The HURTIGRUTEN and the people you meet along the way

I’m writing this entry from Ornés, our first stop inside the arctic circle. We crossed at about 7:45 this morning and I out there on the viewing platform excited and ignoring my very very cold hands. It took all my might to keep a grip on my iPhone as I photographed the little statue on a rock that signals the arctic circle is here. 66 degrees ‘30 N.  Due to formatting issues, it’ll be a bit of a ‘this picture goes with that text’ situation. I believe in you! 

I boarded the ship and immediately met Maggie from Wisconsin. I quickly asked her whether she were red or blue.  So funny. She cottoned on immediately and declared herself blue. We were firm friends from that moment and she agreed that life is too short to spend anytime with Trump voters. On establishing that our cabins were actually next to each other, she inadvertently place a song worm into my brain that is still there after all these days “Knock three times on the ceiling if you want me.  Twice on the pipe if the answer is no…” damn it!  😂. Yes, we knock three times on the wall.  Maggie has retired from police dispatching amongst other roles and is an INFJ. She has grip on everything about this journey, which I’m finding very handy indeed.  So much fun with our wall tapping. 😂 

https://youtu.be/KjGhO4B923Y here’s the YouTube link to the ear worm song playing this trip. Might need to make it knock 5 times or use the word tap instead of knock to know this ear worm on the head!

My cabin was just great. Small, compact, nothing else needed and best of all, great water pressure and very dark- perfect for sleeping, 

Next morning we pulled in to Alesund. I had signed up for a shore Nouveau Art excursion  Alesund had been completely burnt in 1904 and rebuilt so beautifully very quickly.  Our guide was terrific - Ingvar just took us at a good pace and was generous with his knowledge. Angela ENTP was excited to be back talking with an Australian again. We have been hanging out with Maggie and each other since. She thinks and talks rapidly I have a sense of being on a roller coaster ride with her. It is a lot of fun. She introduced me to the ginger shots and berry shots that I’ve become addicted to.  Especially the ginger shots. Breakfast delight.      Here we are at the lookout above Alesund and here are pictures of the tour with Ingvar.  

Angela was excited by the scene and here it is 

And here is Helge, a local artist… I now have one of his water colours.

The metal street furniture is heated

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Art nouveau architecture

Ingvar our tour guide. Knowledgeable and proud

Ingvar took me to see the kind of boats Ed Tadzic had mentioned for me to watch out for. And the preserving tar smell is just wonderful

Our ship is there on the right

NOW SAILING ON TO TRONDHEIM:

Wikipedia says: Trondheim lies on the south shore of Trondheim Fjord at the mouth of the River Nidelva. Among the major technology-oriented institutions headquartered in Trondheim are the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), the Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research (SINTEF), and St. Olavs University Hospital.

The settlement was founded in 997 as a trading post, and it served as the capital of Norway during the Viking Age until 1217. From 1152 to 1537, the city was the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nidaros; it then became, and has remained, the seat of the Lutheran Diocese of Nidaros, and the site of the Nidaros Cathedral   .  

Helen says: it feels like a buzzy exciting city and is the place where she rode in her first Tesla!

The Nidaros Cathedral with beautiful stained glass, a giant organ and many chairs

Maggie walked back, I caught a Tesla! 

Back on the ship Angela and I braved the bitter cold for a special lighthouse viewing

Followed by a lecture on Vikings - the areas of settlement which I found interesting and their beliefs and region. I wish I’d taken notes for that second part (ie. I didn’t pay attention) but will share the slide anyway