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Norway - When I was about 12 years old my Godfather told me about his time in Norway . Even at that tender age I knew I had to visit. I won't say how long ago that was, but I'm now semi-retired. Norway was worth the wait!
The chance to visit Norway came out of the blue, a chance comment in an otherwise ordinary conversation. Within a few daze we were on a Braathens flight from Gatwick to Bergen. An overnight stop in Bergen then a mail plane series of hops up the coast to Tromso, arriving late in the afternoon.
Our journey back down the coast of Norway was to be by ship, the Vesteralen, not the largest ship in the fleet but not the smallest either. It was due into port at midnight. 7 hours to kill in the Paris of the North!
Tromso is a very pretty town but I rather suspect that the soubriquet 'Paris of the North' is a name given by the students at the local university rather than an internationally recognised identity. BUT it was really worth the visit.
Tromso is the capital of Northern Norway. Built on the Tromso Sound it has a delightful harbour and a wonderful view across the sound to the Arctic Cathedral (I should add that the airport is on one side of the sound and the port on the other). At the right time of year, and the right time of day, Tromso offers many activities to be enjoyed by visitors. Dog sledge trips, snomobile rides, glacier walking etc..
Unfortunately we were there with insuficient time to explore any of these possibilities and by about 21:30 hours we were rather hoping that the vessel would arrive ahead of schedule. It arrived dead on time!
The Vesteralen is a semi-cruise come working ship. It, and it's sisters from the fleet, travel up and down the Norwegian coast acting as cruise ships on the one hand and working ships, with freight and mail, on the other. A well balanced mix.
We hopped from port to port all the way down the coast, constantly on the move, pausing only to load or off-load mail and freight or drop off the locals as they moved about. A party of students embarked with us, went straight to the bar and got off at their home town the following morning. Home for the weekend.
Despite being very early April the scenery was breathtaking! The ships 'entertainment' officer used the speaker system to point out the interesting points.
At a couple of ports there was time to get off and stroll around the town but we were warned that the ship would not wait for stragglers. We even managed a shore trip on one of the larger islands, picking up the ship at the next port of call.
The 'normal' route of these ships is from Bergen up to Kirkenes right up at the top, stopping at about 35 ports on the way. It then turns around and comes back, stopping at the same ports on the return.
For the most part the trip is between the mainland and the necklace of islands that are strung down the coast, the waters are really quite calm, the perfect intorduction to what must be the most beautiful coastal voyage on the planet.
If you the time/money to take the full return trip then go for it! It would be a wonderful experience. The ships are comfortable, well equipped and the food is excellent - a VERY relaxing holiday. If you can only manage the time/money for one way or part way, then I suggest the reverse to the route we took, Bergen to Tromso.
Why Bergen to Tromso? The ship is obviously constrained by journey time and tides, on the way up the daylight hours coincide with the 'prettier' towns and villages. I really wanted to see Alesund but our arrival was timed for about 3am. I missed it, because it was pitch black!
That's life, I'll just have to return, shame! <G>
If, like myself and my family, you get the chance to visit this beautiful country, grab it with both hands! In the meantime enjoy the photographs I have taken.
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