Jul 2, 2009 - Another Sea Day

We really slept in this morning. The lack of darkness must have caught up with us, since we were in bed relatively early last night. After a late breakfast we did some walking then went to a lecture on the Fjords which was quite interesting. We had lunch where there were carved Viking heads and ships from watermelons - the heads in particular were very well done. Afterwards Christine returned to the cabin to read and I went to a lecture on Verdi's Operas. As I was returning there were people outside obviously intent on something in the...

Jul 1, 2009 - At the Top of the World

We were again up and breakfast when the ship docked. This time in Honningsvag. Apart from crossing the pole on an aeroplane, this is the furthest north we have been, and are ever likely to be. Honningsvag itself is the furthest north village in Europe and the gateway to North Cape or Nord Kapp as it is known here. Technically I understand it is not quite the most northerly part of mainland Europe, as a nearby point is slightly further north. It is, however the most accessible and is where the Atlantic and the Arctic Oceans are generally...

May 5, 2009 - Finnmark

Well if Finnish Lapland is the home of Santa Claus then Finnmark Norway should without a doubt be home to the abomnible snowman! This is a land of absolute extremity, shockingly beautiful, but wild and dangerous. Travelling here during the winter months has opened our eyes to the all consuming power of nature. Our journey into Finnmark, starts off, as all journeys into the unknown do, just two people blissfully unaware of the unwelding power of this new and unexperienced climate. We drive into the town of Alta, the first town on our tour...