking tour; we quickly dropped out and instead went to see the Art Nouveau Center. After Alesund burned down (mostly) in 1904, there was a huge rebuilding time, mostly in the Art Nouveau style. So we enjoyed the architecture and the museum.
The Art Nouveau Center:
Next we went to the Kube Museum – contemporary art. A little too out there for my taste, but John took some pix.
And the best view in town…..with us, of course!
Back on board for lunch, then another jaunt – this time to the aquarium, just in time to watch the feeding of the penguins then the seals. We had missed the otter feeding but we did look at them. It was such fun to watch.
Our bus driver:
The Humboldt penguins:
Food is coming:
See the fish flying through the air as he slung them out toward the water.
Three old men on a bench….
The one year olds or younger:
The rejected one month old being fed a special diet — much smaller pieces.
We also went inside to see a highlight – the blue lobster! And then a saw a huge king crab to whom I said “You’d better hide or I’ll come eat you!” Another sunny and fantastic day.
I might mention that the weather forecast before we left showed that there was supposed to be showers or rain EVERY DAY!!! We have had a brief shower in Copenhagen on the first day, a little rain one morning in Bergen, cloudy skies and humid on our second sea day…
…and the rest of the days have been high 60s and sunny – partly cloudy at the worst. Lucky us.
Beth
ADDENDUM
97% of the surface of Norway is mountain or water.
The population of Norway is 5.2 million (most of which is in Oslo and Bergen) with many small towns scattered along the west coast of the country.
Norway was under Danish control for the 400 years preceding 1814. In 1814 Norway formed a union with Sweden and adopted its first constitution. In 1905 Norway became an independent country. Norway is a constitutional monarchy and a democracy. Norway tried to remain neutral in WWII but was quickly overrun by the Nazis in April of 1940.
In 1969, oil was discovered in a portion of the North Sea allocated to Norway, at which time Norway went from being a poor country to becoming a rich country. Norway now provides free medical care, old age housing care and other benefits for all its citizens. In anticipation of diminishing oil revenues, the Norwegian government established an oil trust for future generations with a current balance in excess of $1 trillion. Meanwhile, Norway continues to tax its citizens between 27% and 38%. In addition, Norway charges a 25% tax on alcohol beverages.
Norway has a goal of zero carbon emissions by 2025. The people and the government have a strong belief in climate change. The government has imposed a 180% tax on imported vehicles with the result that a $100,000 vehicle costs $280,000. An exception is made for electric vehicles-no tax and free parking. Tesla is prevalent in Oslo.
Norway is an incredibly clean country-land and air.
John
