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Published: March 17th 2011
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Delicious Delecasies
This was one of the main highlights of the plane ride over Hello friends!
I am writing from the deck of my cruise boat, currently chugging along past Hammerfest south down the Western coast of Norway! (so yes - we have arrived safely). This blog is part of my alternative practicum for Queen's - so I will try my best to keep it up to date and PG.
The trip so far has gone without many problems..The 8 hour plane ride from Toronto to Paris started off pretty well when I realized that Harry Potter 7 was available as one of the many movie selections. Then we got our meal and things got better still, Alix you will be able to see why.
We arrived in Paris and immediately headed out on the RER (subway). After a 45 minute subway ride we arrived right at Notre Dame Cathedral. I didn't take any pictures of the inside because it felt wrong, but the outside was insane! We then walked in the direction of the Eiffel Tower. I did not realize this was going to turn into a one hour walk, but the streets smelled like spring and the buildings were all very pretty so I didn't mind too much. Paris felt like spring! It
Notre Dame Cathedral
Thank god for the fisheye lens! must have been about 15 degrees out and we were both wearing our big winter boots that were too big to pack.. Finally we arrived at the Eiffel tower where I proceeded to be harassed by different deaf people to sign their sheet and give them money because I was too much of a pansy to say no to them.. mom finally stepped in and made them leave 😊
After that we basically had to get back to the airport so we quickly grabbed a cab to see the Arc de Triumphe and the The Champs de L'Elysee (sp?). We then grabbed our plane and proceeded to Oslo, where we got lost trying to find the hostel and ended up eating at 10, not even getting into town. Our meal, which was described like "beef with sauteed mushrooms over a red pepper salad and greens" SOUNDED like a stir fry! turns out it was a slab of raw beef with some mushrooms around it.... ooh and a balsamic reduction.. lovely first meal. After that we both crashed pretty hard in bed.
The next day we flew up to Kirkenes, way up at the Northern tip of Norway, and met the
Ahhhh oui
Besides the crazy harassing people, this was quite the site for sore eyes Hurtigruten ship at the harbour. The ship is beautiful and has 7 decks. On the 7th there is a panoramic lounge where you can see all around you. We always seem to be surrounded by fjords and mountains and the towns are all built at the bottom of these mountains with cute little colourful houses that are fun to take pictures of. Last night at Vardø, as per tradition (or so they say) we did a polar bear dip in the harbour. The water was 33 degrees F and so a bitttttt nippy. nice to say I did it in the Arctic ocean though. I am the coolest. We even got certificates today for it and got to see the captain's quarters... apparently the ship navigates itself.. it was still fun to take pictures with the equipment and say "ICEBERG! STRAIGHT AHEAD" Tomorrow we get off the ship and stay at the Lofoten islands, which should have lots of birds (including the ever so stylish puffin), cross country skiing, fish and hopefully some cheaper food! I am still waiting on the Northern Lights though.. fingers crossed for tonight!
Oh and PS - HAPPY ST PATRICKS DAY! I miss the streets
Ice Dip
Getting ready for the Polar Bear Dip in Vardo of Hamilton today! Here with the older crowd cruise the most exciting thing you can do is wear a string of green beads or buy a 12 dollar pint!
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Peiri Spencer
non-member comment
Pictures are lovely but I can't tell whether you enjoyed the raw beef or not. This is fun because I have been thinking about the 2 of you and hoping that you were not lost in Paris. Have fun and say hi to mom. Aunt Peir