My Norwegian Coastal Voyage

October 16 to October 27, 2009
Bergen to Kirkenes ....6,206km ... And Back

-twelve days and eleven nights on the MS Nordcapp; built in 1996, holding 691 passengers, 464 berths, 45 cars, 123.3m long, travelling at a service speed of 15 knots and owned by HurtigrutenASA.

-have crossed the Arctic Circle, seen three rainbows in one day, been to the northern most point in Europe, been to the point where Russia,Finland and Norway meet, witnessed the Northern Lights, stood under the Milky way, saw seals swim in the harbour and looked for trolls in the TrollFjord.

-have gone on tours to see the Art Nouveau in Aalesund, seen the Arctic Cathedral and Polaria in Tromsoe, looked into a replica of a Sami tent on the way to North Cape, visited numerous museums which all mentioned the destruction of Norway during WWII and have seen a thousand year old cathedral standing in Trondheim.

-have eaten a different fish every day three times a day, partook of the best lamb chops ever, was sea sick and lost one dinner, avoided the soft bread, bought into the coffee plan (all the coffee and tea you can drink for a year on a Hurtigruten ship for NOK209=$40) and have a mug to show for it, have bought a bottle of wine and water for my table, have religiously avoided all other souveneerish purchases. Have bought the Hurtigruten History DVD at the Hurtigruten Museum.

-am reading a book from the ships library, enjoy the quietness of my cabin #344, spend time on deck until my fingers get cold, avoid the Panorama Room because too any are coughing, have developed a camaraderie with my table mates: a honeymoon couple and two women myu age, all from Switzerland. A large group of Germans is also on board. Norwegians come and go as we arrive at new ports of call ... 35 all together.

The seven decks of the ship, with seven being the top deck , are accessible by two hardwood staircases, two lifts and a utility staircase
Deck seven has the Panorama Room and a bar
Deck six has cabins and two jaccussis
Deck five has outdoor access all around for those wishing to jog and cabins.
Deck four has the most important facilities: dining room, snack bar, souvenir shop,tour guide desk, children's play area, conference rooms, computers, and WiFi access.
Deck 3 has the reception desk, the exit when going ashore and my cabin, laundry and other cabins of course
Deck 2 has cabins and the sauna.
Deck 1 remains a mystery but I believe this deck holds the cars, freigh.
Somewhere down there must also be the engines that have been rumbling and vibrating since we left Bergen.

Were I to take this journey a second time I would go north by boat one way and return south buy land, to see what is behind the walls of the fjords.

The small villages and single houses along the edges of the fjord and in the crooks and crannies of the solid rock portent of many other settlements. Roads lead to most of these collections of people. Travelling by Post Ferry is more direct, more comfortable and less expensive. Hurtigruten is supported by government grants and MUST provide the service to the 35 ports along the coast even when the berths on the ship are not filled by 'tourists'.

On this trip there were only 130+passengers ... comfortable but not hugely profitable.

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