Sailing Past Bear Island

It's a long way from the mainland of Norway to the Svalbard Archipelago. It took us two full days to reach 80° North. On the first of those two days, Cruise Gran, GirlCousinAndi and moi met in the Palm Court as we passed by Bear Island.



As you can see, it's pretty inhospitable.







A few months ago, this Russian ship ran aground....



But some do fish these waters despite the danger.






As we were all going to eat sushi that evening, we chose to have the annual " Mema's Summer Cruise-the Legend Continues" photo made before, basically taking over Palm Court while waiting for the Crystal Photographer.























We eventually got the whole gang together and arranged properly (pic to come at a later post!!) and we can't decide whether we look like a convention of insurance agents or a group of mental health workers (or inmates!) We did get the whole Maison Cou Rouge clan-



before the the Captain announced that whales had been spotted to port and we all broke ranks and ran for a look.



We then headed down to take over dine at Silk Road.



We had several tables....



We had quite a good laugh remembering past cruises and dinners... and cousin Merrill Bob was game to reprise his "vodka-inspired napkin-samurai headdress" look from St. Petersburg in 2006.



Amy couldn't stop laughing.



GirlCousinAndi demonstrated her vodka-inspired Russian Dance from that dinner in St. Petersburg 2006 as well (but not on a table this time)...



We then headed off to "Liar's Club"- a wonderful evening's entertainment emceed by Cruise Director Paul McFarland



The gist of it is, four panelists- in this case, comedian Mike Goddard. destination lecturer Dr. Jay Wolff, Rabbi Morris Hershmann, and Monsignor Liam Kidney- are quizzed about the meaning of different incredibly unusual words. Only one of them tells the truth, the other four have made up stories. It is the audience-divided into teams- who must guess who is lying, and thereby score points. Hilarious doesn't begin to cover it...



Our team didn't win, but we got close..





And before you knew it, another day at sea was upon us.

Nordkapp

Knowing that you are almost at the "top" of the world is a pretty cool feeling. I opened the curtains (and in the land of the midnight sun, you DEFINITELY have to sleep with the curtains closed, or you won't sleep at all...the sun REALLY NEVER SETS) and this is what I saw.


Ok for all readers of MCR who are NOT members of Captains Voyage, I must explain.

The Norwegian coastline is over 15, 000 miles long. That's not including the shores of all the islands. Travel by road takes a while--where there ARE roads. Travel by ferry or ship is much more common, and faster. The Norwegian Coastal Steamer fleet, or Hurtigruten, is made up of 11 ships that travel north and south from Bergen to Kirkenes. I think there are something like 33 cities that Hurtigruten stop in --each city gets a daily visit.

At Captain's Voyage, following the Hurtigruten ships is a fun thing we do. So you can imagine my delight at finally seeing my FIRST ship of the fleet in person....and not ONE, but two- Finnmarken and Vesterålen, as they crossed. God was definitely tapping me on the shoulder to climb out of bed!

Well, it was a big deal to me......especially as I claim Finnmarken as "my" ship, as she has the most lovely..um...rounded.... stern.

Well, we docked in what is said to be the most northern village on the European mainland. The family had a tour bus waiting for us and off we went. We passed by a fish drying facility


saw real live reindeer out in the wild

Visited a Såmi reindeer farm

reindeer love eating moss



Then went to Nordkapp- the North Cape- at 71° N.

Whilst in the Nordkapp Hall, I ordered my first real Norwegian Vafler actually MADE IN NORWAY (I love eating them at home...)--yes, it's a plain waffle, but with sour cream and strawberry jam and brun ost....



Delicious. Ok, it was funny to discover that the guy serving us--speaking Norwegian, was a student on summer break from his studies at a university in Sweden...and hailed from Texas. Only in real life...

Heading back from Nordkapp, we stopped at a crab and fishing harbor . Hanging out to dry was more fish

or as Debo has dubbed it fish jerky, or "ferky".

Grumpy Guy held a rather large crab

Boy held a crab

Girl held a crab

World' Cutest Nephew held a crab (with cousin Andy's help)

and cousin London worried for the safety of her baby doll.

The harbor was beautiful in the rain



I'm sure this big fella was mighty glad to be back in the holding tank....




Heading back to Honnigsvåg, we stopped by the local church

before heading back to the harbor for a photo op with a local troll



We sailed at 10pm...yes, this is about 10:15pm on a rainy night leaving Honnigsvåg.




I leave you with one small word of warning. Never trust me when I say I won't post silly pictures........